British High Commission Chief Operating Officer, DBT Jobs in South Africa
Main purpose of job:
This is an exciting time to join the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) Africa network. Our aim is to promote British trade and investment across the world which is vital for the prosperity of the UK.
DBT brings together sector, policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment in markets across the world to help businesses succeed. We have over 3,000 staff across the globe in over 100 countries.
You will join DBT Africa, a dynamic workforce of around 120 staff in nearly 20 countries, led by John Humphrey, HM Trade Commissioner, who is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Africa is exciting and energising, with many of the fastest changing and growing markets on earth. The UK has a depth of historical relationships on the continent and is Africa’s largest inward investor.
As Chief Operating Officer (COO) for DBT’s Africa network, based in Johannesburg, reporting to the Deputy HM Trade Commissioner (who is based in Addis Ababa) and working closely with HM Trade Commissioner, you will be primarily responsible for the resourcing, operational management and optimisation of the DBT Africa network centralised support functions including HR, recruitment, finance, marketing, communications and events – ensuring that the support functions contribute effectively to the development and delivery of the DBT Africa Regional Trade Plan.
This will include financial forecasting, budgeting and reporting – both internally within the region and up to DBT HQ in the UK – and also primary responsibility for developing and implementing regular compliance monitoring and reporting, including regular maintenance of the region’s corporate risk register.
As COO, you will also be a member of the DBT Africa senior leadership team (SLT) and expected to contribute fully to the development, implementation and delivery of the DBT Africa Regional Trade Plan and to the overall leadership and management of the wider network in support of the HMTC and Deputy HMTC
Roles and responsibilities:
Leadership: Provide leadership of the DBT Africa Hub team (11 people) that provides the Corporate Support (HR, Finance, Marketing, Communications, Events & Corporate Support) to network of c.120 colleagues across 20 markets in Africa, ensuring high performing support functions who contribute effectively to the development and delivery of the DBT Regional Trade Plan. Communicate across the DBT Africa network and to HQ on corporate and operational issues and as a key member of SLT.
Financial & risk management: Run a clear and efficient financial oversight function (financial forecasting, budgeting and reporting), ensuring that our resources (c. £5m) in Africa are applied effectively and support DBT strategic ambitions, demonstrating strong returns on investment and value for money. This will require balancing oversight with delegating accountability to teams and driving strong financial management practices, with regular compliance monitoring and reporting. Ensure that DBT budget is sub-delegated effectively, and together with Head of Finance, ownership of all liaison with the department’s HQ finance and audit functions (including on internal and external audits), and ensuring DBT Africa processes satisfy all financial assurance requirements. Effectively manage the COO team budget/headcount, ensuring correct processes and decisions around value for money. Support planning and delivery of activities in line with our Regional Trade Plan & ensure effective risk management is taking place within the SLT governance structures, and regular maintenance of the corporate risk register.
People & HR: Ensure accurate and effective workforce planning and help to develop and implement DBT Africa People plan. Working closely with Head of People/HR function, oversee and develop processes and programmes that ensure that DBT Africa has the capacity and capability to deliver, actively promoting leadership, learning and development and managing the talent and development pipeline that will enable the network to be successful in the medium and long term. Ensure that various HR issues and processes operate effectively in the network including: recruitment, pay, contracts, onboarding/induction, and work closely with the DBT Africa People Board to drive engagement, performance and delivery in the network
Business planning & organisational design: help lead annual business planning and the development of Regional trade plan, control and act as challenge function within SLT to ensure governance and organisational design maximise value for money, organisational change gets managed well and decisions are taken in support of the department’s vision and purpose. Design and own cross-cutting change programmes, including the multi-year organisational design work which will include implementing necessary workforce changes and strategic bids into spending reviews and in-year opportunities. Ensure that robust systems are in place to monitor regional performance against key indicators and support evidence-based decision-making.
Governance & business delivery: ensure effective running of the Executive Committee, that appropriate reporting and governance structures are in place around performance e.g. quarterly reporting back to London, bi-annual performance reviews for the network. Support a high performing Marketing, Communications and Events team to enhance the impact of business priorities and maximising impact of the network’s activities e.g. MarComms campaigns, events etc.. Ensure engagement with London/HQ is operating effectively e.g. various commissions, co-lead for the Africa Working Group. Work closely with teams in London on ministerial visit planning, Trade Envoy engagement and with corporate teams across Posts and in HQ to ensure effective running of the One HMG platform (shared service provision from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) that DBT are a key customer of (providing the HR, Estates, Finance, Security etc. provision across our markets).
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
Undergraduate degree
At least 5 years corporate experience in either the public or private sector, particularly in planning, forecasting/managing budgets and performance management
Strong problem solving skills and experience in designing and implementing new organisational structures and processes
Excellent interpersonal, team working and people management skills with track record of dealing with senior level decision makers
Self-starter with personal initiative and drive
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
Experience or knowledge of the FCDO, DBT or how Her Majesty’s Government operates overseas
Experience of working with a virtual, dispersed and diverse network or team
How to Apply
For more information and job application details, see; British High Commission Chief Operating Officer, DBT Jobs in South Africa
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