Job Category : Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
Job Subcategory : Finance
Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Main purpose of the job:

This is a critical role in a busy Embassy. The jobholder will be responsible for ensuring that Corporate Services delivers financial and resource management to a high standard. He/she will provide financial leadership and upskilling – helping the embassy to be a place that delivers financial best practice. He/she will respond to the financial requests of all UK government departments using the Embassy platform with support from the Corporate Services Manager. He/she will in addition ensure the British Embassy’s estates in Senegal are maintained to a high standard.

Financial Management (70%)
The Finance Officer is responsible for the day today operation of the Embassy’s financial transactions, financial record keeping and management of the local official bank account, ensuring compliance with all guidance issued by the FCDO. The key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

-Ensuring invoices are processed and paid in a timely manner and in line with compliance requirements.
-Maintenance of the Embassy’s local financial transaction records, ensuring that an up to date, accurate, financial report is prepared on request.
-Preparing an accurate funding profile for the financial year, setting out the amounts needed each month to fund the Post bank account. Collating the funding profile, and any changes to it during the year as agreed with the Corporate Services Manager
-Be the Post focal point for any Purchase to Pay issues that will need to be resolved and will work closely with the Finance Hub in Pretoria and Manila
-Ensure all transactions are as up to date as possible in preparation for the month End Closure on the dates advised by Transaction Processing Centre.
-Prepare Monthly finance report and present to Senior Leadership.
-Liaise with medical insurance company for new staff addition or removal.

Accounting:
-Ensure bank account balances are maintained at optimal level. Monitor bank balances, return/request funds to/from the UK as necessary.
-Assist CSM in ensuring compliance with correct accounting procedures.
-In charge of the cash box : Administration and monitoring of the replenishment of the Embassy cash. Ensure appropriate cash box balances are kept by processing transfer of funds from local bank.

Finance:
-Support the CSM with budget management and financial planning.
-Prepare returns to the Hub, like: NPA, OAR, Cost Cards, etc.
-Collaborate with the Pay and Benefit Hub in Pretoria in submitting monthly Post payroll data, reviewing reports and submitting for payment
-Process social securities for local staff.

ESTATES MANAGEMENT (30%)
Leadership & Management

-Overall management of the Estates and Maintenance Section to ensure the team delivers a high-quality service.
-Management for 3 staff; support staff learning and development to develop capacity within the team

Estates Management
-Manage Embassy owned and rented properties in accordance with FCDO guidance.
-Identify suitable housing for new UKB staff.

Financial and Budget Management
-Forecast and monitor running costs related to Estates and Maintenance on a monthly basis including residential accommodation.

Asset management
-Ensure the Embassy Estates, Asset List and residential equipment is kept up to date.
-Manage the disposal of equipment following FCDO guidance.
-Maintain Embassy assets following the Planned Preventative Maintenance
-Monitor and update the Fixed Asset spreadsheet.

General section support:
-Corporate Services is a multidisciplinary team that covers many areas like Human Resources, Estates management, Protocol, IT, etc. The officer might be asked to support other areas occasionally if operations demand it.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience
Professional Accountancy qualification
-Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
-Excellent organisational skills and with a keen eye for detail.
-A minimum of three years of experience leading and managing a diverse and multi-disciplined team. Demonstrates excellent staff management skills and effective communication skills.
-IT literate and well versed in the use of Microsoft Office suite of applications.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
-At least 5 years experience working on Finance.
-Basic knowledge of local labour legislation
-Familiarity with UK culture
-Experience in working in an international environment

Required behaviours
-Delivering at Pace, Leadership, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together

Application deadline
2 May 2025