Programme Manager HEO, Green Cities and Infrastructure Programme

Main purpose of job:

• The Green Cities, Infrastructure and Energy Centre of Expertise (GCIE COE) is looking for one Higher Executive Officer in Programme Management to support the delivery of the Green Cities and Infrastructure Programme (GCIP). This exciting initiative will provide a comprehensive technical assistance offer to developing countries on low-carbon infrastructure and climate-smart urban development.
• GCIEP is the main delivery mechanism of the GCIE COE, established by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and is part of the FCDO’s Economic Development and Partnerships approach – the UK’s economic and development offer to partner countries. GCIEP provides comprehensive technical assistance offers to developing countries on low-carbon infrastructure and climate-smart urban development. In the Horn of Africa, GCIEP aims to build new UK Government projects for the short, medium and potentially long-term on area such as transport, energy sector, digital connectivity and others.
• This new position, based in the British Embassy Addis Ababa, sits within the Climate, Economy, Trade and Investment Team within the Embassy. The Postholder will work closely with the Energy and Infrastructure Adviser, a new position at post, which is also funded by the Green Cities, Infrastructure and Energy Programme to help lead the implementation of the GCIP in the Horn of Africa (mostly Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somaliland, with a potential to engage in additional countries). This will include: shaping GCIEP’s strategy for the Horn of Africa, in line with the UK Government’s International Development White Paper , published November 2023; ensuring high quality, value for money delivery of GCIEP projects in the Horn of Africa, identifying opportunities for new programme interventions; establishing and maintaining a strong stakeholder network of GCIEP partners across the Horn of Africa ; coordinating GCIEP engagement across the UK’s Ethiopia network; and contributing to smooth programme and budget management and reporting.
• As part of this role, you will need to maintain good working relationships with FCDO offices (especially in Ethiopia and Djibouti and in the UK) and external stakeholders, in particular Price Waterhouse Cooper (PWC) consortium that is delivering most of GCIEP. Good stakeholder management is key.
  The postholder will have substantial responsibility, and the opportunity to influence the design and delivery of a high-profile political priority. The role combines diplomacy and international development delivery, including on the UK’s International Climate Finance commitments.
• The post holder will be expected to develop strong links with other colleagues working on global issues across the British Embassy, including climate, trade and investment, energy sector and macro-economic reform, and with colleagues from the Department for International Trade.
• The post holder should be willing to undertake duty travel within Ethiopia and the region.

Roles and responsibilities:

We all have a responsibility to embrace the changes of the FCDO as it transforms, building the culture we want to see and delivering our cultural statement in how we lead and behave towards others; how we make decisions and how we get the job done is everyone’s responsibility. In this role you will also be responsible for:

GCIP Stakeholder engagement (30%)

Engage and manage relationships with relevant ministries and state governments in Ethiopia and Djibouti to design and implement the programme. Support the Climate, Economy, Trade and Investment Team to develop deeper energy and transport collaboration with Ethiopia, at national, state and local level, fostering relationships across the Government of Ethiopia.  Responsibilities include:

• Prompt strategic, regular communications with key stakeholders in the UK, Ethiopia and Djibouti and other regional stakeholders to facilitate best practice sharing where appropriate.
• Publicly represent the British Embassy and the UK Government as a credible interlocutor in energy and infrastructure related engagements as necessary.
• Ensure coordination between UK cities, energy, transport and sustainable infrastructure programmes and initiatives supported by other donor agencies, identifying opportunities for multilateral cooperation where possible
• Proactively seek cross-team collaboration opportunities amongst the British Embassy teams to continue supporting a mainstreamed approach in bilateral programmes.

Project Delivery (50%)

• Managing programme/project delivery of the Green Cities, Infrastructure and Energy  Programme (GCIEP) in line with the FCDO Programme Operating Framework.
• Working at pace, ensuring GCIEP delivers on time.
• Ensuring PWC and other delivery partners meet their milestones, and reporting is high quality and on time, demonstrating the impact of the GCIP.
• Managing financial aspects of the GCIP: budget forecasting, monitoring and budget allocation of individual projects and the overall programme
• Managing and monitoring risk using Excel and the Aid Management Platform (AMP) escalating when necessary.
• Working closely with teams at the BHC, Posts, FCDO UK offices and with other programme managers across other Centres of Expertise.
• Ensuring appropriate monitoring and evaluation framework is in place across all projects.
• Work with partners and Comms & Press Affairs colleagues to develop effective communications inputs.
• Remain flexible and open to engage on new areas as and when they arise.

Cross-HMG working to contribute to corporate goals (20%)

• Play an active part in the corporate life of the British High Commission.
• Candidates who secure a role that is considered specialist/technical, may be required to affiliate to the relevant specialist network, if not already a member.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• The role will have no management responsibility for staff but will account and manage expenditure. The role will manage the programme budget.

• Language requirements: English and Amaric – Level of language required: Fluent in oral and written English and Amaric
• Proven programme management experience, and Microsoft Office literate