Main purpose of job:

The Global Issues team within the British High Commission (BHC) Kuala Lumpur covers Foreign & Security Policy issues alongside Climate and Environment, and Science and Technology. It focuses on understanding global issues through the Malaysia prism, seeking to build relationships and influence policy in line with UK objectives through advocacy and targeted programme activity.

The Global Issues team is a diverse and highly motivated team, working on issues that continue to rise up the political agenda. We come to work to make a difference. A recent restructure as part of the wider FCDO exercise has consolidated all environment and climate work within the team, and identified the need for more resource to support UK’s programme delivery and climate engagements in Malaysia.

The jobholder will work closely with the Head of Global Issues, programme/policy leads and regional programme/finance network.

As the Programme Officer, you will develop, implement and effectively manage UK-funded programmes/projects in Malaysia, with a focus on supporting climate and sustainable development objectives. Working closely with the policy/programme leads within BHC and external partners, you will also be supporting the successful planning, design, delivery and capturing lessons learned for UK’s Multi-Year Official Development Assistance (ODA) programmes in Malaysia (eg. UK PACT, Low Carbon Energy, Future Cities, Economic Reform programmes). A key part of the role is also to support the Global Issues Team in programme finance and administrative tasks. In doing so, you will be contributing to the delivery of results in line with the British High Commission’s Country Business Plan; the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)’s International Development Strategy, and UK-ASEAN priorities.

The post will be based at the British High Commission in Malaysia, a vibrant, international organisation, committed to diversity and staff development, and also expected to visit project sites in Malaysian states where necessary.

This is an exciting opportunity to play an influential role in high-profile and strategic British development initiatives in Malaysia, which aims to have a positive impact on accelerating climate and sustainable development, as well as strengthening the relationship between the UK and Malaysia.

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

Programme Design

• Work with policy/programme leads across the BHC to design programmes/projects, in line with UK Programme Operating Framework and guidelines.
• Build understanding of UK policy priorities in Malaysia, with a focus on climate and sustainable development.
• Liaise with regional programme network to research, scope and spot opportunities for project interventions as part of new multi-year ODA programme design.

Programme Delivery

• Manage and support the delivery of programmes, with oversight from programme/policy leads, by:
• Supporting the planning and organisation of programme activities such as milestone launches, knowledge sharing events, programme committee meetings, visits or other events, by putting together programmes and managing logistics.
• Coordinating, communicating and managing relationship with key internal or external partners and stakeholders for programmes.
• Reviewing project deliverables/outputs, providing constructive input to delivery partners and ensuring quality of outputs and compliance with the programme’s terms of reference and objectives.
• Working with the Communications Team to increase reach, uptake and awareness of UK programme/project work in Malaysia.

Monitoring, Reporting, Evaluation and Learning

• Support programme leads to monitor impact of programmes, by tracking progress against the log frame, collating partner feedback, developing case studies, capturing lessons learned, performance data and impact evidence.
• Work closely with regional/global programme or policy networks to report outcomes from the programmes/projects and manage enquiries from the network.
• Manage information and documentation of various programmes by organising them on the team’s shared site to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaborative working between different teams.
• Attend programme related activity and events, participate in meetings where relevant, write reports, and do follow-up actions.
• Coordinate and organise quarterly BHC Programme Board working with programme/portfolio leads.

Finance and Administration

• Provide support to programme leads on procurement processes and managing contracts across the team.
• Manage tendering process for any external project implementers, if necessary.
• Manage project finances using accounting tools to provide accurate forecasts of spend (training provided). This includes: preparing set-up of new activities with the FCDO Regional Corporate Services Hub, updating budgets, monthly/quarterly financial reporting and monitoring financial risks.
• Develop mechanisms to monitor spend vs. forecast, regularly reviewing spends, looking at value for money (VfM) and challenging where necessary.
• Provide support on analysing financial submissions from project partners across the programme portfolio.
• Keep abreast of FCDO programme spend rules and guidance to ensure spending compliance – such that component-level risk registers and results frameworks are in place and value for money is optimised.
• Job holder will also need to take on corporate objectives, support the organisation of team activities and inward/outward visits.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Provide support to programme leads on multi-year ODA programmes. Deliver climate and sustainable development projects. Priorities and funding available are reviewed each year.

• At least 2-3 years’ experience in programme/project management and project financial management and administrative tasks.
• Personal drive and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Evidence of self-motivation, professionalism and the ability to work under minimal supervision.
• Evidence of adaptability and ability to prioritise against competing, challenging tasking.
• Good interpersonal and multi-tasking skills/aptitude.
• Confidence working with numbers and budgets.
• Confidence to express ideas clearly and concisely.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Flexibility and resilience under pressure.
• Fluent written and spoken English and Bahasa Malaysia.
• Strong knowledge in IT applications and Microsoft Office, including spreadsheets/graphs, and use of infographics for reporting.

Language requirements:

Language: English, Bahasa Malaysia

Level of language required: Fluent written and spoken

• Graduate with university degree relevant to the job (ideally but not limited to business studies or sustainable development or economics or international relations).
• Knowledge and understanding of climate or sustainable development work.
• Working experience with international projects/programmes; experience with corporate consultants or multilateral organisations will be an advantage.
• Knowledge of working with government in Malaysia.
• Experience of working in an international context.
• Basic understanding of the UK, British Government, particularly the FCDO, and the British High Commission.
• Prior experience working on issues of climate, inclusive economies or sustainable development would be a plus.

The British High Commission offers a competitive remuneration package, benefits, leave entitlement of 20 days per annum (calculated on pro rata basis) and a range of learning and development opportunities including courses, access to significant on line training materials and on the job learning and development opportunities.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is committed to developing its staff, working hard to provide a comprehensive learning and development offer. Staff have access to a wide variety of online resources through the Diplomatic Academy and Civil Service Learning. Staff are strongly encouraged to take advantage of all the available opportunities.

The job-holder will be required to take some specific training courses related to their role. All new staff undertake a workplace induction and there are a number of mandatory e-learning courses covering areas such as diversity, health and safety, and information management.

In addition to formal training, collaboration with a wide range of colleagues will deliver on-the-job learning experiences, including

• Working in a diplomatic mission;
• Understanding how UK international development assistance is managed / implemented;
• Understanding effective programme management (including Monitoring, Reporting, Evaluation, and Learning).

Working patterns:

This job is suitable for flexible working patterns.

Some evening and weekend work is required on occasions. British High Commission Malaysia Standard Terms and Conditions apply and provide for time outside of working hours to be compensated through Time Off In Lieu.

Please note that your application must be submitted before 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core competencies listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time.

Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.

Kindly check your application centre or email regularly for any update on the status of your application.

To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.