View Vacancy - Finance and Compliance Officer (06/18 BMK)

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)

Main purpose of job 

The British Embassy in Bamako is part of a worldwide network representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. The British Embassy is fairly new - established in 2015 - but expanding and with a strong aid portfolio. Our aim is for the UK to become an energetic presence in the region, working together with the EU, UN and other partners to help support Mali’s development and security. A key component of the Embassy’s interventions in the Sahel is our Conflict, Stability and Security Fund Programme (CSSF). Our Sahel CSSF Programme Team is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual for the position of Finance and Compliance Officer. 

This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity based at the British Embassy Bamako. The Sahel CSSF programme is delivered under two programmes of work: Defence & Security and Stabilisation. At £8.7m (18/19) the programme is significant, having doubled in size since 17/18. The position is part of the larger West Africa CSSF team operating from Abuja, Bamako, and Freetown.  The Finance and Compliance Officer acts as a vital interface with staff across HMG departments and agencies such as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Department for International Development, Ministry of Defence, Home Office and National Crime Agency.  

The successful applicant will play a key role in overseeing the CSSF Sahel finance portfolio, dealing with a range of corporate returns and ensuring compliance with CSSF processes.  (S)he will develop an excellent understanding of HMG financial processes and combine this with their own knowledge and experience to review and improve financial management systems in place across the programme. This includes the implementation of processes aimed at providing an accurate budget management and ensuring a good financial performance. The role will involve working closely with the Deputy Head of West Africa, Programme Managers, and the CSSF West Africa team based in Abuja.

Roles and responsibilities  

Budget Management

  • Oversee the CSSF Sahel budget through a regular monitoring of project expenditure and reporting of the programme spends and performance against budget allocations. 
  • Manage programme strand-level budgets and lead on project payments processes, including raising invoices, requisitions, and Purchase Orders (POs).
  • Contribute to an optimised use of programme’s fund through timely recommendations on budget adjustments and allocation options.
  • Lead on budgetary matters to aid decision-making, including the preparation and presentation of information to stakeholders and the implementation of budgetary decisions. 

Financial Management

  • Work with the West Africa Finance and Compliance Manager to carry out accurate monthly and quarterly monitoring of both actual and forecasted spend in liaison with implementers and programme managers. 
  • Gather, prepare, and narrate financial data and assess project spending profiles against planned forecast while ensuring that spends are recorded and reflected correctly.
  • Work with programme managers on the review of Activity Based Budgets (ABB) of external partners to ensure accuracy and reasonability.
  • Review of quarterly/monthly financial reports submitted by external partners to ensure that VfM principles are followed.
  • In liaison with the West Africa Finance and Compliance Manager, conduct monthly and quarterly housekeeping of open POs, Goods Received Not Invoiced (GRNI) report, ensuring that PO’s are closed in a timely manner, and investigate any ‘red’ scores.
  • Ensure financial management indicators are robust and issues are resolved appropriately within agreed timescales.
  • Provide advice and support to the team on the use of FCO finance systems and their claim and expense processes. 

Procurement and Compliance

  • Foster collaborative links with regional and central finance teams to ensure the programme meets overall standards in compliance with FCO policies and best practices.
  • Provide the regional and finance teams with the information they need and liaise with them to resolve and reconcile budgetary problems and differences.
  • Assist with procurement work, including the preparation and management of contracts.
  • Conduct spot checks and lead on new suppliers due diligence and set up on PRISM. 

Resources managed 

The post holder will maintain oversight over the Sahel CSSF portfolio £8.7 million.

Language requirements 

Language: English and French 

Level of language required: Fluent  

  • Strong oral and written communication skills in English and French.
  • Bachelors in Accounting, Finance, Economics or a related discipline.
  • Minimum 3 years work experience with at least 1 year of budget and financial management experience.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office Word and Outlook.
  • Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Excel.
  • A strong understanding of budget and financial planning, analysis, and forecasting.
  • Strong analytical, planning, time management and organisational skills.
  • A flexible approach and good team working skills.
  • Highly organised and detail-oriented with excellent interpersonal skills and customer service experience.
  • Good communication skills and ability to take initiatives.
  • Experience working with commercial suppliers.
  • Familiarity with Oracle systems.
  • Previous experience of accruals accounting.
  • Knowledge and interest in peace, conflict, and security issues.
3 May 2018
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
35
Africa
Mali
Bamako
British Embassy
1
874, 000 CFA per month paid 13 times a year, plus a programme supplement allowance of 130 000 CFA per month paid 12 times per year
1 July 2018
31 August 2019

Learning and development opportunities

There is a wealth Learning and Development (L&D) opportunities available to help staff pursue their professional development.  The successful applicant will be required to undertake a number of mandatory trainings and will have access to a range of L&D opportunities both in-house and overseas.

Medical Insurance 

Annual leave entitlement: 25 days per annum

  • Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening. 
  • Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted. 
  • The British Embassy will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position. 
  • Employees recruited locally by the British Embassy in Bamako are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Mali. 
  • All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.  
  • The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;
  1. Obtain the relevant permit
  2. Pay fees for the permit
  3. Make arrangements to relocate
  4. Meet the costs to relocation 

The British Embassy do not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so. 

  • Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount. 
  • Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidate

 

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.