View Vacancy - CSSF Combatting Illicit Economies Programme Officer - Peru

Main purpose of job

To analyse and understand the Serious Organised Crime (SOC) landscape in Peru, providing advice and insight that informs the direction of our Combatting Illicit Economies Programme work in Peru.  To provide reporting and analysis on our programme work to colleagues in London and the region.  To work with colleagues across different embassy departments – and the wider international community – to ensure a coordinated approach that maximises impact of Her Majesty's Government (HMG) programming.  This is initially a one-year contract.

Serious Organised Crime (SOC) is a widespread destructive force in Peru, a brake on economic growth and, in many cases, a direct threat to UK interests.  The revenues generated by the drug trade, illegal gold and timber mining and a myriad of smaller criminal economies corrupt the very highest echelons of the state, drive many provincial economies and feed a booming money laundering market.  Underpinning and facilitating these illicit economies is corruption.  Transparency International scores Peru a lowly 37 out of 100 points on its corruption scale, putting it far closer to highly corrupt than clean.  This role will put you at the heart of the UK government’s efforts to tackle these issues.  We are looking for a well organised strategic thinker who can collaborate with a range of partners both in the UK and Peruvian systems to ensure our response delivers impact.

The Conflict, Security and Stability Fund (CSSF) is a high value fully cross-government portfolio, which attracts substantial political interest.  It has been operating in Peru since 2015, with close links to activity in Colombia and Panama.  The three posts share resources and expertise under a regional strategy.  Activity to date has supported the police and judiciary on a number of topics including tackling the illegal narcotics trade.  Your role will be to undertake market analysis in order to ensure we understand the myriad of threats and are directing our resources in the most effective manner.  You will draw on the expertise of existing Lima-based (and regional) project staff and be expected to build links with the wider SOC/international community.

The British Embassy is an equal opportunities employer and, for this role, is particularly keen to attract candidates from a minority ethnic background, with disabilities or living in regions most affected by the dynamics this role will seek to combat.

Roles and responsibilities

Assisting with design and delivery of a portfolio of projects (60%)

• Responsible for all parts of the project management cycle – delivery, monitoring and closure – for CSSF CIEP project work in Peru, including linking programming taking place in Peru to the broader regional Programme.
• Support the Embassy and the broader CIEP Programme Team (including 1st Secretary for Illicit Economies Programme based in Bogota) spotting new opportunities for UK support and designing new interventions.
• Responsible for liaising with implementing partners and other stakeholders (e.g. Government of Peru) to ensure that day-to-day project delivery remains on track and problems are resolved.
• Tracks, forecasts and monitors project spend and provide accurate financial reporting to the CSSF Programme team members responsible for financial oversight.
• Monitors and delivers against any audit recommendations ensuring they are implemented.
• Identifies and manages spending gaps, budgetary risks and issues and formulate mitigation options.

To assist programme management and drive strong delivery of CSSF Programming within the British Embassy and regionally (30%)

• Provides support to Embassy colleagues and broader CSSF CIEP Programme Team to help ensure strategic direction and funding of the programmes maintained.
• Provides secretarial support to Heads of Mission (including the Senior Responsible Officer of the programmes (currently Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Colombia)) to ensure s/he has sufficient oversight of programme developments and ensure the effective functioning of the cross-region CIEP programming board.
• Assists with programme documentation and reporting (including monitoring and evaluating and developing strategies to meet the programmes’ cross-cutting thematic obligations, particularly gender).
• Builds and manages relationships with key stakeholders including high-level diplomatic engagement principally in Peru but also potentially regionally.
• Identifies opportunities to add value to the programme and makes recommendations to the senior programme officers to ensure the most efficient use of UK resources. 
• Provide a point of contact for coordination across other HMG funds operating in Peru and offering opportunity for collaboration (e.g. Prosperity Fund, International Climate Fund, other CSSF programming in region/the Americas).

Learning and Development (10%)

• Attend learning and development events.
• Look for further learning and development opportunities.
• Actively participate in performance appraisal process and take responsibility from timely feedback.
• Identify skills and development opportunities for career growth.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure) 

1 x A2 Support Officer

Oversight of c.£1 million of CSSF resource in country.

• Graduate with a relevant university degree (social sciences, political science, international business, law) or able to demonstrate significant (at least 5 years' experience in programme/project management including at least 3 years engaged in a primarily financial management role) project management experience in the same fields.
• Solid knowledge of security, justice and anti-corruption issues in Peru.
• Experience of working with national institutions, NGOs or think tanks to design and manage projects relating to organised crime, security, justice and/or corruption.  
• A flexible and creative problem-solver, able to come up with innovative solutions to complex challenges.
• Fluent in English and Spanish (written and spoken).
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, including in giving presentations to external audiences.
• Team player driven by values.