Finance & Administration Assistant at BBC News Group

BBC News Group - International News is at the heart of the BBC. BBC News Group employs approximately 950 staff in 70 international bureaux. It provides multimedia services to a global weekly audience of over 300 million in English and 27 languages around the clock, every day of the year. The bureaux react to breaking news, provide news updates and analysis and produce live programme output.

We are recruiting suitably qualified candidates to fill the position of:

Job Title: Finance & Administration Assistant

Job Reference: BBC/TP/471010/13819
Location: Lagos
Reports to: International Bureau Manager, Abuja
Contract Type: Permanent - Part Time
Job Category: Administrative Services
EFT: 0.5

Context

• The International Bureaux Management team supports all News Group bureaux.
• The International Bureau Finance & Administration Assistant reports to the International Bureau Manager, Abuja in the IBM team.

Dimensions

• You will report in first instance to the International Bureau Manager, Abuja for the day-to-day running of the Lagos Bureau’s administration and finances. You will support administration and financial affairs for all parts of BBC News group in Nigeria.
• In doing so, the post holder will have to work with the IBM and IBF teams, as well as local suppliers where necessary.
• You will be supporting financial controls, the administration of strategic initiatives, and best practice in the Lagos Bureau and will work closely with the Africa Bureaux Editor and the Editor, BBC Hausa Service, providing proactive financial support for planning and deployment decisions, as well as providing purchasing assistance.
• You will also have support from and close contact with the International Bureau Manager, Abuja and the International Manager responsible for the Africa & Middle East region.
• Within the context above, the International Bureau Finance & Administration Assistant will be liaise with the International Bureau Manager, Abuja in ensuring timely and effective day-to-day co-operation between the Lagos Bureau and the relevant authorities in Nigeria, ensuring best practice in the BBC’s compliance with local regulations governing such areas as financial, tax, media and employment law.

Main Duties
Financial Duties:

• Reviewing invoices and coding and submitting them online for payment after authorisation.
• Reviewing and certifying expenses to ensure compliance with BBC Expenses Policy.
• Updating and maintaining various financial spreadsheets, using Excel and ensuring compliance with BBC policies and procedures relating to purchasing and accounts.
• Assisting in the administration of petty cash.

HR Administration Duties:

• Supporting the “on-boarding” of new starters and exiting of leavers.
• Organising the logistics of training courses as required.
• Preparing monthly payroll under the supervision of the International Bureau Manager, Abuja as required.

General Administration Duties:

• Managing office stationary supplies.
• General bureau administration of arranging permits, visas etc.
• Responsibility for hotel reservations and arrangements for visiting BBC staff etc.
• Organising transport for guests as necessary.
• Ensuring the BBC Lagos Bureau complies with all relevant BBC safety procedures.
• Keeping other team members informed of issues affecting them.
• Escalating all issues to the International Bureau Manager, Abuja and as appropriate.

Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience

• Ability to prioritise, to use initiative and to work effectively under pressure without close supervision.
• Able to communicate effectively with a range of people and at all levels of the BBC.
• Good planning and organising skills and the ability to prioritise effectively
• Practical knowledge and skills in using a range of packages, including Word, Excel and accounting packages.
• Ability to meet deadlines, often under pressure.
• Experience of producing timely and accurate information and reports.
• Able to work with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Experience of and ability to work flexibly and pragmatically in an operational environment.
• A lively interest in the broadcast news, online news and wider media environment and appreciation of the particular demands it may place on financial and administrative work.
• Good working knowledge of the BBC’s Health and Safety procedures.
• Excellent written and spoken English. Working knowledge of Hausa would be an advantage.

Competencies:

• Planning and organisation - able to think ahead in order to establish and efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources.
• Communication - able to get one’s message understood clearly by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information.
• Influencing and persuading - able to present sound and well reasoned arguments to convince others. Can draw from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change.
• Managing relationships and team working - able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people. Works co-operatively with others to be part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively.
• Resilience - manages personal effectiveness by managing emotions in the face of pressure, setbacks or when dealing with provocative situations. Demonstrates an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy.
• Flexibility: Adapts to changing circumstances and displays a positive attitude to the process of change.

Application Closing Date
14th October, 2015.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online