Deputy Head of Corporate Services C4 (08/20 ADD) at British Embassy Addis Ababa

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality, and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organizational 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.

The main purpose of the job:

The jobholder will work closely with the Director Corporate Services to ensure that the financial and procurement operations of the British Embassy Addis Ababa are in line with UK government policies, local government regulations, and international standards and that we are achieving value for money in the use of public funds.

The successful candidate will manage a team and work with teams across the Embassy, the regional hubs and the processing teams to ensure effective management and the smooth running of the finance function at the Embassy.

He/she should possess strong analytical and interpersonal skills and be solution-oriented and comfortable working within a network of global and complex organizations. 

Roles and responsibilities:

• Ensure Corporate Services Finance team has realistic and measurable objectives, focused development plans, and access to the guidance and tools they need to do their jobs effectively.

• Ensure that the Corporate Services Finance team’s adherence to FCO policy, guidance, and best practice at all times.

• Achieve the standards set out in the Corporate Services Charter.

• Lead a high performing, customer-focused team that underpins the effective functioning of the Embassy.

• Ensuring high standards of customer service are maintained at all times.

• Implementing all recommendations from internal audit, hub, and/or RMD and reports promptly.

• Oversee delivery of the 1HMG Memorandum of Understandings.

• To find more efficient and value for money ways for the Embassy to use the resources available.

• Provide cover and support to DCS and DHCS to ensure the overall smooth running of the Corporate Services Team.

 Finance and Procurement:

• Responsibility for the overall running of the Finance and Procurement functions at Post.

• Facilitating regular meetings with budget holders to promote accountability, value for money, and enhanced financial knowledge and awareness at all levels.

• Working with stakeholders based globally to ensure that the finance and procurement activities are delivered in an efficient, effective, compliant manner whilst achieving value for money.

• Responsibility budgeting, cash flow forecast, monthly reporting, and forecasting processes.

• Responsibility for the quality of all finance based returns including payroll and overseas accounting return.

• Responsible for the effective preparation for audit and compliance visits, assisting in the delivery of audit recommendations, and driving improvements as appropriate.

• Contribute to the continual improvement of the internal control environment to ensure its robustness and the development and promotion of best practices within the Finance Team and also to finance activities for non-finance colleagues.

• Delivery of finance training on finance principles, their practical application, and the dissemination of the key FCO policies and raising fraud awareness across the Embassy.

• Line management responsibility for teams within the Corporate Services Team.

Resources managed:

• 4 - 6 members of staff

Essential qualifications, skills, and experience  

• A minimum of Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance management, or equivalent from a reputable university;

• 3+ years of relevant work experience in finance and line management;

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including reporting writing skills;

• Good organizational skills and the ability to work efficiently and accurately under pressure;

• Computer literacy in all Microsoft Office Packages and a strong understanding of IT systems;

• Ability to handle confidential issues/information and deal with staff and clients in a friendly and sensitive manner;

• A team player capable of working on their initiative and who is adaptable to changing priorities;

• Ability to work in a high pressure, high workload environment;

• A flexible and positive approach to working in a forward-thinking, modern and motivated organization;

• Level of language required: Fluent in both written and spoken English;

Desirable qualifications, skills, and experience  

• Professional accountancy qualification;

• Amharic language skills;

• Experience of working for the UK government, another government or international organization;

Required competencies  

Changing and Improving, Leading and Communicating, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace

Application deadline - 15 June 2020

Grade:  C4 (L)

Type of Position:  Permanent

Working hours per week:   36

Region:    Africa

Country/Territory:  Ethiopia

Location (City):    Addis Ababa

Type of Post:  British Embassy

Number of vacancies: 1

Starting monthly salary:   ETB 43,026.73

Start Date: 1 August 2020

Other benefits and conditions of employment  

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

The British Embassy promotes a learning and development culture. Training for all aspects of the job will be available and a wide variety of personal development training opportunities available to all Embassy staff.

Working patterns:

The normal working hours are 08:00 - 16:45 Monday to Thursday and 8:00 – 13:00 on Fridays. 

Flexible working can be accommodated in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services.

Additional information  

The locally engaged staff of all grades will be entitled to paid annual leave as follows:

Up to 2 years 22 days
After 2 years services 25 days
After 5 years services 30 days

In addition to annual leave, the British Embassy observes up to a maximum number of 14 Ethiopian, British and Religious public holidays each year. A list of such Embassy holidays will be published each year. Office Staff required to work on these holidays will be granted time off in lieu or overtime where circumstances permit.