View Vacancy - Digital Access Programme Officer (13/20 LOS)

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

Background


The Prosperity Fund

Many countries, including middle-income countries - where around 70% of the world’s poor live - still face considerable challenges such as rapid urbanisation, climate change and high and persistent inequality (including gender inequality) which can lower long-term growth prospects. Launched in April 2016 to help promote economic growth in partner countries, the UK Government’s Prosperity Fund supports the broad-based and inclusive growth needed for poverty reduction. The Fund’s priorities include improving the business climate, competitiveness and operation of markets, energy and financial sector reform, and tackling corruption. These reforms will drive sustainable development in partner countries - and in the process it will also create opportunities for international business, including UK companies. Please see link on PF Annual report 2018/19 for more information.

 

The Digital Access Programme

The Digital Access Programme is resourced by the Prosperity Fund in five partner countries (including Nigeria) to facilitate wider and more affordable, safer and more secure access to the internet for excluded populations, harnessing the power of digital inclusion to tackle poverty, build prosperity and enable millions of people - especially socio-economically disadvantaged populations - to benefit from digital services and opportunities.  Access to the internet is a powerful catalyst for prosperity, reducing poverty and building inclusion – with a 10% increase in internet access linked to 3% growth in GDP, and a range of social and economic benefits. The objective for this programme is to support development and prosperity outcomes. The Digital Access Programme aims to address the fundamental constraints to digital inclusion through a multi-pillar integrated structure, leveraging the role and expertise of three UK government partner departments:

  • ‘Models & Enablers’ Pillar 1 (Department for International Development, DFID) - Enhance the policy and regulatory environment for digital inclusion; and promote innovative, inclusive and scalable models of affordable connectivity, digital skills development and locally-relevant digital content and services for excluded or underserved communities.
  • ‘Trust & Resilience’ Pillar 2 (Foreign and Commonwealth Office, FCO): Build the country’s capacity to prevent and respond to cyber-security risks affecting governments, businesses and citizens (including vulnerable groups at risk of online abuse or exploitation).
  • ‘Sustainable Digital Ecosystems’ Pillar 3 (Department for Culture Media and Sports, DCMS): Support local digital entrepreneurship, stimulate tech innovations for local development challenges and forge partnerships between the local tech sector and international businesses (including UK firms) through a Tech Hub network.

Main purpose of the job


The Digital Access Programme as a whole is led in Nigeria by the Digital Access Programme Adviser. As the programme increases the pace of its implementation, we are recruiting a Programme Officer to support programme coordination and delivery.

The job holder will be required to support the Digital Access Programme Adviser in the development and delivery of the programme plan, including managing risks, monitoring implementation and reporting on programme progress against set intervention targets under each of the pillars of the programme and on the resourcing requirements needed to deliver them.

The role will entail the following functions:

  • In support of and under the oversight of the Digital Access Programme Adviser for Nigeria, assist with the implementation of the programme ensuring interventions are well placed to contribute significantly to the programme’s overall objectives in terms of primary purpose (poverty reduction and inclusive economic growth) and secondary benefits (opportunities for partnerships with international and UK business). This will include contributing to the design, delivery and monitoring of programme activities through helping coordinate with the global programme contractors and/or directly with the local implementing partners. Regular communication with implementing partners will form a core part of this role to support programme delivery.
  • Compile and maintain thorough project records and support the accounting, reporting and local procurement processes, under the oversight of the Programme Adviser. Be responsible for the core administrative and logistical functions of the Digital Access team in Nigeria.
  • Assist with setting up programme performance tracking systems to ascertain programme performance against plan and resource expenditure, identify deviations from plans and develop corrective actions. This applies also to individual projects developed under the broader programme.
  • Assist with programme and project information management and communications. Support the development of communications material to keep internal and external stakeholders informed of programme progress.
  • Contribute to effective coordination with the relevant teams within the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos (particularly the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, a pillar of the Digital Access Programme) and with the cross-government programme teams in London, under the guidance of the Digital Access Programme Adviser in Nigeria. 
  • Help to maintain and update relevant stakeholders’ mapping in Nigeria and the UK in order to inform programme work and support the Programme Adviser with stakeholder engagement and follow-ups. This will include liaising with government, the private sector, civil society and academia/research bodies.
  • Support other areas of programme administration under the oversight of the Programme Adviser, including helping with the organisation of relevant country visits.

Working within the Nigeria Prosperity Team, reporting to the Programme Adviser in Lagos and liaising with the London-based Digital Access cross-government central team and Programme Management Committee, the job holder will also contribute to effective coordination between the work of the Digital Access Programme and the wider Prosperity Fund in Nigeria and internationally to maximise synergies and impact.


The Job Holder will be recruited initially until August 2021, with the intention (subject to programme planning and ongoing funding, and mutual agreement) to then extend until March 2023.


Roles and responsibilities: What will the jobholder be expected to achieve?


The Digital Access Programme Officer (Nigeria) will be responsible for supporting the setup and implementation of the programme in Nigeria – working with the team at post and with the cross-departmental programme team and Programme Management Committee in the UK.  The role presents a unique opportunity to contribute to advancing the UK-Nigeria relationship on digital inclusion and cyber security for development and prosperity at a time when these issues are of increasing importance on the international agenda. 

The indicative time allocation is shown below.



Programme administration and coordination (75%)

  • Support the delivery of Digital Access Programme implementation activities in Nigeria as delivered in-house as well as by lead contractors and other implementing partners, in coordination with the Digital Access Programme Adviser in Nigeria and with the cross-departmental Programme Management Committee in London. Assist the Programme Adviser in ensuring coherence with the bilateral and global Prosperity Fund portfolio in Nigeria. This will require an ability to apply project coordination, monitoring, risk management, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • The jobholder will maintain programme administration requirements and facilitate communication with the programme’s global contractors and local implementing partners to ensure delivery is monitored in coordination with the Digital Access team in-country and with the central Programme Management Committee. This will include pre-empting risks and ensuring that project activities deliver the expected outcomes.
  • The jobholder will support the Programme Adviser with regard to the internal and external communication on the programme in Nigeria, helping to ensure the Programme’s visibility is properly managed and that the UK government’s contribution is duly acknowledged. The post holder will support the implementation of the Programme’s communications strategy as approved by the Programme’s governance structure. The post-holder will also support the organisation and logistical delivery of key visits from the UK and key digital inclusion and tech sector stakeholders, as related to the implementation and promotion of the Digital Access Programme.
  • The jobholder will support the Programme Adviser in preparing and providing inputs to the Digital Access programme governance structure via the Programme Management Committee, which in its turn feeds into the Senior Governance Committee (Programme SROs); and into the Nigeria Network PF governance and management structures.
  • The post-holder will be expected to regularly join key meetings and record outcomes - remotely where required - and support the Programme Advisor in providing regular updates on the progress of the Digital Access Programme in Nigeria.

Prosperity delivery (15%)

  • Support the prosperity outcomes of the programme by helping the Programme Lead and wider team in identifying opportunities to expand the digital/cyber/tech market and help international (including UK) companies trade with and/or invest into it, including through close collaboration with the Department for International Trade (country-level team). 
  • Support in day-to-day coordination with the UK Tech Hub in Nigeria (a pillar of the Digital Access Programme) to facilitate its alignment with the other parts of the Programme and of the UK Government in Nigeria.


Corporate (10%)

  • As all other staff at post, the job holder is expected to participate in key High Commission / Nigeria network activities. These may include being active on committees and in other corporate roles, as well as play a role in crisis management activities on an ad hoc basis.
  • The jobholder will need project support and coordination experience and the skills to work in a team and facilitate a results-oriented working culture. Excellent organisational and administrative skills are essential, as is experience of working in a fast-paced environment. It is desirable that the post holder has good knowledge of the local context and development sector, including experience of working with the Government of Nigeria, civil society, business and other stakeholders, preferably in relevant digital access and/or cyber security and tech sectors.
  • The Digital Access Programme Officer must ensure Gender Equality Act compliance and support Prosperity Fund ambitions on women’s economic opportunities, inclusive growth and poverty reduction through supporting the Digital Access team.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

  • No direct line management is envisaged initially, although this may change depending on future requirements of the programme. Team work and coordination experience, particularly across different geographies, is preferred - given the jobholder will need to work closely with multiple internal and external stakeholders, including in Nigeria and in the UK. 
  • There will be some possibilities for travel in the region and to the UK, as needed based on the Programme’s objectives and priorities. Relevant job-related training will be provided as required.
  • Undergraduate qualification in one of the following fields:  ICT policy and regulation, public policy, social studies and/or development studies, business studies or related field
  • Experience of supporting the day-to-day administration and delivery of large and/or complex projects and programmes, with a good eye for detail.
  • Developing and applying tools to support effective project management as well as supporting delivery control of implementing partners.
  • Experience of developing and executing programme/project implementation plans.
  • Experience of applying project coordination, monitoring, risk management and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Supporting the commissioning of work packages or procuring delivery through external implementing partners and contract management.
  • Professional experience in at least one of the following areas will be desirable:  Digital access (innovative models for inclusive connectivity, digital skills and content development), telecommunications, digital/ICT, cyber security, community engagement.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the digital for development agenda.
  • Experience of working in an international development context, including managing/working with development programmes, including in Nigeria.
  • Experience of working in or with government in Nigeria.
  • Experience of working in the private sector or organised civil society in relevant fields (e.g. use of digital and cybersecurity for development)
  • Experience at policy, regulatory as well as field level will be considered relevant.
  • Experience of remote working as part of a larger team.
20 July 2020
Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
37
Africa
Nigeria
Lagos
British Deputy High Commission
1
NGN 539, 370.38
monthly
1 September 2020
1 September 2021

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

  • The job provides an excellent opportunity to acquire and/or deepen skills in programme administration, management and coordination. It also offers significant exposure to stakeholder engagement in the public, private and non-profit sectors.
  • The job holder will have access to learning and development opportunities through Prosperity Fund Learning offered by the Joint Funds Unit, as well as in the role, including in advancing her/his capabilities in project administration and management.
  • Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
  • This role is Lagos based and reports to the Head of Digital Access Programme in Nigeria, also based in Lagos.
  • There will be travel requirements and opportunities both within Lagos and Nigeria.
  • All applicants must be legally able to work in Nigeria with the correct visa/status or work permit.
  • Staff members recruited locally by the British High Commission in Lagos are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Nigerian employment law.
  • Spouses/registered partners of UK Based Staff, are able to work within the BHC/BCG but their salary will be abated at the appropriate tax rates.
  • Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on the successful applicant.
  • The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;
  1. Obtain the relevant permit
  2. Pay fees for the permit
  3. Make arrangements to relocate
  4. Meet the costs to relocation
  • The British High Commission does not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so.
  • Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
  • Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note: AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
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This opportunity is closed to applications.