View Vacancy - AUH/ DXB - Programme Manager, Gulf Strategy Fund (HEO)

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

The British Embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have a vacancy for a Programme Manager for the Gulf Strategy Fund on a fixed-term contract for two (2) years.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced programme manager to manage the United Kingdom’s Gulf Strategy Fund (GSF) in the United Arab Emirates. The GSF supports the delivery of the UK’s Gulf Strategy. British embassies in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are provided with funding allocations to deliver projects in the region that support implementation of the Gulf Strategy and the embassies’ country business plans (CBP).

The Programme Manager is responsible for managing and coordinating all aspects of the GSF programme in the UAE. This means both ensuring strategic alignment of the programme as a whole with UK strategic priorities and overseeing the delivery of individual projects in the Security, Prosperity, and other pillars. Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, colleagues across the Embassy, and a number of different government departments, the jobholder will drive project development, promote best practice in project management, ensure proper financial management, liaise with the GSF Programme Team in the UK, and act as secretariat to the Programme Board.

Whilst the role may be based in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai, the jobholder will be required to visit the Embassy in the other Emirate, subject to COVID-19 restrictions and to operational needs. 

 

Duties and responsibilities:

- Programme management

  • Provide high quality programme management for the GSF in the UAE, ensuring strategic alignment with UK priorities and the Embassy’s country business plan;
  • Act as the Secretariat to the Programme Board; prepare papers for Board meetings; provide advice to the Board and support the chair of the Board; keep accurate records of decisions taken by the Board and monitor follow-up actions;
  • Ensure effective programme governance and risk management, project monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms, in support of the Programme Board;
  • Work closely with teams across the mission, from a range of UK government departments, and with external project implementers to ensure that funded activity is well designed and linked to strategic policy objectives;
  • Engage project teams and implementers to ensure funded activity proceeds as planned, adapting as necessary to changes in the external context; is monitored robustly (including progress indicators and targets, financial planning and monitoring, and narrative reporting); delivers impact on time and to agreed budgets; and is effectively evaluated;
  • Work closely with the GSF Team in London and project leads at post to deliver all necessary Programme documentation and reporting to deadlines;
  • Advise project leads and external implementers on public communications and narratives (in consultation with the Communications Team and in line with government communications guidance);
  • Coordinate and keep up to date and consistent the Post’s Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) and other human rights assessments relevant to GSF projects;
  • Act as the main point of contact for queries, information, and updates on the Programme.

- Financial management

  • Manage and monitor the programme budget; maintain accurate records on project allocations, monthly and quarterly spend, and forecast spend; support the Programme Board and project leads to achieve targets;
  • Provide financial reporting to Senior Management on a regular basis;
  • Manage financial and administrative actions relating to projects using FCDO financial systems, including updating supplier payment details, raising requisitions and purchase orders, receipting goods and services, and requesting payment of invoices.

- Monitoring and evaluation

  • Review activities across the Programme against objectives on a regular basis and plan for future activities and funding;
  • Develop a monitoring and evaluation plan against clear objectives agreed with project leads, in order to advise the Programme Board on progress and risks;
  • Ensure project leads are aware of reporting deadlines and produce accurate and timely quarterly and annual reports; track delivery of project activities against agreed timelines;
  • Lead on analysis of the impact that projects across the programme are having on relevant policy objectives, working in partnership with embassy policy and thematic leads;
  • Regular reporting of project and programme level progress to the Programme Board and wider teams.

- Promoting best practice and learning and development on project management

  • Develop and promote strong understanding of and compliance with the FCDO Programme Management Framework and guidelines, procurement processes, FCDO internal audit requirements and UK National Audit Office (NAO) requirements; provide advice on compliance of the programme;
  • Promote best practice in project management across the mission; provide guidance to policy leads working on the thematic areas of the programme and support them in developing their project management skills. 

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and to take on other duties, projects, and ad hoc tasks as required. This may, for example, include work on programmes, policy initiatives, campaigns or operational delivery in support of the Embassy’s Political, Economic, and Central Support teams. The jobholder will also be expected to play a full role in the Embassy’s contingency planning and any crisis response.

 

Key behaviours required:

  • Seeing the Big Picture - Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
  • Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
  • Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
  • Working Together - Forming effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds; sharing information, resources, and support.
  • Developing Self and Others - Focus on continuous learning and development for self, others and the organisation as a whole.
  • Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
  • Demonstrated experience in project management, delivery and evaluation, and experience managing large budgets;
  • Ability to drive delivery of outcomes and overcome obstacles, especially when working with and through others;
  • Flexible, resilient, decisive, and calm under pressure, with a proven track record of delivering results to a high standard within tight deadlines whilst maintaining attention to detail;
  • Excellent organisational ability, with proven ability to manage, plan, and prioritise tasks and workload, and a proactive approach to problem solving;
  • Excellent relationship development and management skills, capable of operating at all organisational levels; experience of developing a strong professional network and building influence with multiple stakeholders in public and private sectors;
  • Excellent command of spoken and written English; able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication;
  • Strong IT skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook and internet-based applications;
  • Holds at least a bachelor’s degree.
  • Experience working in politically-sensitive programming and with senior stakeholders, preferably within the FCDO overseas network or another UK government department;
  • Experience working in external communications, campaigns, or other relevant field;
  • Experience of working with government and other official authorities in UAE.
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together, Developing Self and Others
5 July 2022
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
38
24 months
Middle East & North Africa
United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi, Dubai
British Embassy
1
AED
22,500
29 August 2022

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 22,500 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.

Effective 01 January 2022, the Embassy will be open from Monday to Friday, from 07:30 to 18:00. Conditioned working hours are 38 hours per week (including breaks), and specific working hours for this role will be confirmed at a later time.

Whilst the role may be based in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai, the jobholder will be required to visit the Embassy in the other Emirate, subject to COVID-19 restrictions and to operational needs. The jobholder will also be expected to visit to take part in relevant meetings and events, which may also require out-of-hours work (evenings/ weekends). Flexible working arrangements may be considered based on operational requirements and agreement with the line manager, and in line with FCDO and Embassy policies.

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/ motivation essay stating how you meet the requirements of the role, and 3) examples, in the relevant sections of the online application form, of how you meet the key behaviours required. 

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

Closing date for applications is at 11:55 PM UAE local time on 05 July 2022.

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. Any assessments and/ or interviews will be done remotely if the existing situation determines this to be the right course of action.

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 Abu Dhabi and Dubai 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.