Jobs at British Council

Role Purpose

The post holder will drive the end-to-end risk management process for Nigeria operations in line with corporate standards. It also acts as support contact within the country for counter-fraud activity and may participate in investigations as needed drawing on the expertise and directives of the regional counter-Fraud lead and acting on their advice. The role holder will be the Risk and Compliance contact in Nigeria while acting as one of the key finance business partners to senior management teams across Nigeria operations.

Main opportunities/challenges for this role

The appointed candidate will be accountable for Financial Risk Responses, supporting the implementation of and monitoring the adherence to, Finance policy and process in the country, providing a critical part of the feedback loop to Regional Head Risk and Compliance. In Addition you will proactively analyse the control environment, identify hot spots and ‘trouble shoot’ as needed. You will also make recommendations to Head of Finance, Risk and Compliance Lead – West Africa and Regional Head Risk and Compliance for remediation and drive through change to meet required standards. The role presents great opportunity for us in building a strong, efficient, effective, innovative and value driven financial risk management & compliance services for the British Council.

Main accountabilities but not limited to the following:

• The post-holder will (across operations in Nigeria):
• Developing, maintaining and implementing strategies and annual plans for risk and compliance management and related activities.
• Maintaining and reviewing policies, procedures, and annual plans for Compliance and Risks area for the Nigeria subsidiaries and the branch.
• Overseeing and monitoring the implementation of the risk and compliance frameworks throughout the subsidiaries and branch including risk and compliance assessments, control environment evaluations and action plans.
• Ensuring Financial Risk and Compliance Assessments are undertaken regularly including analysis and reports on developments, exposures, control, breaches and related action plans across programs and activities.
• Liaising with senior managers to ensure they understand their roles and obligations in risk management and compliance within their jurisdictions and commit to timelines for reporting.
• Providing additional appropriate and relevant support to the entire business.
• Ensure adherence with the global minimum controls standards (MCS) as defined by Financial Governance and monitor performance on a monthly / quarterly / annual basis as requested by the Head of Finance and/or Risk and Compliance Lead – West Africa/Regional Head Risk and Compliance.
• Proactively investigate potential problem areas and provided coaching and training to relevant individuals/teams across the region to raise awareness and build capability in risk management.
• Ensure the highest level of compliance and accuracy of all balance sheet reconciliations, bank reconciliations, income reconciliations, and other required financial reconciliations by Financial Control team.
• Ensure the highest level of compliance and accuracy on financial and other operational policies in line with corporate standards
• Define the reporting requirements to meet the needs of key stakeholders and address key areas of risk.
• Ensure that the approach to the development and implementation of risk and compliance initiatives is in line with best practice and is able to respond to changes in the business and regulatory environment
• Ensure risk and compliance capacity building for finance team members and colleagues

As with any business that experiences peaks and troughs of activity, there is likely to be a need to work outside office hours from time to time.

Role specific knowledge and experience:

The successful candidate will need to possess the following requirements:

• Qualified accountant – ACA, ACCA
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum 5 years relevant experience in a similar role
• Knowledge of Nigerian Standards for Risk and Compliance Management
• Experience with risk and compliance management, frameworks, procedures and practices
• Ability to identify, interpret and document compliance requirements related to legal, contractual, regulator and financial matters.
• Track record of managing key risk function in international / multinational organisation in similar context.
• Experience of managing a group of stakeholders in multiple locations  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Experience of an ERP system.

Desirable

• Experience working with Big 4 audit firm
• Deliver and support the implementation of stringent risk and compliance requirements to multi-disciplinary internal staff and external partners.
• Direct experience of applying financial controls and procedures within complex and high-risk operating environments to meet challenging contractual standards.
• Experience of overseeing, supporting and significantly improving risk management capability and performance of individuals and teams outside of formal / direct line management control
• Experience with Risk and Compliance software
• Experience using SAP

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Role Context

• This role sits within the Cultural Engagement (CE) Strategic Business Unit (SBU).    
• CE brings together our portfolio of work in arts, education, English, and research. Our portfolio is delivered through a set of globally led programmes that locates our work and impact within our strategic framework. These programmes deliver our key performance indicators and impact ambitions.  
• The country focus for Nigeria is Arts and Education and the role will support programme deliver across these areas in alignment with regional and global prgragrammes. This includes contributing to the design, implementation and evaluation of the country strategy and plans, and ensuring that ambitious plans (including operational, governance, financial and non-financial plans and targets) are met, ensuring full compliance with relevant standards and policies in so doing.  
• This role includes support for the Country Director in the effective running of the Nigeria directorate and deputise for the CD as appropriate 
• This senior management role will also take the lead in actively securing and managing key partnerships, leading on business development opportunities and income generation aligned to the British Council’s strategy and vision.  
• The post-holder will also support the delivery of any change programmes.

 Role Purpose

• To carry out the implementation of multi-country programmes or large single county project or programme funded by British Council and other partners or clients in compliance with British Council policies and procedures. Could play a leadership role on a specific component of a larger project or programme.

Main Accountabilities

The appointed candidate will have the following accountabilities, responsibilities and main duties:

• Could play a leadership role on a specific component of a larger project or programme
• Manages delivery teams and/or project team.
• Leads on relationships at a project/programme level.
• Holds delivery partners to account including supply chain management where applicable.
• manage and control the agreed budget, expenditure and income against plans, ensure accuracy of reports and ensure sound financial management and analysis across the portfolio through monthly finance reviews and quarterly business reviews.
• Ensures that every project/programme is compliant with all internal policies and processes (for example safeguarding, EDI, supply change management, social value and conflict sensitivity).
• Undertakes programme-specific data collection as needed and works with colleagues to identify indicators and tools for data collection, quality assures all data, and undertakes basic analysis.
• Supports the design of results-based programmes including development of basic Monitoring & Evaluation plans and results frameworks.
• As with any business that experiences peaks and troughs of activity, there is likely to be a need to work outside office hours from time to time.

Role Specific Knowledge and Experience

The successful candidate will need to possess the following requirements:

• Foundation level Project Management qualification (in-house training or evidence of CPD in this area could be considered)
• Experience of managing multi country or large in-country programmes that have met project closure and audit standards.
• Knowledge/ and.or experience of working with at least two types of funding sources within a structured compliance regime.
• Experience of client management, partner management and/or contract management.
• Experience of managing a wide range of stakeholders. 

Desirable:

• More than 5 years’ experience managing projects/programmes
• Experience of managing dispersed teams.

Essential Requirements:

• Role holder must have existing rights to live and work in the country the role is based.

Application Closing Date: 31st August, 2022; 23:59 Nigeria Time