Chief of Staff for the UK Representative for Syria (EO)

About the role

The UK Office for Syria (UKOS), based on the British Embassy Beirut platform, is looking for a Chief of Staff for the UK Special Representative for Syria (UKSR) at Executive Officer (EO) grade. It is a full-time, temporary position on a fixed-term contract of 11.5 months. The jobholder provides executive and operational support to the UKSR, managing the Private Office's day-to-day running, including diaries, travel, stakeholder engagement, budgets and office administration.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the principal point of contact for the UKSR, coordinating meetings, visits and events and circulating papers well in advance.
• Work across UKOS in Beirut and London, commissioning and quality-assuring briefing, media and communications material.
• Maintain the UKOS contacts database and keep it up to date after each Syria visit.
• Manage the UKSR's diary and provide executive and travel support to the Deputy Head of Mission in Beirut and the Development Director for Syria in the UK.
• Coordinate official visits, including travel bookings, and prepare and submit Notes Verbales for travel to Syria.
• Monitor and forecast travel and entertainment budgets, reconcile Corporate Credit Card spending, maintain the gifts and hospitality register and support event coordination.
• Provide secretariat support to the fortnightly Senior Leadership Team and all-staff meetings, taking minutes and following up actions.
• Maintain corporate records such as the leave tracker, distribution lists and organisational charts.
• Provide finance cover for the Corporate Services Manager in Damascus and the Corporate Services Assistant in Beirut, and support the preparation of Notes Verbales.
• Take on other ad hoc duties, including emergency planning and crisis response, and work outside standard office hours occasionally.

Required profile

• At least three years' relevant experience in a comparable executive or private office supporting a senior leader.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline.
• Experience of working in an embassy, diplomatic mission or other international environment.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic.
• Integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

Required skills

• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Strong collaboration skills and confidence using Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Desirable: experience of managing staff and knowledge of UK politics and international relations.

Time Off In Lieu is provided in line with terms and conditions of service. Applications close on 8 November 2026.