Senior Specialist International Relations

About the role

EDGE, an advanced technology group focused on defence and emerging technologies, is looking for a Senior Specialist International Relations in Abu Dhabi. The role delivers end-to-end protocol and logistics for international delegations, executive visits, diplomatic engagements and official events involving EDGE leadership, ensuring each engagement meets diplomatic, cultural, security and governance standards.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate inbound and outbound international delegations, executive visits and diplomatic engagements involving EDGE leadership and strategic stakeholders, and build detailed itineraries, run-of-show documents and contact sheets.
• Manage hospitality, transportation, accommodation, security coordination and VIP handling, including airport facilitation, gifting, seating plans, flag and precedence arrangements and translation or interpretation.
• Manage vendors and budgets for protocol services.
• Liaise with government entities, embassies, regulatory authorities and institutional partners to secure approvals, permits and access, and coordinate with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, security agencies and venue owners.
• Ensure adherence to diplomatic protocol standards, cultural considerations, security requirements and organizational governance, and maintain protocol guidelines, precedence lists and templates.
• Support EDGE's presence at major exhibitions and events such as IDEX and NAVDEX, and capture lessons learned and feedback after each engagement.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in International Relations, Hospitality Management, Public Administration or a related field.
• Experience in protocol, VIP or government relations, ideally with a government entity, embassy, ministry or major corporate.
• Experience handling head-of-state, ministerial or C-suite visits is strongly preferred.
• English proficiency is required for all roles.

Preferred qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of UAE and international diplomatic protocol and etiquette.
• Excellent written and spoken Arabic and English.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented and calm under pressure, with strong liaison skills with senior officials.
• Discretion with sensitive and security-related information, and flexibility to work extended hours, weekends and at short notice.

What we offer

• Competitive, tax-free salaries.
• Benefits that may include family visas, annual flight tickets, medical insurance for you and your dependents, and education allowances for your children.
• A learning academy and digital learning platforms, career support and the chance to collaborate with talent from around the world.