The British Council Latest Jobs Vacancies

The
British Council is the world’s leading cultural relations organization and
creates opportunities for people in the UK and worldwide to understand each
other, to work together and learn from one another. We see this as crucial to
building secure, more prosperous and sustainable futures for us all. We build
trust and understanding between different countries and cultures and develop
strong international links that are of benefit to people in Britain and the
rest of the world.

We
are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job
Title: Risk
and Compliance Analyst – West Africa
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Role Type Advisory, Policy and Expertise
Pay Band: 7/F
Duration: Indefinite
Reports to: Regional Head Risk and Compliance

Role
Purpose

This
role exists to monitor the effectiveness of financial controls, using
corporate frameworks as specified; to monitor risk levels and take
corrective action where this is required. It also acts as the first point
of contact within the region for counter-fraud activity, and will
participate in and lead regional investigations as needed drawing on the
expertise of the Central Fraud team and acting on their advice. The role
holder is accountable for recommending appropriate action to the Regional
Finance Director.
The
post-holder is accountable for Financial Risk Responses, supporting the
implementation of and monitoring the adherence to, Finance policy and
process in the cluster, providing a critical part of the feedback loop to
Regional Head Risk and Compliance.
They
will proactively analyse the control environment, identify hot spots and
‘trouble shoot’ as needed.
They
will make recommendations to Regional Head Risk and Compliance for
remediation and drive through change to meet required standards.
They
will also lead on counter-fraud planning and initiatives within their
cluster, working closely with the central counter fraud team.

Context
and Environment:

The
British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural
relations and educational opportunities. We create friendly knowledge and
understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. We do this
by making a positive contribution to the UK and the countries we work with
– changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and
engendering trust.
We
work with over 100 countries across the world in the fields of arts and
culture, English language, education and civil society. Each year we reach
over 20 million people face-to-face and more than 500 million people
online, via broadcasts and publications. Founded in 1934, we are a UK
charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body.

Internal
Operating Context-Regional:

The
SSA Business Plan sets out ambitious growth targets for both the number of
people we will work with and the income that we will generate. Turnover by
2020 is expected to be over to £90 million in SSA, driven predominately by
growth in Contract income as well as Exams and Teaching centres, despite a
declining grant funding from centre. We also expect to be more profitable,
reinforcing financial sustainability. At the same time we aim to achieve a
step-change in the quality and performance of the
British
Council’s Finance function by April 2018. This will be achieved through
more consistent standard of financial reporting enabling more informed
decision making and satisfy the standards demanded by external
stakeholders.
The
organisation will achieve this by becoming increasingly efficient and
commercial in its approach whilst maintaining its public service ethos and
charitable purpose. This will be done through the implementation of a
number of change programmes, which will result in more efficient and
simpler processes.
This
inevitably will expose the region to increased risks, which must be
carefully mitigating in a manner that allows business to continue
seamlessly.
The
successful candidate must be collaborative and proactive in approach to
successfully manage this large portfolio.

Main
Accountabilities
The role will:

Monitor
adherence with the global minimum controls standards (MCS) as defined by
Financial Governance and monitor performance on a quarterly / annual basis
as requested by Regional Head Risk and Compliance.
Spot
checking of evidence for key control and assurance tasks and escalate key
issues to Regional Head Risk and Compliance.
Agreement
and follow up of remediation actions where countries are not achieving the
required standards and escalate key issues to Regional Head Risk and
Compliance.
Implement
processes and policies to assess and/or monitor the effectiveness of risk
governance frameworks / adherence to standards as appropriate.
Assess
risk/fraud profiles within Region/Country in relation to
political/economic changes and understand how this impacts on the Global
Risk Framework.
Foster
a culture of Risk Management supported by policies and guidance.
Proactively
investigate potential problem areas and provide coaching and training to
relevant individuals/teams across the region to raise awareness and build capability
in risk management
Work
with Global teams in the identification of compliance program initiatives.
Develop
the organizations capability around risk governance, counter fraud
management and decision processes aligned with British Council’s operating
model and risk strategy.
Ensure
the highest level of compliance and accuracy of all balance sheet
reconciliations, bank reconciliations and income reconciliations.
Define
the reporting requirements to meet the needs of key stakeholders and
address key areas of risk.
Implement
a culture and process of pro-active debt collection. Identify and manage
recurrent debtors including partners and suppliers.
Ensure
all vendors are appropriately screened/credit checked as per British
Council policies.
Implement
business partner credit risk assessment tools.
Maintain
strong and effective working relationships with all areas of Risk
Management.
Schedule
regular meetings with leadership team in order to ensure a planned and
systematic approach to identify, prioritize and assess appropriate
compliance related activities.
Implement,
and ensure compliance with, Counter Fraud management strategy:
Advice,
support and conduct investigations and management of fraud cases.
Identify
enablers for fraud, to inform and improve prevention efforts.
Use
data analysis to support and inform proactive counter fraud

Key
Relationships:

Cluster
Leads
Risk
& Compliance Managers
Policy
and Process Analysts
Shared
Services Centre
Counter
Fraud Team
Financial
Governance Team

Other
important features or requirements of the job:

Requirement
to travel across the region and to the UK but should be no more than 25%.

Role
Requirements
Threshold requirements:

Passport
requirements/Right to work in country:

Country
appointed

Assessment
stage:

Shortlisting

Person
Specification
Qualifications:

Minimum
/ essential:

University
Degree in a relevant area, preferably Accounting, Auditing or Finance.

Desirable:

Formal
Training in Counter Fraud Management.
Risk
Management qualification / diploma.

Assessment
Stage:

Shortlisting

Role
Specific Knowledge & Experience
Minimum / essential:

Minimum
of 1 year of qualified experience in a relevant managerial post.
Strong
multi-tasking skills and the ability to work in what is often a
confidential, responsive, deadlineoriented and dynamic environment.

Desirable:

Counter
Fraud Management experience, including counter fraud planning and counter
fraud investigations.

Assessment
Stage:

Shortlisting:

Fluency
in written and spoken English Shortlisted candidates will either
demonstrate they have met the required standard through presentation of
an agreed English language certificate, or will be required to take the
APTIS test and demonstrate a B2 level of English proficiency.

British
Council Core Skills Assessment Stage:

Analysing
Data and Problems Level 2: Analyses patterns – Seeks out and examines a
range of information to identify patterns, trends and options, to solve
multifaceted and complex problems.
Communicating
and Influencing Level 2: IsIs creative and adaptable in communications –
Able to use a range of non-standard and creative approaches to inform, and
persuade others, extending beyond logical argument to influence decisions
and actions in a way which is inclusive and engaging.

Managing
risks:

Level
2: Supports a risk management culture – Has track record of identifying and
highlighting risks and suggesting mitigating actions.

Managing
People:

Level
1: Supervises a small team – Supervises a small team of people doing
similar jobs to deliver short term tasks to agreed quality and time
standards.

Counter
Fraud Management:

Level
1: Deliver training and build networks to raise awareness of fraud and its
prevention.

Financial
Policy:

Level
1: Identify and address the need for local variations to global policies,
in consultation with stakeholders.

Finance
Processes and Systems:

Level
1: Inform and advise on the implementation of process performance measures
and controls.

Financial
Risk Mitigation:

Level
1: Operate the process effectively to ensure significant financial risks
are identified, mitigated and reported.

Internal
Control Implementation and Assurance:

Level
1: Contribute to the development and implementation of governance
frameworks and financial controls.
Proven
risk management skills.
Strong
problem-solving skills; comfortable tackling complex problems and breaking
these down into manageable pieces.

British
Council Behaviours Assessment Stage
Working Together (More Demanding):

Creating
the environment in which others who have different aims can work together

Shaping
the Future (More Demanding):

Changing
the nature of what we do and the benefits we gain by thinking and planning
with creativity

Creating
Shared Purpose (More Demanding):

Creating
energy and clarity so that people want to work purposefully together.

Connecting
with Others (More Demanding):

Actively
appreciating the needs and concerns of myself and others.

Starting
Salary
NGN 6,271,654.00 gross.

Interested
and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Job
Title: Financial
Planning & Analysis Lead, West Africa Cluster
Locations: Lagos or Abuja
Department: Finance
Pay Band: Pay Band 7

Duration:
Indefinite
Reports to: Regional Head of Financial Planning and Analysis

Role
Purpose

To
support the Regional Head Financial Planning and Analysis in providing
professional guidance in Financial Planning and Analysis, supporting
regional Business Development Managers and providing assurance on the
underlying business financial performance.
The
post holder will be in charge of analysing and interpreting long – and
short – term financial and operational plans through management reporting,
analysis and interpretation of financial trends, impact assessment in
conjunction with the Regional Head in order to enable informed decisions.
This
post will be part of the SSA regional FP&A team that is dispersed
across the region.
The
role will support all countries and SBUs within the cluster.

Geopolitical/SBU/Function
Overview

The
SSA Business Plan sets out ambitious growth targets for both the number of
people we will work with and the income that we will generate. Turnover by
2020 is expected to be over to £90 million in SSA, driven predominately by
growth in Contract income as well as Exams and Teaching centres, despite a
declining grant funding from centre.
We
also expect to be more profitable, reinforcing financial sustainability.
At the same time we aim to achieve a step-change in the quality and
performance of the British Council’s Finance function by April 2018.
This
will be achieved through more consistent standard of financial reporting
enabling more informed decision making and satisfy the standards demanded
by external stakeholders.
The
organisation will achieve this by becoming increasingly efficient and
commercial in its approach whilst maintaining its public service ethos and
charitable purpose.
This
will be done through the implementation of a number of change programmes,
which will result in more efficient and simpler processes.
The
post holder will play a key leadership role in supporting the delivery of
the business plan through accurate annual planning, monitoring, analysis
and management reporting to the Regional Head of Financial Planning and
Analysis.

Main
Opportunities/Challenges for this Role

The
Finance function is structured along functional lines with the aim of
embedding the ‘three lines of defense’ model at its heart, clearly
separating the financial control (first line) and risk and assurance
(second line) functions, ensuring the integrity of our results and the
strength of our controls.
This
will allow the organization to focus more easily on business decision
making, strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting on the basis of accurate
monthly results.
This
is a critical advisory role where effectiveness is dependent on ability to
influence.
Personal
confidence and credibility is required to ensure advice is seriously
considered by senior members of the Regional team.

Main
Accountabilities
Accountable for the analysis and interpretation of long-term financial and
operational plans for Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone and Senegal, being
countries within the West Africa cluster, including all SBUs through management
reporting, analysis and interpretation of financial trends:

Planning,
Forecasting and Budgeting:

Lead
the planning process for Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone and Senegal, being
countries within the West Africa cluster, including all SBUs, challenging
submissions and identifying synergies and ensuring delivery to deadlines.
Provide
clear summaries of Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone and Senegal, being
countries within the West Africa cluster, including all SBUs planning /
forecasting.
Support
planning and rolling re-forecasting processes as requested by Regional
Head FP&A to ensure that information obtained from these processes is
reliable.
Support
the Regional Head FP&A in developing reporting procedures and
templates for regional and local use.
Reconciliation
and review of SAP plans before system closure.

Financial
Analysis:

Analyses
growth trends, product trends and KPIs and support the Regional Head
FP&A in making recommendations to maximise opportunities and manage
risks to ensure targets are met.

Management
Reporting:

Manage
Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone and Senegal, being countries within the West
Africa cluster, including all SBUs management reporting for consolidation
at Regional level for SBU leads and Executive Board.
Liaise
with business leads and Regional Head FP&A for any variances between
business planning and operational planning figures and provide
explanations / commentary.

Business
Performance Management:

Review
financial performance with the business leads and make recommendations for
action to address issues identified at Country or Regional levels.
Monitor
cost allocation accuracy.
Deliver
outputs within corporate and regional timelines as requested by Regional
Head FP&A.
Support
the business in relation to Master Data set up (WBS, PC, CC).

Team
Leadership:

Coach
and support individuals and teams within the cluster countries and SBUs.
Actively
support equality and diversity and work to the British Council’s EDI
policy at
all
times.

Key
Relationships:

Internal
& External
Regional
Director
Country
Directors
Cluster
Leads
SBU
Leads
Regional
Finance
Corporate
Planning Team
Corporate
Finance

Role
Requirements
Threshold requirements:

Passport
requirements/ Right to work in country: Country appointed

Assessment
stage:

Shortlisting

Threshold
requirements:

Direct
contact or managing staff working with children? : No IF YES. Appropriate
police check
Notes:
Regular travel may be required based on business needs but should be no
more than 25% within the region and occasionally overseas, especially to
the UK.

Assessment
stage:

N/a
Interview

Person
Specification
Language requirements:

Fluency
in written and spoken English – Minimum / essential
Shortlisted
candidates will either demonstrate they have met the required standard
through presentation of an agreed English language certificate, or will be
required to take the APTIS test and demonstrate a B2 level of English
proficiency. – Desirable

Assessment
Stage :

Shortlisting

Qualifications

Degree
level education. – Minimum / essential
Part
qualified with a recognized accounting body. – Minimum / essential
Fully
qualified with a recognized accounting body ACCA, CPA, ACA, CIMA or
equivalent professional accountancy qualification. – Desirable

Assessment
Stage:

Shortlisting

Role
Specific Knowledge & Experience

Minimum
2 years of experience in Operational financial management and or
management accounting. – Minimum / essential
Delivery
of results within a complex international structure and reporting to tight
deadlines. – Minimum / essential
Working
in virtual teams. – Minimum / essential
Working
in Sub-Saharan Africa. – Desirable
Experience
in finance planning and management reporting. – Desirable
Experience
working with SAP. – Desirable

Assessment
Stage :

Shortlisting

Role
Specific Skills (if any) Assessment Stage

Reporting,
planning & forecasting within a complex multi-site environment.
Ability
to explain complex financial data to non-finance people, using
non-technical language.
Advanced
excel skills including pivot tables.
ERP
systems experience (transaction level and reporting).

Assessment
Stage :

Shortlisting
AND Interview

British
Council Core Skills
Analysing Data and Problems

Level
3: Analyses patterns – Seeks out and examines a range of information to
identify patterns, trends and options, to solve multifaceted and complex
problems.

Communicating
and Influencing

Level
3: Is creative and adaptable in communications – Able to use a range of
non-standard and creative approaches to inform, and persuade others,
extending beyond logical argument to influence decisions and actions in a
way which is inclusive and engaging.

Managing
risks

Level
3: Develops the culture – Has track record of analysing potential risks,
promoting risk awareness, and holding others to account for their
practices.

Planning
and Organising

Level
3: Develops annual plans – Develops and reviews the implementation of
annual plans for a work group or function, taking account of business and
customer requirements and reconciling competing demands.

Business
Performance Management (including investment appraisal)

Level
2: Interpret management information and link to business unit strategy and
operational performance. Participate in appraisals that effectively
monitor and improve business performance.

Financial
Analysis

Level
2: Provide analysis to support decision-making, identifying key value
drivers, benefits, sensitivities, and risks and implications for
accounting.

Management
Reporting

Level
2: Interpret management information reports, identify key causes of
variances and evaluate risks and opportunities.

Planning,
Forecasting and Budgeting

Level
2: Analyse consolidated plans to facilitate effective management reviews
and decision making. Advice on master data attributes that deliver
meaningful information.

Business
Partnering

Level
2: Partner with the business to provide sound advice based on transparent,
meaningful and comprehensive management information to inform, influence
and achieve positive business outcomes.

Assessment
Stage:

Shortlisting
AND Interview

British
Council Behaviours Assessment Stage

Being
Accountable (MORE DEMANDING): Putting the needs of the team or British
Council ahead of my own.
Making
it Happen (MORE DEMANDING): Challenging myself and others to deliver and
measure better results.
Shaping
The Future (MORE DEMANDING): Exploring ways in which we can add more
value.
Working
Together (MORE DEMANDING): Ensuring that others benefit as well as me.
Connecting
with Others (MORE DEMANDING): Actively appreciating the needs and concerns
of myself and other.
Creating
Shared Purpose (MORE): Creating energy and clarity so that people want to
work purposefully together.