Company Profile

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. 

Job Description

• Application deadline: 7 March 2017
• Grade: C4 (L)
• Type of Position: Fixed Term
• Duration of Post: 36 months
• Starting monthly salary: GHS 5,914 GHC
• Start Date: 3 April 2017

Main purpose of job:
This is an exciting and fast-paced job that offers real responsibility in helping manage the Corporate Services (CS) of a leading foreign mission in Ghana.

The Deputy Head of Corporate Services supports the Head of Corporate Services in the delivery of British High Commission’s (BHC) overall Corporate Services strategy and is responsible for overseeing the operational delivery of a range of Corporate Services functions in line with best practice and standards and delivering value for money.

In supporting all UK Government Departments represented in the British High Commission, he/she will:

• Lead BHC Human Resources work including Learning and Development;
• Oversee the work of the Finance Team;
• Line-management specific business-critical teams (human resources; finance and transport);
• He/she will also continue to innovate and implement change programmes– working closely with the Regional Hubs in London and Pretoria.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:
Management and leadership:

• Deputising for Head of Corporate Services during periods of absence;
• Oversee the work of the Transport, Finance and Human Resources teams, providing direction and advice while maintaining a high level of customer-satisfaction through regular engagement on change and standards;
• Management of a large and complex budget run on a day to day basis by a Finance Manager;
• Meet with key contacts (eg legal adviser etc) to ensure high quality external services and address shortfalls;

Strategic:

• Ensure quality, value for money and compliance with the UK government’s rules and annual audit (ACCA) requirements (e.g. Health & Safety, Procurement, Counter-Fraud, Accounting)
• Ensuring business continuity – particularly telephone trees and transport services;
• Identifying strategic budgetary and staffing issues including workforce planning;

Operational

• Support HCS in preparing for quarterly Joint/Post Management Board chaired by the High Commissioner and with Budgeting and forecasting;Management of budgets, including the review and approval of requisitions; 
• Monitoring quality of services (in line with the Corporate Services Charter) – including responding to feedback and overseeing six-monthly customer satisfaction survey and subsequent action plans; 

Human Resources

• Conduct policy reviews and work with HR hub on labour law and policy changes relevant to post;
• In consultation with sections and Senior Management, prepare action plan for Staff Survey Result and drive delivery of this as Learning and Development Champion. This includes:
  • Conducting Learning Needs Analyses (LNA);
  • Preparing and implementing L&D plans;
  • Managing the L&D budget;
  • Performance Management Champion:
• Communicating on FCO policies and procedures;
• Delivering Performance Management training and guidance as needed (mostly in February and September);
• Organising Appraisal Validation meetings
• Responsible for residual recruitment and formal Induction – including arrival packs etc;
• Recruitment of Interns and National Service Staff;

Required Skills or Experience

• Minimum of degree level of education
• HR Experience (minimum of 3 years);
• Knowledge of Ghanaian Labour Law;

Desirable qualifications and experience  

• Previous experience in a similar role;
• Finance/administration experience;

Required competencies  
Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Collaborating and Partnering, Managing a Quality Service