View Vacancy - Governance Adviser

To manage the UK’s new institutional capacity building investments as part of the recently announced £25.5 million Prosperity Fund for Colombia which aims to reduce poverty and gender inequality through economic development and commercial opportunities in the country’s post conflict zones. Institutional Capacity Building is one of three components the Programme will focus on (the others are infrastructure and agriculture) over the next 4 to 5 years. There are three specific agriculture activities that the job holder will be responsible for overseeing: i) improving competitiveness in up to 8 Colombian regions (departamentos) worth approximately £4.2 million; ii) supporting ANI to convert into an Executive Agency based on successful UK models worth £0.23 million; and iii) reducing corruption in up to 8 Colombian regions by modernising public procurement processes and systems.

The job holder will provide technical advice to the British Embassy, Bogota on governance issues in Colombia’s national, regional and municipal levels and maintain strong working relationships with the Prosperity Fund’s implementing partners (CAF and Findeter), Colombian government representatives (The President’s Office, DNP and 8 regional governments) and private sector companies, including British. 

Roles and responsibilities:

- Programme Management (50%)

• Lead on the management of the institutional capacity building activities of the Colombia Prosperity Fund Programme ensuring that CAF and Findeter successfully implement the agreed strategy, objectives and activities for the regional competitiveness, support to ANI and transparency in procurement activities.
• Contribute to the effective day to day running of the Colombia Prosperity Fund Programme including: finances; reporting; communications; monitoring and evaluation; and robust contract management.   

Stakeholder Management (20%)

• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders to support delivery of the Programme including: implementing partners; Colombian government representatives, British Embassy colleagues; British government colleagues based in the UK; private sector companies, including  Colombian and British; Colombian, British and international agriculture associations and organisations; and bilateral and multilateral donors operating in Colombia.   

- Technical Advice (20%)

• Within the Embassy, lead on: i) all public sector capacity building issues especially effective strategies and actions to boost competitiveness, transparent procurement and effective corporate governance; and ii) on modern models, tools and approaches to improve institutional capacity and to successfully implement governance projects.
• Provide technical advice on the Prosperity Fund strategy, programmes and activities in Colombia. Be prepared to regularly articulate technical opinions verbally, in writing and in presentations (internal and external).  
• Be alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact or benefit the Prosperity Fund objectives and activities. Provide guidance on how to best integrate new global and national governance policies, concepts and lessons learned into the Programme. Help update Prosperity Fund priorities, models and approaches as new knowledge and evidence comes to light and good governance best practices evolve.
• Actively seek synergies and collaboration across the Embassy and with potential external allies to ensure the Prosperity Fund achieves maximum impact on target beneficiaries and, very importantly, creates secondary commercial benefits including for UK companies. Strong influencing skills will be important for this.  

- Cross Embassy Support (10%)

• Actively support the Prosperity Fund Programme Manager and Deputy Programme Manager for both Programmes as required. Be a supportive and considerate team member. Help junior colleagues achieve their learning and development objectives. Provide coaching and shadowing opportunities if required.
• Contribute to: i) Prosperity Fund and wider Embassy objectives; ii) official visits; and iii) the Embassy’s Economic and Commercial Board and the Programmatic Board. Effectively coordinate with other Embassy teams (Department for International Trade and the Economic Diplomacy and Political Sections).

• Graduate with a relevant university degree and at least 7 years of experience in a relevant field.
• At least 5 years experience in programme management ideally in a development context.
• Solid knowledge of Colombian institutional-related legislation, policies and regulations at the central, regional and local levels.
• In-depth understanding of: i) the elements that make a transparent, accountable and effective government institution able to deliver against targets and objectives; and ii) what governance models, approaches and best practices help maximise the public sector’s impact on poverty reduction, gender equity, economic development and value for money. 
• A flexible and creative problem-solver, able to come up with innovative solutions to complex challenges.
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Spanish.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills including in giving presentations to external audiences.
• Team player driven by values.