West Africa Programme and Finance Assistant - Internal Only at British High Commission

Ref Id: 16/ 18 ABJ
Location: Abuja
Grade: A2 (L)
Start Date: 1st October 2018
Type of Position: Permanent
Job Subcategory: CSSF (Conflict Stability and Security Fund)
Job Category: Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)

Main Purpose of Job

• This position is in the West Africa Conflict, Security & Stability Fund (CSSF) Team, based in the British High Commission in Abuja. 
• This dynamic team has a regional remit in support of upstream conflict prevention and security in West Africa. The team manages approx £34m per year (FY 18/19) of CSSf programmes, focused on Nigeria, the Sahel and Sierra Leone. 
• The biggest programme within our portfolio is Nigeria, valued at £22.6m this financial year.
• The team supports a number of UK Government departments and Agencies such as the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), Department for International Development, Ministry of Defence, Home Office and National Crime Agency, as well as working with international and local civil society, ministries, departments and agencies.
• The job holder will provide support to the CSSF West Africa team on aspects of programme management and administration; taking the lead on CSSF communications.
• The job holder will also be expected to undertake ad hoc tasks within the team as and when required.

Roles and Responsibilities / What will the Jobholder be Expected to Achieve?

• Making administrative arrangements for regular meetings hosted by the team, in particular monthly Working Group and quarterly Programme Board meetings. This includes booking rooms, technical services and making diary appointments.
• Providing support for the team on administrative and programmatic matters across CSSF West Africa, especially Nigeria.
• Arranging programmes for visiting CSSF team leaders, HMG staff and consultants working with CSSF, including making travel plans (e.g. flights, transport and hotel bookings).
• Coordinating administrative activities to ensure day to day operational needs of the team are met.
• Supporting the team finance manager in the collection, collation and review of financial reporting and carrying out spot checks on implementing partners, and being able to provide cover during absences.
• Focal Point on CSSF Comms such as providing responses to the CSSF London team on specific request and queries, coordinating with comms teams/programme managers of implementing partners to collate success stories , liaising with the BHC and CSSF communications teams to circulate and amplify messaging on social media platforms.
• Preparation of regular programme fact sheets and regional news letters for the CSSF West Africa portfolio.
• Information Management (Shared folder, Easyfile and sharepoint management) which includes managing the filing, storage and security of documents (contracts, MOUs, Project Terms of References, etc)

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Experience of providing administrative support in a busy working environment
• Strong Financial Management and Accounting skills
• Strong oral and written English communication skills.
• Highly organised, strong attention to detail and able to take initiative and to work accurately within deadlines and with limited supervision.
• IT skills, MS Office applications e.g. Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Confidence to deal with senior personnel
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team

Desirable Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Prior experience of working with the UK government.
• Excellent numerical and spreadsheet skills
• Knowledge and interest in peace, conflict and security issues in Nigeria and West Africa

Required Competencies

• Changing and Improving,
• Collaborating and Partnering,
• Managing a Quality Service,
• Delivering at Pace.

Remuneration
Starting monthly salary - N438,934