PROGRAMME OFFICER at British High Commission

Main purpose of job:
This is an exciting new programme officer role in the West Africa Regional Conflict and Stability Team, in the British High Commission in Abuja.

This dynamic, three person team has a regional remit in support of upstream conflict prevention, rapid crisis response and security in West Africa. The team currently oversees a £14m p.a. programme of 25 projects located in eight countries across West Africa.

From April, we will manage the new UK Conflict Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), with c.£20m focused on Nigeria and the Sahel. The team will grow in size to around five staff and will support a range of UK Government departments in Nigeria, such as the Foreign Office, Department for International Development, Ministry of Defence and National Crime Agency.

The job holder will be responsible for the effective management of programmes / projects funded by the CSSF in Nigeria (and wider West Africa as needed). This involves working with programme leads, implementing partners and stakeholders to design, monitor and deliver projects within the CSSF portfolio to time, cost and quality.

Roles and responsibilities:
Programme Management

•     Oversee and support the programme management of approximately £15m CSSF funds in Nigeria being delivered by lead departments.
•     Draft and agree terms of reference and work-plans for the delivery of programme components. Work with programme leads, implementing partners and other stakeholders to design, monitor and deliver projects within the CSSF Nigeria portfolio.
•     Work with relevant lead departments to run procurement processes and draft and agree contracts with implementing partners.
•     Oversee programmes to ensure that delivery is to time, cost and quality. Identify problems and successes, escalating as needed.
•     Create and maintain schedule of key project and programme milestones (start/end dates, report due dates, monitoring visits required, evaluations) and action log.
•     Create and update the lessons learned, risks and issues register for CSSF Nigeria programme.
•     Liaise with finance officer on ensuring accurate and timely budget and spend figures are provided by the Nigeria programme.
•     Undertake regular reporting on projects progress to the Head of CSSF West Africa team and the Head of Mission chaired Nigeria Strategy and Delivery Board.

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

•     Work with programme leads and implementing partners to monitor progress against set criteria to deliver programme and component objectives.
•     Ensure regular reporting from implementing partners against their programme and project plans.
•     Arrange review visits drawing on in-house or external expertise.
•     Ensure feedback from monitoring is acted on by implementing partners and relevant stakeholders. Update project and programme document when necessary.
•     Form an effective partnership with the team lead on M&E for West Africa.

Wider duties:

•     Supporting wider West Africa programme work, as needed.
•     Develop and maintain stakeholder communication plan
•     Secretariat support to the Nigeria Strategy Delivery Board.
•     Administrative support e.g. organising seminars or making flight and hotel bookings.

Resources managed: Supporting management and oversight of £14.9m Nigeria programme.

Key competences required for the job:

•     Competence 1:     Changing and Improving      
•     Competence 2:    Making Effective Decisions
•     Competence 3:     Delivering a Quality Service          
•     Competence 4:     Delivering at Pace

Language requirements:

• Language: English
• Level of language required: Fluent

Other skills / experience / qualifications:
Essential on arrival:

•     Experience of successful project / programme management.
•     Strong oral and written communication skills.
•     Highly organised, strong attention to detail and able to take initiative and to work accurately within deadlines and with limited supervision.
•     Good team work and influencing skills, for dealing with implementing partners and project leads.

Desirable:

•     Qualifications in project / programme management or finance.
•     Prior expertise of working with the UK government.
•     Knowledge and interest in peace, conflict and security issues in Nigeria and West Africa.
•     IT skills, MS Office applications e.g. excel and PowerPoint.
•     Numerical and budget management skills, with ability to report against milestones.
•     Monitoring and Evaluation experience
•     French language skills for engagement in Francophone West Africa.

Learning and development opportunities:
There is a range of Learning and Development opportunities with in-house and overseas training, e-learning, coaching etc. These include:

•     PRINCE 2 programme management foundation and practitioner course.
•     Conflict, security and stabilisation training.
•     FCO’s PRISM payments management system.
•     Opportunities for travel and networking with other CSSF teams in Africa (e.g. Bamako and Nairobi) and London.

NOTE:

•     All applicants must be legally able to work in Nigeria with the correct visa/status or work permit.
•     The British High Commission in Abuja is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
•     Staffs recruited locally by the British High Commission in Abuja are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to Nigerian employment law.
•     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.  Note: Any questions you may have about this position will only be answered during interview, should you be invited.