BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION YAOUNDE

View Vacancy - Corporate Service Manager (10/18 YAO)

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Job Category  : Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Operations and Corporate Services)

Job Subcategory: Corporate Services Support

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Main purpose of job:

• To oversee the delivery of efficient corporate services across the High Commission.  The corporate services team supports the smooth functioning of both the High Commission and the Residence and wider estate.
• To manage, implement and analyse Admin and Capital budgets for the High CommissionTo lead the corporate service team of 10 people.   
• To lead the successful delivery of human resources, procurement, finance, estate management, transport and learning & development within the High Commission.  To work closely with the regional hubs in Pretoria and Manila responsible for finance, procurement and HR.
• To ensure that the High Commission resources are managed effectively and efficiently according to UK legislation, FCO best management practice and local legal requirements. 
• To prepare and implement change management work streams including new policies/processes and managing building projects.

Roles and responsibilities:

Financial Management (20%)

• To manage the FCO budget for the High Commission including high level monitoring and forecasting of spend.
• To prepare monthly, annual and ad hoc reports to senior managers on budget management including forecasts and spend to date.
• To manage the relationship with the HR/Finance hub in Pretoria and payment process centre in Manila.
• To prepare financial returns for both Pretoria, Manila and London when required. Particular focus that the Mid Term Financial Planning process is completed to the satisfaction of post and the hub.
• Implementation and oversight of policies related to finance, monitor and ensure KPIs are met.
• Ensure that all finance and purchase to pay processes (P2P) are followed in line with guidance and that all sections in the High Commission adhere to them.
• To work with other British staff members (Department of International Development & Ministry of Defence) and our headquarters in London to ensure that expenditure and budgetary rules are met. 

Estate Management (20%)

• To manage the corporate estates team and having a strategic overview on capital and maintenance projects. Ensuring that health and safety, compliance with contracts; procurement and contractor management policies are adhered to.
• Oversight and implementation of Procurement policies (ensuring compliance) and payment authorisation.
• To ensure that policies and guidelines for properties for UK based staff and relevant works are correctly carried out.  
• To have oversight of inventory management and capital asset to guarantee value for money.

Human Resources Management (10%)

• To lead on reviews when necessary of local staff terms and conditions (TACOS), including all pay reviews, recruitment and induction processes, and update in line with FCO guidance and local labour law.
• To engage with the Honorary Legal Advisor with respect to Cameroonian, Chadian and Gabonese employment and contract law. To work with the regional hub on arrival and departure of local staff.
• To work with line managers, supporting and advising them on implementation of HR policy and encouraging best practice in the management/development of staff.
• To oversee with the Deputy High Commissioner, the L&D committee, Appraisal Committee and section heads to drive up performance management standards by ensuring that staff are informed of deadlines and best practice.
• To work closely with the HR hub in Pretoria on recruitment and selection, payroll and other relevant issues.
• To oversee the arrangements for the arrival and departure of UK based staff.

Corporate Leadership and Change Management (15%)

• To lead and where appropriate, chair, the relevant post committees to ensure that they support the FCO corporate agenda, reflect best practice and guidance and meet budgetary responsibilities.
• To lead and manage all change management work streams, including any building projects both at the High Commission and UK based residences and implementation of new corporate processes and guidelines.  
• Responsible for corporate services support for local and UK based staff based remotely in Gabon and Chad.

Team Leadership (20%)

• To lead and line manage the corporate services team responsible for estates, HR, logistics, procurement, protocol, transport, security and finance/accounts issues.  Reporting officer to three staff members (2x A2, 1 x B3) and countersigning officer to x4 staff members
• Manage individual and team performance management, ensuring the appraisal process cycle is completed on time and in line with network/FCO performance management policy and best practice.

Stakeholder Management (15%)

• To provide up to date and comprehensive guidance and communicate changes in guidance to ensure staff have the tools they need in order to do their jobs.
• Manage relationships with the relevant hubs and London operations teams.
• To manage relationships with all stakeholders/third parties and local service providers, including landlords.
• To lead on the Corporate Service Charter ensuring other UK government partners on site get the expected corporate service in line with wider 1HMG policies.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Strong financial background – ability to interpret financial data and oversee management of budgets. 
• At least 3 years’ experience of working in a role with a financial background. 
• Strong management experience – Previous experience managing a team and operating at senior management level.
• A problem solver – ability to multi task and work at pace using effective prioritisation.
• Experience of managing projects and contracts.
• Strong IT skills - Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office programmes.
• Ability to analyse complex data and capability to make decisions based on that analysis.
• Experience in working in a corporate service environment

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• BA in a Finance or Management Degree
• Experience working for a Diplomatic Mission or International organisation ideally in a corporate services management role. 
• Professional experience / qualification in Management / Finance.
• Knowledge of local labour law.
• Understanding of the FCO oracle systems (PRISM) an advantage.
• Fluent French

Required competencies

• Making Effective Decisions, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering Value for Money, Delivering at Pace

Application deadline: 24 December 2018

Grade: C4 (L)

Type of Position: Fixed Term

Duration of Post: 24 months

Region: Africa

Country/Territory: Cameroon

Location (City): Yaounde

Type of Post: British High Commission

Starting monthly salary (): Negotiable between 980,861 CFA and 1,081,673 CFA depending on experience and qualification

Start Date: 1 February 2019

Other benefits and conditions of employment: Transport allowance 96,186 CFA plus Housing allowance 284, 105 CFA

TO APPLY

All interested candidates are invited to apply online through the following link: Corporate Service Manager (10/18 YAO)