Director Resources Lebanon & Levant Compliance Advisor

  About Us The British Council was founded to create friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and the wider world. We call this work cultural relations.  We work in more than 100 countries, connecting millions of people with the United Kingdom through programmes and services in the English language, the arts, education and society. We believe these are the most effective means of engaging with others, and we have been doing this work since 1934.   Job Title Director Resources Lebanon & Levant Compliance Advisor Directorate or Region Lebanon Department Resources Team Location of post Beirut Pay Band Grade E/Band 8 Reports to Country Director Lebanon Duration of job Two years   Purpose of job: The role involves the development, implementation and optimization of the Business Support Services functions, providing strategic management and working alongside the Country Director, strategic business unit leads and Levant countries’ Finance Managers. As part of the Lebanon Senior Management Team, this role will lead on all resources aspects of the British Council Lebanon operation and provide strategic inputs on specific areas of financial management and compliance for the Syria team (dispersed team of 10, with four based in Lebanon).  Reporting to Country Director Lebanon, the post holder will be the lead and senior responsible officer for the following:   Provide oversight, professional expertise, strategic management and insight to the financial operations of the British Council Lebanon operation and dispersed Syria team, ensuring compliance in all areas including procurement. Strengthen the programme management of FCR contracts and business partnership projects in the Levant Cluster through oversight of contract/project delivery compliance with international financial and procurement standards; and provide strategic financial and compliance inputs to Levant cluster country programme teams (Jordan, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, Syria and Yemen) on tender preparations and client and internal reporting. Manage risk across all aspects of the Lebanon operation and reporting in line with corporate procedures. To lead the Finance function ensuing that compliance standards are implemented and sustained and financial risks are managed Actively provide direct management and effective strategic leadership of human resources for the British Council Lebanon and Syria teams. Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for the operation in all aspects of estates/premises management.   Context and Environment:  The MENA region is facing a time of unprecedented challenge and opportunity.  The landscape of the region is changing dramatically and the British Council is responding by developing a range of responses through our cultural relations work that meets young people’s concerns about making their voices heard in an inclusive and equitable society whilst improving their prospects for employment and a better life.  There is a particular need to respond to the needs of Syrian refugees across the Levant.  We are doing this through our programmes and donor funded/co-funded contracts in English, Education, Society and Arts.      In Lebanon and the Levant cluster (Jordan, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, Syria, Yemen) as well as in the wider region, we have developed an ambitious strategy of growing our impact through focusing and prioritising our work in partnership with governments, NGOs, and international donors and agencies.  This role has a strong focus on ensuring we plan effectively and monitor performance against those plans, highlighting risks and opportunities on a quarterly basis and supporting operational teams in the Levant cluster to understand and manage performance against targets.   British Council Lebanon employs 52 staff, including five regional and four Syria posts, and our portfolio spans our main sectors of English, Education, Society and Arts.    Key Deliverables: In line with our 2020 strategy and our growing portfolio of client-funded contracts in an increasingly challenging environment, this senior post plays a key role for the Levant Cluster in ensuring effective costing, financial compliance, risk management and reporting of these projects and programmes in accordance with client and British Council standards.   The post holder is a member of the Lebanon Country Leadership Team (CLT - one of four members).  S/he will lead a team of 10 people, line managing three directly.    Accountabilities, responsibilities and main duties:   Strategic financial management of the Lebanon office and dispersed Syria teams.  Advise and support Levant cluster country programme and donor funded/co-funded contract teams in the preparation and monitoring of budgets/costings for client-fundedcontracts across all sectors; and by monitoring and advising on compliance with international financial and procurement standards.  As a member of the Lebanon Country Leadership Team (CLT), provide the necessary guidance and information to ensure that Country Director Lebanon, budget and programme managers use the financial tools to greatest effect and ensure that finances are managed to minimum risk and in line with corporate and client procedures.  Ensure compliance with policy and corporate standards. Monitor financial indicators and establish financial tools and control policies in liaison with Country Director Lebanon and CLT to audit standards. Oversee the Lebanon Financial Control Compliance Framework (FCCF) process and ensure compliance on a monthly and quarterly basis, highlight risks areas and engage the relevant staff as appropriate. Ensure that the Lebanon Finance Team is operating efficiently and effectively in line with corporate standards. Provide all necessary support for the completion of costing models for new contracts in the Levant cluster.   Ensure all contract proposals have been suitably costed to support the cluster in achieving its management targets, advising operational colleagues on financial adjustments that could bring about any necessary changes. Ensure financial compliance for all donor funded/co-funded contracts in the cluster and support in the preparation of financial reports. Ensure procurement meets client and British Council standards and requirements for the Lebanon and Syria teams, and Levant Cluster contract & project teams. Ensure understanding and compliance with all tax and status requirements for British Council Lebanon. Ensure high quality and timely reporting to British Council regional leads and corporate leadership. Monitor and update risk compliance across all areas in accordance with corporate standards.   Examine monthly financial reports and Quarterly Business Review (QBR) reports, taking appropriate action to eliminate risk.   Strategic management of premises, security, IT and transport to meet corporate standards, ensuring health and safety standards, environmental standards and local legislation requirements are met.  Oversee implementation of the administration and security services within British Council Lebanon. Lead the Business Support Team and ensure premises’ administration, security and transport requirements are provided in line with British Council standards to the satisfaction of stakeholders and that is operating efficiently and effectively to the satisfaction of the Country Director. Strategic planning and contingency planning for changes in the operation, including growth, contraction and response to any security concerns.   Human Resources management Lead the HR function including implementation of HR policies and procedures for the Lebanon and Syria and ensure compliance with corporate HR standards and policies, EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) policies and British Council values, as well as providing regular data to corporate/regional HQ. Provide advice and support to line managers and CLT on complex HR issues. Advise on and liaise with local experts, including lawyer and tax advisors, on local legislation in reference to labour law and any other issues that may directly impact the smooth running of operations in Lebanon.   Key relationships:   Internal: All British Council Lebanon staff and dispersed Syria team The Lebanon Country Director and Country Leadership Team (CLT) Levant Cluster Lead, MENA Business Director, Country Directors,  Programme Managers and donor funded/co-funded Contract Managers in Levant Cluster countries. British Council regional and corporate Finance, HR and Business Support leads.   External Key suppliers (e.g. security services, lawyers, tax advisor, banks, building landlords, service providers) Key ministries/local authorities, international organisations in Lebanon and the British Embassy   Other important features or requirements of the job This job may involve some international travel.   There will be times when the postholder is expected to work a significant number of additional hours.  This will be compensated at other times when there are fewer commitments.  The post holder may be expected to other operational work related activity outside normal working hours.   Please specify any passport/visa and/or nationality requirement. Post holder must be eligible to work in Lebanon. When required, successful candidate needs to secure, at his/her own cost and liability, the appropriate work and residency permits and any other required document, as well as any renewals thereof, from the Lebanese competent authorities. Please indicate if any security or legal checks are required for this role. In line with local legislation               Person specification     Essential Desirable   Assessment stage Behaviours Connecting with Others (most demanding) Actively appreciating the needs and concerns of myself and others Being Accountable  (most demanding) Showing real dedication to the long-term mission of the British Council Creating Shared Purpose (most demanding) Inspiring others to want to take a specific role as part of a shared purpose Working Together (most demanding)  Creating the environment in which others who have different aims can work together   Interview               Making it Happen (more demanding) Challenging myself and others to deliver and measure better results Shaping the Future (more demanding) Looking for ways in which we can do things better   Required for the role but not assessed during the application stage   Skills and Knowledge Managing people Manages a team: provides full line management to a team where all members are working in a similar area of expertise or business.  Scope includes planning, setting objectives, role modeling an inclusive culture, recruitment, development and performance management.   Managing finance and resources Plans and deploys resources: negotiates and agrees the resources for a defined area as part of forward planning, monitoring progress and adjusting resources or priorities to meet goals.   Managing Risk Develops the culture: has track record of analysing potential risks, promoting risk awareness, and holding others to account for their practices.   HR knowledge Excellent working knowledge of Lebanon legal HR requirements and experience of working within HR global frameworks and of implementing policies and procedures. Knowledge of strategic human resource functions.   Fluent in written and spoken English (C1 or above)     Fluent in written and spoken Arabic                                                                             Shortlisting and interview               Shortlisting and interview               Shortlisting and interview           Shortlisting and interview       Shortlisting and/or interview     Shortlisting and interview               Experience 6 years’ experience in resources management and leadership, 3  years in a senior role.  This should include:  financial management and reporting (including understanding and experience of donor funded/co-funded programmes, budget management, compliance and reporting), and Human Resources.     Shortlisting and interview Qualifications University degree and/or professional qualification in Finance or proven equivalent senior finance knowledge and experience Equivalent professional experience in Human Resources.   Relevant postgraduate degree / qualification Shortlisting The role involves the development, implementation and optimisation of the Business Support Services functions, providing strategic management and working alongside Country Director Lebanon, strategic business unit leads and Levant countries’ Finance Managers and Programme teams to ensure financial compliance.  Lead the HR function including implementation of HR policies and procedures for the Lebanon and Syria and ensure compliance with corporate HR standards and policies, EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) policies and British Council values.   There is a particular need to respond to the needs of Syrian refugees across the Levant.  We are doing this through our programmes and donor funded/co-funded contracts in English, Education, Society and Arts. In Lebanon and the Levant cluster (Jordan, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, Syria, Yemen) as well as in the wider region, we have developed an ambitious strategy of growing our impact through focusing and prioritising our work in partnership with governments, NGOs, and international donors and agencies.  This role has a strong focus on ensuring we plan effectively and monitor performance against those plans, highlighting risks and opportunities on a quarterly basis and supporting operational teams in the Levant cluster to understand and manage performance against targets.   British Council Lebanon employs 52 staff, including five regional and four Syria posts, and our portfolio spans our main sectors of English, Education, Society and Arts.