SRR - Maternity Cover Translator (AO)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require. Job Category Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles) Job Subcategory Chancery Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for a Translator , job grade Administrative Officer (AO), on a fixed-term contract until 31 March 2026 to cover a maternity leave.

We are looking for a strong translator to join the Embassy's translation team, translating mostly from English to Arabic, but to some extent also from Arabic to English. The team is at the heart of the Embassy's work, facilitating the exchange of information and ideas between United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.

You will be responsible for influential and sometimes widely published translations in which accuracy and the right nuance will be vital. The material translated will range widely in subject, matter and style, and will be commissioned by all sections of the Embassy. You will need to work to a consistent standard under pressure, delivering excellent translations against tight deadlines.

You will also provide cover for the Senior Translator.

Main duties and responsibilities :

• To provide timely and accurate translation for all types of documents.
• To be responsible for their own professional development.
• To provide cover for the Senior Translator during leave.
• To provide interpretation when required.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future, and this would be at the discretion of the line manager or head of section. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy's emergency planning and any other response to a crisis.

Key behaviours required :

• Managing a Quality Service - Effectiveness in this area is about being organised to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirement.
• Delivering at Pace - Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Previous experience of translation work.
• The ability to provide accurate and timely written and verbal translations from English into Arabic (and Arabic into English).
• Ability to work well in a team and understand diversity.
• Excellent IT skills - word and excel. PowerPoint an advantage.
• Ability to manage resources including own time and tasking.
• Ability to work well under pressure and deliver to deadline.
• Understanding of customers and delivering excellent service.

Desirable qualifications,skills and experience

• Experience of interpretation.
• Experience of technical translation using specialist language.
• Good knowledge of current affairs.

Required behaviours Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service

Grade Administrative Officer (AO) Type of Position Full-time Working hours per week 35 Region Middle East & North Africa Country / Territory Saudi Arabia Location (City) Riyadh Type of Post British Embassy Number of vacancies 1 Salary Currency SAR Salary 8,782.00 Type of Salary monthly Start Date 15 December 2025 End Date 31 March 2026 Other benefits and conditions of employment

Eligibility :

The successful candidate must already have the right to work and reside in Saudi without sponsorship from the British Embassy.

Working hours and remuneration :

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role.

Monthly salary details :

• Base Salary - SAR 6,626.00
• Housing Allowance - SAR 1,656.00 (subject to eligibility)
• Travel Allowance - SAR 500.00 (subject to eligibility)
• Total - SAR 8,782.00
• Allowances are not payable to staff who receive official provision for such expenditure in some other form. Spouses / Dependants of UKBS officers working at the Embassy are not eligible to Housing or Travel Allowance.

No accommodation nor relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

This position is to cover a period of maternity leave until 31 March 2026. The British Embassy Riyadh employs Country Based Staff in line with Saudi Labour Law.

This position is full-time, based on 35 hours per week. Normal working hours for the Embassy are from 08 : 00 to 15 : 00 from Sunday to Thursday, with core working hours from 10 : 00-15 : 00. Core working hours is the period of the day that employees are required to be at work. The working day outside of the core hours is a flexible period, which allows employees to choose when they work, subject to operational needs.

Given the nature of the role, the jobholder should be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will be dictated by operational needs and may involve working out of hours (evening and weekend). Flexible working arrangements will be considered based on operational requirements upon agreement with the Line Manager and in line with the Embassy's policies.

The successful candidate will be subject to a 90-day probationary period.