About FCDO

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) leads the UK’s work to end extreme poverty, deliver the Global Goals, and tackle global challenges in line with the government’s UK Aid Strategy. Our aid budget is spent on tackling the great global challenges – from the root causes of mass migration and disease, to the threat of terrorism and global climate change – all of which also directly threaten British interests. We are ending the need for aid by building peaceful and stable societies, creating jobs and strong economies, fighting corruption, unlocking the potential of girls and women, tackling climate change and helping to save lives when humanitarian emergencies hit. We are doing this because it is both the right thing to do and firmly in Britain’s national interest.

You will be a core member of the Human Capital Development Team working alongside experienced programme managers and with a team of experts working across health, education, WASH to drive significant and equitable improvements in human capital through strengthened shock-responsive systems which prevent maternal and new-born death, improve WASH and nutrition, and keep girls in school learning.

You will be coached and mentored to understand the various FCDO management systems, and to support and cover for programme management staff when busy or on leave. In addition, you will support the team as a whole with logistical and organisational aspects such a developing schedules, booking rooms for meetings, preparing travel plans, and helping to organise Awaydays and events. There will be significant opportunities for personal growth, with these tailored to the successful candidate.

The specific tasks for this position will depend upon the skill set of the successful candidate but may include:

Acting as Programme Support to 3 B2 Programme Officers and 1 Deputy Programme Officer

• The APO will be developed as a potential future B2 Programme Manager so will be provided with training and mentoring on programme management skills to support the HCD Programme Team as part of future workforce development.
• This will include supporting programme staff when on leave or busy– building understanding of ARIES/AMP/ etc, and assisting with improvement of VAULT organization

Providing key organizational and logistical back-up to the team

• Keep and update diary and schedules of team meetings, agendas, field visits, booking rooms, booking transport.
• Take minutes of key meetings/team meetings, help prepare PPTs. maintain wall displays and whiteboards.
• Provide support to scanning, printing, stapling and binding materials where required.

The APO may also take on additional roles

There will be opportunities to engage within People Team/Culture Club/ Gender champion, and Comms. focal point where appropriate.

The post-holder will report to FCDO Ethiopia’s HCD Deputy Programme Manager working closely with the Human Capital Development Team Leader.  There are no line management responsibilities but you will work closely with the Deputy Programme Manager to oversee the Project Officer’s inputs to the health portfolio.  

Core Behaviors that need to be evidenced in the Application Form

Managing a Quality Service

Effectiveness in this area is about being organised to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements. People who are effective plan, organise and manage their time and activities to deliver a high quality and efficient service, applying programme and project management approaches to support service delivery. At senior levels, it is about creating an environment to deliver operational excellence and creating the most appropriate and cost-effective delivery models for public services.

Working together

Actively build and maintain a network of colleagues and contacts to generate up to date health evidence, understand and influence the health policy environment, and shape effective programme delivery relationships. Demonstrated ability to act as a team player, show genuine care for colleagues and build team resilience. 

Collaborating and Partnering

People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done. At all levels, it requires working effectively, sharing information and building supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions. At senior levels, it’s about delivering business objectives through creating an inclusive environment, encouraging collaboration and building effective partnerships

Additional note

• Post open to Ethiopian Nationals/ those with the right to live and work in Ethiopia only
• Post length: Permanent
• Travel requirements: most time in Addis Ababa but with regular travel across Ethiopia to support programme implementation and oversight (when movement becomes viable again).
• Working pattern: full time (initially including home working due to Covid-19, with the option of some home-working continuing longer-term).

Job Requirements

• Some experience in relevant field
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills

How to Apply

Applicants are required to submit the following:

• Curriculum Vitae
• The names and contact details for two referees
• An accompanying write up demonstrating you fulfil the outlined civil service behaviors, providing a short statement of up to 250 words for each behavior or competency

If your written intervention is successful you will be contacted to take part in an assessment center comprising;

• Presentation
• Competency-based interview
• Short written test.

If you are invited to the assessment center you will be assessed against all three civil service competencies 

Tip: When describing how you fulfil the behaviors and competencies, consider using the “STAR” approach:

• What was the situation?
• What were the tasks?
• What action did you take?
• What was the result? 

 FCDO is committed to equal opportunities in its staffing policy and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation or disability. Selection will be on merit.  

The full Job description, Application Form, Civil Service Behaviors and Application Instructions can be found at:

www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-addis-ababa/about/recruitment