View Vacancy - SRR - Finance and Operations Lead, Yemen Office Network (HEO)

The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for a Finance and Operations Lead for the Yemen Office Network (YON) on a fixed term contract for two (2) years, with a possibility of renewal.

This role provides advice, support, and challenge to YON’s Senior Management to ensure compliance with all statutory, regulatory, and best practice accounting standards and requirements. This includes leading on Total Operating Costs (TOC) financial planning and providing advice on budgets and finance processes.

The jobholder will also co-ordinate accurate and timely financial processes for YON, including budgeting, forecasting, advice to senior management and partners, and related communications. They would also report to a diverse range of local stakeholders on all financial matters, making recommendations based on accurate forecasting of spend and central finance policy and process.

This role will also be responsible for ensuring the safety of the British Embassy in Sana’a by maintaining the contract with the security company and facilitating communications between the UK legal and procurement team and the security company. 

Duties and responsibilities:

- Effective financial management for Development programmes in Yemen (40%)

• Financial monitoring, including cost reallocations and budget adjustments to ensure financial accuracy; oversight of the forecasting process for YON by monitoring large cash transfers and liaising with Programme Managers (PMs) to provide reminders and updates, as and when required.
• Monitor Purchase-to-Pay (P2P) effectiveness of Yemen programmes and TOC by regularly running reports and flagging irregularities to the Finance Analyst and Finance Manager. Take prompt and accurate action to resolve any P2P issues.
• Provision of TOC contributions to the monthly financial report. Assist the Finance Analyst in the analysis and production of these reports focusing on spend, variances from budget, forecasts, and other relevant updates, enabling management to make informed choices based on accurate and timely information. Participate in the presentation of those reports to senior leadership team.
• Support the Finance Analyst/ Manager on programme finance/ budget management; engaging with PMs on monthly accruals and prepayment process and in co-ordinating cash/ resource forecasts.
• Work with the Finance Analyst/ Manager in improving financial awareness and capability with Senior Responsible Owners (SROs) and PMs in the country team.
• Lead on quarterly finance returns for the development team and the end-year financial pack.
• Conduct monthly reviews of the Development team workforce, including ongoing financial implications of contingent liabilities and recruitment gaps.

- Effective financial management for Yemen Office Network (35%)

• YON budget management, including effective TOC budget management (for the Admin and Front Line Delivery (FLD) budgets) across Yemen; oversight of post expenditure to ensure accuracy; organise journal adjustments between budgets as required.
• Monitor financial performance against key performance indicators and compliance indicators.
• Coordinate finance audit responses for the YON and run regular self-audits; this is a significant contribution to the production of the Management Assurance Process (MAP).
• Lead on the finances operations, funds request, and procurement practice, including the implementation of global policy and guidance.
• Lead on expenditures and finances for country visits, including engagement with stakeholders in country.
• Co-ordinate YON annual processes including all financial planning, budgeting and forecasting, communications, timetables, data requirements and modelling to support FCDO-wide processes.
• Advise on local variable pay policy and modelling on performance pay.
• Complete change request cost templates for partners to join and leave the platform at Post, update cost cards as requested; prepare recharges to partners in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
• Provide policy and financial advice to senior management, particularly to the monthly Section Heads discussion on financial issues across the YON.
• Act as primary contact for finance queries from within YON and partners, stakeholders; provide financial inductions/ training as necessary.
• Provide cover for the HEO-equivalent Finance Analyst whenever required.

- Effective support across the Yemen Office Network (25%)

• Lead and co-ordinate on British Embassy (BE) Sana’a issues and provide updates to the Senior Management Team (SMT).
• Analyse the contract and finances related to the security company contract for guarding the British Embassy compound in Sana’a. Resolve any payment issues, including communicating with the security team and providing recommendations to SMT on options available to resolve them.
• Be the link between the security company and the legal and procurement team in the UK in terms of contract issues and renewal.
• Lead on Health and Safety (H&S) issues within the Sana’a Embassy compound.
• Lead on Post’s monthly process including wages for Country Based Staff (CBS) in Sana’a, dealing with International Bank of Yemen (IBY) issues including agreements and communications and provide recommendations to SMT.
• Lead on property contracts termination and negotiations for final settlement payments.
• Main point of contact for a wide range of issues for CBS based in Yemen; analysing and making recommendations to achieve resolutions. Providing advice on payment of salaries, terminal benefit process and calculations, loan requests, etc.
• Arabic interpretation and translation of speeches for the HMA Yemen and Senior Management
• Chevening scholarships: Provide help to the Chevening Officer as and when necessary, including arranging the advertising and sifting process and assisting with interviews.
• Provide insights on events across Yemen Governorates.
• Lead on all data mapping process through SureCloud. Conduct a quarterly review of all data mapping structures and at the end of the financial year and facilitate the creation and ongoing of office data map, ensure all personal data assets are reflected on SureCloud.

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis affecting UK citizens.

Key behaviours required:

• Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
• Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
• Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
• Delivering at Pace - Taking responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.

Eligibility:

The position is available to current holders of valid Saudi residence permits or transferable iqamas. The successful candidate will be required to transfer their sponsorship to the British Embassy.

• At least five (5) years’ experience in a finance role. Strong understanding of budgeting and budget monitoring.
• Knowledge of Yemen and strong understanding of Yemen political dynamics. Experience in programme management and delivery in Yemen.
• Excellent numeric skills and MS Excel skills to deal with the budget numbers.
• Native/ Near native level of communication skills in English and Arabic, both written and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely.
• Ability to understand and interpret policies, regulations and rules. Demonstrates a collaborative approach to colleagues and stakeholder partnerships. Proven ability to engage at all levels internally and with external stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills. Ability to organise and prioritise workload, organise records, and meet deadlines whilst maintaining close attention to detail and without compromising the quality of the work.
• Flexible, resilient, decisive, and calm under pressure. Proven ability to rapidly re-prioritise work depending upon the situation. Ability to understand competing priorities and make judgement calls on when to use own initiative to deal directly with issues and when to consult before taking decisions.
• Strong problem solving and analysis skills. Ability to use data to solve issues, and anticipate and take initiative to avoid problems or fix them. Demonstrates willingness to develop and implement innovative methods of working and using available information and experience to solve problems effectively.
• Excellent customer service skills. Demonstrates courtesy and consideration in dealing with internal and external stakeholders. Able to show discretion in handling any sensitive matters, with the trust of all involved.
• Very good level of IT skills and proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Teams.