View Vacancy - JOA [internal vacancy] - Project Manager, JAF Enhancement Project (HEO)
The British Embassy Amman has an internal vacancy for Project Manager, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO), for the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) Enhancement Project. This is for a fixed term contract of two (2) years.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF)/ Integrated Security Fund (ISF) Jordan Team to deliver our work with the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF). This opportunity to join our high performing, collaborative, and caring team comes at a key moment and will see the jobholder delivering UK Government Integrated Review priorities to our most important and trusted security partner, helping to maintain a strategic partnership that has existed for a century at a critical juncture.
We are offering a great opportunity to work at the centre of cross-government programme fund activity. This role comes at a time of exciting change. The Integrated Review Refresh 2023 (IR2023): Responding to a More Contested and Volatile World created a new UK Integrated Security Fund (ISF), to deliver on the core objectives of the IRR. The UK ISF is combining and replacing the existing CSSF and other funds with a boosted budget of nearly £1bn to deliver critical international and domestic programmes in areas including economic and cyber security.
About CSSF and ISF
Up to the end of the 23/24 financial year (FY), CSSF has been 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. In the last FY, 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 2021-22.
The UK Integrated Security Fund (ISF) was announced in Spring 2023 by the Prime Minister as part of an update of the UK government’s security priorities, outlined in the Integrated Review Refresh 2023. The new fund will replace the existing Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) and will have a wider remit, funding projects both at home and overseas to tackle some of the most complex national security challenges facing the UK and its partners.
The ISF will bring some key existing programmes – such as the National Cyber Programme (NCP) and the Economic Deterrence Initiative (EDI) – into its scope. With the combination of several smaller funds across government, the ISF will have a budget of almost £1 billion.
Importantly, this change from the CSSF to the UK ISF is designed to be a long-term recalibration of the fund’s activity, focussing activity to better align with the core priorities of the Integrated Review and Integrated Review Refresh including by helping to foster security in fragile states, deterring cyber threats, and holding human rights abusers to account.
The governance of the ISF remains as it was for the CSSF: the Minister accountable to Parliament for the ISF is the Cabinet Office Minister of State, Baroness Neville-Rolfe, and the Senior Responsible Owner is the Deputy National Security Adviser (DNSA). At the working level, the ISF will continue to be overseen by the Joint Funds Unit within the Cabinet Office.
In 24/25, the ISF Jordan Programme budget is set at £13.1m 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
This challenging but rewarding role will see the jobholder delivering CSSF/ISF Shared Security and Stability programming directly connected to the objectives set out in the UK-Jordan Country Plan and the UK’s Integrated Review.
Your primary role will be to provide high-quality project and contract management of British Embassy (BE) Amman’s CSSF/ ISF-funded support to the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF), making connections across wider aspects of BE Amman defence and security policy and programming, and making a significant contribution to UK objectives on women, peace and security/ gender equality and social inclusion.
The jobholder will need to demonstrate excellent networking and stakeholder management skills as you navigate a highly complex institutional landscape in a crowded and competitive donor space. The CSSF/ISF is a high risk, adaptive fund, and the jobholder will need to be flexible to rapidly emerging opportunities and risks.
Duties and responsibilities:
Reporting to the Head of CSSF/ISF in Jordan and JAF Enhancement Project (JEP) Programme Responsible Owner (PRO), working with Defence Section and the CSSF/ ISF Jordan Team, the jobholder will deliver outcomes in line with agreed strategic objectives, MOD Departmental requirements, and will be accountable to the FCDO and the JEP Senior Responsible Officer (SRO).
Main responsibilities include
- Programme and contract management following the CSSF/ISF Operating Framework and MoD and FCDO Departmental requirements, overseeing delivery of project outcomes by contracted implementing partners for projects or components within a wider security programme, understanding and communicating their contribution to the programme’s overarching aims, objectives, and ‘Theory of Change’.
- Active implementer management for monitoring results, risk, and finance, troubleshooting programme issues and escalating as appropriate, with particular focus on commercial requirements including due diligence, safeguarding, and fraud/ fiduciary risks. Ensure Partners are aware of, and able to fulfil, contractual and reporting requirements, communicating regularly to identify problems quickly. Collating information for reporting purposes to fixed and moving deadlines.
- Supporting the continuous adaptation of ISF Jordan programming in line with emerging evidence, lessons learned, and good practice, working with technical advisers on Conflict/ Stability, Gender, and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) to ensure programme cohesion and delivery against the Jordan Country Plan and MENA IR sub-strategy objectives as well as ISF strategic framework objectives.
- Building and maintaining strong and effective working relationships with implementers, beneficiaries (target JAF units), international partners, MoD PMO, and other relevant programme stakeholders, enabling coherent and complementary project decision-making and adaptation, and the generation of hard evidence of results, lessons learned, etc.
- Support for the Head of CSSF/ISF Programmes and Defence Attaché (as JEP PRO and Shared Security campaign goal lead), providing high quality written and verbal contributions for His Majesty’s Ambassador (HMA), oversight at Country and Portfolio level boards, ministerial and senior officials briefings, and other parliamentary and ministerial requirements as needed.
- Contributions to corporate objectives within the British Embassy Amman.
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 above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future and this would be at the discretion of the line manager. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis.
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.
- Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity, and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses, and opinions of others.
- Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.
- Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
- Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise, and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
How We Work
How we approach our work is important. The jobholder will demonstrate their ability to work on complex and high-risk projects at pace whilst living our BE Amman values of Kindness, Integrity, Respect, Leadership, and being Purpose-Driven.
The How We Work Statement (below) sets out the ambition the British Embassy Amman and the ISF 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. Some aspects may be particularly relevant to this role.
- 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, 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 the way both individual Departments and HMG deliver international policy.
Eligibility:
If you are selected for this position, we will be able to employ you as long as:
- You have the right to live and work in Jordan; and
- You receive the appropriate level of security clearance.
- Experience of project management, including contract/ financial/ risk management,
- Excellent communication skills and fluency (written and spoken) in English. Ability to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely.
- Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to build productive working relations with project implementers and wider stakeholders, including international partners/ government institutions/ external stakeholders and with colleagues.
- Proven ability to take responsibility for own work, with a track record as a team player.
- Highly organised, detail conscious, and able to work in a diverse, high-performing environment.
- Holds at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent level of academic and/ or professional experience.
- Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
In addition, we are looking for someone who can demonstrate:
- Integrity
- Honesty
- Objectivity
- Impartiality
- Project or programme management training or qualifications.
- Relationships/ experience working with the Military or MoD experience.
- Experience of working on policy and programme management and delivery in Jordan or the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
- Conflict sensitivity, gender sensitivity, and safeguarding experience.
The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, including a non-negotiable gross salary of JOD 2,697 per month based on a 37 hours per week.
Salary will be paid in gross, and you are expected to comply with your tax obligations through completion of a tax return to the local authorities. If exceptionally you are not liable to pay Jordanian tax, you will receive a net salary, which is minus the deduction of an equivalent level of local tax. Further information on this will be provided at interview if necessary.
This role is for a full-time employment, on a fixed term contract basis for two (2) years. The successful candidate will be subject to a 90-days probationary period (as appropriate). The appointment is subject to satisfactory local and UK security clearances. The selected candidate must have a right to live and work in Jordan.
Normal working hours at the Embassy are Sunday to Wednesday 08:00-15:30 and Thursday 08:00-15:00. The Embassy operates a flexible working policy that allows staff to work different hours as well as allowing staff to work from home one day a week, based on operational requirements and agreement with the line manager, and in line with FCDO and Embassy policies. The jobholder should be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will also be dictated by operational needs and may involve working out of hours (evenings/ weekends).
The package includes a good level of health insurance and a friendly, English-speaking work environment. We offer opportunities to develop professional skills through our Learning & Development offer. Leave entitlement is 25 days (on pro rata basis) plus 14 public holidays.
The Embassy follows a 70-20-10 model of learning. Your Line Manager will help you develop a personalised L&D plan and will share opportunities, resources, and guidance to ensure you continue your learning and achieve your full potential. You will also be encouraged to undertake developmental training and get involved in BE Amman corporate activities that offer an opportunity for professional development.
This role provides an excellent opportunity to build programme management knowledge and technical expertise and work across HMG. The jobholder will have access to existing Programme Management support as well as wider L&D, including mentoring and coaching and support for your own personal development. You will have the opportunity to participate in programme annual reviews to assess the performance of other CSSF/ISF programmes across the region.
The team has its own L&D budget, and the ISF’s Joint Funds Unit and the Office for Conflict, Stabilisation and Mediation (OCSM) offer a range of learning opportunities and formal 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 undertake some of these and take a proactive approach as to their learning on the job.
How to apply:
Interested candidates must include in their online application form:
1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV);
2) a covering letter/ motivation essay stating how you meet the requirements of the role; and
3) specific examples in the relevant sections of the online application form of how you meet the key behaviours and skills required.
Applications that do not include this information will not be considered.
Applications must be submitted before 23:55 Jordan local time on 14 April 2024.
Applications submitted after the stated deadline will not be considered.
Internal candidates (i.e., those who are currently employed by the British Embassy Amman) applying for this position should consider informing their current line manager upon submission of their application.
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 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 and reference checks.
The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around 2-3 months. The security clearance process includes checks available in country and in the UK, dependant on the security level required for the role and the candidate’s profile and UK footprint. You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign, and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.
The British Embassy Amman is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local labour law.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
