Programme & Corporate Officer, Grade - Eo, New Delhi

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities) 1

**Main purpose of job**:
Political, Strategy and Communications (PSC) Department in the British High Commission, New Delhi, works to strengthen UK-India relations through the provision of political analysis and advice to the UK government.
The Programmes and Corporate team plays a key role within the PSC department, ensuring the department’s programmes are well managed and best support the UK’s priorities with India, including global partnerships, foreign policy and open societies. Our programmes work with the Government of India, Indian think tanks and other partners in support of the UK’s Country Business Plan. The team also delivers wider high quality corporate management for the PSC department, including finance, governance, and HR.
- 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 / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve**:
The post-holder will work across the PSC Department’s diverse portfolios, helping ensure programmes are delivered to a high standard and in full compliance with UK Government programming best practice. S/he will have significant programme/ financial management responsibilities and will be required to:
**1. Quickly gain good understanding of project cycle management for the allocated portfolio.**
- provide high quality support to the design and delivery of team priorities and deliver against its agreed strategy.
- Proactively monitor and manage programme and financial aspects of projects under his/her responsibility in compliance with the system (PrOF, Procurement rules etc).
- Maintain an efficient knowledge base & documentation of programmes including the expected results, risks, implementation arrangements, financing arrangements, due diligence, and status.
- Build, maintain effective working relationships with implementing partners and/or suppliers, ensuring clarity of communications and responsibilities in coordination with the programme team.
- Manage programme closure including final reporting, financial statements, final audit, and informing decisions on assets disposal. Coordinate Project Completion Report.
- Ensure all relevant programme documents are filed correctly in the electronic filing system, to meet transparency requirements.
- Be a good team player working across the team and providing support wherever needed.

**2. Deliver high quality of financial, procurement and corporate reporting.**
- Effectively lead on project financial management procedures. This would include (though not limited to) the following: Review financial reports (planned vs actual expenditure and its relation to activities completed/progress achieved) liaising with the programme team. Initiate and manage procurement processes in liaison with the Departmental Procurement Officer (DPO) and/or Procurement team, be responsible for first draft of funding arrangements. Prepare good first drafts of terms of reference (ToRs), initiate amendments for contracts/agreements where required.
- Clear and direct communication with other parts of the team and across the network, as required.
- Ensure that all corporate requests and requirements are fulfilled to meet corporate deadlines.
- The job holder will also be expected to extend support to other team members and/or to cover for their absence as needed.

**Resources managed (staff and expenditure)**:
This position will not have any line management responsibilities but will need to manage programme expenditure.

**Language requirements**:
Language: English & Hindi
Level of language required: Proficient in reading and writing

**Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed)**:
The British High Commission is committed to providing learning and development opportunities through courses and on-the-job training. There are no specific courses which need to be completed for this job.

**Working patterns**:
This is a full-time role, that may be suitable for compressed hours/ flexi-time working.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience 1

**Essential on arrival**:

- Graduate degree or equivalent professional qualification (e.g. - finance, project management, business administration, international development)
- Excellent project management expertise with at least 4-5 years’ relevant experience in managing projects or programmes in bilateral /multilateral agencies, civil society, or government.
- Strong presentation and drafting skills in English with the ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, including by videoconference.
- Accuracy, attention to detail and a proven ability to accurately forecast and manage expenditure.
- Proven ability to work independently and proactively, anticipating problems and taking appropriate action as required.
- Strong ability to work effectively in a team with a positive attitude