Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, experience-based segment and the behaviours and technical/ professional skills-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

Main purpose of job:

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) pursues UK’s national interests and projects the UK as a force for good in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK’s security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners.
The British High Commission in Pakistan has an exciting opportunity for a programme management professional to join the Integrated Security Fund  (ISF) Portfolio Team to minimise and mitigate the risks of conflict and instability in Pakistan and its direct/indirect impacts on UK.

The job-holder will primarily be focussed on managing the delivery of Hate Speech and Disinformation Programme (HSDP) and the Pakistan Conflict Change – Conflict Nexus (PCCCN) programme, whilst ensuring that these programmes remain compliant with FCDO PrOF (Programme Operating Framework) and the CSSF Operating Framework (OF) requirements, and Pakistan Country Business Plan (CBP) objectives.  The job holder will manage projects from scoping to delivery, demonstrating sound financial management, close attention to project/programme objectives, and building relationships across FCDO and outside to deliver the best programming. 

The jobholder needs to have a clear understanding of programme management across the programme life cycle, strong communication skills (both written and verbal skills) and a good grasp of financial management. And able to quickly get up-to speed with wide-ranging topics and to confidently engage with experts and senior officials.
The British High Commission (Mission) takes an integrated approach to delivery and the CSSF/ISF programmes are embedded in the Campaign Goals (CG) structure of the Mission. The job-holder will need to engage with multiple quarters of the Mission, work closely with Campaign Goal (CG) leads, the policy leads, and be able to absorb information from multiple sources and track multiple conversations. 

In addition, the job-holder will need to be prepared for change and deal with challenges whilst leading the process of reviewing and adjusting existing programmes and exploring options for new programming. The role requires the jobholder to multitask, whilst balancing interests and demands on personal time and to offer support for learning and career development to members of the programme team as required. 

This position offers a great opportunity to build knowledge in the complex area of political and conflict response programming

We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business.

Roles and responsibilities of the Job Holder:

Programme Management 

• Manage ISF funded Hate Speech and Disinformation Programme (HSDP) and the Pakistan Conflict Change – Conflict Nexus (PCCCN) Programme, promoting best practice and ensure programme compliance with programme management requirements, guided by FCDO PrOF (Programme Operating Framework) and the CSSF Operating Framework (OF) requirements.
• Contribute to effective programme management, whilst working with the programme teams, SROs and ISF Portfolio Team.
• Deliver high quality day-to-day project management (prepare narrative and financial project reports, relevant documentation, and responses to inquiries relating to programme work etc.) including monitoring and evaluation of activities.
• Monitoring partner work/delivery plans, including providing constructive challenge to implementing partners and organise programme and team related events, visits and activities.
• Oversee monitoring, evaluation and learning across the programmes, including Programme Annual Review processes, and ensuring uptake of recommendations from independent evaluations feeding into programme design and delivery.
• Provide support to the Programme Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) in coordinating strategic direction, planning of programme interventions and planning for future funding requirements.
• Deputise for Programme Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) when required.

Financial planning, reporting, and management of HSDP and PCCCN: 

• Manage and improve HSDP and PCCCN financial management and compliance with financial reporting requirements, third party / independent audits, spot checks and due diligence exercises.
• Maintaining / updating required programme documents such as the Results Framework, Risk Register etc.
• Continuously monitor the HSDP and PCCCN programme budgets and ensure budgeting / spend it is robustly and flexibly managed. This includes developing budgetary proposals for the annual and multi-year multilevel bids, support the Monthly Management Meetings and ISF Portfolio Team in reviewing the budget in line with policy priorities, and managing variances robustly.

Provide programme and policy advice.

• Support Programme SROs to improve programmes’ approaches on cross cutting themes including gender, VFM, MEL and conflict sensitivity.
• Provide inputs into briefing papers for the management boards (country / regional boards, etc.)
• Ensure Gender Equality Act compliance and support ISF ambitions on women, peace and security through the programmes, including undertaking all the required reporting.
• As necessary, support other ISF Programmes’ SRO and ISF Portfolio lead to design and launch new projects in advancing delivery of Country Business Plan and emerging policy priorities for ISF as laid out in IR Refresh.

Line Management and Staff Capacity Building

• Work closely with the Programme SRO to manage staff development needs across the programmes and ensure opportunities are afforded to staff in-line with business needs and personal development plans.
• Successfully line-manage direct reports through effective coaching and support, well-evidenced appraisals and personal development plans that help improve business delivery.
• Help build the capacity and support the wellbeing of programme staff, as needed.
• Maintain effective communications and engagement.
• Collaborate with implementing partners, relevant CGs and BHC communication team to effectively demonstrate tangible programmes results, whilst ensuring that the content for dissemination is informative and engaging.
• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with UK departments and effectively manage external and internal HMG communications related to ISF.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Line management of up to 2 staff members

Language requirements: 

Language: English
Level of language required: Proficiency in reading, writing and speaking English language

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

The FCDO is committed to provide learning and development opportunities to all its employees, including:

• Formal in-house and external training.
• Coaching, mentoring and job shadowing.
• Structured learning on the job, including stretching objectives and work.
• Field visits and attendance to regional or international events

Working patterns:

Full time employment with flexibly of working home on a case-by-case basis.
Operating hours are Monday – Thursday 08:00 – 16:15 (with half an hour lunch break); Friday 08:00 – 13:00

Any other information (or specific local Post requirements):

As part of the assessment process, should you get shortlisted and invited for interview, you may be asked to submit a 5-minute presentation on a set topic will be required at the interview stage, with topic to be provided in advance. This may be coupled with a written exercise as well, which will be required to be completed on the day of assessment

Essential on arrival:

• Master’s degree in management / administration.
• At least 5 years of project / programme management experience of delivering complex programmes to high standards of programme assurance and excellence, with emphasis on collaboration and team building.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong financial management skills and experience
• Experience of working with commercial suppliers.
• Good organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Good oral and written English communication skills (ability to provide briefings, project reporting).
• Strong ability to build relationships, collaborate with partners across government and external stakeholders and work effectively as part of cross organisation team.
• Strong IT skill and working knowledge of MS Office 365