Counter Terrorism Programme Support Officer at Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO)

Main Purpose of Job:

The successful candidate will work within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Counter Terrorism and Extremism Network (CTEN). He/she will be responsible for providing programme support to ensure the effective delivery of the FCO’s counter terrorism programmes in Kenya. This role provides an opportunity to support a high profile foreign policy priority by helping tackle terrorism in line with international human rights standards.

The successful candidate will be able to use their programme support skills to deliver in a fast paced environment, responding flexibly to programme demands.  He/she will provide administrative and programmatic support to a number of counter-terrorism programmes, liaising with a wide range of colleagues within the British High Commission in Nairobi, UK Government Departments and the Kenyan security and justice sector.  The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop project management skills, including through formal training and qualifications.

Roles and Responsibilities (What is the jobholder expected to achieve?):

• Ensure the timely review and update of project documentation, in consultation with Programme Managers and Subject Matter Experts (including risk logs, stakeholder maps, Activity Based Budgets, etc.)
• Monitor programme finances in line with FCO procurement and expenditure guidelines: accurate budgeting and forecasting, processing and receipting invoices / cash expenses, etc.
• Organise training courses and workshops: booking venues, liaising with course participants to arrange attendance and travel, preparing course materials, etc.
• Organise inbound and outbound stakeholder visits: preparing agendas, arranging travel, booking hotels etc.
• In consultation with Programme Managers and Subject Matter Experts, provide regular progress reports to Programme Teams in London.
• In consultation with Programme Managers, review scheduled programme activity at regular intervals and respond flexibly to changing priorities and the operating environment, taking advantage of new opportunities for engagement.

Resources Managed (staff and expenditure):

The job holder will be responsible for the effective financial administration of CT programmes worth c. £700,000.

• Ability to plan ahead and prioritise effectively
• Excellent IT skills with a working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel
• Experience of budget management including monitoring spend and processing invoices
• Ability to produce clear and accurate work with attention to detail
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to meet deadlines in a fast paced environment
• Ability to work independently and use initiative to solve problems
• A flexible and proactive approach

• Previous experience in project management
• Previous experience working in the security/justice sector