View Vacancy - Projects & Finance Assistant

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)
Political

The Programmes Team’s purpose is to support Bahraini-led reform through a package of UK technical assistance. This role is to assist the Programmes Team in ensuring that UK assistance is of the highest quality and provided in a manner that builds public confidence, recognition and pride in a Bahraini owned, Bahraini led and Bahraini delivered reform process.

The successful candidate will assist the team by providing quality administrative and financial support, working to the Projects and Finance Manager and in close liaison with colleagues in the Embassy, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, and local and international stakeholders. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Project Management

  • Work with Projects and Finance Manager to draft all contracts the Programmes Team may have, to comply with the FCO tendering process and procurement guidelines.
  • Jointly manage existing projects to include regular review meetings with implementing partners and local stakeholders.
  • Actively manage risks and put in place mitigation with UK implementing partners, escalating as appropriate.
  • Liaise closely with implementing partners to agree contracts, payment schedules and effective systems for project monitoring and evaluation, quality assuring project documents. Identifying and recommending corrective action as required.
  • Developing tools and reporting templates for implementers.
  • Respond flexibly and actively to evolving priorities and needs.
  • To encourage contact and networking between project partners, organising and attending project-related events as required.

Finance:

  • Programmes team requisitioner & receiver ensuring there are no retrospective purchase orders and that all payments are made accurately and in a timely fashion.
  • Ensure implementer’s work to posts requirements, eg invoice and payment processes; contracting; set up new suppliers, request bank details, complete forms, send off for approval; chasing implementers for invoices to ensure correct and timely accounting is achieved; review invoices to identify irregularities and corrective actions to the Projects and Finance Manager.
  • Ensure monthly updates of the budget profile of two funds are sent to London meeting deadlines. This will require working closely with other Programmes Team members.
  • Preparing and submitting monthly financial and quarterly narrative and financial reports for Embassy projects by managing and maintaining accurate spreadsheets and project files in hard and soft copies.

Administration:

  • Assist programmes team with managing data and information, including saving documents in the Programmes shared area and EasyFile, as needed.
  • Ensure a proper filing system is in place and hard copies of signed off contracts and documents are securely saved.
  • Arrange logistics and set up meetings internally and externally.
  • Arrange travel for the team.

Events and Visits:

  • Liaise and arrange logistics of internal and external events including preparation of agenda and working documents of programmes team activities. Liaise closely with the Residence and Events manager for internal events.
  • Liaise and arrange logistics with stakeholders and implementers for in-country and outwards visits.

Other:

  • Assist at major events.
  • Full support to the Project and Finance Managers, and the Head of Programmes Team, as and when needed.
  • Take part in the Embassy emergency planning and any response to a crisis.
  • Work on any additional ad hoc projects or in any other areas when required.
  • Volunteer to serve on one Embassy committee/group.

Competences Required

  • 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: creating and maintaining positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders to help get business done.
  • Making Effective Decisions:  Demonstrate accountability and make unbiased decisions. Examine complex information and obtain further information to make accurate decisions.
  • Delivering Value for Money: This 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.
  • Changing and Improving: People who are effective in this area are responsive, innovative and seek out opportunities to create effective change.
  • Managing a Quality Service: Effectiveness in this area is about being organised to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements.
  • Minimum 1-2 years of work experience in handling projects and finance in a related field
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Excellent oral and written English is essential.
  • Exceptionally organised.

Language requirements:

English : Fluent written and oral

  • Knowledge of Arabic language.
  • University educated candidate.
1 July 2017
Administrative Officer (AO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
Middle East & North Africa
Bahrain
Manama/Bahrain
British Embassy
1
BHD
800
15 August 2017

A non-negotiable monthly salary package of 800 BHD as well as private medical insurance, a leave entitlement and training package. Specific training and mentoring for the role will be provided for the successful candidate.  This may include training in London and the region.   

Flexibility will be required on the working hours, but the usual working pattern will be Sunday to Thursday 0730 – 1430.

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

The successful candidate will be subject to a 3 month probationary period and will need to commence security clearance procedures through the Embassy as soon as possible. Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks. The position is for Full-time, Fixed Term contract until 31st March 2018.

Application Process

Interested candidates must attach the following documents when applying online. 

1. An updated Curriculum Vitae including three references.  

2. Please provide examples of performance in each competency on the motivation section of the online application form.

3. A covering letter stating why you feel you have the necessary skills to perform well in the above role.

The closing date for applications is Saturday 1 July 2017.

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Process

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two months.

Due to the large amount of applications the Embassy receives only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.

 

The British Embassy Bahrain is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.

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.