View Vacancy - Project Officer – East Africa Prosperity Fund (15/ 16 NR)

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)
Economic and Prosperity

Main purpose of job:

To oversee development   of a multi-year programme to tackle the constraints to growth in East Africa.

The UK government is   setting up a new prosperity fund, £1.3 billion globally to help unlock   economic growth. Growth with our African partners is good for the trade   relationship and therefore good for the UK. We are setting up a programme to   deliver targeted projects across the region to help unlock that economic   growth. Each programme will   consist of multiple projects that require careful attention to ensure that   they deliver and contribute to the overall aim. This is a one year renewable contract.

Role and responsibilities:

We   have identified two key sectors to unlocking economic growth where the UK can   have an impact (renewables, and infrastructure) and are begining the process   to identify the most important interventions. Project officers will have an important   voice in implementing with roles including:

  • Developing   project proposals with HMG policy leads, ensuring that theories of change,   outcomes, outputs and activities are coherent and strategic, with robust   indicators of impact
  • Monitoring,   analysing and reporting financial spend and feeding into the financial   reporting system including through the quarterly report process.
  • Advising HMG and   implementing partners on procurement and contracting projects focusing on   resolving problems quickly and efficiently while ensuring robust adherence to   regulations.
  • Monitoring the   projects in line with the impact indicators (including through regular site   visits and meetings with partners). Supporting evaluation work across the   programme in line with the evaluation and review schedule.
  • Management of a   complex network of stakeholders within the UK government across various   locations and departments.
  • Managing risks   associated with the projects including fiduciary risks associated with   working in complex business environments
  • Lead on the   invoicing and payments process using the FCO administration programme PRISM.
  • Developing and   delivering ideas on project visibility and profile
  • Preparing and   presenting project briefings for officials and feeding into London briefing   where required.

Resources managed:

  • A   collection of projects that will total £800k in year 1 and more thereafter.   The entire programme will cover two strands (renewable and infrastructure) one   of which the successful candidate will be responsible for.

What makes this a great job:

This   is an opportunity to run a diverse portfolio of projects with real   responsibility for ensuring that they are delivered to a high standard. The   work will be varied and interesting with the potential for travel to meet   implementers and evaluate projects.

What sort of person will be suitable for this role:

The successful   candidate will be a competent and dynamic project manager. Relevant   experience within the development sector is welcomed (ideally three years)   but our priority is to find individuals with great skills. 

You should have strong   numerical and budget management skills, with a proven ability to track spend   efficiently and report against milestones. An excellent command of written   and spoken English is essential as are strong IT skills, particularly in   Excel and Word. An eye for detail and accuracy are important.

 The successful   candidate should be a team player with strong interpersonal and   communications skills with an ability to build a wide range of complex and   productive working relationships. The job holder should be willing to work to   frequent and tight deadlines while maintaining a high standard of work. The   role requires flexibility, a willingness to adapt to new operational   requirements and a willingness to travel.

Essential   on arrival:

  • 3 years   experience in a project management role

  • Knowledge of either the renewable or infrastructure   sectors within East Africa would be an advantage.
  • Experience   of working with project management methodologies (e.g. PRINCE2, Agile etc)
  • Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation   methodologies
  • Excellent IT skills (advanced skills in Excel and experience of   accounting software would also be desirable)
16 May 2016
Executive Officer (EO)
Long Term Contract
Africa
Kenya
Nairobi
British High Commission
KES. 211,134
9 June 2016
  • The BHC Nairobi operates   and encourages flexible-working. The flexi-system does not alter the number   of hours that staff are asked to work but simply puts in place a system for   those who wish to work flexibly, to balance their working hours with their   private lives.
  • Members of staff   are expected to be available for work between the core hours of 0830hours to   1200hours and 1400hours to 1500hours on Monday to Thursday (both days   inclusive) and 0830hours to 1300hours on Friday.
  • The cycle for   flexible working is four weeks, at the end of which members of staff may   carry forward a maximum of 14 hours 30 minutes distributed over two working   days on the basis of Seven hours Fifteen minutes (7 hours 15 minutes) for   each working day.

 

  • All applicants   must be legally able to work in Kenya with the correct visa/status or work   permit.
  • Employees recruited   locally by the British High Commission in Nairobi are subject to Terms and   Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Kenya.
  • 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.
  • Reference   checking and security clearances will be conducted.
  • If you have not   heard from us 3 weeks after the closing date, please consider your   application unsuccessful.
  • Any questions you  may have about this position will only be answered during interview, should   you be invited

 

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This opportunity is closed to applications.