View Vacancy – Project Officer B3 (CSSF) (22/20 BMK)

Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy in Bamako is part of a worldwide network representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. The British Embassy is fairly new – established in 2015 – but expanding and with a strong aid portfolio. Our aim is for the UK to become an energetic presence in the region, working together with the European Union, United Nations and other partners to help support Mali’s development and security. A key component of the Embassy’s interventions in the Sahel is our Conflict Security and Stability Fund Programme (CSSF). Our Sahel CSSF Programme Team is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual for the position of Project Officer.

This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to work with a range of stakeholders to deliver on security and stabilisation projects in the Sahel. The Sahel CSSF programme is delivered under two programmes of work: Defence & Security and Stabilisation. At £8.7m (18/19) the programme is significant, having doubled in size since 17/18 and still growing into this financial year. This position is part of the larger West Africa CSSF team operating from Abuja, Bamako, and Freetown. The West Africa team support the activities of a number of UK government department and agencies such as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Department for International Development (DFID), Ministry of Defence (MoD), Home Office and National Crime Agency (NCA).

The successful applicant will play a central role in overseeing projects in liaison with our Programme Managers. S/he will be experienced in working with implementers in fragile contexts and able to provide administrative, and project management support in a challenging operating environment. The role is based at the British Embassy Bamako and it will involve working closely with Programme Managers, Project and Admin Assistant, and the CSSF West Africa team based in Abuja.

Roles and responsibilities:

Programme Management

• Oversee the implementation of projects and monitor project-level developments to identify problems and successes, and ensure a timely delivery and compliance with CSSF policies and procedures.

• When required, represent the programme managers at meetings with partners to discuss programme updates and any issues.

• Build strong relationships with implementers and ensure a regular flow of relevant project information.

• Contribute to risk management through a regular production of context analysis and support with monthly review and update of risk registers.

• Contribute to programme documentation through support to monthly and quarterly review processes of programme documents.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Work with programme mangers to ensure a robust monitoring and evaluation of progress against objectives in liaison with implementing partners for key projects, working with theories of change and results frameworks.

• Support the process of CSSF programme annual reviews by constructing schedules for review teams and participating in reviews where required.

• Ensure feedback from monitoring and evaluation reports is communicated and acted on by implementing partners and relevant stakeholders in a timely manner.

• Support with the arrangement of projects field visits in liaison with programme managers.

• Support with quarterly returns processes such as quarterly reporting of results and financial performance.

Financial Management

• In liaison with the Finance and Compliance Officer, ensure implementers submit financial reports on time and follow up if any information is missing.

• Work with the Finance and Compliance Officer to ensure projects spend on time, delivering value for money

• Support the Finance and Compliance Officer with chasing invoices, understanding spending profiles, and evaluating budget proposals.

• Work with the Finance and Compliance Officer to provide narrative report on variances and trends.

• Work with Programme Managers to run procurement processes and draft and agree contracts with implementing partners.

Administrative Support

• Take overall responsibility for the management of project-level data and ensure appropriate storage of information.

• Take responsibility for organising visits of external partners and project field visits, including logistics and travel arrangements for other members of the team as necessary.

• Record and minute meetings, ensuring these provide a clear account and audit trail of relevant decisions and discussion points.

• Organise and administer the team’s online documents, including managing the shared area filing system.

• Provide other administrative admin support as necessary, including working with the wider Embassy team.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• 1 Project and Admin Assistant.

• Strong oral and written communication skills in English and French.

• Minimum 2 years experience or qualifications in project management.

• Experience working with a range of stakeholders in a multicultural environment.

• Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation approaches.

• Strong analytical, planning, time management and organisational skills.

• Highly organised and detail-oriented with excellent interpersonal skills and customer service experience.

• Proven ability to work with finances and budgets.

• Good communication skills and ability to take initiatives.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, especially those for some degree of remote working.

• Excellent team working skills.