View Vacancy - DXB - DIT Head of Finance & Performance for Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MEAP) C4(L)

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Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
Regional Corporate Support Functions

The British Embassy Dubai has a vacancy for a Head of Finance & Performance for Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MEAP) under the Department for International Trade (DIT).

The Department for International Trade (DIT), operating in 108 countries, is helping to secure a deal for the UK as it negotiates a successful exit from the EU. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DIT promotes British trade to ensure the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us, securing and improving economic well-being, stability, and helping to create tens of thousands of jobs.

This is an exciting and demanding role for an exceptional individual to be the Head of Finance & Performance. Working closely with colleagues as part of the Corporate Operations team, you will play a key role in supporting the DIT MEAP region achieve its objectives as articulated in the Regional Trade Plan, of which the over-arching ambitions are:

  • Driving and inspiring UK exports to MEAP, significantly increasing the UK market share of MEAPs goods imports, and more than double the value of UK services exports.
  • Strengthen trade policy engagement with MEAP to achieve incremental market access, mitigate business risk, and prepare for future trade deals
  • Broadening and deepening the UK-MEAP investment partnership, positioning the UK as the top European destination for MEAP investment and providing strong support for UK investors.

 

About the role

The Head of Finance & Performance has a critical role in supporting all teams in delivering value for money in the pursuit of our objectives, utilising budgets effectively to deliver outcomes, and ensuring tight financial controls of resources and contracts to meet strategic priorities.

Although there is no direct budget managed, the role supports the management and oversight of a delegated budget for the region. The jobholder will be responsible for the day-to-day management of DIT MEAP’s financial records and management of budgets and spend, with key responsibility for timely maintenance of budget, forecasts, and expenditure records. The jobholder is also responsible for advising on overall value for money of proposed spend and approving minor purchases from time to time. In addition, the role will have lead responsibility on the preparation of monthly management information (MI), covering financial and business performance data, to be discussed by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

To be successful in this role, the jobholder will need to collaborate with budget holders (both Directors and Team Leads), and in particular, work closely with colleagues to develop a regional understanding of finance and performance matters. The jobholder will need to maintain and actively engage with a number of key stakeholders, including DIT teams across the network, the DIT MEAP SLT, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) finance teams, and DIT London (HQ) teams. The jobholder will also have an important role in sharing expertise and building capability across the organisation, supporting better financial understanding and management amongst all teams. 

 

Duties and responsibilities:

- Financial planning, management and reporting (40%)

  • Day to day management of DIT MEAPs overall delegated budget, with the aim of delivering 0% overspend and any underspend within 1% of budget, ensuring compliance with relevant Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) Guidance, including maintenance and profiling of forecasts in the financial systems and ensuring spend is recorded accurately.
  • Supporting on business planning and budget setting at the start of the financial year to allocate limited financial resources most effectively.
  • Preparation of monthly financial report showing budgets, forecast, and spend for inclusion in the management information pack discussed by SLT at monthly Trade Performance Boards, along with relevant analysis and recommendations to manage risk effectively.

- Performance management and reporting (30%)

  • Supporting teams as part of the annual business planning process to set challenging performance objectives.
  • Liaise closely with DIT London colleagues on new developments and approaches to performance management, including, for example, on management information functionality within Datahub, progress against market access objectives, and measurement of investment into the UK, supporting the introduction of changes across the MEAP network.
  • Preparation of performance reports including progress against stated export, investment and trade policy objectives (as set out in the Regional Trade Plan) for inclusion in the monthly management information packs to support effective decision making.

- Building capability and expertise (20%)

  • Maintain an accurate and up-to-date knowledge of the Embassy’s accounting system and financial systems, including on financial management and procurement.
  • Support all teams in the network to effectively manage financial resources and achieve value for money through proactively sharing information and best practice, and providing sound financial advice and help troubleshoot complex financial issues.
  • Create an effective virtual team to enable effective communication, knowledge sharing and collaboration, sharing information and expertise across both internal and external networks.

- Corporate contribution (10%)

  • Provide support where necessary in delivery of the wider objectives of the Corporate Operations and DIT MEAP team, including on HR support, particularly around appraisals.
  • Promote and contribute to the MEAP business plan and network values, actively and constructively participating in Embassy activities.
  • Commit to continual learning of self and team, making full use of on the job opportunities to deepen and develop own financial expertise and knowledge and understanding of the UK/ MEAP business environment, as well as formal training for skills and personal competences most relevant to the job.

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any response to a crisis. 

 

Key competencies required:

  • Delivering at Pace - Focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. Working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way. Building a performance culture where staff are given space, authority, and support to deliver outcomes; and keeping a firm focus on priorities and addressing performance issues resolutely, fairly, and promptly.
  • Managing a Quality Service - Valuing and modelling professional excellence and expertise to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements. Effectively planning, organising, and managing time and activities to deliver a high-quality, secure, reliable, and efficient service, applying programme and project and risk management approaches to support service delivery.
  • Making Effective Decisions - Using sound judgement, evidence, and knowledge to arrive at accurate, expert and professional decisions and advice. Being careful and thoughtful about the use and protection of government and public information to ensure it is handled securely and with care. Reaching evidence-based strategies, evaluating options, impacts, risks and solutions and creating a secure culture around the handling of information; and aiming to maximise return while minimising risk and balancing a range of considerations such as social, political, financial, economic, legal and environmental to provide sustainable outcomes.
  • Leading and Communicating - Showing pride and passion for public service, leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction, integrity and enthusiasm. Encouraging open communication and providing clear direction on what needs to be achieved and how to get there through visible leadership. Managing and engaging with people in a straightforward, truthful and candid way, and upholding the reputation of the organisation.
  • Strong financial and budget management skills.
  • Familiarity with UK government/ public sector processes and policies on financial and budget management, ideally with at least five (5) years of experience working in the UK government.
  • Proficiency in using Hyperion software, with at least five (5) years of experience.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills. Able to maintain a range of contacts to build effective working relationships, and work closely with senior staff and their contacts.
  • Excellent planning and organisational skills. Ability to work quickly and reliably with limited supervision, and able to prioritise own workload and meet deadlines without compromising the quality of the work.
  • Demonstrates initiative and ability to work flexibly both in a small team and autonomously, and with stakeholders based across multiple locations.
  • Excellent English Language skills, both written and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, particularly Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams. Accurate typing and proofreading skills.
  • Knowledge of Oracle-based accounting packages and accounting, budgeting, or book-keeping experience.
  • Holds a relevant finance (ACCA, CIMA, CFA, etc.) or business qualification.
  • Experience in contract management.
  • Experience of working in the GCC and/ or wider Middle East region.

28 October 2020
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
38
Middle East & North Africa
United Arab Emirates
Dubai
British Embassy
1
AED
21,994
3 January 2021

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 temporary COVID-19 restrictions).

Salary is at AED 21,994 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.

Conditioned working hours are 38 hours per week. Standard working hours are from 07:30 to 15:06, including a lunch break of 36 minutes, from Sunday to Thursday.

The jobholder will be required to be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will be dictated by operational needs and may involve working out of hours.

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 to their online application form.

Your application must also include examples of when you have demonstrated the required competencies in the Competence Based Questions section of the online application form.

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

Closing date for applications is at 23:55 (UAE local time) on 28 October 2020. 

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.

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 Embassy Dubai is 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.