British High Commission is seeking a highly skilled and motivated individual for the role of Head of Finance and Resources. The Chief Operating Officer's team, in which this role will sit, plays a critical enabling role in ensuring that DBT has the strategy, capability and capacity to deliver our ambitions in the region. In this strategic leadership role, you will be responsible for providing financial leadership, ensuring effective resource management, and driving financial sustainability across our operations. You will work closely with the Chief Operating Officer and senior leadership team to develop and implement financial strategies that support delivery.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:
Financial and resource monitoring (30%)
- Effective day-to-day leadership of DBT South Asia's c. £4.5m budget, monitoring and reviewing activity, and implementing safeguards to mitigate fraud and fiduciary risk.
- Coordinate, consolidate, evaluate and analyse DBT South Asia budget strands vs actuals on a monthly basis, leading to a final spend within +- 2% by the end of the financial year.
- Prepare accurate monthly finance and budget forensics reports to the DBT Senior Leadership Team, providing clear advice to support effective budget management decisions.
Financial leadership and provision of expertise (25%)
- Provide clear guidance to colleagues across the South Asia network on policies and procedures around financial matters, engaging with teams to drive compliance.
- Provide clear and sound advice, based on robust financial planning and budget management, to COO, HMTC and SLT on how best to maximise effectiveness from the budget.
- Provide guidance and support to colleagues in developing compelling funding proposals and budgets across marketing and communications work, research and programme bids, travel and internal and external events. This will involve supporting and leading discussion withs external suppliers on complex matters such as payment terms and conditions, ensuring HMG procurement rules are upheld.
- Support with resource planning/business planning exercises, being the clear source of advice for making the best use out of available budget and FTE headcount restraints.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with the Corporate Services Counsellor and team in New Delhi and corporate teams across the network to align processes and approaches. Provide challenge where policies and processes do not deliver for DBT in the region.
Process management and improvement (20%)
- Develop and oversee financial management processes to ensure accurate financial reporting, compliance, and risk mitigation. Provide timely and accurate strategic financial advice to the regional Senior Leadership Team and HQ finance leads.
- Conduct financial analysis, cost-benefit assessments, and risk assessments to inform decision-making and resource allocation. Present robust evidence-based financial decisions to the Senior Leadership Team for endorsement.
Lead relationship with Overseas Finance Business Partners (15%)
- Build and maintain strong relationships with HQ finance team and other stakeholders to secure funding for current and future activity, and with HQ's Intelligent Client Function team to support strong performance reporting against the One HMG framework and MoU.
- Lead monthly finance calls with HQ to apprise on the budget position, plans, risks and opportunities. Present a credible face for DBT South Asia and provide reassurance of sound financial management.
Corporate (10%)
- Play a strong corporate role across the wider HMG network in India, utilising skills and experience to support delivery of core pieces of work; marker hotel review exercise; pay review and PRP discussions.
- Collaborate with finance leads and Chief Operating Officers across HM Trade Commissioner regions to share best practice, taking a collegiate approach that drives improvements for all regions.
- Stand in for COO during absences as the main point person for the team, including with x-HMG and external stakeholders – be confident handling a broad range of queries, exercising sound judgement even when information is unclear or unknown.
Essential on arrival:
- A master's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field; professional certifications and/or at least 7 years relevant experience in financial management, preferably in the government sector.
- Proven track record of successfully managing budgets, grants, and financial operations of a large organisation.
- Strong knowledge of financial reporting standards, risk management, and compliance practices.
- Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong leadership abilities with the capacity to build and motivate high-performing teams, and matrix-manage colleagues across a range of grades, roles and locations.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Excellent team player with flexible and adaptable approach to work
- Proven record in successfully leading a team.
We will accept only online applications by 08 June 2026 (latest by 23:55 hours IST).
