View Vacancy - Commercial and Programmes Officer (02/18 FT)
Main purpose of job:
The British High Commission is looking for a Commercial and Programmes Officer who will strengthen the political and commercial section of the High Commission, and deliver the UK’s programme work on prosperity, the Global Britain Fund portfolio, the Chevening scholarship programme, and other programmes. The successful job holder will be able to form strong relationships with the relevant London programme secretariats and Regional Prosperity Coordinator, as well British and Sierra Leonean commercial actors.
Other responsibilities will include providing added support to the Political and Press Section as required. This will cut across the section’s wide and interesting portfolio, including on human rights, climate, and the Commonwealth.
Roles and responsibilities:
This is a multi-faceted job and the successful applicant will play a leading role in our prosperity and programme work, in line with our business plan.
The job holder will lead on exploiting programme funding opportunities as they arise, working with members of HMG and local Civil Society Organisations on designing and implementing programmes; and managing their operation with London secretariats. They will be expected to be able to submit well-written bids for funding, and ensure project management best practice is adhered to, with all administrative obligations met. Candidates should have experience in project and financial management.
On the commercial side, the jobholder will support British businesses with a local presence, in order to spot opportunities and overcome barriers to further growth. The successful applicant will build knowledge of particular interest to UK business in Sierra Leone, such as local providers of financing, professional services (good local accountants, HR managers, marketers, printers etc), business associations, etc. It will be essential that the jobholder can build the relationships necessary to maintain access to this information.
As the jobholder grows in the role, we would expect them to be able to provide demographic and economic data (e.g. the size of relative city markets) and on infrastructure (e.g. electricity reliability in various places). We expect the jobholder to have an understanding of the challenges being faced by British businesses here and to work with the economics team in DFID on unpacking them. The job holder would also be expected to identify potential investment and partnership opportunities for British businesses who are interested in establishing themselves in Sierra Leone.
Applicants are required to be computer literate, comfortable working with Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint, and able to manage information effectively with available computer systems, databases and websites. He/she will have a good sense of marketing in order to present a positive and professional image to UK and local stakeholders and customers, both in terms of communication and delivery of services.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
Global Britain Fund; Chevening Fund; others as they are identified.
- Experience of managing successful projects and programmes;
- Strong drafting and report writing skills;
- Strong IT skills (Windows, Outlook and Office);
- A strong academic record to degree level or above; and
- Strong organisational skills and initiative;
- Fluent English.
- Fluent Krio
- An understanding of social media tools
- Experience/knowledge of the Sierra Leonean private sector and the political system
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
We provide regular learning and development opportunities.
The successful candidate will have access to the wide range of topics covered through UK Civil Service training and the FCO-wide training programme, the Diplomatic Academy. At the beginning of the officer’s contract, the line manager will discuss with the staff member their learning and development needs. There is a regional training centre in Accra as well.
In-house learning and development is focused on IT literacy and English language classes. And the High Commission is a supporter of coaching, mentoring, and other forms of informal knowledge transfer.
The British High Commission Freetown is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
- 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 Freetown are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Sierra Leone.
- 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;
Obtain the relevant permit
Pay fees for the permit
Make arrangements to relocate
Meet the costs to relocation
The British High Commission does 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.
- 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: 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.
- Any other post specifics – like information on the application form that is not include on the system.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
