Head of Strategy, Assurance and Results Team at British High Commission Nairobi

Main purpose of job:

• This is an important leadership role with responsibility for heading a team of experts working across the BHC on strategy, assurance and results.
• BHC Nairobi hosts over 400 staff from 10 HMG Departments covering roles on Kenya, Somalia and the region. In line with the UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership, the BHC Country Plan goals cover mutual prosperity, security and stability, sustainable development, climate change, people to people and democracy and human rights.
• Bilateral ODA budget for 23/24 was c.£24.6. This increased in 2024/25 to £81m. BHC Nairobi work closely with the Government of Kenya at central, regional and county levels, with civil society and businesses. Our international partners include regional organisations and major multilaterals (UN, World Bank, IMF).
• The Strategy, Assurance and Results Team (START) supports BHC to do the right things in the right way and maximise the quality and credibility of our actions, by:
  • providing assurance to BHC leadership, central FCDO and the UK taxpayer;
  • generating and promoting the use of information, evidence and learning; and
  • giving expert support and advice to teams, pillars and leaders.
• We do this through facilitation and support to strategy and policy, and to programmes and ODA spend. The incoming Head will lead a team of experts on strategy, finance and assets, risk management, monitoring, evaluation and results, procurement and commercial, and safeguarding. START supports the development and implementation of strategic planning, facilitates high level discussions and decision making, and enables policy and programmes teams to track and deliver results, maximise efficiency and achieve value for money in delivering UK objectives in Kenya. It leads on BHC Nairobi risk management in line with FCDO corporate requirements and supports monitoring and learning against the Country Plan. The team provides a one-stop-shop for questions on finance, risk, safeguarding, programme management and commercial advice. It also leads on policy and programme assurance functions and relationships with scrutiny bodies (internal audit, NAO, ICAI).

Roles and responsibilities:

• Team Leadership:  Whilst START comprises experts and the Head will be expected to understand the functions of the team and how to ensure it is effective – this is primarily a leadership role. You will lead a motivated team by setting a culture of inclusion, learning and high performance and maintain an open and transparent leadership style where it is safe to challenge, and feedback is encouraged from the team. You will line manage three direct reportees and oversee a total team of eight. You will ensure staff are clear on delivery expectations and supported in doing so. You will support staff to develop their skills, confidence, capability and career development.
• You will also represent the team in high level meetings, including the team leader meetings and the Kenya Country Board, ensuring that key issues, activities and achievements on START’s work are raised.
• Strategic oversight and planning: You will oversee and promote key process and products from the team, such as finance reports, compliance dashboards, and risk and results products, to provide assurance to senior managers on the programme delivery and compliance. You will support the implementation of the Country Plan and the Strategic Partnership, supporting the monitoring and risk conversations and advising on changes required. You will support teams during key pressure points and commissions, and may be required to deputise for senior leaders. You will support discussions on ODA finance and spend  Furthermore, you will share best practice and lessons across the mission and with wider FCDO regional and HQ teams, working to ensure strategy interfaces with programmes to build a cohesive narrative and showcase a strong collective offer.
• You will also manage the Programme Board. The Programme Board meets monthly and functions as a critical part of our programme assurance and learning. It covers FCDO programmes, as well as the programmes of Partners Across Government. Tasks will include proposing a standing agenda and a forward look, ensuring the membership is inclusive and that representatives are able to attend, supporting the Development Director on chairing the meeting, managing minutes and follow-up actions. The Programme Board has been recently revised, and the TL will be expected assess the relevance and usefulness of the new agenda and format, especially in relation to the inclusion of Partners Across Government and adapt accordingly.
• You will also manage central assurance processes and commissions, especially those linked to management assurance processes and audits as well as more strategic aspects, such as the Country Business Plan.
• Programme support: You will ensure excellence in programme management, commercial performance, risk and programme financial management, resulting in higher impact influencing and programme portfolios. This includes ensuring clarity on programme roles and responsibilities, advising teams on PRoF guidelines, engaging teams on compliance/non-compliance, ensuring teams have the right support for field visits, and leading a quality assurance function for programme design and reviews. You will keep teams updated with key information from the centre, as well as providing a link back to the Centre for Delivery. You will ensure that FCDO accurately plans, forecasts and monitors programme budgets and meets targets. You will identify opportunities for learning across teams on programme compliance issues, and you will identify key areas of risk that should be escalted to the Development Director. You will support policy teams and programme leads to deliver achieve results and delivery value for money. You will lead work on identifying, classifying and engaging Centrally Managed Programmes, as well as developing mechanisms for oversight of other programmes on the BHC platform. You will help to develop a pipeline of upcoming support required from START, proactively engaging teams to identify where they need input on programme design, field visits or other key moments in the programme cycle; this will include balancing the need to ‘advertise’ the expertise and support START can offer with the demands and workload of a relatively small team. You will coordinate and work closely with team programme leads (Deputy Team Leaders), and you will support ongoing assessment of and advice on programme capability, including having oversight of PRO, SRO and Programme Manager roles across teams.
• The post-holder is expected to be flexible and respond to emerging priorities or new workstreams as required. The post will report to the Development Director.

Resources managed:

• The Head of Strategy, Assurance and Results Team will have eight staff with expertise in strategy, finance, commercial management, evaluation and risk management. Two members of the team work for both Kenya and Somalia.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• At least 3 years of leadership experience, including in challenging environments and with broad dossiers.
• At least 5 years of experience in a relevant field
• Experience of engaging internationally – often on complex and sensitive matters.
• Strong programme management experience.
• Experience of working across, diverse and engaging diverse teams, being flexible and able to adjust.
• Ability to understand and interpret complex financial, risk management and results data.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Strong knowledge of the PROF rules

Required behaviours  

• Communicating and Influencing, Leadership, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together