View Vacancy - CSSF Finance and Projects Officer (UKR 18.802)

The Finance and Projects officer is a central role within our dynamic Programme Team at the British Embassy. This role will assist the effective management of over £14 million UK funding through our Conflict Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) to Ukraine to support Ukraine across a wide portfolio of peace-building, security and humanitarian projects. You will support the Finance Manager, and work in close cooperation with colleagues in London, Kyiv as well as our project implementers. Responsibilities will include drafting financial provisions of the project contracts, assessing budgets, monitoring financial reporting, identifying financial risks and ensuring project payments are made on time. Working alongside the Finance Manager, you will present this material to senior colleagues in Kyiv and London. This role will also give you the opportunity to develop wider project management skills while closely supporting the Programme Team at the Embassy.

Previous financial management experience is important for this role but we will be able to provide support/training during the probation period. We are looking for a motivated, pro-active individual. Understanding the importance of value for money, accuracy and need for financial oversight is vital in order to ensure that UK government project funding delivers peace-building, security and humanitarian projects that have real impact for Ukraine. At the Embassy, we encourage staff to make use of learning and development opportunities.   This role will provide you with the opportunity to develop project/programme management skills providing experience of stakeholder management; monitoring and evaluation; conflict sensitivity, and risk management.

Main Responsibilities

• In consultation with Programme Team, assess project proposal and manage contracts with implementers, ensuring project documentation is appropriately stored and recorded in line with FCO guidelines.
• Oversee finances of approved CSSF projects, reviewing project financial reporting and ensure reliable forecasting. Responsible for ensuring that all project payments are processed on time.
• Oversee the Programme Team staff and operational budget (approx £600k this financial year).Support and, as required, deputise for the C4 Finance Manager to monitor programme level finance management and forecasts, accurately briefing seniors.
• Provide logistical and administrative support to the assist the wider Programme Team and Embassy.
• In addition there will be opportunities to develop wider programme project management skills such as development of stakeholder management; monitoring and evaluation; conflict sensitivity, and risk management.

• Be an enthusiastic and proactive individual with the ability to identify where they can add value, steer or escalate to seniors were appropriate.  
  Have strong organisational skills: This is a busy role which will require the jobholder to manage a number of competing priorities whilst adhering to HMG processes and procedures.
• Have strong communication skills in English, Ukrainian and Russian. Proven ability to clearly and concisely communicate to stakeholders.
• Experience of financial management and/or project/programme management.