Ongoing Recruitment at British High Commission

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. We are recruiting to fill the vacant positions below:       Job Title: Head of Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) Location: Abuja Grade: D6 (L) Type of Position: Fixed Term Duration of Post: 6 months Main Purpose of Job

• The job holder will oversee the delivery of a portfolio of Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) programmes contributing to the delivery of   the UK’s National Security Council’s Strategy for Nigeria which seeks a more stable, secure, prosperous and resilient Nigeria. The CSSF in Nigeria is worth about £20mn in FY 17/18, covering a range of security and stabilisation programmes; this budget is likely to rise in subsequent years. It is a very exciting and fast-paced role in an ever-changing context, and the UK has high ambitions for what we want to achieve through our CSSF programming to support Nigeria. Abuja is a large UK mission, with representation from a range of UK Ministries, and also has one of the Department for International Development’s (DFID) largest offices and programmes worldwide.
• The jobholder will operate with a high degree of autonomy, setting out complex programme decisions for senior management, including the High Commissioner.
• They will work very closely with the Nigeria Security and Justice Adviser, as well as with the rest of the Nigeria CSSF team and wider West Africa CSSF team, and will report to the Head of CSSF West Africa (also based in Abuja).
• They will need to actively manage significant networks of cross government stakeholders, both at post and in London,   including at senior levels, to ensure the Nigeria CSSF is delivering some great results, and fulfilling its obligations such as high quality reporting, good financial management and wider compliance.
• The role will oversee a range of CSSF programmes, including those being implemented by Ministry of Defence (MoD) and National Crime Agency (NCA), in collaboration with the Security and Justice Adviser, strengthening the strategic links between CSSF and other programming in Nigeria (most notably DFID which has one of its largest programmes in the world in Nigeria). They will also need to build strong and trusted relationships with Nigerian stakeholders, and other multilateral and bilateral partners, to ensure maximum coordination and effect from our programmes.
• They are responsible for ensuring that programme delivery is of the highest quality and able to stand up to internal and external enquiry including UK parliamentary committees, the Independent Commission on Aid Impact and media scrutiny.
• They will lead on programme monitoring and evaluation and ensure that the results and impact of programmes are well-communicated to various audiences.
• The jobholder will act as the official Secretariat of the Nigeria CSSF programme board, responsible for overseeing delivery of the CSSF in support of the Nigeria NSC Strategy. The Secretariat will set the agenda, develop briefing for members, work closely with the Chair of the board  (the High Commissioner) and Programme Senior Responsible Officers (SROs) to advise and report on and, where appropriate, challenge programmes that may not be performing as intended.

• Ensuring that programmes designed fully reflect NSC strategy objectives and shifting context in Nigeria, including leading the development of our high quality, politically-astute   and agile programming for the new financial year (starting 1 April 2018).
• Robust oversight of programme design, impact reporting and risk mitigation of the Nigeria CSSF, in a manner that is compliant with CSSF programme guidelines in terms of impact and Value for Money.
• Acting as the Secretariat to the programme board, working closely with the High Commissioner as Chair, developing regular briefing for members, and advising and reporting on programmes, in close collaboration with the Security and Justice Adviser. Also chairing the programme board working group to prepare for board   meetings.
• Playing a representational role outside of the High Commission, building strong relationships (in coordination with the Security and Justice   Adviser, DFID etc) with external partners to enable coherent programme delivery; including to unblock delivery issues, maintain a high level of buy-in for programmes and leveraging money from other donors into UK programmes.
• Overseeing robust monitoring and evaluation and communicating widely and regularly the achievements of the Nigeria CSSF back to London, as well as to Nigerian interlocutors and the donor community; clear and strategic reporting and advice to senior management including the Head of CSSF West Africa, programme board and ultimately the Director-level Whitehall Africa Group (WAG) in London.
• Building relationships with implementing partners, in partnership with programme SROs, and also building a strong network with FCO, DFID, NCA and MoD at post and in London.
• Working closely with the Security and Justice Adviser for Nigeria, ensure that analysis and policy advice on conflict, security and peace building issues in the region is fed into CSSF programme design/delivery, working with political and security teams at posts and other Ministries across the region and in London.
• Strengthening the strategic links between CSSF and other programming in Nigeria (most notably DFID which has one of its largest programmes in the world in Nigeria).
• Oversee programme compliance with best practice in programme, project, and financial management from within UK government and beyond, delivering through programme manager(s) and SROs.
• The job requires the post-holder to have substantial experience of programme management (preferably CSSF), monitoring and evaluation, and ideally experience of working on conflict and security issues.
• Given the content of the job and the fact that the post is only for 6 months, we would require the jobholder to have security clearance (at Official Sensitive level) from UK government already in order to take up the post. Knowledge of working with the MOD and   NCA would be advantageous.
• They need to have a keen eye for impact and risk.
• They will need to develop and maintain a wide range of contacts, including   Head of Mission, Defence Attachés, Policy leads in London and other senior officials across HMG, government interlocutors, key donors and implementers.
• They will need to be a confident and consultative manager, able to supervise  and motivate focal points across several government departments.

• UK official sensitive security clearance (given the content of the job and the fact that the post is only for 6 months, we would require the jobholder to have security clearance (at official sensitive level) from UK government already to be eligible to take up the post
• Programme management (preferably CSSF) experience
• Development experience.
• Programme and project management / delivery skills

• Conflict and gender sensitivity for CSSF; working with UK government; SAFE training (can be obtained prior to taking up post)

• Seeing the Big Picture, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering Value for Money, Delivering at Pace

• There is a lot of on-the-job support from the Joint Programme Hub and Stabilisation Unit, as well as plenty of CSSF-related training opportunities, including CSSF Project and Programme Management; M&E; PRINCE II; HMG Security and Justice training; Working with the military (MoD). There are also many wider FCO personal development opportunities including through the Diplomatic Academy.

• This is an interesting and varied job working in the High Commissioner’s Private Office in the heart of the British High Commission.
• The main focus is providing an excellent level ofadministrative support to the Private Office; in addition you will also provide support to the wider Political section and support the Executive Assistant to the High Commissioner and the PA to the Deputy High Commissioner.

• Sorting official correspondence and drafting replies.
• Assisting with receiving, dealing with and prioritising meeting requests from both internal and external stakeholders in consultation with the EA/HC and PA/DHC.
• Liaising with the visa section on visa requests from external contacts.
• Collaborating with the High Commissioner’s EA and Deputy High Commissioner’s PA to manage the combined activity and output of the HC and DHC, including diary coordination, internal communications and liaison with the Residence Manager.
• Covering for EA/ HC and PA/ DHC during leave absences.
• Management of British High Commission phone list and contacts lists for other Missions and Government departments.

• Overseeing the sending and receiving of UK and Lagos diplomatic bag.
• Assisting with the sorting and distributing UK diplomatic bag.
• Arranging clearance paperwork for diplomatic bags.

• Providing general support to Political team.
• Drafting official Note Verbal’s to Government Institutions.
• Assist with setting up calls, meetings and events when required by Political Section.
• Booking of transport for Deputy High Commissioner and Political Section.
• Administrative support for inward visits to Nigeria

• Previous office experience, with strong IT and organisational skills.
• The ability to speak and write in clear, correct, jargon free English
• The successful candidate will need to be flexible and able to work unsupervised to keep on top of the workload and changing priorities. Good interpersonal skills will be essential as the jobholder will need to build close and effective working relationships with colleagues from across the High Commission, the FCO, and with Nigerian officials

• Making Effective Decisions, Collaborating and Partnering, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace

• Employment will be subject to obtaining the appropriate security clearance.  Please note that only nationals of UK, EU countries, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand are likely to meet this requirement.

• Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.
• Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
• The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.
• Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Abuja are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Nigeria.
• All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.
• The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;
  • Obtain the relevant permit
  • Pay fees for the permit
  • Make arrangements to relocate
  • Meet the costs to relocation
• Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
• Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note: Job grade AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
• Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.