View Vacancy – SRR – Programme Officer B3(L)

The British Embassy Riyadh is looking for an energetic and experienced Programme Officer to help manage a fast-growing portfolio of programmes including programme management, policy and corporate work. This is a fixed term contract until 31 March 2022, with a strong possibility of extension depending on performance and operational requirements.

The jobholder will be responsible for supporting teams across the Embassy to deliver effective, well-managed, and compliant projects. They will work across multiple projects, providing project management support throughout the various stages of delivery. Based in the Prosperity Team, they will report to the Programme Manager. This role will support post objectives in the British Embassy’s Country Business Plan, and ensure the programme delivers value for money.

The Embassy in Riyadh is a large team, delivering key priorities against a wide range of UK government objectives. The environment is challenging and the issues can be complex and fast-moving. The successful candidate will be comfortable with both policy issues and project management, as well as able to add value bringing a strategic approach.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Working with project leads and the Programme Manager to ensure high quality programme documentation is in place.
• Supporting project leads to ensure all reporting and compliance tasks are completed and of a high standard.
• Supporting the management and reporting of accurate financial forecasts and budgets.
• Ensuring finance and programme management software are loaded with correct, up to date project data.
• Supporting policy leads to ensure that that key partner/ supplier deliverables are tracked on the project delivery plan.
• Supporting follow up on audit and due diligence actions.
• Organisation of and maintenance of information management systems.
• Monitoring programme spend, including taking responsibility to deliver against allocation per project.
• Providing support to the Programme Manager for analysing and presenting financial and audit data.
• Tracking projects activity against agreed timelines.
• Supporting monitoring and evaluation reporting of projects at key stages.
• Taking responsibility of the board secretariat role.

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any response to a crisis.

 Key competencies required:

• Making Effective Decisions – Using sound judgement, evidence, and knowledge to arrive at accurate, expert and professional decisions and advice. Being careful and thoughtful about the use and protection of government and public information to ensure it is handled securely and with care. Reaching evidence-based strategies, evaluating options, impacts, risks and solutions and creating a secure culture around the handling of information.
• Collaborating and Partnering – Being a team player who creates and maintains positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the organisation to help get business done. Working collaboratively, sharing information appropriately and building supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions. Building effective partnerships including relationships with Ministers and welcoming challenge however uncomfortable.
• Managing a Quality Service – Valuing and modelling professional excellence and expertise to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements. Effectively planning, organising and managing time and activities to deliver a high quality, secure, reliable and efficient service, applying programme and project and risk management approaches to support service delivery.
• Delivering at Pace – Focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. Working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way.

• Experience in accounting, finance, and budget management.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a strong customer focus.
• Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely. Accurate typing and proofreading skills.
• Excellent organisational ability, with proven ability to manage, plan, and prioritise tasks and workload; and a proactive approach to problem solving.
• Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
• Collaborative approach to colleague and stakeholder partnerships. Ability to maintain a range of contacts to build effective working relationships.
• Flexible, resilient, decisive, and calm under pressure. With a proven track record of delivering results to a high standard within tight deadlines.