View Vacancy - AUH/ DXB - UAE Finance Officer A2(L)

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.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
Finance

The British Embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have a vacancy for a UAE Finance Officer.

The role sits with the UAE Network’s Corporate Services Team, and the jobholder will be working to prepare the monthly budget files and supporting the UAE Finance Manager in consolidating and delivering effective financial management for the UAE Network. They will provide operational support to deliver on financial activities for both embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. They will deliver excellent customer service to both internal and external stakeholders and ensure the correct implementation of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) financial policies and objectives whilst meeting the needs of customers in a fair, effective, and efficient manner.

The jobholder will need to attend both locations on a regular basis, but the exact permanent location and the number of days spent at each post will be agreed with the jobholder. They will, however, provide support to both posts regardless of their permanent location and regular travel between the two posts is required.


Duties and responsibilities:

  • Assistance on financial management - Reviewing OBIEE reports after GL closure, updating the monthly budget files and sharing with budget owners as per the forecast calendar. Responsible to input the forecasting and allocation figures on Hyperion; administrative and capital budget and provide support to the UAE Finance Manager in producing the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for the UAE Network.
  • Support in managing the UAE Network’s Finance Performance Compliance Indicators (FPCIs) and KPIs score board. Frequent engagement with requisitioners and cardholders to educate them on FCDO policies and best practices. Review the OBIEE and Oracle-based reports and use them as a tool to monitor the progress and proactively deal with any challenges/ issues.
  • Responsible for managing the cash box, coordinating with imprest holders, reviewing their receipts/ invoices, replenishing their imprest, and preparing the Network Post Account file precisely as per the SLA defined by the FCDO’s Global Transaction Processing Centre (GTPC). Encouraging colleagues to restrict cash dealings and deliver strong communication by sharing finance recommendations.
  • Attributing and sharing best practices to ensure accurate charging of costs to the right codes at the first time, with any miscodes to be rectified with manual journal process. Educating Partners Across Government (PAGs) and budget owner by providing training and support on the process.
  • Managing banking services for the UAE Network in line with FCDO’s financial policy, procedures, and audit controls, as well as the Corporate Services Charter. Responsible to keep approving systems updated, i.e. hierarchy reports and aide memoires in line with GTPC records.
  • Monitor commercial rates of exchange (ROE) and keep records in the register book. Inform London if the FCDO ROE and commercial ROE variance is +/- 3% for two (2) or more consecutive days, and inform all staff once London has taken action.
  • Providing support and, where relevant, lead on dealing with any urgent finance-related requests.
  • Dealing and engaging with GTPC colleagues frequently to build a good relationship and identify the learning opportunities for staff who usually work closely with them.

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any response to a crisis affecting UK citizens.


Key competencies required:

  • Managing a Quality Service - Being organised to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements. Effectively planning, organising, and managing time and activities to deliver a high quality and efficient service, applying programme and project management approaches to support service delivery.
  • Delivering Value for Money - Seeking out and implementing solutions which achieve the best mix of quality and effectiveness for the least outlay. Making decisions based on evidenced information and following agreed processes and policies to ensure efficient, effective, and economic use of taxpayers’ money in the delivery services, challenging these appropriately where they appear to prevent good value for money.
  • Making Effective Decisions - Being objective; using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice. Showing clarity of thought, setting priorities, analysing and using evidence to evaluate options before arriving at well-reasoned, justifiable decisions.
  • Collaborating and Partnering - Creating and maintaining positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the organisation to help get business done. Working collaboratively, sharing information, and building supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions.
  • Minimum of 3-5 years of relevant work experience in an accounting field.
  • Holds a formal accounting qualification or relevant degree level education.
  • Excellent numeric skills and MS Excel skills to deal with the budget numbers.
  • Excellent organisational skills. Ability to organise and prioritise workload, organise records, and meet deadlines whilst maintaining close attention to detail and without compromising the quality of the work.
  • Flexible, resilient, decisive, and calm under pressure. Proven ability to rapidly re-prioritise work depending upon the situation. Ability to understand competing priorities and make judgement calls on when to use own initiative to deal directly with issues and when to consult before taking decisions.
  • Strong problem solving skills. Ability to anticipate and take initiative to avoid problems or fix them, demonstrating willingness to develop and implement innovative methods of working and using available information and experience to solve problems effectively.
  • Excellent customer service skills. Demonstrates courtesy and consideration in dealing with internal and external stakeholders. Able to show discretion in handling any sensitive matters, with the trust of all involved.
  • A confident communicator with excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
  • Demonstrates a collaborative approach to colleagues and stakeholder partnerships. Proven ability to engage at all levels internally and with external stakeholders.
  • Very good level of IT skills and proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Teams.
  • Familiarity with UK government accounting processes, systems, and policies
  • Familiarity with Oracle-based applications.
  • Previous relevant accounting work experience either in the public or private sector.
30 September 2020
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Permanent
38
Middle East & North Africa
United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi, Dubai
British Embassy
1
AED
11,108
1 December 2020

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, including: 25 days of leave per annum; on-site swimming pool, gym, and sports facilities (subject to COVID-19 restrictions).

Salary is at AED 11,108 per month.

There are no other allowances payable as part of this package. No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

Conditioned working hours are 38 hours per week. Standard working hours are from 07:30 to 15:06, including a lunch break of 36 minutes, from Sunday to Thursday.

Travel between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is required for this role.

The successful candidate will be required to transfer their visa under the Embassy's sponsorship.

How to apply:

Interested candidates must attach 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and 2) a covering letter stating how you meet the requirements of the role.

Your application must also include examples of when you have demonstrated the required competencies in the Competence-Based Questions section of the online application form.

Applications that do not include these information will not be considered.

Closing date for applications is at 11:55 PM UAE local time on 30 September 2020.

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.


Process:

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two months.

Due to the large number of applications we receive, only those shortlisted for the next step of the recruitment process will be contacted.

The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative 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. 

 

The British Embassies in the UAE are an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.

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.