View Vacancy - SRR - CSSF Programme Manager, Yemen Office Network (HEO)

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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Programme Roles)
CSSF (Conflict, Stability and Security Fund)

The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for a Programme Manager for Yemen’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) on a fixed term contract for two (2) years, with a possibility of renewal.

This job is also being advertised in Amman. The successful candidate will be recruited in the location they apply for. Applicants should only apply once to their preferred job location.

This exciting role will focus on remote managing and delivering Yemen’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) Governance and Security Social Cohesion and Stabilisation programming in Yemen. The jobholder’s primary role is to provide high-quality contract and programme management expertise for CSSF funded programming in Yemen and oversee/ co-ordinate any projects under CSSF regional and/ or thematic programmes where Yemen is a significant stakeholder.

About CSSF

The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) is a unique cross-government Fund tackling some of the most complex challenges to national security and international peace and stability faced by the UK and our partners around the world. These threats range from terrorism and serious organised crime, to newer evolving challenges such as cyber and the destabilising potential of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the last six years, the CSSF has transformed the way the UK responds to national security threats, including from conflict and fragility overseas. CSSF funding has, for example: supported peacekeeping missions in Somalia and Mali; helped the extradition from Libya and subsequent conviction of a perpetrator of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing; enabled the National Security Communications Team’s modern slavery campaign to deter human trafficking, contributing to the rescue of over 400 potential victims and saving the UK c£134m; and supported the Colombian government to address illegal deforestation and promote sustainable forest livelihoods. More information is in the CSSF Annual Report 2020-2021.

This year, with a budget of £875m, the CSSF is operating in 106 countries. The CSSF Yemen Programme budget is £25m over the next three years and is a fully cross-government portfolio. The Fund works towards both National Security Council objectives such as Protecting our People and Projecting our Global Influence, and UK Sustainable Development Goals, including promoting just, peaceful, and inclusive societies; and achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

About the role

The main purpose of the job is to manage and oversee a programme comprising over 20 projects to deliver against a wide range of UK government objectives. The environment is challenging and the issues can be complex and fast moving. The jobholder’s main role will be to ensure a) the alignment of policy objectives and programme delivery and b) full compliance with legal, financial and programme requirements.

The Programme Manager will be expected to work closely with Policy Leads to ensure programme and policy cohesion as well as with CSSF delivery partners and other donors and stakeholders to ensure co-ordination, learning, and impact. The policy-programme cohesion, delivery partner and wider stakeholder relationship management is critical given the CSSF team cannot be on the ground in Yemen. The role will play an important part in building trust, transparency, and UK thought leadership in Yemen. The CSSF programme is highly flexible and adaptable so the jobholder will also be expected to respond flexibly as new priorities arise.

The jobholder will also be expected to build knowledge and expertise of Yemen context, politics, culture, and regional issues to enable closer policy-programme cohesion.

This role is line managed by the Head of the CSSF Team. The CSSF Team is part of the Yemen Office Network (YON) which also has a presence in Amman, London, and East Kilbride. At present, there is only very limited travel to Yemen, but this may change. Any travel to Yemen will be subject to strict HMG guidance and will be considered in close cooperation with the jobholder.

 

Duties and responsibilities:

The jobholder will work closely with HMG policy leads, technical advisers, Senior Responsible Owners (SROs), as well as the Operational Excellence Team for finance, risk, and statistics expertise to deliver results and value for money in the face of significant risks and challenges given the conflict situation in Yemen.

Main responsibilities include

  • CSSF Programme and Contract Management following the CSSF Operating Framework, plus relevant Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Programme Operating Frameworks where applicable throughout the project lifetime from project design, procurement to project closure.
  • Active partner and implementer management, including quality control of activity reporting and supporting troubleshooting programme issues, escalating delivery risks as appropriate.
  • Support the design and development of new security pillar programme, working closely with defence section.
  • Build and maintain strong and effective working relationships with implementers (past and present), partner organisations, donors, and other relevant programme stakeholders in Amman, Yemen, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
  • Support the Head of CSSF Programme to provide high quality CSSF Yemen reporting and contributions to Her Majesty’s Ambassador (HMA), Ministerial and Senior Officials briefings, and other parliamentary and ministerial requirements.
  • Act as the CSSF Yemen Risk Lead.
  • Contribute to effective CSSF and wider Yemen Office Network (YON) team working, including providing cover to other programme managers when on leave; and by actively engaging in wider CSSF programme management networks, sharing learning and experience from the Yemen CSSF Team and reporting back on key messages to the team.

All CSSF funded roles must ensure compliance with the International Development Gender Equality Act (2014) by demonstrating consideration for gender equality throughout CSSF projects, and supporting CSSF ambitions to achieve the UK’s Women, Peace and Security objectives

The jobholder will also be encouraged to undertake developmental training and get involved in YON’s corporate activities. This role provides an excellent opportunity to build programme management knowledge and technical advisory expertise, gaining exposure to working across the UK Government.  The jobholder will have access to existing Programme Management support, as well as wider advisory and relevant learning and development (L&D), including mentoring and coaching, and support for your own personal development. The jobholder will also have the opportunity to participate in programme annual reviews to assess the performance of other CSSF programmes across the region.

The Yemen CSSF team has its own L&D budget, and the Joint Funds Unit and Office of Conflict, Stabilisation and Mediation (OCSM) have a range of courses to support the technical aspects of programme management as well as the principles of the UK approach to stabilisation and conflict. The jobholder will be expected to take some of these.

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 other response to a crisis affecting UK citizens. 

 

Key behaviours required:

  • Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
  • Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
  • Delivering at Pace - Taking responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
  • Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.

Eligibility:

The position is available to Saudi Nationals and to current holders of valid Saudi residence permits or transferable iqamas. The successful candidate will be required to transfer their sponsorship to the British Embassy.

  • Experience of working on policy and programme management and delivery in Yemen or the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, preferably as a donor or implementer.
  • Experience of programme/ project management, delivery and evaluation, including finance/ budget management and contract management.
  • Experience of working with international delivery partners/ government institutions/ external stakeholders and international donors. Ability to maintain a range of contacts and build effective working relationships.
  • Ability to drive delivery of outcomes and overcome obstacles, especially when working with and through others.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a strong customer focus.
  • Flexible, resilient, decisive, and calm under pressure. Proven track record of delivering results to a high standard to tight deadlines.
  • Excellent organisational ability. Proven ability to manage, plan, and prioritise tasks and workload.  Proactive approach to problem solving.
  • Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely.
  • Holds at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent level of academic and professional experience.
  • Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
  • Good understanding of Yemen’s political, social and economic environment.
  • Arabic language skills, both written and spoken.
Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Working Together
3 February 2023
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
35
Middle East & North Africa
Saudi Arabia
Riyadh
British Embassy
1
SAR
17,763.04
1 April 2023

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role.

Salary details:

  • Base Salary including Eid bonus - SAR 13,890.44
  • Housing Allowance - SAR 3,472.61 (subject to eligibility)*
  • Travel Allowance - SAR 400 (subject to eligibility)*
  • Total - SAR 17,763.04 

*Allowances are not payable to staff who receive official provision for such expenditure in some other form.

No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

This position is full-time, based on 35 hours per week. Normal working hours for the Embassy are from 08:00 to 15:00 from Sunday to Thursday, with core working hours from 10:00-15:00. Core working hours is the period of the day that employees are required to be at work. The working day outside of the core hours is a flexible period, which allows employees to choose when they work, subject to operational needs.

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 (evening/ weekend) during visits and events.

The successful candidate will be subject to a 90-day probationary period.

 

How We Work

How we approach our work is important. The How We Work Statement (below) sets out the ambition the YON and the CSSF share with the FCDO and other government departments within the National Security community, for how we lead and behave towards each other, how we make decisions, and how we get the job done.

  • We put respect and kindness first. We are inclusive, we get to know each other, and value our diversity and the contribution we each bring. We are fair, act with integrity, and tackle inequality and unacceptable behaviour. We work together and take responsibility to solve problems.
  • We draw on the expertise, insight and diverse perspectives of people across the FCDO, His Majesty’s Government (HMG), and beyond. We use the best available data and evidence. We are open to challenge and take a sustainable, long-term approach. We are transparent about the rationale for decisions and smart about taking and managing risks.
  • We are agile and alert to emerging opportunities. We encourage learning, innovation, and use of data and digital. We are all clear on what we are expected to deliver and support each other in doing so. We look to reduce duplication and unnecessary process. We are committed to transforming both the individual departments and the way HMG delivers international policy.

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.

The closing date for applications is at 23:55 KSA local time on 03 February 2023.

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Due to the large number of applications we receive, only those shortlisted for the next step in the recruitment process will be contacted.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful at interview may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of six (6) months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

The start date mentioned in the advert is an assumed 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, medical clearance and reference checks. 

 

The British Embassy Riyadh is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Saudi Arabia employment law.

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.