View Vacancy - Head of Programmes (MNE22.271)

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 (Policy & Political roles)
CSSF (Conflict, Stability and Security Fund)

The British Embassy in Podgorica is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is looking to recruit a Head of Programmes. This new role will be part of the Embassy’s Political Team which is responsible for strengthening UK-Montenegro bilateral relations through impactful programme and project interventions.

The UK Government has a portfolio of approximately £45 million of programmes which support resilience, stability and security across the Western Balkans. The post holder will oversee the UK Government’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Fund programmes in Montenegro, setting their strategy direction and ensuring delivery against the Embassy’s Country Plan. In doing so the job holder will strive to improve the design, monitoring and reporting of Embassy projects. The role will focus on the management and oversight of CSSF interventions under the International Security Programme and the FCDO programme and also coordinate closely with colleagues delivering projects under the Embassy’s Serious and Organised Crime programme.  The post holder will be expected to stay abreast of political developments in Montenegro, and, when needed, to step in as alternate to the Head of Political Team, to provide reports and briefing on developments. The post holder is required to be flexible and may also take responsibility for projects funded from other sources to meet the team’s programme objectives.

Roles and responsibilities: 

Programme strategy – Develop post programme strategy, coordinate effective decision making, risk management and information sharing across the portfolio of Embassy programmes by working closely with all programme managers and organising the Country Programme Board.  Develop a theory of change for the International Security Programme in Montenegro and other programmes as funding becomes available. Oversee the strategy’s delivery with programme managers, providing strategic direction and support where required.

Project Management – Lead the day to day management of projects under the International Security Programme, working closely with advisers to ensure projects are delivering intended results aligned with Embassy policy objectives. Work with implementers to adapt to changes where necessary. Ensure Gender Equality Act compliance and support CSSF ambitions on women’s economic opportunities, inclusive growth and poverty reduction through your team.

Project Delivery/ Finance & Procurement - Lead on the financial governance of your projects (bilateral and multi-country), ensuring that budgeting and invoicing processes meet agreed best practice in order to minimise financial risk and demonstrate value for money. Ensure retender processes are followed accurately and within good time for programme activity start dates, careful scrutiny of budgets, and compliance with the CSSF Framework.  Manage budgets affectively noting when expenditure is not in line with expectations taking remedial action and notifying relevant stakeholders. 

Project Delivery/Impact Reporting - Work with implementers and CSSF Monitoring and Evaluation lead to develop robust results frameworks for projects, feeding into the programme level results framework. Use analysis from monitoring and evaluation to highlight and report on the achievements of CSSF.  Analyse results, highlighting and reporting widely on achievements and taking remedial action where projects or project activities are not delivering to objectives.  Work with implementers to manage risks, escalating to the appropriate level where necessary.

Stakeholder Engagement - This role requires strong stakeholder management skills, across a wide and complex portfolio including the donor community, NGOs, and UK Government colleagues.  There will be opportunities for upwards and sideways management.  You will need to build and maintain strong relationships, often providing advice and strategic direction.  You will be encouraged to get out and about to projects and stakeholders, as these relationships are key to the success of the programme overall.  You may also be required to set up and accompany HMA and senior UK visitors on site visits, and provide briefing and reporting.

 

  • Fluency at C level in Montenegrin and English;
  • Programme management experience;
  • Project management experience;
  • Experience in managing budgets;
  • A minimum of three years of relevant work experience, including evidence of engaging stakeholders, customers and partners at all levels.
  • Strong analytical and reporting skills
  • Experience in monitoring and evaluating
  • Experience in team management
Seeing the Big Picture, Changing and Improving, Leadership, Communicating and Influencing
28 June 2022
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
36
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Montenegro
Podgorica
British Embassy
1
EUR
3,493.71
1 August 2022

This is a full-time fixed-term contract for 12 months with possibility of extension.

The successful appointment is subject to confirmation of a background check and security clearance.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Podgorica are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Montenegro employment law.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Montenegro and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”. We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Please be advised that the British Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.

*Please refer to the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”. We are looking for a C1 level or equivalent. For more information please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your languages skills are going to be assessed.


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.