View Vacancy - Programme Manager, Europe Prosperity and Programmes Team (ESP20.291)
The British Embassy in Spain is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now recruiting for the position of Programme Manager, Europe Prosperity and Programmes Team.
Working as part of the London-based Prosperity and Programmes Team in Europe Strategy Department, oversee the delivery of the ‘clean growth’ and ‘shaping global economic trends’ pillars of the UK Government’s Prosperity Strategy for Europe. Lead delivery of two flagship projects: (i) a Smart Sustainable Cities collaboration with cities from across Europe, and (ii) ‘The Road to COP’ - a series of activities in Paris, Stockholm and other centres to promote UK climate leadership in the run-up to COP26 (Glasgow, December 2021). Ensure projects across the FCO Europe network are focussed on and delivering the UK’s climate objectives. Build effective project management skills across the FCO Europe network.
The Europe Prosperity Programme is in its fourth year. It is used to fund projects that support UK and European prosperity. In 2020-21, the Programme will have a total budget of £1,600,000 and will focus on four themes as set out in the Europe Prosperity Strategy:
a) The Green, Clean Agenda: to maximise the advantages for UK industry arising from the global shift to clean growth;
b) Digital and Innovation: to build on the ambition set out in the UK Industrial Strategy for the UK to be the world’s most innovative economy and to be at the forefront of the AI and data revolution;
c) A Competitive Business Environment: to ensure the right conditions are in place to help UK businesses succeed;
d) Shaping Global Trends: to influence the major economic trends that will shape the European and global economy in the longer term.
Further background on the UK Government’s Prosperity Fund can be found here.
This is an opportunity to play a formative role in delivering the Europe Prosperity Programme across the FCO’s European network. You will be responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of the clean growth and shaping global economic trends pillars of the programme. In the run-up to COP26, the clean growth pillar will take on particular importance and it will be vital that our projects are showcasing the best the UK has to offer.
You will be responsible for successfully delivering two pan-European projects:
1. The Smart Sustainable Cities (www.smartsustainablecities.uk) project brings together European cities to raise climate ambition and promote effective implementation of city-level decarbonisation projects in the areas of mobility, circular economy and nature-based solutions. This project is building momentum towards COP26 by working with European cities to commit to initiatives and plans (eg. the UK-led 2040 Internal Combustion Engine Phase-out coalition; circular economy leading cities; nature-based mitigation and resilience) that can help drive higher ambition in cities globally. The workshops will be run in coordination with BEIS, Glasgow City Council, Manchester City Council and the City of Copenhagen, with the close collaboration of both the C40 network of cities, Eurocities and the City of Copenhagen.
2. The Road to COP project encompasses a programme of activities leading up to COP26 to build momentum ahead of the conference in key European countries to help secure UK COP26 objectives. The countries involved are climate leaders in terms of agenda and target setting and development of climate mitigation technologies, that can help the UK prepare fertile ground to reach desired outcomes in Glasgow. The majority of the activities work towards the COP26 priority areas of nature-based solutions, and resilience and adaptation.
Where project activities are delivered by an external organisation, you will ensure the tender process is carried out in accordance with UK Government procurement rules. You will be responsible for managing the ongoing relationship with the external partner. You will also provide accurate and timely financial forecasting. In parallel, you will oversee the delivery of the Europe network’s clean growth and global economic trends projects. This will mean bringing to bear your knowledge and experience of programme and project delivery to drive high quality projects across the network. You will coach officers in other Embassies through the delivery process and help them record the impact their projects are delivering. Moreover, the successful jobholder will have line management responsibility for one Prosperity Project Officer.
- Proficient user in both written and spoken English (C2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages);
- At least 5 years experience in project and programme management;
- Experience of delivering and evaluating complex programmes, demonstrating high impact results and strong value for money;
- Experience of managing delivery partners;
- Strong understanding of international prosperity and climate change issues;
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrating respect for different working styles and cultures;
- Evidence of commitment to personal learning and development, and building the capability of others;
- Previous line management experience.
- Knowledge of how the British Government works.
This is a temporary full-time contract until 31 March 2021 with the possibility of extension. The working hours are 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday).
The successful candidate is subject to a confirmation of a background check, security clearance and the successful completion of a probationary period.
The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Spanish Social Security Scheme and will therefore not be entitled to any gratuity from the Embassy / Consulate based on gross annual salary.
The British Embassy is a Diplomatic Mission with tax exempt status and does not collect taxes for other States. Employees are fully responsible for payment of Spanish income tax at the legally required rate. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Spain are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local Spanish employment law.
Visa / passport requirements: must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Spain and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.
Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
Please be advised that the British Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.
* Please note Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment indicates Level C2 as Mastery or proficiency Level which comprehends that a person can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read; can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation; can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations. For more information please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your languages skills are going to be assessed.
Additional Information (due to Covid 19):
There is a possibility that the selected candidate might need to work remotely (work from home availability);
- You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign and we are working hard to minimise any disruption;
Interviews will be done remotely if the existing situation determines this to be the right course of action;
Starting date may be delayed depending on circumstances at the time and it will be agreed with the selected candidate.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
