Cultural Advisor OCONUS

Cultural Advisor & Arabic Linguist (US Citizen Active SECRET Clearance)

Location: GCC region (on-site military installation)
Type: Full-time long-term deployment
Positions: Multiple including one Site Lead

About the role

STRAGO International is recruiting experienced Cultural Advisors on behalf of a client delivering advisory and linguistic support to US military forces in the GCC region. You will be embedded with US military leadership as their trusted bridge to the host nation: its culture its institutions and its people.

This is an advisory role not a desk-based translation job. You will advise commanders and staff on host-nation culture law and procedure and build working relationships with host-nation military and government counterparts. You will also provide EnglishArabic interpretation and translation across every part of the installations operations from airfield and logistics to medical care and base access.

The team comprises multiple advisors including a Site Lead and dedicated advisors supporting senior leadership and medical operations. Some positions may be contingent upon contract award.

Key responsibilities

• Advise and brief US military personnel on host-nation culture customs laws and regulations including arrival and departure briefs.
• Build and maintain working relationships with host-nation military government and civilian counterparts.
• Provide accurate oral and written EnglishArabic interpretation translation and transcription on and off the installation.
• Support host-nation coordination for airfield operations civil engineering logistics contracting base access morale and welfare activities and medical care.
• Process correspondence schedule meetings maintain trackers and help author local guides and procedures.
• Help coordinate visa entry and base access processes for military members and contractors.
• Respond quickly during emergencies and work effectively under sustained pressure.

Advisors act in an advisory capacity only and do not hold decision-making authority.

Specialist positions

Site Lead: Supervises the advisor team coordinates tasking with military leadership and produces weekly and monthly activity reports. Requires at least 1 year of supervisory experience plus at least 2 years in a qualifying military advisory liaison or interpreting role.

Senior Leadership Advisor: Provides dedicated support to the installations senior commander facilitating high-level engagement with host-nation leadership and agencies. Suits a senior liaison political-military or security cooperation background.

Medical Liaison Advisor: Coordinates emergency and routine patient care with host-nation hospitals supports medical evacuation and translates patient records. Suits a medical interpreting or healthcare background.

Essential requirements

• US citizenship with a valid US passport and US drivers licence.
• An active SECRET security clearance (or higher).
• ILR 3 in both Modern Standard Arabic and English (DLPT or equivalent).
• A valid international driving permit and the ability to obtain a local licence.
• Eligibility for the required visas and host-nation base access.
• A clean background with no pending criminal charges felony arrests alcohol-related arrests in the last five years or history of violence.
• Ability to pass a pre-deployment medical and complete required immunisations.
• Willingness to complete mandatory pre-deployment training including Law of War and security awareness.

Desirable

• Gulf Arabic dialect and first-hand familiarity with Gulf culture.
• Previous deployment as a linguist or cultural advisor in the Middle East.
• Experience in host-nation coordination security cooperation immigration processing or base access.

Working conditions

• Monday to Friday 08:0016:00 with on-call duty outside normal hours.
• On site within 2 hours for urgent issues and within 20 minutes during a crisis 24/7.
• Work continues through public holidays unless otherwise authorised; adjusted hours may be approved during Ramadan.
• On-installation accommodation and meals provided.
• Professional culturally conservative dress and strict adherence to military regulations and host-nation law.

What we offer

• A competitive compensation package shared with shortlisted candidates.
• Long-term assignment on a high-profile mission.
• Accommodation and meals on the installation.
• Pre-deployment support and in-country support throughout your assignment.