Programme Manager British Government

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
The Africa Programmes and Expertise Department (APEX) leads the shaping and delivery of programme investments, policy and associated partnerships on cross-border/multi-country approaches to development, humanitarian assistance and security in sub-Saharan Africa. We help to deliver ministerial and UK Government priorities as articulated in the Integrated Review 23, International Development Strategy and the UK’s Africa Strategy. We aim to develop strong relationships within SSA through a greater appreciation of the needs and perspectives of our key African partners, as we seek to build long-term ties across shared interests.

The role will be focused on components of the Africa Humanitarian Response Fund programme which aims to improve women and men’s ability to cope with conflict and shocks and the Africa Regional Climate and Nature programme, our £250m flagship climate programme across Africa. This is a great opportunity to work at the forefront of FCDO’s climate response in Africa and working at pace to ensure we manage the response to humanitarian crises robustly.

Roles and responsibilities
• Contributing to the development of a Business Case and Logframes where appropriate
• Ensure financial budgets and in-year forecasts loaded onto system. Organise spot checks on project assets as required.
• Contribute to development of project risk strategies, focusing on mitigating the risk of fraud and corruption. Will maintain project risk register, proactively highlighting and escalating concerns, risks and issues to appropriate level.
• Managing routine Due Diligence exercises with support of Programme Managers (PMs).
• Leading on programme transparency compliance requirements and maintaining effective information management across the programme, including programme delivery plans and updating FCDO programme finance and information systems (i.e. Hera and AMP)
• Support project team’s commercial engagement with Procurement Specialists.
• First drafts of straight forward terms of reference (ToRs), initiate amendments for contracts/agreements where required.
• Construct straight forward delivery chain map showing key issues and risks at each stage of our funds’ movement through the delivery chain. Accurate financial monitoring, payments, forecasting and reporting, ensuring programme and department financial targets are adhered to.
• Review partner/supplier financial reports checking for variances and VFM issues.
• Manage audit requirements, ensuring reports and/or Annual Audited Statements are received, reviewed and findings pro-actively followed up with Programme Responsible Owner (PRO)/Senior Responsible Owner (SRO).
• Develop and maintain strong, ethical relationships with project partners and suppliers. Organise partner/supplier meetings/calls as necessary. Will review partner/supplier reporting, identifying areas of concern to project team and recommending remedial actions where required.
• Contribute to Annual Reviews/Project Completion Review (PCR) exercises,
• Organise field visits and ensure findings feed back into project Delivery Plan.
• The above will be done drawing on Commercial Delivery Managers and Finance Experts (Business Partners, Managers or Analysts) as required.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience
• An interest in finance, and knowledge of financial and project management approaches and systems for programmes spending ODA. The ability to effectively prioritise workload, meeting key deadlines and responding quickly to emerging needs drawing on team colleagues for support.
• Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
• An interest in working across Africa;
• Familiarity with FCDO financial and programme management systems.