View Vacancy - Programme Officer (POL19.330)

The British Embassy in Poland is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is seeking to appoint a Programme Officer.

As Programme Officer at the British Embassy Warsaw you will oversee the Embassy’s programme of bilateral projects ensuring value for money and that projects support achievement of the Embassy’s strategic priorities;

You will be expected to coordinate project activity across the embassy including ensuring that project activities and outputs are delivered in line with agreed activity based budgets, that project delivery is effectively monitored, risks are adequately captured and mitigated, and that project activities represent value for money. You will be expected to report regularly to colleagues within the Embassy and to government officials in London on performance and impact. You will be expected to develop and maintain productive working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders, utilising these relationships to ensure the achievement of UK objectives as well as project delivery.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Secretariat for Embassy Programme Board, keeping accurate records of bids for funding, their status, and expenditure as well as recording decisions made by the Board;
• Identifying funding opportunities, including co-funding, for Embassy projects
• Fundraising, including identifying and liaising with potential new commercial partners, both sponsors and project implementers
• Negotiating, signing and managing contracts with project sponsors and external suppliers;
• Monitor and evaluate projects on a regular basis, including ongoing financial and contractual management and monitoring of risks and significant outcomes.  Take responsibility for co-ordinating and delivering project evaluations, assessing progress against project deliverables and policy impact;
• Project manage the development and implementation of individual programme projects as necessary;
• Upskilling of Embassy Staff in effective project management and procurement and providing advice on best practice;
• Perform other tasks and provide support to the Embassy’s Bilateral, Internal and Communications Team as required, in particular to support an expanded programme of outreach and engagement. You will cover for other members of staff while they are out of the office.

Required key FCO Competences:

• Delivering Value for Money: For all staff, it means seeking out and implementing solutions, which achieve the best mix of quality and effectiveness for the least outlay.
• Changing and Improving: For all staff, it’s about learning from what has worked well and what has not, being open to change, suggesting ideas for improvements to the way things are done, and working in ’smarter’, more focused ways.
• Making Effective Decisions: For all staff, it is about being careful and thoughtful about the use and protection of government and public information to ensure it is handled securely and with care.
• Building Capability for All: For all staff, it is being open to learning, about keeping one’s own knowledge and skill set current and evolving.

• Degree level of qualification;
• Fluent English and Polish, both oral and written;
• Skills in MS Excel;
• Financial Management Skills;
• Project Management Experience;
• Experience of dealing with commercial partners and contracts;
• Experience of working with NGOs and other project implementers;
• Experience working with programme and project management tools;
• Experience working with government or international organisations.