Senior Programme Manager_HEO at British High Commission Nairobi

Main purpose of job:

• The Somalia Conflict, Security and Stability Fund (CSSF) is a cross-government programme of more than £20 million allocation this year designed to tackle the drivers of instability and deliver the UK’s Security Strategy in Somalia. Working with policy leads across the UK Government, you will be responsible for direct management of the Counter al-Shabaab Programme. This includes supporting the development new projects that help reduce the threat from al-Shabaab in Somalia. The projects are high-profile, high-risk, complex and the delivery environment is challenging. However, the portfolio is critical to achieving sustainable peace and political settlement in Somalia. Even small gains can have a tangible impact on the ground.
• The Programme is overseen by a programme board composed of policy leads from across the British Embassy Mogadishu and UK Government Somalia teams in London. The jobholder will be responsible for contributing to this programme board and ensuring it makes good, timely decisions, balancing the risks and benefits, and that these decisions are implemented. You will liaise with a wide range of external stakeholders including international partners and project implementers.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:

• Overall responsibility for day-to-day oversight and delivery of the programme, responding to challenges and obstacles, and reviewing progress against the programme objectives.
• Develop the programme strategy and design on behalf of the programme board, making use of the policy team expertise as needed, ensuring that the programme design will deliver the strategy and is well evidenced
• Coordinate appropriate and robust monitoring, evaluation and verification activities working with the CSSF team M&E Officer, including working with existing third party monitors.
• Convene programme meetings with stakeholders, flagging key issues to policy leads and seeking agreement within the programme board’s delegated tolerances
• Work closely with project implementers to ensure that good project management is taking place, risks are being addressed, plans are on track, and to be the communications lead on programme delivery
• Identify, record, assess, mitigate and monitor risks at programme and project level including around human rights abuses and fiduciary risk. 
• Present financial and narrative reporting to the Local Strategy Board and CSSF system as needed
• Support the financial and budget management of the projects including generating accurate and agile forecasting and ensuring HMG gets value for money from implementers and suppliers. Track, chase and process payments against projects. Ensure that financial due diligence is conducted on implementing partners.
• Lead on procurement and contracting processes including working with political colleagues to negotiate MoUs with the Federal Government, UN and implementing agencies.
• Ensure the programme is compliant with CSSF cross-cutting requirements including conflict and gender sensitivity
• Engage with local experts on the subject matter across your portfolio, including thinktanks and other relevent partners locally to identify oportunities to improve delivery of key programme outcomes. 
• Occassional trips to Mogadishu with to engage with implementers on the delivery of the programme, subject to the appropriate security procedures. 
• Support wider team priorities as required, be flexible in responding to challenges that emerge outside of your usual area of responsibility.  
• Contribute to the corporate needs of the wider Somalia network.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Experience of working on projects/programmes particularly financial, risk and planning management skills. Bachelor's degree or higher. 

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Previous experience of counter terrorism projects/programmes would be an advantage. Experience of activities or delivery in conflict environments. Expertise on Disarmement, Demobilisation and Reintegration.

Required behaviours  

• Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together