Expert – Strategic Initiatives & International Partnerships

Minister's Office — Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Iris Executives is a leading executive search firm specializing in Emiratisation and senior-level recruitment since 2010. We partner with government entities and strategic organisations across the UAE to identify exceptional leadership and advisory talent. We are currently supporting a prominent UAE government entity in the search for an experienced Expert – Strategic Initiatives & International Partnerships.

This is a rare opportunity to join the office of a senior government leader as a trusted expert at the centre of decision-making. This is a specialist, hands-on expert role — not a generalist advisory position — focused on public diplomacy, strategic narratives and international cultural cooperation. You will work where national vision becomes real action: taking high-level direction and turning it into programmes, partnerships and materials that shape how the country is seen around the world.

Day to day, you will design and deliver cross-border initiatives spanning culture and international cooperation, prepare executive-level materials used directly by leadership — speeches, talking points, concept notes and briefings — and monitor strategic narratives about the country globally, acting where reputation risks appear.

You will engage with senior external stakeholders and drive alignment across government entities so that complex initiatives are delivered as one. You will also mentor junior team members and set the quality bar for everything the office produces.

We are looking for a seasoned strategy and policy professional who combines strategic thinking with outstanding executive communication and the political acumen to operate calmly in a high-pressure, fast-turnaround leadership environment.

• Translate high-level leadership vision into actionable strategies, initiatives and flagship projects
• Lead end-to-end design and execution of complex cross-border initiatives spanning culture and international partnerships
• Structure governance frameworks and negotiation tracks for joint councils and international cooperation platforms

• Prepare executive-level materials: speeches, talking points, concept notes, briefs and leadership presentations
• Ensure all outputs meet leadership expectations for quality, clarity and timing

• Shape and monitor strategic narratives about the country globally
• Support the response to misinformation and reputation risks with sound judgement

• Engage and negotiate with senior external stakeholders, including foreign governments, ambassadors, international organisations, foundations and academic institutions
• Drive internal alignment across departments and government entities to ensure unified delivery
• Mentor junior team members and raise the quality of the office's output

Experience:

• 8–12+ years of professional experience with substantive exposure to strategic narratives, soft power or cultural diplomacy — whether gained in government, international organisations, cultural institutions or advisory roles
• Proven record of designing initiatives that shaped how external audiences perceive a country or institution
• Hands-on engagement with foreign governments, ambassadors or senior international counterparts
• Track record of preparing materials used directly by ministers, CEOs or equivalent senior leaders
• Demonstrated experience working with senior government leadership or C-suite stakeholders

Education:

• Master's degree or higher in International Relations, Public Policy, Political Science, Economics or a related field

Professional Background (examples may include):

• Strategic communications or nation-branding offices of government entities
• Cultural and international cooperation institutions
• International organisations and multilateral bodies
• International affairs think tanks and policy research institutes
• Public sector practices of leading strategy consultancies — with government advisory or nation-branding portfolios
• Strategic communications and government advisory firms

Skills:

• Strategic thinking — connecting national vision to executable programmes
• Executive communication — high-level briefings and minister-ready writing
• Stakeholder engagement and negotiation at senior levels
• Project structuring and governance design for international initiatives
• Political acumen — navigating complex institutional environments

This position plays a key role in how the country is seen and understood around the world. By turning leadership vision into real initiatives and clear executive materials, the Expert contributes directly to the nation's global standing and its international partnerships.

The organisation offers a comprehensive government employment package including:

• Competitive monthly package
• Family medical coverage (employee, spouse and dependents)
• Annual air tickets to home country
• Professional development and exposure to high-level national initiatives

Full compensation details will be discussed confidentially with shortlisted candidates.

Government | Strategic Communications | International Partnerships

Qualified candidates interested in this opportunity are invited to:

• Request the candidate data form
• Submit their updated CV for confidential consideration

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by Iris Executives to discuss the role and compensation details. All applications will be handled with strict confidentiality.