Programme and Finance Assistant - CSSF West Africa at British High Commission

Ref Id: 27/19 ABJ
Location: Abuja
Grade: A2 (L)
Type of Position: Permanent
Job Category: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory: CSSF - Conflict Stability and Security Fund
Start Date: 1st July, 2019

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. £35m per year (FY 19/20) of CSSF programmes, focused on Nigeria, the Sahel and Sierra Leone
• The biggest programme within our portfolio is Nigeria, valued at £24.45m 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
• The job holder will also be expected to undertake ad hoc tasks within the team as and when required.

Roles and Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.)

Qualifications, Skills and Experience 
Essential:

• Experience of providing administrative support in a busy working environment
• 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:

• Prior experience of working with the UK government
• Excellent numerical and spreadsheet skills
• Some Financial Management and Accounting 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: NGN387,452.00

Other Benefits and Conditions of Employment 

• Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
• There is a range of Learning and Development opportunities with in-house and overseas training, e-learning, coaching etc. These include: courses in FCO and CSSF administrative systems
• In addition, there are opportunities for career development and progression, which we would be pleased to support.
• There are also opportunities for travel and networking with other CSSF teams in Africa and the UK.

Working Patterns

• The working hours are 08:00-16:00 Monday to Thursday and 08:00 to 13:00 on Fridays.