SRR - Corporate Services Manager, Finance (EO)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for a Corporate Services Manager, Finance for a fixed-term contract of two (2) years.

The jobholder will provide accurate forecasting, budget management, and financial administration, and will ensure that the KSA Network (covering Riyadh and Jeddah) meets audit requirements in preparation for MAP/ NAO audits. They will also be the line manager for two (2) staff members.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Lead on the operational management of Post’s/ Embassy’s day-to-day finances and supervision to improve/ maintain financial performance and compliance indicators (FPCI) and key performance indicators (KPIs). Actively engage with the Finance and Procurement Hubs to inform colleagues of Post’s compliance with the ‘Purchase to Pay’ model. Manage high value contracts effectively.
• Budget management and presenting financial reports to Senior Management and Partners Across Government (PAGs) as required.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of the Quarterly VAT claims for the KSA Network
• Lead on Mid-Term Financial Planning (MTFP) for the Network, liaising with stakeholders to understand financial requirements.
• Accurately forecast the annual costs for the Network and ensure the budget remains within 1% of the Network’s allocation.
• Prepare and submit Overseas Accounting Return (OAR) to the Finance Directorate.
• Manage administrative and capital spend in line with the Directorate. Actively liaise with the Network’s Account Manager in the Directorate and key stakeholders.
• Provide financial support and guidance to resident PAGs and increase awareness of policies and procedures that underpin ‘One HMG Overseas.’
• Review audit requirements and ensure all records are maintained to the correct standard.
• Maintain MAP requirements and prepare annual responses.
• Identify and maximise efficiencies and responsibilities to meet the demands of a busy Network and maintain a working knowledge of wider corporate responsibilities.
• Line manage up to two (2) staff members. Ensure the team have the right skills to complete their roles and efficiently produce reporting and invoices to support income generation and maintain the Network’s finances in line with the Directorate’s guidelines.
• Contribute to activity within the wider Embassy, including support on high profile visits and other cross-cutting corporate tasks and participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis affecting UK citizens.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future and this would be at the discretion of the line manager. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required.

Key behaviours required:

• Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications, and risks of decisions.
• Changing and Improving - Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.
• Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.
• Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.

Eligibility:

• The successful candidate must be able to secure a local residence and work permit in Saudi (iqama) OR already have the right to work and reside in Saudi.
• The British Embassy provides visa sponsorship. The successful candidate will be required to transfer their visa under the Embassys sponsorship.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Strong financial and budget management skills. Previous experience in finance management and budget management, ideally for at least two (2) years.
• Team player who is capable of working on their own initiative and manage others.
• Excellent organisational skills, including ability to organise and prioritise workload, organise records, and meet deadlines and changing priorities whilst maintaining close attention to detail and without compromising the quality of the work.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a strong customer focus. Able to maintain a range of contacts to build effective working relationships and work well with staff and teams within the Network.
• Demonstrates courtesy and consideration in dealing with all stakeholders. Able to show discretion in handling any sensitive matters, with the trust of all involved.
• A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to engage at all levels internally and with external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Teams), particularly Excel. Accurate typing and proofreading skills.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Previous line management experience.
• Familiarity with Oracle-based applications for finance and procurement (including Hyperion and OBIEE).
• Holds a relevant finance/ accounting (ACCA, CIMA, CFA, etc.) or business qualification or is currently pursuing one.
• Familiarity with UK government/ public sector processes and policies on financial and budget management.
• Experience of working in the GCC and/ or wider Middle East region.
• Familiarity or relevant experience in corporate services.
• Arabic language skills.

Required behaviours Changing and Improving, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Working Together Application deadline 6 May 2024 Grade Executive Officer (EO) Type of Position Full-time, Fixed Term Working hours per week 35 Duration of Post 24 months Region Middle East & North Africa Country/Territory Saudi Arabia Location (City) Riyadh Type of Post British Embassy Number of vacancies 1 Salary Currency SAR Salary 12,070 Start Date 1 July 2024 Other benefits and conditions of employment

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role.

Monthly salary details:

• Base Salary - SAR 9,256
• Housing Allowance - SAR 2,314 (subject to eligibility) *
• Travel Allowance - SAR 500 (subject to eligibility) *
• Total - SAR 12,070

• Allowances are not payable to staff who receive official provision for such expenditure in some other form. Spouses/ Dependents of UKBS officers working at the Embassy are not eligible to Housing or Travel Allowance.

No accommodation nor relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

This position is full-time, based on 35 hours per week. Normal working hours for the Embassy are from 08:00 to 15:00 from Sunday to Thursday, with core working hours from 10:00-15:00. Core working hours is the period of the day that employees are required to be at work. The working day outside of the core hours is a flexible period, which allows employees to choose when they work, subject to operational needs.

The jobholder will be required to be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will be dictated by operational needs and may involve working out of hours (evening/ weekend). Flexible working arrangements may be considered based on operational requirements and agreement with the line manager, and in line with FCDO and Embassy policies.

The successful candidate will be subject to a 90-day probationary period.

The successful candidate will be required to transfer their iqama under the Embassys sponsorship.

Additional information

How to apply:

Interested candidates must include with their online application form

1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV);

2) a covering letter/ motivation essay stating how you meet the requirements of the role; and

3) specific examples, in the relevant sections of the online application form, of how you meet the key behaviours required.

Applications that do not include these information will not be considered.

The closing date for applications is at 23:55 KSA local time on 06 May 2024.

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Internal candidates (i.e., those who are currently employed by the British Embassy Riyadh/ British Consulate General Jeddah) applying for this position should consider informing their current line manager upon submission of their application.

Due to the large number of applications we receive, only those shortlisted for the next step in the recruitment process will be contacted.

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

The start date mentioned in the advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances and reference checks.

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around 2-3 months. The security clearance process includes checks available in country and in the UK, dependent on the security level required for the role and the candidate’s profile and UK footprint. You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign, and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.

The British Embassy Riyadh is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Saudi Arabia employment law.

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.