Deputy Programme Manager HEO at British High Commission

Main purpose of job:

• FCDO Nigeria is looking for project delivery professionals to fulfil challenging roles managing large programmes. Our projects address themes including conflict, governance, social development, economic development, humanitarian, education and health, and include Official Development Assistance programmes. The job holders will work as Deputy Programme Managers with FCDO employees and partners across the UK Government (HMG) to support the design, contracting, mobilisation, and implementation of the British High Commissions Country Plan.
• The Higher Executive Officer Programme Manager role is essential to the successful delivery of our objectives. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the day to day running of programmes and the associated team members where applicable. This includes coordinating inputs of technical advisors (i.e. economists, conflict, governance, or humanitarian professionals), Programme Senior Responsible Owners, Senior Programme Managers, and Programme staff to ensure all programmes are managed to the highest standards in compliance with FCDO’s corporate policy, systems, procedures, PROF rules; and to deliver results and financial targets.
• The Job holder is responsible for excellent delivery of programme management of new programmes/existing programmes, including managing risks/issues, monitoring implementation, reporting programme progress against set targets and plan mitigation strategies.  This role is anchored to Project Delivery Career pathway and applicants should be prepared to work across thematic areas.

Roles and responsibilities:

The key functions of this role are the following:

• Supporting Project Delivery: Using your delivery skills and expertise you will help technical devisers implement theories of change and monitor programme progress.
• Risk: Identify and manage delivery risks, working with PROs and advisors to keep data on risk updated, flag, and escalate as appropriate.
• Commercial and supplier management: lead on working with Procurement team on managing large tender/s, supplier management, ensuring we are compliant with the supplier review and safeguarding policies, including through refreshed due diligence reports and reporting of KPIs.
• Managing stakeholders: develop close relationships with relevant Partners Across Government (PAG), for different levels, including for Mutual Accountability reporting.
• Financial management: Delivering effective financial planning, managing forecasting and Monthly Financial Reviews (including drafting speaking notes), meeting agreed portfolio ODA and FY spending targets and. Ensuring Aries forecasts are loaded annually; variances are minimised, republished monthly; accruals and prepayments identified and managed; and flagging/managing large payments.
• Line Management: Line management of lower grade staff within the sub-block; having a strong focus on continuous learning for oneself, others, support the continual professional development of the programme team, proactively identify training needs and opportunities for training and act as role model and mentor for the reportee.
• Support effective management of commercial engagement, procurement process, lead due diligence assessments and relationship management on programmes, in compliance with PrOF and to maximise every UK pound spent throughout the lifespan of the programmes.
• Support on actively managing and monitoring risks, including risks of fraud and sexual exploitation and harassment, escalating issues as required.  Ability to develop programme/project risk registers and delivery chain maps by agreed timelines, hold discussions within relevant sub-teams for consolidated views.  
• Communications: providing inputs for parliamentary questions and briefings, working with partners on communications and branding, identifying, and sharing human-interest stories.
• Visit management: providing support for key VIP visits and dinners/arrangements 
• Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
• This position may have a line management responsibility for EO staff.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Proven programme management experience
• Proven leadership and effective people management skills
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Resilience and ability to work under pressure in a supportive but busy and challenging environment
• Excellent team player

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including government ministries, civil society organisations, INGOs, and private sector partners.
• Experience in dealing with a range of FCDO external partners and stakeholders may be beneficial.
• Experience responding to commissions, collating data and quality-assuring policy documents that refer to aspects of programme delivery (i.e. verifying figures in core scripts).