ISF Finance Manager (UKR24.198)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The British Embassy in Kyiv is recruiting an experienced and flexible Finance Manager for the Integrated Security Fund (ISF) Programme Team. The Integrated Security Fund (ISF) succeeded the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) in April 2024. The UK Integrated Security Fund (UKISF) is a government-wide fund that addresses the highest-priority threats to UK national security, at home and abroad.

As the Finance Manager, you will be responsible for managing and reporting on finances from across the team, including funds held by other government departments. As the Finance Manager you will be responsible for ensuring consistent and high-quality financial management of ISF projects (incl. HERA processes - Hera is the internal finance and HR system) and consolidating central corporate returns for EECAD and the Joint Funds Unit. Working closely with Programme Finance Officers and the wider Portfolio, you will provide timely, reliable financial reporting, forecasts and risks, and process project payments.

You will engage with project leads from other government departments. Working closely with implementers, key stakeholders and colleagues across the Embassy and in the UK, you will communicate, coordinate and provide financial management advice on projects.

We are looking for a motivated, pro-active individual who understands the importance of value for money and need for oversight over delivery partners. This role will provide you with the opportunity to develop financial and programme management skills alongside experience of stakeholder management, monitoring and evaluation, gender and conflict sensitivity, and risk management. This role principally leads on and ensures strong financial management at the programme and project levels at Post whilst coordinating this with our parent directorate (EECAD) and the ISF’s Joint Funds Unit.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience of working with the British Embassy Kyiv and be part of the team that delivers UK programming in Ukraine. Working alongside other Programme and Project Managers (PPM) this role will have responsibility for financial management across all stages of the programme cycle.

The role holder will be responsible for supporting to deliver the ISF Ukraine Programme of up to £45m and will manage 2-3 finance officers who directly support PPMs. The role may be extended on a fixed term basis.

Delivery of a Programme of up to £45m and you will manage 2-3 finance officers who directly support programme managers.

The role may be extended on a fixed term basis.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

This role is a great opportunity to gain experience of working with the British Embassy and be part of the team that delivers UK programming in Ukraine. The ISF Finance Manager responsibilities will include:

• Ensure accurate and timely programme and project level financial management and reporting in accoundance to FCDO and ISF Operating Framework guidelines. Assess programme and project over/under spend risks and develop clear recommendations to manage these. Support project level contract and budget implementation, scrutinise activity based budgets, spend, commitments and forecasts. Manage the Finance Officer/s to deliver their objectives.
• Programme cycle management to ensure the timely planning of activity and reporting in accordance with ISF guidance including value for money, budget management, financial progress reporting and appropriately escalate risks.
• Maintaining strong working relationships with implementers and stakeholders. Alongside core finance work, the successful candidate will take part in wider Programme Team activities and Embassy working groups, supporting the Programme teams on implementer events or visits from London, and providing translation as required for senior officials.

In your role you must ensure the portfolio is compliant with the International Development Gender Equality Act (2014) by demonstrating consideration for gender equality throughout ISF programmes, and supporting ISF ambitions to achieve the UK’s Women, Peace and Security objectives. All ISF programmes must also align with the Paris Agreement – an international treaty on climate change and assess climate and environmental impacts and risks, taking steps to ensure that no environmental harm is done.

The successful candidate will benefit from:

• Shortened work hours (British Embassy Kyiv employees work 40 hours per week inclusive of hour-long lunch breaks), the Embassy also supports a well-balanced work/life culture.
• Medical and dental plan (non-contributory for the employee and contributory for qualified dependants).
• 24 working days of annual leave and additional public and privilege holidays.
• Full salary compensation in case of absence (health incapacity) due to illness or injury.
• Flexible vocation policy allowing to work from home.
• System of performance-based bonuses for high-achievers every twelve months.
• Job-related equipment provided by the Embassy and no work communications conducted through personal devices.
• Overall good working environment.
• Participation in staff gatherings organised by the Social Committee (team get-togethers, Christmas Party etc.) as well as cultural events shared by the Ambassador.
• Strong FCDO learning and development offer, which includes internal resources (allowing to expand knowledge and skills in other related to the core role areas, such as stakeholder management, monitoring and evaluation, conflict sensitivity analysis and risk management) as well as access to the ISF Ukraine learning and development budget which may be used to visit trainings and conferences abroad (in the UK, Poland and other countries). There is also an ISF-funded opportunity to get an international certification in project management.
• Direct contribution towards to accelerating Ukrainian victory and supporting the country’s recovery from the consequences of war. Currently ISF leads on war crimes accountability, delivering Ukraine’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace & Security, empowerment of women-victims of gender-based violence, strengthening the government of Ukraine’s international and domestic strategic communications capability, defence reforms, security and defence anti-corruption system strengthening and strengthening resilience of front-line communities against Russias war of aggression. The successful candidate will support efforts in these areas.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• At least 3 years of budget and financial management experience working on development projects, ideally in a complex project/programme management context;
• Experience of international projects procurement procedures
• Relevant background working with international or national non-Government organisations, (I/NGOs), governments, multilaterals and other donors
• Ability to communicate with and manage a wide network of stakeholders to deliver financial objectives
• Ability to manage workload and deliver at pace whilst maintaining quality. Be well-organised, able to balance a busy workload with a number of competing priorities and to manage and organise this workload effectively and systematically, whilst adhering to HMG processes and procedures.
• Problem-solving skills and ability to lead on work strands independently:
• Have strong written and verbal communication skills in English, Ukrainian (C1 level or higher according to the *CEFR for languages); with an ability to communicate clearly and concisely with internal and external stakeholders and to understand how to present information to senior stakeholders in an appropriate format;
• Confident Excel user;
• Have good attention to detail but balanced by an appreciation of broader strategic objectives;
• Be an enthusiastic and proactive individual with the ability to identify where they are able to add-value to the team through their work; with an understanding of when they are able to take decisions or need to refer to senior managers;

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Programme, project and financial management experience, including monitoring and evaluation methodologies and risk management.
• More than 5 years of overall financial management experience;
• Working with international donors and/or organisations in a complex and dynamic political environment
• Experience of working in the following areas: conflict; development; civil society; good governance and reform; defence & security; women, peace and security; and, stabilisation
• Related financial qualification

Required behaviours Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together Application deadline 19 May 2024 Grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO) Type of Position Full-time, Fixed Term Working hours per week 40 Duration of Post 24 months Region Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia Country/Territory Ukraine Location (City) Kyiv Type of Post British Embassy Number of vacancies 1 Salary Currency USD Salary 3,445.38 (gross) Start Date 1 July 2024 Other benefits and conditions of employment

This is a fixed-term contract for 24 months, for 40 working hours per week including 1 hour per day for lunch.

The appointment is a two-year fixed term contract that is renewable subject to availability of programme financing. The applicant must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Ukraine and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

The British Embassy does not sponsor work permits.

Due to project launches and events, the 40 hours per week worked will not always correspond with the Embassy opening hours of 9am–5pm. The jobholder will be expected to work outside these hours on occasion to enable the Embassy to respond appropriately to developments, with time off in lieu granted.

The start date mentioned in the advert is just an expected start date. The appointment can start earlier or later depending on several factors.

British Embassy Kyiv will provide a full induction. The jobholder will have access to British Embassy Kyiv’s full learning and development offer, which includes the Foundation Programme in UK International Policy and Diplomacy and other related courses.

This position provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the role of an Embassy and international relations/diplomacy in Ukraine.

The successful candidate will be subject to professional background and security clearance.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Kyiv is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Ukrainian employment law.

Additional information

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field "Application deadline".

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Please be advised that British Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

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