Job Vacancy, Cameroon: British High Commission in Yaoundé needs services of a Political and Projects Officer in Yaoundé

 Application deadline: 15 June 2021

Job Category: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)

Job Subcategory Political

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Main purpose of job:

The British High Commission (BHC) in Cameroon has been growing in size and ambition over the past five years.  This role is at the core of the BHC’s diplomatic activity: you will deliver UK Government projects on human rights, democracy, governance, the media, some conflict issues, and possibly on economic development.  The focus of this role is on Cameroon but you may also work occasionally on Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

The successful candidate will be an organised, energetic and self-starter who understands project management and has a mastery of political development and issues in Cameroon. You will also support the organisation and planning for visits, project and public diplomacy events. You will work alongside seasoned diplomats and high quality local staff expert in political engagement and analysis. You will work also closely with the Senior Political and Programmes Manager, the Development Counsellor and the Director of Trade. Your work will be visible to the High Commissioner and his deputy, as well as, of course, to the Cameroonian Government, its citizens, and to other embassies.

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

The main roles and responsibilities of the position are as follows, although the jobholder may at times be required to take on additional tasks.

Project Delivery: 75%

• Manage a suite of small projects on human rights, democracy, governance, media freedom, transparency and accountability.
• Use a range of programme and project management tools to monitor progress against set milestones;
• Track the impact and value for money of projects and share reporting on these aspects to stakeholders in London;
• Produce accurate forecast and expenditure reports as required – identifying significant over or under-expenditure and solutions to correct this;
• Where appropriate, work with local and international partners to identify and develop new projects and to secure appropriate funding.
• Respond to enquiries by potential implementers on submitting project bids, conduct due diligence for implementers, quality assuring project documents including budgets before submission to Boards.
• Respond to enquiries by potential implementers on submitting project bids, conduct due diligence for implementers, quality assuring project documents including budgets before submission to Boards.

Political Reporting: 25%

• Provide relevant and timely reporting and analysis of political issues in Cameroon to the UK government network.
• Identify and build on opportunity for enhanced interaction between UK and Cameroon officials and NGO, business, research or innovation communities. Devise and deliver projects, seminars and events to support this.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• 2 years experience in project development and delivery.
• 1 year experience of political reporting and anaysis.
• Good understanding of the local civil society landscape in Cameroon
• Excellent written and spoken English and French (this will be tested at interview)
• Fully IT literate

Skills:

• Strong analytical and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively without close supervision; good attention to detail
• Positive and proactive attitude; customer focused and good team player, willing to support other High Commission objectives as required

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Diploma in project management
• Experience in managing budgets and organising events
• Experience working in a diplomatic setting or international organisation
• Higher education diploma in a social science, law, business or similar

Required competencies

Collaborating and Partnering, Achieving Commercial Outcomes, Delivering Value for Money, Delivering at Pace

Application deadline: 15 June 2021

Grade

A2 (L)

Type of Position

Fixed Term, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal

Working hours per week

38 hours

Duration of Post

24 months

Region

Africa

Country/Territory

Cameroon

Location (City)

Yaounde

Type of Post: British High Commission

Number of vacancies: 1

Starting monthly salary ()

XOF 612,859 plus Transport allowance of XOF 32,844, housing allowance XOF 60,996 and 13th month salary • Performance related bonus

Start Date

1 July 2021

End Date

30 June 2023

Other benefits and conditions of employment

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

• Opportunities to undertake regional and internal courses, subject to approval and budgets.
• Access to a vast amount of online e-learning courses and other learning and developing opportunities.
• Travel around Cameroon in furtherance of expanding your network

Working patterns:

Monday – Thursday 8:00 – 4:30, Friday 8:00 – 2:00

Due to COVID-19, the incumbent can work from home up to three days a week.

Additional information

Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.

The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.

Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Yaounde are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Cameroon.

All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.

The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;

1.Obtain the relevant permit

2.Pay the fees for the permit

3.Make arrangements to relocate

4.Meet the costs to relocation

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount

Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note: Job grade AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5

Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.

Please log into your profile on the application system on a regular basis to review the status of your application.

Apply through the link below: Political and Projects Officer (03/21 YAO) – FCO Local Posts (tal.net)