View Vacancy - Finance Manager - CSSF

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.
Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
CSSF (Conflict, Stability and Security Fund)

The British Embassy in Beirut has a vacancy for the position of Finance Manager – CSSF (Maternity Cover), Grade – B3 (L).

Main purpose of job:

Manage finances and procurement for 3 x CSSF Lebanon programmes.  Work with FCO London and senior members of Embassy team to ensure compliance with HMG processes and provide regular updates on progress.  Act as CSSF Lebanon Post Board secretary.  Line manage 1 x A2 finance assistant.

Roles and Responsibilities:

1. Manage the finances of all CSSF Lebanon projects, ensuring that payment deadlines and cut off dates are met, and engaging with suppliers to ensure they submit reports on time.  Monitor spend and ensure all internal spend records are up to date. 

  • Steer the CSSF Lebanon budget to ensure that it is spent within 1% of the allocation by the end of the financial year; and that CSSF core platform costs serve the needs of the CSSF programmes without exceeding 5 % of the total CSSF budget;
  • Oversee the work of the finance assistant, ensuring that the Team’s budget is regularly updated, reviewing any under/overspend, and ensuring that all spend is genuine and compliant. Authorize expenses within delegated authority;
  • Report finances to London: on a monthly basis via Hyperion, narratives and tables as requested (ODA, Supps – MIS – Cash flows); and respond to London’s spot checks/ad hoc requests.
  • Communicate to programme managers monthly on the financial performance of the implementers (KPIs); lead a weekly update with Head and Deputy Head of programmes on budget status; and meet with HMA bi-monthly to update on CSSF budget status and put spend into context.

2. Manage the Post CSSF Programme Board, holding the board to account in the implementation of the NSC strategy, through the organisation of regular (bi-monthly) meetings and distribution of out of committee papers.  As Board secretary: set the agenda in coordination with Head/Deputy Head of Programmes and HMA; set deadlines for submission of papers; prepare finance updates; engage with Board members pre-meeting; draft and circulate minutes; manage action log.

3. Lead the CSSF procurement process at Post, coordinating with Commercial Procurement Group and Joint Programmes Hub in London and providing guidance and direction to the Lebanon CSSF team; ensure compliant procedures, timely processes, and value for money.

4. Ensure all compliance checks are performed on budgets and contracts.

5. Line manage CSSF A2 (L) Finance Assistant.

Key Competences required for the job:

  • 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.
  • Delivering Value for Money - The efficient, effective and economic use of taxpayers’ money in the delivery of public services. Seeking out and implementing solutions which achieve the best mix of quality and effectiveness for the least outlay.
  • Delivering at Pace - Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. For all staff, it’s about working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way.
  • Achieving Commercial Outcomes - Being effective in this area is about maintaining an economic, long-term focus in all activities. It’s about having a commercial, financial and sustainable mind-set to ensure all activities and services are delivering added value and working to stimulate economic growth.

Essential:

  • Fluent communication skills in English (both spoken and written)
  • Bachelor degree in Finance or Business Administration.
  • At least 3 years of relevant experience in Finance and procurement.
  • Experience of managing a team.
  • Strong organisational and administrative experience.
  • IT literacy in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Oracle programmes.
  • Proven track record in a customer facing role.

Desirable:

  • Experience of managing finance and procurement elements of programmes of a similar scale;
  • Excellent stakeholder management skills;
  • Experience of programme/project management
22 May 2019
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
40
4 months
Middle East & North Africa
Lebanon
Beirut
British Embassy
1
USD
10 August 2019

Working Hours and Remuneration:

Conditioned working hours are 40 hours gross per week. The Embassy is committed to ensuring that you are able to maintain a suitable work-life balance. Leave entitlement is 20 days (pro rated) plus 14 public holidays.

The embassy offers a competitive remuneration package in line with local labour law (including transport, family, education allowances, and medical insurance coverage). 

This is a Full Time, Maternity Cover position for 4 months starting August 2019, with a possibility of extension. (This role is to cover maternity leave. The FCO maternity leave policy is 18 weeks with an option to take up to a further 8 weeks of unpaid leave. The current offer is to cover the initial 18 weeks of maternity leave, however if the current incumbent decides to take any further leave, this offer might be extended to cover the additional period.)

The successful candidate will be subject to a 90 days probationary period. 

Eligibility:

If you are selected for this position, we will be able to employ you as long as you:

  • Receive the appropriate level of security clearance;
  • Have (or be willing to obtain) the right to live and work in Lebanon. Candidate's residence permit and work permit, and the expense to obtain them, will be their own responsibility.

Application Process:

Interested candidates must attach the following documents along with the completed online application form:

1.    An updated Curriculum Vita (CV)

2.    A covering letter

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

 

All applications must be received before 23:55 (Beirut Time) on 22 May 2019.

 

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Interviews will be held at the British Embassy Beirut Office. Due to the large amount of applications we receive only those shortlisted for assessment/interview will be contacted. 

The start date mentioned in the advert is an assumed start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures.  Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances and reference checks.

 

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