Programme and Finance Assistant - CSSF West Africa at the British High Commission (BHC)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Programme and Finance Assistant - CSSF West Africa

Ref Id: 27/19 ABJ
Location: Abuja
Grade: A2 (L)
Type of Position: Permanent
Job Category: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory: CSSF - Conflict Stability and Security Fund
Start Date: 1st July, 2019

Main Purpose of Job

• This position is in the West Africa Conflict, Security & Stability Fund (CSSF) Team, based in the British High Commission in Abuja.  This dynamic team has a regional remit in support of upstream conflict prevention and security in West Africa
• The team manages approx. £35m per year (FY 19/20) of CSSF programmes, focused on Nigeria, the Sahel and Sierra Leone
• The biggest programme within our portfolio is Nigeria, valued at £24.45m this financial year
• The team supports a number of UK Government departments and Agencies such as the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), Department for International Development, Ministry of Defence, Home Office and National Crime Agency, as well as working with international and local civil society, ministries, departments and agencies
• The job holder will provide support to the CSSF West Africa team on aspects of programme management and administration
• The job holder will also be expected to undertake ad hoc tasks within the team as and when required.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Making administrative arrangements for regular meetings hosted by the team, in particular monthly Working Group and quarterly Programme Board meetings. This includes booking rooms, technical services and making diary appointments.
• Providing support for the team on administrative and programmatic matters across CSSF West Africa, especially Nigeria.
• Arranging programmes for visiting CSSF team leaders, HMG staff and consultants working with CSSF, including making travel plans (e.g. flights, transport and hotel bookings).
• Coordinating administrative activities to ensure day to day operational needs of the team are met.
• Supporting the team finance manager in the collection, collation and review of financial reporting and carrying out spot checks on implementing partners, and being able to provide cover during absences.
• Providing responses to the CSSF London team on specific request and queries, coordinating with comms teams/programme managers of implementing partners to collate success stories, liaising with the BHC and CSSF communications teams to circulate and amplify messaging on social media platforms.
• Preparation of regular programme fact sheets and regional news letters for the CSSF West Africa portfolio.
• Information Management (Shared folder, Easyfile and SharePoint management) which includes managing the filing, storage and security of documents (contracts, MOUs, Project Terms of References, etc.)

Qualifications, Skills and Experience 
Essential:

• Experience of providing administrative support in a busy working environment
• Strong oral and written English communication skills
• Highly organised, strong attention to detail and able to take initiative and to work accurately within deadlines and with limited supervision
• IT skills, MS Office applications e.g. Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Confidence to deal with senior personnel
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team

Desirable:

• Prior experience of working with the UK government
• Excellent numerical and spreadsheet skills
• Some Financial Management and Accounting skills
• Knowledge and interest in peace, conflict and security issues in Nigeria and West Africa.

Required Competencies:

• Changing and Improving, Collaborating and Partnering, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace

Remuneration

• Starting monthly salary: NGN387,452.00

Other Benefits and Conditions of Employment 

• Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
• There is a range of Learning and Development opportunities with in-house and overseas training, e-learning, coaching etc. These include: courses in FCO and CSSF administrative systems
• In addition, there are opportunities for career development and progression, which we would be pleased to support.
• There are also opportunities for travel and networking with other CSSF teams in Africa and the UK.

Working Patterns

• The working hours are 08:00-16:00 Monday to Thursday and 08:00 to 13:00 on Fridays.

Application Closing Date
6th June, 2019.

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

Additional Information 

• Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.
• Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
• The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.
• Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Abuja are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Nigeria.
• All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.
• The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to:
  • Obtain the relevant permit
  • Pay fees for the permit
  • Make arrangements to relocate
  • Meet the costs to relocation
• The British High Commission do not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so. 
• Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
• Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note:  AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5 
• Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.