Deputy Programme Manager, HEO at the British High Commission (BHC) Nigeria - 2 Openings

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: Deputy Programme Manager, HEO (16/24 ABJ)

Location: Abuja
Type of Position: Permanent
Working hours per week: 35
Start Date: 3 June 2024
Working patterns: 35 hours weekly
Type of Post: British High Commission
Grade: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Job Category: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Programme Roles)
Job Subcategory: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Programme Roles)
Slot: 2 Openings

Main Purpose of Job

• FCDO Nigeria is looking for project delivery professionals to fulfil challenging roles managing large programmes. Our projects address themes including conflict, governance, social development, economic development, humanitarian, education and health, and include Official Development Assistance programmes.
• The job holders will work as Deputy Programme Managers with FCDO employees and partners across the UK Government (HMG) to support the design, contracting, mobilisation, and implementation of the British High Commissions Country Plan.
• The Higher Executive Officer Programme Manager role is essential to the successful delivery of our objectives. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the day to day running of programmes and the associated team members where applicable. This includes coordinating inputs of technical advisors (i.e. economists, conflict, governance, or humanitarian professionals), Programme Senior Responsible Owners, Senior Programme Managers, and Programme staff to ensure all programmes are managed to the highest standards in compliance with FCDO’s corporate policy, systems, procedures, PROF rules; and to deliver results and financial targets.
• The Job holder is responsible for excellent delivery of programme management of new programmes/existing programmes, including managing risks/issues, monitoring implementation, reporting programme progress against set targets and plan mitigation strategies. 
• This role is anchored to Project Delivery Career pathway and applicants should be prepared to work across thematic areas.

Roles and Responsibilities
The key functions of this role are the following:

• Supporting Project Delivery: Using your delivery skills and expertise you will help technical devisers implement theories of change and monitor programme progress.
• Risk: Identify and manage delivery risks, working with PROs and advisors to keep data on risk updated, flag, and escalate as appropriate.
• Commercial and supplier management: lead on working with Procurement team on managing large tender/s, supplier management, ensuring we are compliant with the supplier review and safeguarding policies, including through refreshed due diligence reports and reporting of KPIs.
• Managing stakeholders: develop close relationships with relevant Partners Across Government (PAG), for different levels, including for Mutual Accountability reporting.
• Financial management: Delivering effective financial planning, managing forecasting and Monthly Financial Reviews (including drafting speaking notes), meeting agreed portfolio ODA and FY spending targets and. Ensuring Aries forecasts are loaded annually; variances are minimised, republished monthly; accruals and prepayments identified and managed; and flagging/managing large payments.
• Line Management: Line management of lower grade staff within the sub-block; having a strong focus on continuous learning for oneself, others, support the continual professional development of the programme team, proactively identify training needs and opportunities for training and act as role model and mentor for the reportee.
• Support effective management of commercial engagement, procurement process, lead due diligence assessments and relationship management on programmes, in compliance with PrOF and to maximise every UK pound spent throughout the lifespan of the programmes.
• Support on actively managing and monitoring risks, including risks of fraud and sexual exploitation and harassment, escalating issues as required.  Ability to develop programme/project risk registers and delivery chain maps by agreed timelines, hold discussions within relevant sub-teams for consolidated views.  
• Communications: providing inputs for parliamentary questions and briefings, working with partners on communications and branding, identifying, and sharing human-interest stories.
• Visit management: providing support for key VIP visits and dinners/arrangements 

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• This position may have a line management responsibility for EO staff.

Requirements
Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Proven programme management experience
• Proven leadership and effective people management skills
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Resilience and ability to work under pressure in a supportive but busy and challenging environment
• Excellent team player

Desirable Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including government ministries, civil society organisations, INGOs, and private sector partners. Experience in dealing with a range of FCDO external partners and stakeholders may be beneficial.
• Experience responding to commissions, collating data and quality-assuring policy documents that refer to aspects of programme delivery (i.e. verifying figures in core scripts).

Required behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Seeing the Big Picture

Salary
USD 2,947.41 / Month

Benefits and Conditions of Employment
Learning and development opportunities:

• We are committed to L&D for all staff and we will work with the post-holder to identify opportunities that suit their professional and personal aspirations as well as those needed to be successful in this role.

Application Closing Date
17th April, 2024.