The British Embassy Amman has a vacancy for a Deputy Head of Programmes, job grade Senior Executive Officer (HEO), for Yemen’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF).

About CSSF

The CSSF is a unique cross-government Fund tackling some of the most complex challenges to national security and international peace and stability faced by the UK and our partners around the world. These threats range from terrorism and serious organised crime to newer evolving challenges such as cyber and the destabilising potential of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the last six years, the CSSF has transformed the way the UK responds to national security threats, including from conflict and fragility overseas. In the last FY, CSSF funding has, for example: supported peacekeeping missions in Somalia and Mali; helped the extradition from Libya and subsequent conviction of a perpetrator of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing; enabled the National Security Communications Team’s modern slavery campaign to deter human trafficking, contributing to the rescue of over 400 potential victims and saving the UK c£134m; and supported the Colombian government to address illegal deforestation and promote sustainable forest livelihoods.  More information is in the CSSF Annual Report 2020-2021.

This year, with a budget of £875m, the CSSF is operating in 106 countries. The CSSF Yemen Programme budget is £25m over three (3) years and is a fully cross-government portfolio. The Fund works towards both National Security Council objectives such as Protecting our People and Projecting our Global Influence, and UK Sustainable Development Goals, including promoting just, peaceful and inclusive societies; and achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. All CSSF funded roles must ensure compliance with the International Development Gender Equality Act (2014) by demonstrating consideration for gender equality throughout CSSF projects, and supporting CSSF ambitions to achieve the UK’s Women, Peace and Security objectives. 

About the role

The Deputy Head of Programmes (DHOP) will play a central role in driving the delivery of a complex and dynamic £8.3m CSSF programme in Yemen. This role will provide direction and guidance to the programme team throughout the programme cycle and develop robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure CSSF Yemen makes the expected contribution to National Security Council, Regional, and Country strategic objectives.

The Deputy Head will have line management responsibility for 4 x HEO / EO Country Based Staff (CBS) in the Programme Team and will have opportunities to develop leadership skills by deputising for the Head of Programmes during periods of leave/ travel.

The CSSF Team is part of the Yemen Office Network (YON) which also has a presence in Riyadh, London, and East Kilbride (Scotland). You will work within a complex, fast-paced, and challenging environment as part of a multidisciplinary team. The role is high profile, demanding, and exciting. YON offers some of the most interesting and challenging development opportunities available in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). At present, there is only very limited travel to Yemen, but this may change. Any travel to Yemen will be subject to strict HMG guidance and will be considered in close cooperation with the jobholder. Training on Security Awareness in Fragile Environments (SAFE/ SAFE+) will be required for any travel to Yemen. 

Duties and responsibilities:

• Support the leadership and management of the CSSF Yemen Programme, including by direct line management of 4 x EO/ HEO project and finance managers;
• Provide overall direction to the programme team through the programme cycle, adapting the programme to the changing context, and being objective about areas of underperformance and risk;
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with delivery partners, donors, and key teams in Whitehall to improve delivery, integration, and additionality in the CSSF Yemen programme;
• Develop and maintain effective results framework to monitor delivery of results and ensure the programme remains strategically aligned via a clear theory of change which links activities, outcomes, and impacts;
• Support a risk-based approach to programme management by ensuring the main risks associated with the programme are clearly articulated, documented, and managed.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis.

The DHOP will be expected to complete the CSSF Programme Management and Commercial Courses, as well as consider training in a cross-cutting theme (Gender & Conflict, Climate, Risk, M&E, Safeguarding) to contribute to the skills and knowledge required by the CSSF Team.

As a management role, the DHOP will also be expected to attend YON Leadership and Management courses and the jobholder will be strongly encouraged to attend FCDO-wide learning and development in line with the personal development plan agreed with the Head of Programmes. 

Key behaviours required:

• Developing Self and Others – Focus on continuous learning and development for self, others, and the organisation as a whole.
• Making Effective Decisions – Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications, and risks of decisions.
• Communicating and Influencing – Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity, and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses, and opinions of others.
• Delivering at Pace – Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.

Eligibility:

If you are selected for this position, we will be able to employ you as long as:

• You have the right to live and work in Jordan; and
• You receive the appropriate level of security clearance.

• A strong track record in programme and project management, managing all phases of the programme cycle, ideally with CSSF;
• Experience of line managing individuals, and of task managing a team, to achieve shared goals;
• Experience of developing and maintaining a Monitoring and Evaluation products that support an adaptive management programme;
• Ability to set the priorities for programme delivery, ensuring clarity regarding roles and responsibilities, and empowering others to manage the day-to-day project management;
• Ability to foster a trusting environment in which team members feel supported and valued;
• Knowledge of and experience in financial management, ideally with CSSF;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a team player with willingness to work across boundaries.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with contacts and colleagues and build effective working relationships;
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication;
• Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).

In addition, we are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Integrity
• Honesty
• Objectivity
• Impartiality