Foreign & Commonwealth Office Job Vacancy Application Details

Main purpose of job

Many countries, including middle-income countries – where around 60% of the world’s poor live – still face considerable challenges such as youth unemployment, climate change, high and persistent inequality (including gender inequality) and digital exclusion, which can lower long-term growth prospects.

The British High Commission in South Africa delivers a portfolio of activities to support the broad-based and inclusive growth needed for poverty reduction. Our strategic priorities within the Economic Growth team include supporting trade and investment, improving business environment and economic reform, driving productivity in key sectors through education, employment and skills development, improving digital access, support for entrepreneurship and MSMEs and sustainable urban development. This role will be expected to support a portfolio of programmes and activities across the team that deliver against our priorities for promoting inclusive and sustainable growth.

The main purpose of the role will be to support the day-to-day administration and promotion of programmes of the Economic Growth team within the British High Commission. Working closely with the various teams to ensure all aspects of our programming are effectively administered. This will include responsibility for financial management, liaison with implementers on delivery and reporting, and delivering a strong communications strategy. In addition, providing an excellent level of administrative support to the Economic Growth Team, particularly during surge points e.g. key events, campaigns spikes in programming activity pressures.

This is a great opportunity for a highly motivated individual with the ability to successfully manage a diverse set of tasks. Reporting to the Head of Urban Economic Development, you will work across the team to support the effective delivery of the BHC’s Economic Growth programming, liaising with implementation partners on events/activities and administration of contractual and financial processes. You will lead on the delivery of the communications (social/media) strategy for the team, in collaboration with our Comms Team, spotting opportunities and synergies across the region to maximise media coverage. You will be required to work both independently and as part of a team and deliver high quality work. This includes, developing effective relationships with key stakeholders and monitoring project activity, outputs and outcomes. You will need to be adaptable and open to taking on new challenges. You will also provide support on briefing and reporting to HQ on regional priorities and related development initiatives across the region. Creative thinking in order to promote the UK’s objectives will be an asset. There will be opportunities for learning and development in addition to the FCDO’s internal online training platform. As with any role, there will be occasions when the work is reactive to instructions and tasking. All staff are expected to be flexible team players willing to turn their hand to any task.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

Main duties include:

• Effective administration of a range of diverse projects within the Economic Growth portfolio
• Drafting high quality project documentation including contractual obligations, financial reporting, project progress reports and annual reviews (in consultation with Post Programme Management Unit and Programme Leads)
• Monitoring, reporting and evaluating expenditure and programme/project activities, to ensure value for money and that all spend and associated activities take place as forecast and to the agreed standards and objectives
• Developing and leading on communications activities (in consultation with local comms team) to promote and raise the profile of the team’s work, involving building relationships, coordinating activities and sharing information across a wide range of diverse stakeholders
• Supporting programme preparations/activities and providing support across the team
• Keeping up to date on programming initiatives, attending local and HQ programme related meetings and workshops, providing accurate reporting to HQ as appropriate
• Maintaining a calendar of related events and deadlines
• Supporting High Commission-related events, visits and public diplomacy activities

The post holder will also need to ensure Gender Equality Act compliance and support BHC ambitions on women’s economic opportunities, inclusive growth, green recovery and poverty reduction throughout the team.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

The role will support the effective delivery of the Economic Growth programming portfolio (~£6m p.a.)

• Programme/project management skills
• Administrative skills
• Communications, campaign management (or experience in public relations)
• Fluency in English, both written and oral
• Team player, adaptable, driven by values

• Understanding of Economic Growth priorities in South Africa
• Stakeholder management experience
• Experience managing delivery partners
• Experience of working in a similar environment
• Ability to think creatively and take a proactive role in supporting team objectives
• Strong interpersonal, communication and relationship skills
• Demonstrable experience of supporting a large and/or complex portfolio of projects
• Excellent presentation skills
• Experience of working in an international development context, including working with development programmes, including in South Africa

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

The FCDO offer a wide range of learning and development opportunities throughout the year.

Working patterns:

There will be flexibility around working from home in addition to in the office. On the whole, a busy role which will demand a traditional working pattern.

Monday – Thursday 8:00 – 4:30, Friday 8:00 – 2:00

• 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 Pretoria are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in South Africa
• 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 relocation
• 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 Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note: AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
• Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates
• Please log into your profile on the application system on a regular basis to review the status of your application.