The British Embassy Amman has a vacancy for two (2) Programme Managers for Yemen’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO), on a permanent contract.

This exciting role will focus on remote managing and delivering Yemen’s Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) Stabilisation programming in Yemen. The jobholder’s primary role is to provide high-quality contract and programme management expertise for CSSF funded programming in Yemen and oversee/ co-ordinate any projects under CSSF regional and/ or thematic programmes where Yemen is a significant stakeholder.

About CSSF

The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (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 the next 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.

About the role

The main purpose of the job is to manage and oversee a programme comprising over 20 projects to deliver against a wide range of UK government objectives. The environment is challenging, and the issues can be complex and fast moving. The jobholder’s main role will be to ensure a) the alignment of policy objectives and programme delivery and b) full compliance with legal, financial and programme requirements.

The Programme Manager will be expected to work closely with Policy Leads to ensure programme and policy cohesion as well as with CSSF delivery partners and other donors and stakeholders to ensure co-ordination, learning, and impact. The policy-programme cohesion and delivery partner and wider stakeholder relationship management is critical, given the CSSF team cannot be on the ground in Yemen. The role will play an important part in building trust, transparency, and UK thought leadership in Yemen. The CSSF programme is highly flexible and adaptable so the jobholder will also be expected to respond flexibly as new priorities arise.

The jobholder will also be expected to build knowledge and expertise of Yemen context, politics, culture, and regional issues to enable closer policy-programme cohesion.

The CSSF Team is part of the Yemen Office Network (YON) which also has a presence in Riyadh, London, and East Kilbride. At present, there is only very limited travel to Yemen, but this may change. Any travel to Yemen will be subject to strict UK Government guidance and will be considered in close cooperation with the jobholder. 

Duties and responsibilities:

The jobholder will work closely with the Head of CSSF Yemen Programme, HMG policy leads, technical advisers, Senior Responsible Owners (SROs), as well as the Operational Excellence Team for finance, risk, and statistics expertise to deliver results and value for money in the face of significant risks and challenges given the conflict situation in Yemen.

Main responsibilities include

• CSSF Programme and Contract Management following the CSSF Operating Framework, plus relevant UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Programme Operating Frameworks (PrOF) where applicable. This includes project lifetime support from project design, procurement, to project closure.
• Active partner and implementer management, including quality control of activity reporting and supporting troubleshooting programme issues, escalating delivery risks as appropriate.
• Support the design and development of CSSF Yemen flexible funding mechanisms for Stabilisation in Yemen. Oversee any regional/ thematic CSSF projects operating in Yemen to ensure programme cohesion and delivery against the Yemen Country Business Plan Objectives.
• Build and maintain strong and effective working relationships with implementers (past and present), partner organisations, donors, and other relevant programme stakeholders in Amman, Yemen, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
• Support the Head of CSSF Programme to provide high quality CSSF Yemen contributions to His Majesty’s Ambassador (HMA), Ministerial and Senior Officials briefings, and other parliamentary and ministerial requirements.
• Act as the CSSF Yemen Country Board Secretariat.
• Contribute to effective CSSF and wider Yemen Office Network (YON) team working, including providing cover to other programme managers when on leave; and by actively engaging in wider CSSF programme management networks, sharing learning and experience from the Yemen CSSF Team, and reporting back on key messages to the team.

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.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future and this would be at the discretion of the line manager. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis. 

Key behaviours required:

• Making Effective Decisions – Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications, and risks of decisions.
• Managing a Quality Service – Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise, and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
• Delivering at Pace – Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• Working Together – Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.

How We Work

How we approach our work is important. The How We Work Statement (below) sets out the ambition the YON and the CSSF share with the FCDO and other government departments within the National Security community, for how we lead and behave towards each other, how we make decisions, and how we get the job done. Some aspects may be particularly relevant to this role.

• We put respect and kindness first. We are inclusive, we get to know each other, and value our diversity and the contribution we each bring. We are fair, act with integrity, and tackle inequality and unacceptable behaviour. We work together and take responsibility to solve problems.
• We draw on the expertise, insight, and diverse perspectives of people across the FCDO, His Majesty’s Government (HMG), and beyond. We use the best available data and evidence. We are open to challenge and take a sustainable, long-term approach. We are transparent about the rationale for decisions and smart about taking and managing risks.
• We are agile and alert to emerging opportunities. We encourage learning, innovation, and use of data and digital. We are all clear on what we are expected to deliver and support each other in doing so. We look to reduce duplication and unnecessary process. We are committed to transforming both the individual departments and the way HMG delivers international policy.

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.

• Experience of working on policy and programme management and delivery in Yemen or the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, preferably as a donor or implementer.
• Experience of programme/ project management, delivery, and evaluation, including finance/ budget management and contract management.
• Experience of working with international delivery partners/ government institutions/ external stakeholders and international donors. Ability to maintain a range of contacts and build effective working relationships through excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to drive delivery of outcomes and overcome obstacles, especially when working with and through others.
• Flexible, resilient, decisive, and calm under pressure. Proven track record of delivering results to a high standard to tight deadlines.
• Excellent organisational ability. Proven ability to manage, plan, and prioritise tasks and workload. Proactive approach to problem solving.
• Holds at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent level of academic and professional experience.
• 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