Programmer, Trade and Investment 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.

Job Category

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Programme Roles)

Job Subcategory

Economic and Prosperity

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Main purpose of job:

This is a role within the Economic Development and Green Growth Team (EDGG) at the British High Commission, Lusaka. The purpose of the job holder is to deliver high quality programme management and compliance with the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) Programme Operating Framework rules and requirements and seeking to continually improve programme delivery. This role will also support the coordination of UK-Zambia trade and investment, and this will be achieved through a combination of external engagement and influencing, and maximising the effectiveness of relevant grants, technical assistance and investments.

Increasing UK-Zambia trade and investment is a UK Government priority in Zambia, and the post-holder will collaborate with colleagues across the Mission, including the High Commissioner and representatives of the Department for Business and Trade. The post-holder will work closely with programme managers and advisers in the fields of economics, private sector development, infrastructure, climate and environment.

Specific Responsibilities will include:

A: Ensure high standards of programme management and compliance, risk and financial management for projects operated by the EDGG team (40%) including:

• Raise requisition orders, support input of annual financial forecasts/budgets and month-end processes within agreed timelines
• Scrutinise and promptly receipt invoices and funds requests in compliance with FCDO programme management principles and within agreed timelines
• Contribute to development and maintenance of high-quality risk management processes and tools for EDGG spend
• Keep track of project, contract, Accountable Grant, deadlines, and payment milestones, notifying team members in advance of due dates
• Manage database of EDGG team contacts and partners
• Records management and publishing of all relevant documents within agreed timelines.
• Proactively follow-up with Implementing Partners to ensure all quarterly, six-monthly, and annual programme reports are received on agreed deadlines after each period ends and saved on Teams
• Support logistics related to all stages of the programme management cycle within agreed timelines.

B: Support the development of UK trade and investment for Zambia, working closely with EDGG Team Members and Department for Business and Trade (40%):

• Your routine will entail maintaining a network of operational level contacts across government and private sector, processing and sharing information with internal and external stakeholders
• Engage directly with British companies who have expressed interest in exploring commercial opportunities in Zambia
• Update Department for Business and Trade’s relationship management system by uploading all stakeholder interactions
• Co-ordinate planning and logistics of inward missions of British businesses to Zambia whilst highlighting government agencies and industries with potential to yield high value information and contacts
• Support planning and co-ordination of VIP visits to Zambia to highlight UK government engagement and offer for Zambia
• Plan and co-ordinate networking events

C: Support cross team administrative tasks including (20%):

• Ensure that timely, quality responses to letters, corporate returns, submissions, and responses to official government correspondence, relevant to programmes are produced
• Provide cover for colleagues as needed, contributing to coherent team working.
• Proactively contribute to cross-office efforts across a range of corporate issues
• Provide support as required on high-level visits or briefing requests drafting visa letters, making travel arrangements and processing expenses claims.
• Management of online repositories

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Other skills / experience / qualifications:

Minimum of a Degree in a related field.

Essential on arrival:

• Minimum of 5 years work experience.
• Understanding of the private sector, business membership organisations, and related governance and political issues in Zambia.
• Previous experience in managing programmes/projects
• Previous experience in finances and compliance

Zambia

Location (City)

Lusaka

Type of Post

British High Commission

Number of vacancies

1

Salary

ZMW 23,044.67

Start Date

1 April 2023

Other benefits and conditions of employment

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

The High Commission offers a comprehensive induction programme, including but not limited to on-the-job training, online support, mentoring and coaching and formal classroom-based learning.

Working patterns.

This is a full-time position. Flexible working hours are subject to line manager approval.

Additional information

Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.

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 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 Civil Service Success Profiles can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles

All applicants must be legally able to work in Zambia with the correct visa/status or work permit.

The successful applicant will demonstrate that they meet the requirements under Zambian law to work in Zambia.

The British High Commission in Lusaka is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.

Staff recruited locally by the British High Commission in Lusaka is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Zambian employment law.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate”.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.