View Vacancy - Deputy Head of Corporate Services (RUS20.072)

The British Embassy in Moscow is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking for a Deputy Head of Corporate Services to support our network deliver financial, procurement, HR, L&D and logistical services.

The successful candidate will be leader of a front-line, busy and hard-working team based in the British Embassy in Moscow. This position is upgraded to recognise both the greater level of job-related skills and knowledge required to assist the Embassy further improve on its Resource Management and L&D goals, but also an expanded staff and corporate management role.  The ideal candidate will have wide experience in financial, HR and L&D delivery, strong inter-personal skills and be motivated by working with senior colleagues and stakeholders, have high standards of delivery, strong drafting (in English) skills and a modern and progressive attitude towards staff and team management.

The Corporate Services Team has responsibility within the British Embassy for:

1. Managing finance and procurement delivery and audit compliance across the network:

a. Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with finance and procurement hubs and colleagues in the UK and the wider EECAD network, to ensure the Embassy’s circa £7million budget is well managed and procurement processes are robust;

b. Delivering changes to processes and procedures to support new technology and innovation – Corporate Capability Programme, Diplomacy 20:20, Atlas programme, Qube rollout.

2. Work with senior managers to deliver targeted L&D programmes and efficient HR processes:

a. Responsibility for carrying out detailed Learning Needs Analysis for the network, and delivering targeted training offers;

b. Working with senior managers to deliver against specific network priorities in L&D, like Wellbeing and Bullying Harassment and Discrimination;

c. Delivering improvements in staff management and appraisal writing through targeted training and review.

The successful candidate should be prepared to travel. This will include international travel, for regular Corporate meetings in regional hubs, training (in the UK or overseas) or to support colleagues in the British Consulate General in Ekaterinburg.

The role is a very interesting and challenging one. You will work in a supportive team with a management structure that prefers and advocates giving responsibility to staff members. The British Embassy is located in central Moscow, is a modern office environment with a progressive attitude towards its staff.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Resource Management delivery (45%): To manage the effective delivery of financial and procurement services to the Russia network:

• Monitor and report both internally and to Senior Management, the wider network and UK, on financial performance and budget management, driving improvements and ensuring compliance;
• Collaborate with partners in the CCCP and Atlas/Qube programmes to effectively identify and implement business change to support technological innovation;
• Deliver a programme of targeted training and support to drive improvements in financial and procurement performance, and ensure new staff are effectively inducted and aware of their financial responsibilities;
• Monitor and drive improvements in audit compliance across the network.

2. HR and L&D Delivery (40%): To deliver high quality HR services and a robust L&D offer to the network:

• Ensuring the effective management of the L&D committee, reviewing appraisals at MTR point and end of appraisal period to ensure consistency and quality of appraisal writing; 
• Delivering accurate and well evidenced recommendations for implementation of PRP and pay uplifts;
• Contract management of the outsourced HR officer implant, ensuring quality and effective delivery of services. Identifying and implementing changes and improvements;
• Through collaboration with senior managers, effectively identify learning needs and deliver a programme of training and support.
• Develop and maintain relationships with regional HR and L&D teams to effectively deliver improvements and change through well targeted support and communication.

3. Team Management (10%): Ensure the highest standards of leadership and compliance with Embassy management processes are followed including:

• Line Management of 1xB3, counter-sign 2 x A2 officers from the Corporate Services Team. Ensure that all appraisals are completed on time, and to the required standards, ensuring poor performance is addressed and managed positively;
• Delivering an inclusive and positive leadership role towards the other team members – inspiring them through mentoring, skills sharing and encouragement;
• Taking a leading role in Embassy corporate initiatives and bodies;
• Participate in the Embassy’s crisis response preparation teams.

4. Other (5%):

• Contract management of local staff health insurance contract, ensuring effective cover is in place and contracted provider is consistent and fair in their implementation of the contract terms;
• Maintain and build on existing relationships with the Residence and events managers to ensure accurate and effective charging and billing processes are in place to support the delivery of challenging Income Generation targets.

• Experience of working for an international organisation in a finance of HR role;
• Good organisational skills and customer service experience;
• Excellent Management Skills;
• Excellent level of written and spoken English;
• Excellent IT skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Team Management work experience.