Recent Career Opportunities at British High Commission (BHC), July, 2019

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

 

Job Title: Technical Adviser to NCDC Director General (Management and Operations) (30/19 ABJ)

Location: Abuja
Grade: D6 (L)
Type of Position: Fixed Term
Duration of Post: 18 months
Type of Post: British High Commission
Job Category: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory: Global Issues Team
Start Date: 1 September 2019

Main Purpose of the Job
Accountable to the Director General (DG) of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), this position’s primary responsibility is ensuring organisational effectiveness by providing technical leadership for NCDC’s human resource (HR), organisational development and operational functions.

• To provide a high level professional HR support to NCDC Directorates to support the delivery of business plans, including the provision of specialist expertise on HR, Employee Relations (ER) and Organisational Development (OD) issues
• To ensure that all HR practices are embedded to support the delivery of NCDC’s mandate/objectives and provide senior leadership across the Directorates
• To ensure that the operational and transformational HR/ER services are aligned within NCDC directorates to promote partnership working as relevant, and the delivery of a proactive service
• To support the DG in ensuring that operations, infrastructure, IT, are fit for purpose and in keeping with times
• To take a lead role in driving the HR/ER agenda forward throughout the organisation, working in partnership with Directorate heads, union representatives, staff and relevant NCDC partners in ensuring that NCDC is an employer of choice and adopting excellent employment practices
• This will include the breadth of human resource, employee relations and operational functions of NCDC, as well as other relevant tasks.
• Working with the management team, the position will lead the development and implementation of systems for the organisational development of NCDC as well as human resource and employee relations policies and practices.

Roles and Responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?

• The Technical Assistant to the NCDC DG (Management and Operations) will form strong linkages across NCDC Directorates to ensure optimal operational contribution of all directorates involved in delivering and/or supporting the delivery of NCDC programmes and activities:

The Technical Adviser to the NCDC DG (Management and Operations) is responsible for:

• Leading the development and driving the implementation of relevant HR and Employee Relations policies and strategies that take account of existing employment legislation
• Working with NCDC Directorates, senior management and their teams to ensure that workforce requirements are identified, with support planned and delivered in a timely manner supported by a good understanding of relevant business plans
• Proactively facilitating and delivering improvements to services working collaboratively with Line Managers to achieve the desired business plan outcomes
• Providing advice and guidance to directorate heads and line managers on the development of job descriptions, appraisals
• Supporting the management of the HR interface with management, line managers and staff, providing advice and support on employee relations issues such as grievance, disciplinary, fair treatment and absence management procedures, ensuring problems are identified and resolved quickly.
• Ensuring the provision of a consistent professional service across all directorates underpinned by sound knowledge and principles of good practice
• Developing the management capabilities of line managers, coaching and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to handle staff management responsibilities in line with NCDC’s strategic direction
• Acting as an advocate for change for all NCDC employees by educating, informing and coaching staff and management where appropriate
• Developing and actively supporting the delivery of organisational development interventions that support business delivery
• Working with the Director of Administration to ensure that programmes are in place to develop people management skills of NCDC staff and identify skills gaps
• Working with the Director of Administration in implementing staff engagement practices, ensuring a proactive approach to addressing issues raised by staff
• Embedding staff health and wellbeing initiatives within NCDC
• Working in partnership with the Director of Administration and wider HR Team to develop interventions to address the leadership and management agenda within NCDC that promote cultural change and supports appropriate behaviours and values
• Supporting the management and improvement of the efficiency of Support Services and ensuring effective business management. This will include business planning and performance reporting, risk management, business continuity, change management, sustainable practices, HR processes for staff, and health and safety.
• Leading continuous organisational development and service improvement for NCDC.
• Supporting the delivery of a workforce development strategy for NCDC, including ensuring sufficient resourcing for the work of staff, staff development and succession planning.
• Providing operational advice and support to NCDC DG and others for effective programme delivery.
• Carrying out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the DG of NCDC.
• Problem solving challenges to the efficient and effective running of the work of NCDC
• Taking a significant role in long-term planning, including an initiative geared toward operational excellence, including development of long-range forecasts and maintenance of long-range organisational delivery plans.
• The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

• Graduate / postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject or an equivalent level of relevant experience (Public Administration, Personnel Management, Human Resource Management, etc.)
• Additional qualification or relevant experience in project management, public sector administration, health or other relevant field or equivalent experience.  Good knowledge of management.
• Comprehensive knowledge of organizational effectiveness and operations management.
• Experience in an organisation with complex stakeholder interactions
• Knowledge of the public health sector
• Experience of business planning development, monitoring and reporting on performance
• A commitment to social justice and the mission of the NCDC.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written) and the ability to nurture relationships, network and work in effective partnerships with complex stakeholders
• Innovative – ability to find solutions to challenging problems
• High level of organizational skills – able to organise, plan, prioritise and deal with conflicting demands and pressures in a faced paced environment.
• Capable of providing and receiving highly complex, sensitive and contentious information, and presenting information to a wide range of stakeholders
• Able to manage work and large complex projects across a number of functions and staff, including effective delegation.
• Able to negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change, and challenge/debate on issues of importance to NCDC
• Demonstrated leadership and vision – ability to manage and lead groups and major projects or initiatives. Lead and work effectively as part of a team
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative management style, with ability to understand differing perspectives
• Excellent computer skills and proficient in excel, word, outlook, and access
• A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace

Desirable Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Experience of partnership working – linking with staff across varied organisational functions to address inter-dependencies and ensure alignment
• Experience of managing projects with multiple partners
• Experience of leading change management

Required Competencies:

• Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Building Capability for All, Managing a Quality Service

Remuneration
Starting monthly salary: NGN 1,665,377.60

Other benefits and conditions of employment

• Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
• Participate in all mandatory training as required
• Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with the CEO of NCDC through the appraisals process and/or attending internal / external training events.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

 

 

Job Title: Technical Laboratory Adviser to NCDC Director General (National Reference Laboratory Management) (31/19 ABJ)

Location: Abuja
Grade: D6 (L)
Type of Position: Fixed Term
Duration of Post: 18 months
Type of Post: British High Commission
Start Date: 1 September 2019
Job Category: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory: Global Issues Team

Main Purpose of Job

• Accountable to the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), this position’s primary responsibility is ensuring organisational effectiveness and efficiency by providing operational support to the management of the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) in Gaduwa, Abuja, as well as the Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) in Lagos.
• The core input from this role will be leadership support and effective operational management of NRL and CPHL, working alongside the laboratory Director.

Roles and Responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?
The Technical Adviser to the NCDCDG (NRL Management) responsibilities will include:

• Support the further development and management of the NRL and CPHL, ensuring excellence in practice, service delivery and appropriate scientific and technical performance at all times.
• Support documentation of laboratory activities, especially the completion of the laboratory strategy and implementation plan
• Support the development of management processes such as supply chain monitoring plan for the laboratories
• Taking the responsibility for supporting the daily management of the scientific/technical staff to ensure the successful and effective operation of the laboratories.
• Providing theoretical and practical programme management input to ensure the overall output of the laboratory is of a high quality, appropriate, relevant, consistent and reliable
• Resolving complex and urgent problems within the laboratory and assisting/leading in resolving complicated problems involving other NCDC departments and wider service users.
• Support the budgetary control of laboratory services to ensure best use and management of financial resources.
• Support the development of policies and strategies that ensure effective and efficient day-to-day operational work
• Helping to ensure the laboratories have available to them the relevant equipment and space required to implement and deliver the strategies and policies supporting day-to -day operational work.
• Engaging widely with NCDC laboratory service users to seek input into setting strategic objectives and identifying new ideas and improved ways of working
• Working with others to define the strategy to ensure the laboratories maintain and develop as a centre of excellence in Public Health laboratory services in liaison with the senior management team
• Participating in the activities of relevant NCDC/Laboratory committees, working groups and other expert groups as required.
• Developing, implementing and promoting high standards of quality customer care to both internal and external customers
• Supporting the development and delivery of innovative services and alternative ways of working to ensure continuous improvements in service delivery
• Carrying out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the DG of NCDC.
• You will be required to provide laboratory or other cover in times of operational difficulty.
• The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organization.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject.
• Member of relevant professional body
• Demonstrate commitment to own Continued Professional Development (CPD)
• Extensive experience of working in a diagnostic/testing laboratory
• In depth understanding of relevant laboratory policies, standards and guidelines, including those relevant to quality control/assurance and accreditation processes
• Leadership and management experience including target setting, selection,
• training and development
• Knowledge of the NCDC and the wider Nigerian public health sector and laboratory network
• Understanding of budget management
• Experience of partnership working – linking with staff across varied organisational functions to address inter-dependencies and ensure alignment
• Experience of working with Laboratory Information Management System
• Experience of working with information technology using Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards and a diverse workplace

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience:

• Additional qualification or relevant experience public health or other relevant field or equivalent experience.  Good knowledge of laboratory management.
• Experience of participation in research and development projects
• Experience of leading change management

Required Competencies:

• Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Building Capability for All, Managing a Quality Service

Remuneration
Starting monthly salary: NGN 1,665,377.60

Other benefits and conditions of employment:

• Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
• Participate in all mandatory training as required
• Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with the CEO of NCDC through the appraisals process and/or attending internal / external training events.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: Project Support Officer

Job ref.: 29/19 ABJ
Location: Abuja
Grade: B3 (L)
Type of Position: Fixed Term
Duration of Post: 18 months
Start Date: 1 September 2019
Type of Post: British High Commission
Job Subcategory: Global Issues Team
Job Category: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Policy & Political roles)

Main Purpose of Job

• The post-holder will provide support to the Senior Public Health Advisor to ensure the coordination and delivery of identified outputs, playing a crucial role in supporting the various projects within the workplan agreed with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, ensuring activities are delivered to time, within scope and resource allocation.
• The post-holder will also support a number of PHE technical teams including (but not limited to) the National Infection Service (NIS) and the Emergency Response Department.
• This post offers an excellent opportunity to gain exposure and experience of working in a fast paced and innovative environment and is an ideal chance for someone looking to begin a career in project and programme management.
• The ideal candidate must have a flexible approach to meet the needs of the service, be able to work to tight deadlines, be a good multitasker and be able to handle a number of competing priorities at any one time.
• This post will be based in Abuja with possible travel to other areas of Nigeria as relevant.

Roles and Responsibilities 
Communication and relationship skills:

• Provide comprehensive administrative support to the IHR Programme in Nigeria country lead and team
• Provide information and advice in a timely manner
• Provide an effective and professional service when liaising with colleagues, partners, stakeholders and the public using tact and diplomacy to encourage effective working when dealing with any communication difficulties
• Communicate with a wide range of health and other professionals both locally, nationally and internationally
• Manage incoming correspondence and emails, including that of a confidential and sensitive nature, exercising independent judgement in order to initiate appropriate action
• Liaise and negotiates with staff and other teams to support the efficient running of projects and business functions including communications
• Respond to enquiries from key stakeholders to provide information in line with agreed protocols and procedures
• Provide PA cover as and when required

Analytical and Judgement Skills:

• Make judgements and provide information involving a range of job-related facts or situations some of which require analysis and comparison of a range of options.
• Assess and prioritise own workload within given timeframe, to meet project schedules
• Identify errors or problems, take action as necessary to resolve and/or notify country lead
• Monitor progress of defined aspects of specific projects and business processes, identifying problems or opportunities, take action as necessary and/or notify country lead
• Provide a diary management service with the ability to resolve conflicting diary appointments and schedules
• Provide inbox and diary management to senior colleagues as and when required by the service
• Support projects by developing and identifying resources required, ensuring all materials and resources are current and appropriate

Planning and Organisational Skills:

• Provide high level administrative support to relevant staff of IHR Programme in Nigeria
• Manage/ support the planning of meetings, events and conferences, working with the local provider.
• Summarise correspondence, reports and compile letters, both routine and ad hoc, ensuring that deadlines are met
• Develop manage and maintain office systems, including paper and electronic files, ensuring that information is appropriately and securely stored, filed and retrievable
• Take and transcribe informal and formal minutes
• Plan and organise defined aspects of project delivery under the guidance of the country lead
• Manage own workload and activities, including emails and diary management of other relevant team members,
• Prioritise, prepare and dispatch documents as required
• Carry out other administrative tasks that fall within the competencies of the post holder in order to provide cover when required
• Set up and maintain internal and external distribution lists

Human Resources:

• Provide support to the management of personnel procedures (e.g. annual leave recording, study leave requests, sickness absence etc.)
• Participate in self-development to continually improve performance/systems and undertake development activities that are identified

Other:

• The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.
• The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and the PHE
• It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent).
• Previous experience in similar role in project/ programme management in public sector or with bilateral/multilateral organisations.
• Good working knowledge and experience in the management of project and office procedures some of which are non-routine
• Good experience of diary and inbox management
• Understanding of information governance and security
• High proficiency and knowledge in the use of MS Office Suite
• Knowledge of telephony systems
• Good understanding of the use and maintenance of general office equipment
• Experience of organising events/conferences/workshops
• Presentation skills
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Good keyboard skills
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team, as well as on own initiative
• Ability to produce work of high quality and accuracy to deadlines
• Ability to work under pressure
• Awareness of data protection and confidentiality requirements
• Willingness to travel
• Good organisation, prioritisation and time management skills
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems

Desirable Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Knowledge/experience of project/programme management
• High level of numeracy

Required Competencies:

• Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering Value for Money, Managing a Quality Service

Remuneration
Starting monthly salary: NGN 514,764.63

Other benefits and conditions of employment:

• Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
• Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with the Country lead through the appraisals process and/or attending internal / external training events.
• Participate in all mandatory training as required

Deadline: 22nd July, 2019.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Additional Information
Public Health England (PHE) recently began working with Nigeria’s Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to improve and strengthen International Health Regulations capability. A Senior Public Health Advisor for PHE is based in Abuja to support delivery of this objective.  The post of Project Support Officer is being recruited to work closely with the Senior Public Health Advisor, to provide day-to-day logistical and administrative assistance.

Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.

• Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
• The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.
• Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Abuja are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Nigeria.
• All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.
• The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;
  • Obtain the relevant permit
  • Pay fees for the permit
  • Make arrangements to relocate
  • Meet the costs to relocation

The British High Commission do not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so.

• Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
• Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-frameworkPlease note:  AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
• Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.

Note: Please take note that the duration of this contract is up to 31 March 2021