View Vacancy - QAT - Finance Manager & Deputy Corporate Services Manager (EO)
The British Embassy in Doha is part of a worldwide network that represents the UK’s political, economic, security, and consular interests overseas. We are looking for a Finance Manager & Deputy Corporate Services Manager under Corporate Services Team, job grade Executive Officer (EO).
The successful candidate will play a key role in managing and delivering the mission’s finance and HR portfolio. The jobholder will deal with a range of corporate returns, working with the Corporate Services Management Team, Finance and Procurement Hub (in Manila), and Regional HR Hub (in Abu Dhabi) in creating and maintaining high level financial and HR performance in Doha.
Finance and HR services are also provided to PAGs working on the One HMG platform. This position contributes to the development and implementation of finance and HR objectives and processes aimed at providing a high quality finance and HR service; including accurate budget management and forecasting of the Post budget.
The role will report to the Corporate Services Manager.
Duties and responsibilities:
Strategic budget management
- Manage the Embassy’s budget in accordance with corporate policies to ensure correct expenditure, value for money, and implementation of any new financial practices. The budget requires regular forecasting, planning, and interaction with a variety of budget holders across the Embassy platform, including periodic reviews to check progress.
- Accountable for financial monitoring through FCDO systems (HERA, Hyperion, and EPM [(Enterprise Performance Management]). Lead medium term financial planning (MTFP) and other bidding exercises to ensure the Embassy has the funds to deliver on payroll, contracts, and procurement to name but a few, and where necessary return excess funds to the centre in good time.
Contracts and procurement
- Through the Finance and Procurement Officer, lead as a point of expertise on contract and procurement issues across the Embassy.
- Work with the Regional Procurement Hub in Manila to ensure local contracts continue to deliver effectively and provide value for money.
- Support contract managers in their re-tendering process as/ when they fall for renewal. Have a good oversight of our team’s efforts and delivery on contracts and procurement.
Human resources
- Through the Human Resources Officer, ensure policy changes and essential information are sent via suitable communication channels to CBS.
- Assist in enhancing the recruitment process where possible.
- Have a good oversight of keeping and updating all CBS records and ensure all personal and sensitive documents are kept safely.
- Oversee regular updates on the induction pack, in coordination with the CLO.
Stakeholder engagement
- Partner with senior management (including the Ambassador) in order to take accurate budgetary decisions, providing them with a strategic overview of performance and risk on the budget as a whole.
- Serve as first point of contact between the Hub/ Finance Business Partners and the Embassy to resolve outstanding financial/ banking problems by maintaining proper communication channels and anticipating any potential issues.
- Regularly liaise with the PAGs on the Embassy’s platform on resource and recharge issues.
- Lead on supporting and developing the skills and confidence of CBS where required.
- Support the Finance Officer in overseeing the local process for contract renewals, monitoring the handling of the health insurance contract for CBS and their dependants, and monitoring the requisition and receipting process carried out for British Council and the technical consultancy company.
Line management
- Overall line management for relevant team members.
- Coaching, monitoring, developing, and providing training for the team as appropriate.
- Ensure effective performance management of team members. Conduct regular 1:1s and complete mid-term and end of year reviews on time and to a high standard.
- Providing cover for the Corporate Services Manager as required.
The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs.
Candidates will need to demonstrate the following Behaviours and Diversity & Inclusion during the interview:
Key behaviours:
- Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
- Leadership - Show pride and passion for public service. Create and engage others in delivering a shared vision. Value difference, diversity and inclusion, ensuring fairness and opportunity for all.
- Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
- Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
- Changing and Improving - Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.
Diversity and Inclusion:
The British Embassy Doha has a zero-tolerance approach to any form of bullying, harassment or discrimination and is fully committed to ensuring a safe and inclusive work environment for all.
We are committed to valuing diversity and to equality of opportunity. Our aim is to create and promote an environment in which all staff are treated fairly and with respect, and feel able to contribute to the best of their abilities.
- At least five (5) years of relevant finance and/ or accounting experience.
- Experience in leading and managing a diverse and multi-disciplined team.
- Experience in budget management and analysis.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint Teams) and familiarity with Oracle-based ERP applications for finance and procurement. Accurate typing and proofreading skills.
- Fluency in English, both written and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
- A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to engage at all levels internally and with external stakeholders. Ability to challenge and influence senior stakeholders.
- 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.
- Demonstrated initiative, adaptability, and the ability to work flexibly both in a small team and individually.
- Excellent organisational skills, including ability to organise and prioritise workloads and delegating tasks appropriately.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and strong ability to build co-operative working relationships across a large network, and interact and influence people from different backgrounds and different seniority levels.
- Experience working in an embassy/ foreign diplomatic mission or international organisation.
- Arabic Language skills.
Eligibility:
Applicants must already reside in Qatar and hold the right to live and work in the country, including those under spouse sponsorship or those who are able to transfer an existing sponsorship to the British Embassy.
If sponsorship transfer is required, then all sponsorship-incurred fees shall be borne by the successful applicant. The Embassy cannot guarantee how much cost or time it may take for the process to complete.
Working Hours and Remuneration:
The British Embassy offers a competitive remuneration package, including non-negotiable salary of QAR 16,325 per calendar month and transportation allowance of QAR 800 per calendar month, paid in arrears. No accommodation nor relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.
This position is for a full-time employment, on a fixed-term contract basis for two (2) years, subject to six (6) months’ probationary period.
Conditioned working hours are 38 hours per week. Embassy working hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Sundays to Wednesdays and from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Due to the nature of the work, some out of hours work, including evenings and weekends, may be required from time to time to support events, conferences, and other business engagement.
The Embassy supports flexible working including working from home for some part of the working week, and is committed to helping its staff maintain a healthy work life balance.
The Embassy has an active Continuous Professional Development Committee, and the whole of Post is committed to providing the time and resources for staff to develop professionally. The 70/20/10 learning and development model is applied flexibly, with both internal and formal opportunities readily available.
The successful candidate will need to commence security clearance procedures through the Embassy and will be required to have or obtain the appropriate security clearance before employment commences, and maintain this throughout the period of employment.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates must include 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV); 2) motivation essay, in the relevant sections of the online application form, stating how you meet the requirements of the role; and 3) specific examples, in the relevant sections of the online application form, of how you meet the key behaviours and skills required.
Applications that do not include this information will not be considered.
Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 Qatar local time on 17 September 2023.
Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.
Process:
The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around 2-3 months. The security clearance process includes checks available in country and with UK, dependant on the security level required for the role and the candidates profile and UK footprint. You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign, and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.
Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful at interview may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of six (6) months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances, medical clearance and reference checks.
The British Embassy Doha is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local Qatari employment law.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
