CSSF Nigeria Programme Officer at British High Commission

Ref Id: 13/14 ABJ
Location: Abuja
Grade: B3 (L)
Type of Position: Permanent
Start Date: 1st June, 2019
Job Category: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory: CSSF - Conflict Stability and Security Fund

Main Purpose of Job

• The job holder will work directly to the Deputy Head of CSSF Nigeria, supporting the delivery of a portfolio of Conflict, Security and Stability Fund (CSSF) programmes which work towards a more stable, secure, prosperous and resilient Nigeria.
• The CSSF portfolio in Nigeria will be worth approx £25m in the next financial year and covers a range of security and stabilisation programmes, including on Security and Justice Reform (SJRP), and in the North East and Delta regions of the country.
• The CSSF Nigeria team works to and is co-located with the West Africa team, which oversees approx. £36m p.a. programmes across the region (with Nigeria inclusive). The CSSF Nigeria programme is delivered by partners from a range of different government departments and each overseen by a Senior Responsible Owner (SRO).
• The jobholder will be responsible for the effective management of programmes and underpinning projects funded by the CSSF in Nigeria (and wider West Africa as needed). This involves working with programme leads, SROs, implementing partners and stakeholders to help manage and monitor projects within the CSSF portfolio to time, cost and quality.

The post-holder will be responsible and accountable for:

• Provide regular reporting on projects progress to the Deputy Head of CSSF Nigeria. Work with programme leads and implementing partners to monitor progress against set criteria to deliver programme and component objectives
• Lead on due diligence processes and financial/programmatic spot checks for programmes in compliance with CSSF requirements
• Create and maintain schedules of key projects and programme milestones (Start/end dates, report due date, monitoring/spotcheck visits required dates,etc)
• Lead on contractual arrangements and documentations with implementing partners and/or multilateral organisations ensuring compliance to terms and conditions.
• Lead on timely review and monitoring of activity-based budgets of implementing partners to ensure that delivery is to time, cost and quality, identify problems and successes, escalating as needed.
• Providing accurate financial profiling, forecasting, monitoring and reporting for all programmes managed monthly/quarterly
• Highlight successes, risk and opportunities, and help identify and assess new projects plans.
• Provide support to annual reviews or other high-level CSSF visits. Follow up on review recommendations for implementers and relevant stakeholders.
• Liaise with finance manager on ensuring accurate and timely budget and spend figures are reported to CSSF London colleagues within approved allocation.
• Ensure all programme documents, agreements and other key correspondence are saved on EasyFile.
• Hold PRISM responsibilities for FCO projects managed thus ensuring activity costs are captured in the period they occur.
• This role requires the jobholder to have some experience in financial management.

Requirements
Essential qualifications, skills and experience:

• Experience in programme management.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience:

• Financial management experience.

Required Competencies:

• Making Effective Decisions, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering Value for Money, Managing a Quality Service.

Remuneration
Starting monthly salary: N610,535.

Other benefits and conditions of employment 
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

• There are a wealth of L&D opportunities available through the Diplomatic Academy, on the job training opportunities as well as attending CSSF professional development, conferences and training
• Nigeria is one of HMG's highest priorities in Africa. Nigeria is Africa's most populous country (c180m), its largest economy and the world's twelfth largest oil producer. One in five Africans are Nigerian. Two thirds of Nigeria's cl 80m people live on under $1.25 a day. By 2050 its population is expected to grow to around 440m.
• Set against these opportunities, Nigeria faces enormous challenges, including major security threats (from instance from Boko Haram in the north-east, and insecurity in areas such as the Niger Delta), huge corruption, tensions over land, resources and jobs, and a fragile economy. These challenges affect the Nigerian government's ability to deliver effectively on security, development and prosperity - in a country which is home to a quarter of Africa's extreme poor. Nigeria has the potential to be major force for development across the continent. It has a strong influence on African politics, peace and security, and trade through ECOWAS/AU, and is a major contributor to peacekeeping.
• Abuja is one of the largest and most important HMG missions in Africa, with a large High Commission, high profile DFID office and other departments and UK military represented. The CSSF team is expanding and dynamic, sitting at the heart of the Mission.