Senior Public Relations Officer (PRO) – Defence & Security

About the role

The company is looking for a highly experienced and discreet Public Relations Officer (PRO) to manage government relations for defence and security projects in Abu Dhabi. The role involves coordinating approvals, permits, security clearances and regulatory permissions with the Ministry of Defence and other sensitive authorities.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the official liaison between the organisation and the Ministry of Defence, security agencies, municipalities and other regulatory bodies.
• Manage security clearances, site permits, personnel approvals, visitor access, asset registrations and related permissions for defence‑related projects.
• Prepare, review, translate and submit official applications, forms, correspondence and reports in Arabic and English, ensuring compliance with UAE laws and defence regulations.
• Monitor approval processes, maintain status trackers and proactively follow up to avoid delays on high‑priority projects.
• Coordinate with project, operations, security, legal and administrative teams to ensure timely completion of government‑related requirements.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of classified documentation and sensitive project information.
• Build and sustain professional relationships with government officials and key stakeholders in the defence and security sector.
• Advise internal teams on procedures, regulatory obligations, security protocols and approval timelines.
• Maintain organised records for audit and compliance, and flag potential risks or delays to management.

Required profile

• Proven experience as a PRO, government liaison or public relations specialist in the UAE.
• Experience within the defence, security, military, infrastructure or engineering sectors.
• Previous work with the Ministry of Defence or security‑related government authorities.
• Strong knowledge of UAE government procedures, security clearance processes and regulatory compliance.
• Mandatory fluency in Arabic (reading and writing) and English.

Required skills