The British Embassy in Tirana is part of a world-wide network representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and now is looking for a Projects Officer to join the Programme Team, based in Tirana. The successful candidate will contribute to management of the portfolio of projects under the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund or other funds in Albania and regionally, ensuring value for money and policy impact on all programmes and projects funded.

The successful candidate will support UK programming in Albania, primarily in the governance and political sectors, funded by the Conflict, Security and Stability Fund (CSSF). The candidate will have knowledge and experience of supporting programme work in an in areas of democratisation, elections and election monitoring, parliament and civil society.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Design, develop and implement projects as part of the UK programme portfolio for Albania in line with UK priorities. This will involve working on bilateral projects and multi-country initiatives with partners across the region.
• Contribute to effective programme governance at the country and regional level, to support delivery of the Embassy’s Business and Country Plan and UK priorities for the Western Balkans.
• 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.
• Financial management of projects within their portfolio, in line with CSSF best practice, ensuring all projects deliver value for money.
• Track budget deliverables using appropriate tools. Manage payment solutions and liaise with suppliers and institutions together with the finance manager.
• Monitoring partner work/delivery plans, including providing constructive challenge to implementing partners.
• Support the Programme Manager to identify and address weaknesses in delivery and partner capacity.
• Organise project-related events, visits and activities.
• Collaborate and support the Political Officer and the Political team with regular updates on programme work, draft analyses, reports and support political engagement as needed.
• Lead the monitoring and evaluation of projects, ensuring the UK is receiving value for money.
• Contribute to effective project documentation– ensuring that terms of reference, procurement frameworks and project bids are accurate Collaborate with Press and Public Affairs Officers to effectively publicise project activity and demonstrate tangible results in line with CSSF guidance.

The job holder will need to ensure that project interventions are conflict, crime, human rights and gender sensitive. In this role, you will work with the team to ensure compliance with the Gender Equality Act. An understanding of these issues and how they apply when designing and delivering project interventions would be an advantage.

• Proficiency in written and spoken English and Albanian (C1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
• A positive attitude especially towards customer service and performance management.
• Strong experience of minimum 3 years in Financial management and administrative support, specifically for projects or programmes.
• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, monitoring and analysis.
• IT skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Using operational and problem-solving skills, including the ability to resolve difficult problems within a quick timeframe.
• An ability to work collaboratively with partners to help them meet their financial reporting obligations.
• Self-starter who is able to work independently as well as effectively within a small team.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to work with a range of stakeholders and to convey messages in a professional way
• Project management skills and experience with an ability to handle multiple tasks and projects at pace.
• Organisational and time-management skills with ability to demonstrate initiative, autonomy and self-motivation
• Results driven with excellent attention to detail