View Vacancy - Development & Climate Officer EO (02/23 ABI)

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 identity, 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.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Development and Humanitarian

Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy in Abidjan is growing!

The British Embassy in Abidjan is part of the worldwide UK diplomatic network representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas.

We are looking to recruit a dynamic, collaborative individual as our new Development and Climate Officer.

Working closely with the Deputy Head of Mission/Development Counsellor and the Second Secretary Development and Public Diplomacy, this role works flexibly on a range of development issues at the Embassy, including women and girls, climate change and programme management. 

The successful candidate will have strong organisational and programme management skills, a commitment to providing value for money, a passion for supporting sustainable development and tackling climate change, and the ability to plan and work well independently. The Embassy offers the opportunity to work in a supportive, empowering, inclusive, English-speaking working environment, as well as a good work-life balance, and a fantastic L&D offer.

Roles and responsibilities:

  • The postholder will have responsibility and autonomy, reporting to the Second Secretary Development and Public Diplomacy and working closely with the  Deputy Head of Mission/Development Counsellor, for contributing to key objectives of the UK’s International Development Strategy, including on the following:
  • Thematic development work (55%)
  • Support the embassy’s diplomatic, policy and programme work on women and girls, including on sexual and reproductive health and rights and countering sexual and gender-based violence, developing and leveraging the UK’s relationships with key Ministries, international partners and civil society.
  • Support the embassy’s day-to-day diplomatic, policy and programme work on climate change, including follow-up to the UK climate initiatives, including the UK’s COP Presidency legacy, developing and leveraging the UK’s relationships with key Ministries,  international partners and civil society.
  • Developing creative ideas for supporting  Ivorian civil society across the range of UK objectives including through capacity-building, advocacy and comms activities;
  • Strengthening links with the trade team in support of Embassy work to promote more inclusive and equitable economic development in Côte d’Ivoire.

Programme management (30%)

  • Be the embassy’s lead and main source of guidance and knowledge on all programme management issues, rules, guidance and processes,  in particular to provide: excellent programme management and oversight of our embassy projects, and ensuring effective monitoring and compliance, and timely payments. Lead on the bidding process for programme funds to be allocated by HQ for Côte d’Ivoire;

Comms and political (10%)

  • Be a flexible, collegiate team player, contributing to wider team work,  political reporting and policy analysis as well as the development of the UK Country Business Plan for Côte d’Ivoire.
  • Building relationships with other UK government colleagues across the region and at HQ with a view to spotting further opportunities, in particular funding, programming and comms opportunities to support UK objectives in Côte d’Ivoire.  
  • Take a proactive approach to personal and professional learning and development.

Corporate (5%)

  • Contribute to the wellbeing and effective functioning of the Embassy (e.g. financial compliance suprise checks, membership of internal committees)
  • These areas of focus may evolve and change, subject to UK government and Embassy strategic priorities.  Flexibility will be essential.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Day-to day responsibility for programme management of allocated funds from HQ, and supporting colleagues who make bids. Local budget allocations.

  • EITHER Higher education qualification in a relevant field (e.g. development, public policy, international relations etc) + minimum 2 years’ professional experience of working on development/climate issues , ideally in Côte d’Ivoire; OR No, or  no relevant, higher education qualification but minimum 6 years’ professional experience of working on development/climate  issues, ideally in Côte d’Ivoire;
  • Programme management skills and experience;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills;
  • Fluent written and oral English and French.
Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, Working Together
29 March 2023
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
Africa
Côte d'Ivoire
Abidjan
British Embassy
XOF 951,463
1 June 2023

Learning and development opportunities:

The British Embassy in Abidjan prides itself on its strong learning and development culture. We offer fantastic opportunities to our team, and encourage an environment of continuous development and improvement. We provide on-the-job learning, online courses, formal training, mentoring, and the opportunity to learn from colleagues in the region through shadowing, conference attendance and job swaps. (The previous jobholder visited London to meet with contacts at HQ.) British Embassy colleagues can also bid for resources to undertake professional qualifications that will help them deliver effectively in their job. 

Working patterns:

  • Working hours 34 per week:  Monday - Thursday 08:30 – 16:30, and Fri 08:30-14.30. There is an hour lunch break every day except Friday. Evening or weekend work will occasionally be required – Time Off In Lieu is given for those hours.
  • Working from home one day a week is possible, subject to operational requirements and line manager agreement.
  • 14 public holidays per year.
  • 26.5 days per calendar year of annual leave, increasing after 5 years.
  • The British Embassy is committed to the ongoing learning and development of its staff and offers 5 development days per year

Any other information:

The British Embassy Abidjan team is growing quickly at the moment, given the UK government’s increasing focus on Côte d’Ivoire. It is a small and friendly team of around 25 colleagues - as well as the development team, the embassy comprises trade, political, corporate services and consular teams. This role will report to the Second Secretary Development and Public Diplomacy and work closely with colleagues across the Embassy, particularly the Deputy Head of Mission/Development Counsellor.

UK policy priorities in Côte d’Ivoire are around resilient and inclusive economic growth; open societies (i.e. good governance, inclusive political participation, active civil society etc); women and girls; climate change; and security.  As a team, we work closely with other UK government colleagues across the region, including Dakar, Accra and Abuja, as well as colleagues back in HQ (London and East Kilbride in Scotland).

  • 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.
  • Employees recruited locally by the British Embassy in Abidjan are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Côte d’Ivoire .
  • 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;
  1. Obtain the relevant permit
  2. Pay fees for the permit
  3. Make arrangements to relocate
  4. Meet the costs to relocation
  • The British Embassy/High Commission does not sponsor visas/work permits 
  • Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax 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.
  • The British Embassy will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position
  • Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’.  If during the reserve period of 12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
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This opportunity is closed to applications.