International & Institutional Affairs Unit Head JOB

1 Job Details

Department Al Ain Museum

Section -

Unit International & Institutional Affairs

2 Role Purpose

Define the stakeholder engagement strategy and plans for the museum, enhance public diplomacy reputation of the museum. Lead and build new strategic local and international museum and government relationships to preserve, develop and raise the profile and global presence of the museum. Serve as the museum’s primary liaison with governmental bodies, academic institutions, museums, cultural organizations, and diplomatic missions.

3 Key Responsibilities

Stakeholder Management and Planning

• Establish the stakeholder engagement strategy for the Museum.


• Develop and implement strategies to build institutional relationships that support the museum’s curatorial, educational, and research objectives.


• Negotiate and manage memoranda of understanding (MoUs), agreements, and collaborations with international museums and cultural organizations.


• Establish the protocol framework and guidelines for the Museum.


• Support the planning of yearly missions abroad, reviewing invitations and appropriate global event calendars, to ensure Al Ain Museum is well represented at key and necessary events.


• Provide advice and guidance to the Museum Director on international cooperation programmes, projects and requests.


• Project manage all collaborations with international institutions.

Strategic Partnerships

• Oversee the development of strategic partnerships between the Museum and international museums & cultural institutions, governments, foundations, NGOs, and other organizations, as well as ongoing collaborations between the Museum and various UAE government offices (both at the Emirate and Federal level).


• Promote the image of the Museum through the management of the external relationships with international partners along with developing and maintaining all other institutional relationships.

Government Relations

• Define the strategy to engage and implement special relationships with government entities through different programs such as roadshows, invitations, special projects and new partnerships.


• Represent the museum in official functions, policy dialogues, and international forums.


• Oversee special government reporting requests and coordinate responses in coordination with all Museum sections.


• Liaise with government officials and the public media in collaboration with Marketing & Communications team.

Protocol & Delegation Management

• Oversee and manage all high-level visits, cultural delegations and special events for VIP local, regional and international museum visitors including protocol arrangements.


• Ensure excellence in hosting and communication in line with local customs and international standards.

Shared Activity

• Ensure effective cascading of the functional strategy into unit business plans to ensure vertical alignment and horizontal integration with other interfacing sectional strategies. . 


• Manage the effective achievement of assigned objectives through the leadership of the unit by setting individual objectives, managing performance, developing and motivating staff to maximize performance.  


• Act as a role model and drive adherence to organizational values and ethics by employees of the assigned unit to foster a value driven culture within the organization. 


• Manage and ensure effective implementation of functional policies, procedures and controls covering all areas of assigned unit activity so that all relevant procedural/legislative requirements are fulfilled while delivering a quality, cost-effective service.  


• Lead the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement and sustainability of systems, processes and practices considering global standards, productivity improvement and cost reduction.  


• Ensure that all unit reports are prepared timely and accurately and meet DCT requirements, policies and quality standards. 


• Comply with all relevant EHS guidelines, policies and procedures, by reporting incidents and hazards on a timely manner, and reduce consumption of natural resources to support in protecting the environment and ensure a healthy and safe work environment

4 Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (Masters’ preferred) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Strategy or equivalent.


• 5 - 7 years in public relations, protocol, international affairs, government relations or related field, with at least 3 years in a managerial role.

5 Skills

• Proficiency in both English and Arabic languages.


• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.


• Strategic thinking and business acumen.


• Strong Negotiation and influencing skills.


• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders.