CSSF Lake Chad Basin Project Officer at the British High Commission (BHC)

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 position below:

Job Title: CSSF Lake Chad Basin Project Officer

Job Ref.: 10/21 ABJ
Location: Abuja
Grade: B3 (L)
Start Date: 1st September 2021
Type of Position: Fixed Term
Duration of Post: 12 months
Type of Post: British High Commission
Job Category: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory: CSSF (Conflict, Stability and Security Fund)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities) 
Main Purpose of Job:

• The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) provides development and security support to countries at risk of conflict or instability. The CSSF is a flexible fund, with an annual budget of approximately £1bn, which supports and delivers security, defence, peacekeeping, peace building and stability activity in over 70 countries using both Official Development Assistance (ODA) and non-ODA funding.
• The Lake Chad Basin crisis is now entering its 11th year, and has left 5.9 million in need of humanitarian assistance, 2.9 million displaced and 36,000 dead. It has never been more important to find a concrete solution to the conflict. The CSSF Lake Chad Basin (LCB) programme is a £12.6m multi year programme split between ODA and non-ODA supporting interventions around the LCB.
• Our CSSF LCB 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 LCB. The successful applicant will be experienced in working with implementers in fragile contexts and able to provide administrative and project management support in a challenging operating environment  to ensure the CSSF is delivering impact, value for money and fulfilling its obligations through high quality reporting, good financial management and wider compliance.
• The role is based at the British High Commission Abuja and it will involve working closely with CSSF Programme Managers and the wider CSSF West Africa team. Abuja is a large cross government post, with broad OGD representation and one the largest ODA programmes globally.

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.
• Ensure the portfolio is compliant with the International Development Gender Equality Act (2014) by demonstrating consideration for gender equality throughout CSSF programmes, and supporting CSSF ambitions to achieve the UK’s Women, Peace and Security objectives.”

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 High Commission team.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Strong oral and written communication skills in English.
• 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

Desirable Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Experience working with HMG in Africa.
• Experience, knowledge and interest in peace, conflict, and security issues in Nigeria/the LCB.

Required Competencies:

• Seeing the Big Picture, Changing and Improving, Collaborating and Partnering, Managing a Quality Service

Salary
NGN573, 296.78 / Month.

Other Benefits and Conditions of Employment 
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

• There are a wealth of L&D opportunities available through the Diplomatic Academy, on the job training opportunities as well as attending CSSF professional development, conferences and training
• Nigeria is one of HMG’s highest priorities in Africa. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country (c180m), its largest economy and the world’s twelfth largest oil producer. One in five Africans are Nigerian. Two thirds of Nigeria’s cl 80m people live on under $1.25 a day. By 2050 its population is expected to grow to around 440m.
• Set against these opportunities, Nigeria faces enormous challenges, including major security threats (from instance from Boko Haram in the north-east, and insecurity in areas such as the Niger Delta), huge corruption, tensions over land, resources and jobs, and a fragile economy. These challenges affect the Nigerian government’s ability to deliver effectively on security, development and prosperity — in a country which is home to a quarter of Africa’s extreme poor. Nigeria has the potential to be major force for development across the continent. It has a strong influence on African politics, peace and security, and trade through ECOWAS/AU, and is a major contributor to peacekeeping. Abuja is one of the largest and most important HMG missions in Africa.

Application Closing Date  
14th July, 2021.