In this role you will also be responsible for:

You will contribute to all aspects of programme and project management: finalising and managing contracts, managing implementers and key stakeholders, forecasting and accounting for spend, harvesting outcomes (for MEL), reporting to Portfolio governance and communicating with Ministers. You’ll have opportunities to shape the role according to your existing skills/interests and those you want to develop. You will have full support where you need it, as well as freedom to lead in defined areas.

Specific responsibilities will include deputising for the Africa Cyber Programme Manager:

• Managing ACP contracts for major projects in the African region. You will delegate some project/contract management tasks to team members as appropriate
• Overseeing programme finances, ensuring we meet targets for responsible ODA spending and Value for Money
• Contributing to robust programme governance, e.g. by actively monitoring risks and opportunities, collating accurate progress updates, and ensuring compliance with programme management best practice
• Overseeing evaluation of programme activity, in line with ISF best practice and aligned to the ISF Cyber Portfolio
• Managing programme communications, both within the FCDO (to Ministers, senior leaders), cross-UK government and externally
• Participating in broader ISF activity, especially in Africa, to help other programmes to use cyber, digital, data and tech security to achieve further cyber and non-cyber objectives
• Overseeing programme compliance with human rights standards and 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;
• As with all ISF roles overseas and located in a Post, you will be expected to devote a certain amount of time to corporate duties.

Programme coordination and management:

• Manage the delivery of ACP implementation activities in Africa as delivered in-house as well as by lead contractors and other implementing partners, in coordination with the African Cyber Lead and with the central Programme Management Committee, ensuring coherence with bilateral and wider ACP portfolio. This will require an ability to apply project coordination, monitoring, risk management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The jobholder will maintain and build new relationships with the programme’s global contractors, and their local implementing partners and local supply chain to ensure delivery is monitored in coordination with the central Programme Management Committee. This will include pre-empting risks and ensuring that project activities deliver the expected outcomes.

Programme governance and assurance:

• Support effective governance and decision making in collaboration with the Programme Manager
• Engage with assurance reviews and support action on recommendations. Organise assurance processes such as annual reviews, as required.
• The post-holder will be expected to join key meetings and record outcomes, remotely where required, and provide regular updates on the progress of the CSSF(ISF) Cyber Portfolio in Africa as delegated by the Programme Manager

Influence and communication:

• The jobholder will lead on the internal and external communication on the programme in Africa, helping to ensure the Programme’s visibility is properly managed and that the UK government gains recognition for its work.
• The post holder will support implementation of the Programme’s communications strategy as approved by the Programme’s governance structure.
• The post-holder will also support the organisation and delivery of key visits from the UK, related to the implementation and promotion of the ACP
• Work closely with partners and MoJ business areas to align priorities and identify and deliver mutual benefits from the Digital Records Roadmap.
• Identify opportunities to accelerate progress and achieve objectives, articulate these clearly and coherently in writing and be able to discuss and present ideas and updates to stakeholders from various backgrounds, including senior management .
• Effectively conveying important and complex messages clearly and understandably in verbal and written communications.

Leadership:

• Actively encourage contributions, involvement and feedback from the Team and stakeholders, using their feedback and insight to drive changes and or improvements to the programme.

Policy:

• The job holder will support the African Cyber lead in monitoring policy developments for Cyber, digital and data themes, developing relationships with key stakeholders in the public and private sector to provide an accurate understanding of the landscape. The job holder will support visits/delegations from UK government officials and technology sector partners when necessary and be involved in arranging logistics for formal bilateral dialogues.

Corporate:

• As all other staff at post, the job holder is expected to participate in wider British High Commission activities. These may include being active on various committees and in other corporate roles, as well as play a role in crisis management activities on an ad hoc basis.