Спеціаліст/ка з проектів та фінансів / Project and Finance Officer

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

Who are we? 

The British Embassy in Kyiv is part of a world-wide network representing British political, economic and consular overseas. British Embassy Kyiv is recruiting a Project and Finance Officer to support a small team in the oversight of Integrated Security Fund (ISF) finances and supporting His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) activities. 

Main purpose of job:

As a Projects and Finance Officer you will be responsible for a range of project management, financial, and administrative tasks. You will work within a small ISF finance team and work alongside the HMRC team. You will also be expected to work closely with colleagues across the wider Programmes Team to share lessons and support the application of best practice across the programme portfolio. The role may be extended on a fixed term basis.

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. 

Roles and responsibilities:

Working to the Programme Manager, the Projects and Finance Officer responsibilities will include:

• Support the ISF Finance Manager in overseeing the finances of implementing partners in accordance with the new FCDO Programme Operating Framework and with ISF Operational Framework requirements. This includes (but is not limited to) reviewing newly submitted project budgets against ISF and FCDO financial and procurement guidance, drafting financial contract provisions, preparing pre-payment requests, raising requisitions, checking financial reports for accuracy and adherence to approved budgets and ISF policies, processing payments according to agreed payment schedules and ensuring a smooth flow of information across stakeholders.
• Ensure programme’s implementing partners’ compliance to ISF and FCDO policies (including Value for Money guidance) during the project implementation cycle.
• Track contract/budget implementation of designated ISF implementing partners, maintain accurate records on project allocations, monthly and forecasted spend in HERA, EPM and Finance Tracker (offline Excel spreadsheet), collect and analyse risks and work with partners to ensure timely delivery of financial objectives.
• Deputise for ISF Finance Manager as required, support monitoring of the delegated ISF programme budget, assist colleagues with programme finance requests and prepare programme financial reporting for senior management if required.
• Support HMRC via on the ground activities approximately 20% of working time.
• Besides core finance work the successful candidate may be expected to manage some projects and follow the project cycle (design, reporting, monitoring and evaluation etc) to ensure the timely planning of activity and reporting and provide quality assurance of project deliverables, including outputs, outcomes and impact; appropriately escalate risks and challenges in a timely manner etc..
• The ISF Projects and Finance Officer will take part in wider Programme Team activities, implementer events, visits and provide interpretation and 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 programmes, and supporting ambitions to achieve the UK’s Women, Peace and Security objectives.

The successful candidate will benefit from:

• Shortened work hours (British Embassy Kyiv operates from 9:00 to 17:00 with one-hour lunch break) and the culture of not working late.
• Medical and dental plan (non-contributory for the employee and contributory for qualified dependants).
• 24 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.
• Dedicated line manager, who will help to navigate through FCDO processes, policies, and procedures. Supportive ISF, HMRC teams and overall good working environment.
• Participation in staff gatherings organised by the Social Committee (team get-togethers, Christmas Party etc.) as well as some cultural events shared by the Ambassador.
• 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 ISF 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.
• Opportunity to manage some bilateral projects for which the person will have more direct responsibility.
• Ability to hasten Ukrainian’s victory though own’s work and support the country’s recovery from consequences of war. Currently ISF leads on the war crimes investigation, empowerment of women-victims of gender-based violence, strengthening the government of Ukraine strategic communication function, supporting civil society, strengthening resilience of front-line communities against Russia’s war of aggression and the hired person is expected to support efforts in those areas.

*Candidates who score high during the assessment but do not receive the job offer will have an opportunity to stay in the list of Embassy’s reserved applicants in case similar positions open during the next 12 months.

Our Ideal Candidate Shows:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Ukrainian (C1 level or higher according to the *CEFR for languages);
• Minimum 1 year of work experience in project management (with financial duties) or financial management;
• Some experience in administrative work and event organisation;
• Enthusiastic and proactive individual with the ability to identify where they are able to add-value to the team through their work;
• Problem-solving skills and ability to lead on work strands independently and understanding when there is a need to refer to senior managers;
• Experience of managing project budgets and financial risks (ideally in an international development project/programme content);
• Ability to manage workload and deliver at pace whilst maintaining quality;
• Ability to communicate with different stakeholders;
• Strong Excel and wider IT skills.

Nice to have:

• Experience of working with international donors and/or organisations in a complex and dynamic political environment;
• More than 2 years of financial management experience;
• Experience of international projects procurement procedures.