Main purpose of job:

The British Office Sudan (BOS) is looking to recruit capable, motivated, and experienced Programme Manager to join the Operational Excellence Team to lead and support delivery of our development programmes. This is a fantastic opportunity to ensure our programmes deliver results for Sudanese people through excellence in programme, financial, risk and commercial management. The post requires the ability to build trusted and influential relationships with suppliers and partners to deliver effectively. In all cases, the role will include managing the programme cycle, risk, finances, engaging with implementing partners, driving forward implementation, and ensuring programmatic compliance. The postholder will be working closely with a range of delivery partners including multilaterals, international and Sudanese NGOs, and private sector suppliers.

In this role, the Programme Manager supports the management of a team’s portfolio, and as well as leading the programme management of complex and/or high value programmes. They will have a strong understanding of the FCDO Programme Operating Framework (PrOF), provide advice to colleagues on programmatic issues and lead on compliance and financial management for the programmes which they manage. They will support and manage Programme Officers.  

Roles and responsibilities: 

• Lead the management for the programmes/projects you are responsible for. As a Programme Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of a particular project, proactively driving delivery whilst ensuring compliance with UK Government rules (including the PrOF). You will put in place robust systems for managing this within the team, including maintaining a clear and comprehensive delivery plan, keeping information on the Aid Management Platform up to date, and organising regular programme meetings. Depending on the stage of the programme, you may be involved in programme design and mobilisation including procurement processes to secure implementing partners.
• Delivering robust financial management of programmes to ensure spending limits are adhered to, variances are minimised and value for money is achieved. You will proactively manage accurate financial forecasting over the year and profiling for outer years, ensure timely payment of invoices, and robust scrutiny and follow up of financial reports and annual audited statements. You will work closely with partners to understand risks to spend, explain UK requirements and challenge poor financial performance.
• Proactively managing risk (including fiduciary risk) of programmes. You will engage constructively with partners and the FCDO’s Programme Responsible Owner to ensure we identify the key risks to programme delivery, discuss these regularly and respond promptly and effectively to mitigate risks, including escalating these to senior management when required. You will conduct due diligence assessments when required to review partners’ systems, identify areas for improvement and then ensure these are addressed. By maintaining an up-to-date delivery chain map you will ensure we have clarity on exactly where UK aid funds are going, and the key risks in the delivery chain. You will ensure the UK’s zero tolerance approach to fraud and corruption is effectively implemented for your programme.
• Establishing and maintaining strong relationships with our implementing partners to ensure our programmes deliver the intended results and that we maximise our impact. You will be required to have a strong understanding of the requirements of partners set out in our contracts or grant agreements and use these to manage and incentivise strong performance from partners, as well as compliance with UK rules and standards.
• Support wider team and / or cross office priorities as required. This may include supporting the Senior Programme Manager / Team Leader on management of the team portfolio. You will have the opportunity to  support cross office working including participating in policy discussions, assisting with communications briefings, Parliamentary Questions, Ministerial visits and corporate returns. You will be encouraged to participate in cross-office forums like the Learning & Development Committee or the Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• As part of this role, the postholder may be expected to have line-management responsibilities of EO Programme Officers within British Office Sudan.  

• Language requirements: Fluent English
• A good understanding of Programme and Project management (PPM) processes, procedures and best practice.
• The resilience to manage multiple projects/programmes concurrently, with the ability to take the initiative and manage own workload.
• Proven financial management capabilities, including accuracy, attention to detail and a proven ability to accurately forecast and manage expenditure.
• Strong experience in managing risks and issues.
• Ability to work with a range of stakeholders, both internal and external, and challenge implementing partners when required.
• Flexibility and willingness to support colleagues as and when necessary, not just on PPM work.