Finance and administrative officer - SED

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.

We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021–22 we reached 650 million people.

Pay Band: H/4 - $2.959.000 COP

Contract Type: Fixed term for the duration of the project (9 months approx. Subject to the signing of a partnership agreement with a public stakeholder.)
Location: Bogota

Vacancies: 2

Department: Cultural Engagement

Right to Work Requirements: Right to Work in Colombia. The British Council is not able to support or sponsor work visa applications.

Closing Date: advert will close on Thursday March 30, 2023 at 23:59 Colombia time.

Note: you are welcome to upload your supporting statement in English, Spanish or Portuguese, whichever you prefer; however, if invited to interview, this will be fully in English and with an interview panel. English proficiency may be assessed before inviting for interviews.

Role Purpose

To monitor and report on expenditure, income, and costs of a medium-scale project with the local education authority in Bogota. The post holder is expected to plan and monitor the delivery of the financial execution goals of the project.

Main accountabilities but not limited to the following

• Manages financial tools for planning, monitoring, and reporting of expenses, costs, and variables of the budget from the assigned project according to the British Council and stakeholders’ policies.
• Monitors cash flow and budget forecast for the assigned project according to the stakeholder’s requirements and the British Council’s policies.
• Supports the project manager in the monitoring of all financial variations, thus anticipating and mitigating risks.
• Is accountable of the payment chain to suppliers - generation of purchase orders (POs), invoice processing, and payment confirmation.
• Keeps record in SAP and the approved British Council sites of the information related to the financial execution of the project (accruals, journals).
• Prepares financial reports including supporting documents to external partners under the supervision and approval of the head of Schools and project manager, including detailed reports of withholding taxes to DIAN, and according to the stakeholders and the British Council policies.
• Responsible for data management including timely data entry, quality assurance of data, undertaking basic analysis of monitoring data, and developing progress reports to meet needs of funders.
• Manages grants administration, selection & evaluation and procurement processes.
• Manages events-based activities and trainings within the project.
• Participates in meetings to report budget performance of the assigned project (internally and externally).
• Manages relationship with vendors and suppliers and holds them to account for delivering services.

Requirements of the role

• Three (3) years of proven experience in financial, administrative and/or control management.
• At least one (1) year of experience in the administration of contracts and suppliers.
• University degree in economics, administration, accounting, engineering, math, finances, or related areas.
• CEFR A2 level of English.
• CEFR C1 level of Spanish.

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement

The British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to make sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment.  We want to address under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability.  All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with.  We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989.

Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed; these will include qualification checks, reference checks, identity & criminal record checks in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you have any problems with your application please email askhr@britishcouncil.org

Please note: Applications to this role can only be considered when made through the Apply section of our careers website. Our ‘ASK HR’ email is only to be used in case of a technical issue encountered when applying through the careers website. Emails with supporting statements and CV/Resumes sent to this email address will not be reviewed and will be deleted.