View Vacancy - Senior Political and Programmes Manager C4 (05/19 YAO)

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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Chancery

Main purpose of job:

The Political Officer will play a central role for the High Commission, reporting on and analysing internal political issues with a particular focus on governance, elections, human rights and democracy, in support of the UK’s strategic objectives.  You will help to ensure the High Commissioner, and other senior figures within the UK Government have up to date and accurate political analysis.

The role will also cover the design and management of projects that support the posts strategic objectives as well having the overall responsibility for delivering the UK Government’s Chevening scholarship scheme in four countries: Cameroon, Gabon, Chad and Equatorial Guinea.

This is a dynamic and fast-paced role that will be very rewarding for the right candidate. You will need to have an up to date knowledge of Cameroon politics, as well as the other countries covered by the High Commission (Equatorial Guinea, Chad and Gabon). The successful candidate will have the ability to develop extensive contact networks. S/he will need to be proactive and able to use their initiative and judgement, take a collaborative approach to the team’s work, but will also need to be a self-starter, capable of working on your own and owning issues.

The role is part of a growing team and your specific areas of political focus may be amended to meet new priorities as the team develops.

 

Roles and responsibilities:

The main roles and responsibilities of the position are as follows, although the jobholder may at times be required to take on additional tasks:

Political Reporting / analysis

  • Analyse, monitor and advise on the political situation in Cameroon, Chad, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, providing reporting and analysis to a range of UK stakeholders to help develop policy.
  • Build and maintain relationships with a broad range of contacts in 4 countries to inform reporting.
  • Contribute to policy planning at post, working with the team particularly for business planning and related reviews.
  • Provide in depth analysis of issues such as elections, governance, human rights and democracy.
  • Provide expert advice, including speech writing and research.
  • Engage with a range of stakeholders including government, political groups, civil society, NGOs, and local community.
  • Work with international partners to coordinate efforts on shared interests.
  • Provide first drafts of responses to Ministerial correspondence, parliamentary questions, speeches and other correspondence for approval by senior management/London.
  • Deliver programme of visits for senior staff, including VIP visits.
  • There will be some opportunities for travel in the country in this role

Project Management

  • Overall responsibility for the High Commission's Programme Team to deliver UK funded projects.
  • Oversee effective performance of projects work plans and budgets to ensure projects are on time, on budget and meet milestones.
  • Ensure project reaches agreed outputs and outcomes, and perform effective risk management.
  • Evaluate project performance, impact and effectiveness of projects in meeting the High Commission’s strategic objectives.
  • Support excellent financial management to ensure value for money and 100% implementation of project funds.
  • Ensure lead implementing agencies provide timely project reporting and documentation.
  • Liaise with diverse stakeholders by providing guidance and quality assurance to government beneficiaries/implementing agencies in preparation of project bids, quarterly progress reports and project completion reports.
  • Identify and build strong relationships with key project stakeholders at all levels in Cameroon and the UK. •Deliver key meetings and visits in Cameroon and regular teleconferences/videoconferences related to projects.
  • Prospect and support development of new projects, which will bring about transformation in policy, supporting beneficiary in preparation of bid forms.
  • Provide the Projects Committee with spend and other useful information.
  • Oversight of the UK Government’s Chevening Scholarship Programme in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Staff and resource management

  • Staff management of one member of staff
  • Programme budget of variable amount.

Corporate

  • As a member of the Political, Communications and Programmes Team, provide ad hoc support to other team priorities.
  • Member various post committees, including Chair of the Post Projects
  • To undertake necessary training and development activities for the job.

 

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

1 x Prosperity/Projects Assistant, 1 x Political Assistant

  • Strong political background – ability to analyse and provide accurate reporting. 
  • At least 3 years’ experience of working in a political reporting role.
  • Knowledge of Cameroon political situation as well as regional affairs.
  • Eperience working for a Diplomatic Mission or International organisation ideally in a political role.
  • Strong management experience – managing staff and working with senior staff.
  • A problem solver.
  • Experience of managing projects and producing regular progress and completion reports.
  • IT literate (windows 10, Microsoft 365)
  • Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills, and able to work to tight deadlines with a number of competing priorities.
  • Fluent written and spoken English and French.
  • BA in international relations, political studies or similar subjects
  • Professional experience / qualification in project management.
  • Understanding of scholarship programmes and interview processes.
25 June 2019
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term
24 months
Africa
Cameroon
Yaounde
British High Commission
Gross XOF 1,610,584 plus XOF 284,105 housing and XOF 96,186 transport allowance (paid 13 times a year)
1 August 2019

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

Opportunity to undertake regional and internal courses, subject to approval and budgets.

Access to a vast amount of online e-learning courses and other learning and developing opportunities.

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 High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.

Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Yaounde are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Cameroon.

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 the fees for the permit

3.Make arrangements to relocate

4.Meet the costs to relocation

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.

Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note: Job grade AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5

Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.

Please log into your profile on the application system on a regular basis to review the status of your application.

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This opportunity is closed to applications.