View Vacancy - Project Manager (Maternity Cover)

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

The British Embassy in Muscat is looking for a dynamic individual to join it’s Programme team as a Project Manager for a period of approximately 7 months for a maternity cover.

Main Purpose of the Job:

The programme teams is a key unit within the Embassy and has overall responsibility for projects delivered within Oman as part of the UK Gulf Strategy Fund. The Fund is a revised programme fund that supports the delivery of the UK’s Gulf Strategy. Embassies in GCC countries are provided with funding allocation to deliver projects in the region that support the Embassy’s implementation of the Gulf Strategy and the Embassy’s country business plan (CBP).

The Programme Manager based in Muscat will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of projects in the Security and Prosperity pillars of the Gulf Strategy Fund, leading on the UK-Oman TechHub as well as two security related projects. This post will also involve line management of an intern who assists the programme on the UK-Oman TechHub. Working closely with the Head of Programmes and Deputy Head of Mission (DHM), the jobholder will be required to help coordinate and drive project development within Oman as well as liaise with the GSF Programme Team in the UK.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Programme Management of Gulf Strategy Fund (GSF) projects

  • Engage project teams to ensure funded activity proceeds as planned; is monitored robustly (including progress indicators and targets, financial planning, and narrative reporting); delivers impact on time and to budget; and is effectively evaluated.
  • Work closely with the Mission’s teams to ensure that funded activity is continually linked well to wider policy objectives, including by providing wider support to Policy Officers working on the thematic priorities of the Programme. Advise project leads on public communications and narratives (in consultation with the Press Team).
  • Review activities across the Programme against objectives on a regular basis and plan for future activities and funding
  • Act as the main point of contact for queries, information, and updates on the Programme
  • Work closely with the GSF Team in London to deliver all necessary Programme documentation, reporting, and thematic work to deadlines
  • Demonstrate effective oversight of programme and risk management, project monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms
  • Coordinate and keep up to date and consistent the Post’s Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) and other human rights assessments relevant to GSF projects
  • Understand and review how the GSF spend and governance aligns with and supports delivery of the country business plan (CBP) objectives

Financial Management of Projects

  • Support monitoring of the delegated programme budget
  • Maintain accurate records on project allocations, monthly spend, and forecasted spend
  • Provide financial reporting back to Senior Management on a regular basis
  • Monitor programme spend, including taking responsibility to deliver against allocation per project.
  • Support project leads to achieve spend targets

Monitoring and Evaluation

  • Develop monitoring and evaluation plan against clear objectives agreed with project leads
  • Track activity of projects against agreed timelines. Support monitoring and evaluation of programmes at key stages for the programme board chair
  • Lead on analysis on impact that projects across the programme are having on relevant policy objectives, working in partnership with post policy and thematic leads
  • Regular reporting of project progress to the programme boards and wider teams

Line Management

  • Act as line manager of the Embassy’s tech intern which runs on a three month rolling basis
  • Provide clear objectives, identify stretching objectives, monitor progress and provide L&D opportunities where possible
  • Prepare for the next 3-month internship, running a recruitment campaign, identifying and on boarding a new intern

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required.

Key Competencies:

The candidate will need to demonstrate the following competencies during the interview:

  • Delivering at Pace: Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. 
  • Collaborating and Partnering: People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done.
  • Delivering Value of Money:  Involves the efficient, effective and economic use of taxpayers’ money in the delivery of public services. It means seeking out and implementing solutions, which achieve the best mix of quality and effectiveness for the least outlay. 
  • Seeing the Big Picture: Is about having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs.
  • Previous programme management experience.
  • Fluent in written and spoken English.
  • Candidates should be highly organised, be a team player and should be able to work in a diverse, high-performing environment. 
  • Strong interpersonal skills and able to build productive working relations with a variety of the Embassy’s stakeholders including government officials.
  • Computer literacy in Microsoft Office packages.
  • Sound understanding of local sensitivities.
  • Knowledge of tech eco systems in Oman.
  • Arabic language skills.
27 October 2020
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
35
7 months
Middle East & North Africa
Oman
Muscat
British Embassy
1
OMR
1,151
1 December 2020

Working Conditions and Remuneration:

The Embassy offers an attractive working environment and remuneration package for the role, including salary of 1,151 Omani Riyals per month inclusive of all allowances; and use of on-site recreational facilities (including a swimming pool and social club). This is for a full-time employment, on a maternity cover for 7 months.

Normal working hours are 07:30 – 14:30, Sunday to Thursday. In line with COVID 19 restrictions this post will involve an element of working from home, with some access to the Embassy.

There is a holiday entitlement of 30 days per year (pro-rated) following successful completion of a 3-month probation period. Holidays that have already been booked will be honoured. There are also national holidays determined annually by the Embassy, which usually total 14 days per year (pro-rated for part time staff).

Eligibility:

Applicants must have a valid visa in Oman in order to apply.

To Apply:

Interested candidates must attach the following documents in English when applying online.

  1. A covering letter.
  2. An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).

** (Your application must include examples of when you have demonstrated the competencies outlined above in the cover letter or motivation section in the application form. Applications that do not include this information will be rejected).

The closing date for applications is 27 October 2020 by 23:55 (Local Time).

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered. Telephone applications and enquiries will not be accepted.

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. The successful applicant's employment will only be confirmed after the completion of any security clearance/checks. The checks can take several weeks to complete and the applicant will only be employed if the UK security clearance is granted.

Personal data collected will be treated in strictest confidence under the terms of the UK Data Protection Act and used for recruitment purposes only.

 

The British Embassy Muscat is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staffs recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of service according to local Muscat Employment Law.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.