FCDO Caribbean is looking for a highly motivated and effective Senior Programme Officer to support the Climate Change & Disaster Risk Reduction (CC/DRR) Team in managing the Caribbean Development Team’s portfolio of climate change and disaster risk reduction programmes and policy initiatives in the region.

You will be responsible for effective programme management of Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction projects and will assist the team with all stages of project cycle management. You will also support the team with briefings, and internal and external communications on projects.  You will also manage and coordinate policy work of the team.

You will also provide wider support to the overall Caribbean Development programme as part of its drive to improve portfolio quality, programme and risk management. For example, the Senior Programme Officer will be expected to contribute to the Portfolio Quality Board meetings where programme evaluations, risk registers and Annual Reviews are assessed; as well as contribute to rasing awareness of programme management standards and strengthening capability of staff across the FCDO Caribbean network to manage projects. You will also attend Team Leaders’ meetings where financial forecasts and other management issues are considered. Some support to office wide processes such as briefings, Ministerial letters, events and corporate processes will be expected.

Roles and responsibilities:

The role will involve the following key responsibilities:

• Play a lead role on project cycle management functions. This will include inputs to project documentation, design, monitoring, budgeting, and review processes;
• Ensuring strong oversight of FCDO financing to implementing partners. This will include appropriate due diligence checks of potential recipients of funding and ensuring partner compliance with FCDO monitoring and audit requirements;
• Helping ensure a strong culture of value for money in FCDO spending, for instance through overseeing effective and transparent procurement practices;
• Maintain team budgets and financial forecasts, and ensuring these budgets are accurate and can be delivered, whilst minimising risks;
• Representing FCDO in external meetings and supporting regional communication activities;
• Providing briefings, and supporting internal and external communications of projects or policy as necessary;
• Develop and maintain excellent relations across the British High Commission network in the Caribbean and with external development partners and project partners;
• Line management of the Programme Officer.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

Staff:  1 Programme Officer
Expenditure: £50 million

• Must have the legal status to live and work in Barbados;
• Experience supporting the delivery of aid programmes, including managing programme finances, risk management, monitoring and reporting;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and track record of influencing partners and stakeholders
• Strong team working, people management and organisational skills;
• Ability to prioritise workload, deliver at pace and respond flexibly as new priorities arise.

Language requirements: 

Language: English
Level of language required: Proficient