View Vacancy - Programme Support Officer - A1
Length of contract : 6 months
Main purpose of job:
To support the delivery of Conflict, Security and Stability Fund (CSSF) projects (budget of £2.3m for FY18/19) by providing sound financial and budgetary management, setting up suppliers and clearing payment invoices, financial forecasting and accurate financial administration including budget monitoring and tracking.
Roles and responsibilities:
The job holder will be responsible for the delivery of a range of programme and finance requirements to a high professional standard. In particular, these will include:
- Managing project finances including meeting financial spend deadlines both internally and externally by demonstrating a strong understanding of project financing and the importance of ensuring value for money.
- Providing accurate and timely quarterly financial reports on project activity, including forecasting future expenditure / financial profiling, and preparing updates for London to meet financial reporting obligations requirements.
- Ensuring programme guidelines for the management of project records such as grant agreements, proposals and financial / audit requirements are met through effective information management.
- Providing administrative support for the Programme Team (eg arranging meetings and events, transport and travel bookings, organising accommodation).
We are looking for a well-organised and numerate individual, ideally with some experience of project financing and an eye for value for money, to support the delivery of UK programmes and projects in Sri Lanka. The bulk of this will be on the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), but will also include other bilateral programme budgets.
The ideal candidate will have a thorough understanding of programme work and be able to apply this to supporting the delivery of programmes in Sri Lanka. They will need to have good interpersonal skills to enable working closely with the finance officers of our implementing partners; finance teams in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in the UK and elsewhere, and also colleagues in the finance team at the British High Commission. They will be responsible for organising payments and liaising with implementing partners, keeping accurate records of expenditure and forecasting future expenditure and tracking overall spend, drawing on this information to ensure Programme Managers can manage the programme effectively. They will also be responsible for preparing contracts, electronic and hard-copy storage of information, organising meetings and making travel arrangements, including organising visits in Sri Lanka by Programme Officers.
Resources managed:
Day to day responsibility for financial administration of £2.3m CSSF allocation.
Language requirements:
Language: English / Sinhala
Level of language required: Fluent / Basic
Learning and development opportunities:
The successful candidate will receive on-the-job and formal learning in FCO practices and financial procedures. There are likely to be opportunities for some travel, possibly in Sri Lanka but also within the region and elsewhere (for training).
Experience of programme management.
Confidence to express ideas clearly and concisely.
Personal drive and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Strong organisational and time management skills.
Experience of working in an international context.
For British High Commission (BHC) candidates, the Local Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.
Working hours are ordinarily 40 hours net per week. There may be a requirement to work non conditioned hours and occasionally take telephone calls in the evenings and exceptionally at weekends.
The British High Commission is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from applicants with diverse backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, ethnicity, age, religion, sex or disability.
To Apply:
(a) Complete the Online Application Form
(b) Complete the motivation segment ( 600 words)
(c) Attach a detailed CV
Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable) else the application will not be considered.
Please note:
- Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be dealt with.
- The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, educational and professional.
We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly.
This opportunity is closed to applications.