View Vacancy - BMA-Compliance Officer (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.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
Corporate Services Support

The British Embassy Bahrain is seeking a highly motivated Compliance Officer to join our team. This permanent role requires strong organisational and communication skills, along with expertise in compliance and health and safety, to maintain standards and ensure smooth operations across the Embassy.

Duties and responsibilities:

The Compliance Officer will ensure that the Embassy operates in full compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies. This role combines oversight of health, safety, and welfare standards with regulatory and procedural compliance across transport, property, and operational functions. The jobholder will lead risk assessments, and training requirements to maintain a safe and compliant working environment, while supporting governance and assurance processes for Embassy operations, including leading on logistical planning and coordination for official visits.

Compliance & Governance

  • Develop, implement, and maintain compliance policies, procedures, and systems in line with FCDO standards and local legislation.
  • Lead on internal compliance audits, including health & safety assurance, property compliance checks, and gap analysis for newly acquired or leased properties.
  • Monitor adherence to Embassy policies and statutory requirements, reporting non-compliance and recommending corrective actions.
  • Maintain accurate compliance records for audit purposes, including fleet, property, and health & safety documentation.

Health & Safety Management

  • Coordinate the development and implementation of health & safety policies and procedures.
  • Conduct regular risk assessments, inspections, and audits across Embassy premises and operations.
  • Organise and lead quarterly Health & Safety Committee meetings, ensuring timely completion of agreed actions.
  • Ensure staff awareness and training on health & safety legislation, codes of practice, and best practices.
  • Oversee contractor compliance for cleaning, gardening, pest control, and event logistics, ensuring adherence to H&S and Embassy standards.

Operational Compliance

  • Support compliance in transport and logistics operations, including vehicle maintenance records, insurance renewals, annual traffic inspections, and timely maintenance and repairs. Maintain accurate vehicle records and monitor fuel spend.
  • Driver Management: Line management of three (3) Drivers, including overseeing daily schedules, approving overtime, and conducting mid- and end-year appraisals.
  • Ensure accurate and timely processing of official documentation (residency permits, CPRs, IDs) in line with local regulations.
  • Assist with IT troubleshooting to maintain operational compliance during periods when the Corporate Services Manager is unavailable.
  • Stationery Management: Oversee the stationery room and maintain stock levels to support operational needs.

Logistical Support for Official Visits

  • Act as lead on logistical planning and coordination for official visits, including VIP delegations.
  • Develop and execute detailed transport and support plans in compliance with Embassy protocols.
  • Liaise with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure smooth delivery of visit requirements.

Training & Awareness

  • Develop and deliver structured compliance and health & safety training programmes for staff.
  • Provide guidance and advice to managers and employees on compliance obligations and risk mitigation.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

  • Investigate incidents and accidents, document findings, and implement preventive measures.
  • Prepare compliance reports for senior management and recommend improvements to enhance operational integrity.
  • Keep up to date with changes in relevant laws, regulations, and FCDO policies, communicating updates to stakeholders.

Wider Embassy contribution:

  • The Job Holder, as with all members of staff, will contribute to the life of the Embassy community beyond their formal job description. This could include broader roles such as fire warden or joining a People Committee.
  • The Job Holder will form part of crisis preparedness, exercising and any operational response.
  • Respond flexibly and actively to evolving priorities and needs, including out of standard working hours.
  • Cover for the other team members during times of leave and absence.

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. 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 - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs. 
  • Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions
  • Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.

Eligibility

  • The successful candidate must have the right to work in Bahrain or must be eligible to obtain a work permit for Bahrain.
  • The British Embassy will provide visa sponsorship for the successful candidate.
  • Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely. Accurate typing and proofreading skills.
  • Excellent organisational and record-keeping skills with attention to detail.
  • Ability to conduct audits, analyse data, and produce clear reports.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills; capable of working on their own initiative as well as with and through others. Able to influence and engage at all levels and collaborate effectively across teams.
  • Flexible, resilient, decisive and calm under pressure. Ability to understand competing priorities and make judgement calls on when to use own initiative and when to consult with managers.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
  • Previous experience in compliance, health & safety, or governance roles.
  • Knowledge of Bahrain Labour Law and FCDO compliance standards.
  • Good knowledge of compliance frameworks, health & safety legislation, and risk management principles.
Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service
21 January 2026
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Permanent
35
Middle East & North Africa
Bahrain
Manama/Bahrain
British Embassy
1
BHD
1094
monthly
1 March 2026

Working hours and remuneration:

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role. The salary for this role is at BHD 1094 per month based on 35 hours per week.

If you are exempt from paying local social insurance in Bahrain, your salary will be abated by an amount equivalent to the social insurance that would otherwise be payable. Further information on this may be provided at interview if necessary.

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

The package includes private medical insurance and learning and development (L&D) opportunities. Specific training and mentoring for the role will be provided, and your Line Manager will help you develop a personalised L&D plan and will share opportunities, resources and guidance to ensure you continue your learning.

This role is for a full-time employment on a permanent contract. The successful candidate will be subject to a three-month probationary period. The appointment is subject to satisfactory local and UK security clearances.

Normal working hours at the Embassy are from 07:30-14:30 from Sunday to Thursday, with core working hours from 09:00-13:00. The Embassy operates a flexible working policy, which entitles staff to work more flexibly as long as the core hours are worked. This will be considered based on operational requirements and agreement with the line manager, and in line with FCDO and Embassy policies. Limited working from home flexibility is allowed e.g.1 day a week but the expectation is the jobholder will work mostly from the Embassy in support of senior colleagues.  

The jobholder should be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will also be dictated by operational needs and may involve working out of hours (evening and weekend).

 

How to apply:

 Interested candidates must include in their online application form the following:

  1. an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV);
  2. a covering letter/ motivation essay stating how you meet the requirements of the role; and
  3. specific examples in the relevant sections of the online application form of how you meet the key behaviours and skills required.

Applications that do not include this information will not be considered.

Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification

Applications must be submitted before 23:55 Bahrain local time on 21 January 2026

Applications submitted after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Process:

Due to the large number of applications we receive, only those shortlisted for the next step in the recruitment process will be contacted.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful at interview may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of six (6) months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

The start date mentioned in the advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances and reference checks.

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around 2-3 months. The security clearance process includes checks available in country and in the UK, dependant on the security level required for the role and the candidates profile and UK footprint. You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign, and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.

The British Embassy Bahrain is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local labour law.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.