Finance, Risk and Assurance Sub-team Lead SEO (03/23 KG)

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Job Category Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Programme Roles)

Job Subcategory Finance

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

To lead on the Financial Management, Risk and Assurance elements of the Delivery Excellence Teams work. Reporting directly to the Team Leader to support effective financial, risk and assurance management and compliance across the British High Commissions work in Rwanda. A key component of the role will be to oversee the programme and platform finances across the office and to provide assurance to the Development Director for ODA programmes and the Deputy Head of Mission for platform finances on the financial implications of programme and platform results delivery.

The post is located in the British High Commission in Kigali, and is part of a larger network of Finance, Risk and Assurance managers across the wider FCDO. The post is embedded within the Delivery Excellence Team (DET) and is line managed line managed by the Team Leader. DET is a recently merged team. This post will oversee the finance Risk and Assurance sub team which is one of two sub teams (the second being the Corporate Services sub team). This role will form part of the Core management team within DET.

The UK’s overall objective is to help build a Rwanda that is stable, open and prosperous: where all its people benefit from prosperity; where Rwanda has strong and productive relationships with its neighbours; and where Rwanda is a driving force for peace, security and greater development in the region. The UK supports Rwanda on its path towards long-term peace and stability by increasing the effectiveness of the state; strengthening service delivery; encouraging the structural transformation of the economy; building the capabilities, opportunities and resilience of the poorest and most vulnerable; and supporting a transition to a more open and inclusive society.

Roles and responsibilities

Leadership and management of the Finance, Risk and Assurance sub-team.
Direct line management and Quality Assurer responsibility of three staff (x 2 Finance Managers and a Finance officer). The post holder will be a key member of the Delivery Excellence Team, working alongside the Team Leader and the Corporate Services Manager to oversee the effective functioning and management of the team (as part of the Core Management team). This includes leading on people and staffing issues and improving capability and skills across DET and the wider office on Finance, Risk and Assurance work. The role will help to improve standards and embed systems and processes to improve the quality of the team’s work. The Post holder will be accountable for the operation and continuous improvement of key finance, risk and assurance processes for both programme and platform finances that generate quality timely and accurate performance reports, analysis and recommendations to facilitate effective decision making.

Lead on financial management across the BHC Kigali Mission including oversight, quality assurance of the programme and platform budgets.
Oversee the work of the Finance & Risk Analyst and Platform Finance Manager to ensure timely and quality information is presented to the Kigali Leadership team on all elements of Financial Management. Lead on Finance related engagement with our Implementing Partners. The role will also support the Development Director/Deputy Head of Mission with any finance related commissions and analytical work. This role will work to effectively plan and make decisions, through the provision of regular, robust financial information, detailed analysis and business insight. The Post holder will establish and maintain strong relationships with colleagues in the Finance Division at the centre and lead on resource management for staffing for both UK and Country Based staff. The Post Holder will lead on overseeing the payroll and ensuring the overall financial position is in line with information held at the centre.

Lead on the cross-office approach and strategy for addressing fraud/Fraud Liaison Officer.
The Post holder will lead on developing and implementing the Counter Aid Diversion (CAD) Action Plan. They will monitor fraud cases as they arise, working closely with the Internal Audit and Investigations Directorate (IAID) to resolve and close all priority cases in line with guidance. They will work with programme teams to determine how to resolve the business managed cases including reviewing investigation reports and helping to approve the closure of cases. They will provide updates to the IAID team on the status of business managed cases every six months. Promote awareness of fraud to staff and implementing partners in the multiple cross office for a (team finance meetings, quarterly programme board and partner days etc).

Governance Committees and Assurance Oversight.
The post holder will lead on coordinating inputs and shaping the agenda for the cross-office Country and Programme Boards (key oversight forums for the office) liaising with the Kigali Leadership Team. They will contribute to the maintenance and strengthening of the internal control environment to mitigate risks, by ensuring compliance with key finance, risk and assurance processes, highlighting control weaknesses identified and making associated recommendations for improvement. They will lead work relating to internal and external audits as well as the delivery of associated recommendations relating to finance and control.

Risk management (programmes).

The Post holder will lead on oversight and management of the cross-office approach to programme and financial management risks primarily through the Programme Board. They will stay up to date with guidance from the centre and ensure any changes to Policy on risk are communicated to staff across the office. They will also help to build capacity on programme and finance risks across the office. They will lead on presentations relating to risk management with implementing partners working closely with Programme teams. They will lead on any IAID and/or NAO visits, requests for information and reviews in country. This includes coordinating follow up to reports and recommendations to ensure these are resolved in a timely manner.

Provide financial advisory support across the office on ODA programming.
Provide support to Programme Managers and advisors on financial aspects of programme design (including risk mitigation, particularly around counter aid diversion), implementation, planning & forecasting, monitoring, reporting and delivery of results for ODA programming across the programme and platform budget. Provide financial input and contribution to enhance business case quality through advice and challenge, both locally at the design stage and through quality assurance work undertaken as an active member of the finance cadre. Conduct challenge meetings with staff and promote accountability for better forecasting and managing variances. Oversee corporate finance returns including Resource Allocation Round submissions, interim and year end accounting packs, refresh of the Operational plan and local implementation of corporate initiatives/policies. Lead on preparing scenario-based forecasts, considering risk, probability and contingency planning and support management of pipeline and pre-pipeline budgets in year and across future years.

Other tasks will include.
(i) Oversee all commissions and requests for information related to finance, assurance, and compliance for BHC Kigali (ii) Internal Controls – support Programme Managers and advisors on all finance and control issues throughout the programme cycle (iii) Lead in delivery of finance training on key theory and principles and also the dissemination of corporate messages, including new and current rules, policies and guidance. The Postholder will be expected to take up other tasks as assigned by the Line Manager. Agile and flexible working is therefore a key requirement for the role.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Full working proficiency in English (Written and Spoken)
Highly numerate, with experience of working with financial information including managing large budgets.
University degree in Accounting/Finance or a related field and/or relevant experience in the field for 5 years or more.
Experience using financial management systems.
Experience of working on Risk, Controls and Assurance
Strong interpersonal skills and be results-focused.
Problem-solving and efficient administrative skills.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Language: Proficiency in verbal and written English
Level of language required: Proficient.
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment
Knowledge of donor policies and procedures
Experience of leadership and office management
Required behaviours

Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Leadership, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together

Application deadline 2nd August 2023

Grade Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

Type of Position Permanent

Working hours per week 36.00 hours per week

Region Africa

Country/Territory Rwanda

Location (City) Kigali

Type of Post British High Commission

Number of vacancies 1

Salary Frw 39,150,600 per annum

Start Date 1st September 2023

Other benefits and conditions of employment

The post holder will have access to a range of learning and development opportunities within FCDO and externally. Learning and development follows the 70:20:10 model. The Post holder will be expected to undertake any mandatory learning required to get up to speed with the role. This includes training on financial management systems and software as well and training related to Risk and compliance.

Working patterns: Full time with opportunities for flexible working, to be agreed with the Line Manager on appointment.

Additional information

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 Kigali are subject to
terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Rwanda.

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 relocate
The British High Commission do not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so.
Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.
Information about the Civil Service Success Profiles can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles. Please note:  AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.
Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’.  If during the reserve period of 12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate”.