International Development Jobs in North West
About the FCDO Centre of Expertise: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in partnership with Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) has established a Centre of Expertise (CoE) to serve as an authoritative source of expertise, insightful informational resources, analysis, evidence, and advice on “what works” to support democratic governance around the world.
Programme Manager - Centre of Expertise
The Programme Manager will work under the guidance of the Head of the Centre of Expertise to support the delivery of Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD’s) role in the Centre of Expertise, leading on the procurement, contracting, monitoring and management of WFD Experts.
They will play an important and vital role within the team responsible for directly responding to requests from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) posts for expertise in democratic governance and for managing the deployment of experts where in-country visits are part of the terms of reference.
About You
To be successful in this position, you will be an experienced Programme Manager with the following skills and experience.
Strong Programme Management experience and skills: At least five years’ proven track record in programme management, or in procurement or contracts administration with a background ideally in the international development sector.
- Previous experience working with the FCDO or on an FCDO-funded programme.
- Confidence in drafting and negotiating contracts.
- Good understanding of business processes including the outsource of procured services.
- Experience of implementing or strengthening processes to improve efficiency.
- Experience of and strong abilities in financial administration.
- Experience of working and supporting teams working remotely and cross-collaboration between multiple departments.
- Excellent time management, including ability to prioritise tasks and working to deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to foster good working relationships.
- Well-developed oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent technical knowledge of Microsoft 365 Platform.
We offer - Remote Working. 4 wellbeing days per calendar year [pro-rata for part-time staff], plus annual leave and public holidays entitlement. (Eligibility for the Civil Service pension scheme option employer contribution up to 28.97%)
Apply: Visit our website - this vacancy will close on 14th April 2024.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
1. Background
The International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) promotes evidence-informed equitable, inclusive and sustainable development. We support the generation and effective use of high-quality evidence to inform decision-making and improve the lives of people living in poverty in low- and middle-income countries (L&MICs). We provide guidance and support to produce impact evaluations and associated formative evaluations; systematic reviews and syntheses, evidence gap maps and support for using that evidence in decision-making and capacity development. Our work encompasses a wide range of topics, sectors and themes, including but not limited to health, nutrition, education, agriculture, governance, microfinance, climate change, humanitarian interventions, and social protection. 3ie is registered as a non-governmental organization in the United States. It has offices in New Delhi, London and Washington, DC.
The Contracts and Compliance Officer will support 3ie’s efforts in contract, compliance, safeguarding and risk management guidance and oversight with an emphasis on providing direct billable compliance support to the FCDO Research Commissioning Centre (RCC). The Officer will work closely with various teams across the organization including project, business development, finance, and senior management teams to develop and implement compliance processes, tools, resources, and best practices, provide quality control, and build staff capacity in compliance and risk management. The Contracts and Compliance Officer will report directly to the Cost and Pricing Controller with informal reporting to the RCC Sr. Programme Manager.
2. Key Responsibilities
2.1 FCDO RCC Contracting, Compliance and Risk Management
- Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and grants for sub awardees delivering work under the RCC.
- Support strategies and systems to respond to FCDO and/or RCC project team requests for new research commissions, project related questions, and general advisory services providing information and interpretation on a broad range of topics including contract and subcontracting regulations, compliance procedures, management, and risk mitigation.
- Provide safeguarding leadership, including implementation of best practices for the RCC, review of downstream partner policies and practices, audit of safeguarding procedures, etc.
- Identify and propose mitigation strategies for RCC operational, financial, and other compliance gaps that pose risk to the project and/or 3ie.
- Review and provide guidance on proposed amendments to the RCC accountable grant agreement and daft RCC related subcontracts, sub-grants, amendments, services agreements, and independent contractor agreements.
- Draft and/or support development of approval requests and other donor correspondence related to procurement, grant, consultant, or other contractual actions.
2.2 Organizational Compliance and Risk Management
- Serve as the primary resource and subject matter expert on FCDO contracts, risk, and compliance to ensure quality control and guidance in order to maintain consistent approaches and implement best practices across 3ie’s FCDO portfolio.
- Stay updated on changes in FCDO and other donor rules, regulations, and industry wide compliance best practices.
- Support the development and implementation of 3ie internal policies and procedures to enhance contract and grant compliance. This includes but is not limited to reviewing, analyzing, and making recommendations to current policies, processes, and internal controls to ensure effective and efficient identification and mitigation of noncompliance and risks.
- Recommend improvements to the corporate authorities structure, file/recordkeeping processes, as well as support senior management in organizational risk management.
- Support the development and maintenance of a repository of contract and grant compliance best practices, innovative approaches, guidance documents, and tools.
- Contribute to increasing staff awareness and capacity of donor regulations, 3ie policies, tools, templates, and procedures through formal and ad hoc trainings and development of guidance materials
- Conduct internal compliance audits.
- Assist with ad hoc compliance related tasks as required.
2.3 Business Development
- Review tenders, assist with development of questions and/or responses to tends, and provide ad hoc proposal development needs ensuring consistency with corporate policies and strategies, relevant regulations, and FCDO requirements.
- Support review and negotiation process for new FCDO awards.
3. Qualifications and Skills
- Undergraduate degree in relevant field
- 3-5 years (Officer) or 5+ years (Sr. Officer) of experience in direct contract administration or compliance, preferably with FCDO and/or a mix of bilateral (USAID, GIZ, NORAD), multilateral (UN, World Bank), and foundations (BMGF, GAVI) in the international development context
- Strong knowledge and understanding of FCDO and/or other bilateral and multilateral rules, regulations, and policies required
- Experience with a wide variety of grants, contracts, and subcontract types and methodologies (commercial contracts, accountable grants, framework agreements, hybrid agreements/contracts)
- Experience managing payment by results or performance-based contracts.
- Experience developing and delivering participatory trainings on compliance, regulations, and policies
- Demonstrated experience in conducting internal compliance audits preferred
- Experience with various business development processes including cost and pricing, recruitment, contract negotiations, and/or writing preferred
4. Eligibility
We will recruit one or more individuals, preferably with the right to work in the UK.
3ie is an equal-opportunity employer committed to equality and diversity. We do not discriminate based on sex, age, religion, ethnicity, caste, sexual orientation or for being differently abled. We particularly encourage ethnic minorities and differently abled persons to apply.
5. Terms of Employment
Candidates should be available to start work as soon as possible. 3ie offers competitive remuneration based on location, experience and qualifications.
Our policies and procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse. We follow a zero-tolerance policy for any form of bullying or harassment in the workplace.
6. How to apply
Your application package must include the following*:
- A cover letter, highlighting your experience relevant to the terms of reference. It is mandatory to include information about your work authorization for the US/UK/ India, else it will be considered as incomplete;
- Curriculum vitae along with names and contact information for at least three professional references.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
*Incomplete applications will not be considered
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Closing date for applications: 11th May 2024, 23:59 (BST)
Organisation: Scriptoria Sustainable Development Solutions
Contract: Full time, permanent
Location: Flexible (London and/or remote, plus business travel)
Salary: £35,000 – £38,000 – depending on experience
Start date: ASAP
Do you have a scientific PhD and postdoc/industry experience? Do you want to apply your scientific skills and research experience to health and sustainable development projects? Are you interested in meeting people, sharing your skills and learning to be a first-class communicator? Then this is the job for you.
Who we are
Scriptoria is a values-driven, ethically-focused consulting company that has a strong international reputation for excellence. We specialise in helping clients around the world to tackle sustainable development, poverty reduction, health, and climate and environmental issues. Our Consulting, Data, Communications and Training Teams focus on knowledge management, data management and communications to help research, international development, government and other organisations better manage information and communicate their findings.
Who we're looking for
We are looking for a dynamic new team member with a PhD in a science/STEM subject to join our innovative Consulting Team and to contribute to the work of our Data and Training Teams. Agriculture and the health sciences are areas we are particularly interested in.
Specifically, we want an individual with a passion for research and sustainable development, a friendly, outgoing personality and a willingness to learn new skills. We’re looking for someone who wants to engage with international development and research projects to help them work more efficiently and have a greater impact.
This role will offer a range of experience and the opportunity to contribute to the diverse range of services that Scriptoria provides.
Approximately half of your time will be spent working with our exceptionally experienced team of knowledge management and data consultants to help us develop and deliver cutting-edge data-management/analytics solutions and project-management software systems to our clients. Your work will also involve working to help us manage and organise the projects we deliver to clients. The other half of your time will involve meeting with and training clients (to pass on your skills in research communications), both online and through face-to-face courses. Finally, you will be encouraged to contribute to company-wide strategy and business development.
Your role will include:
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Helping sustainable development and research programs to develop and implement digital tools and analytics systems to better manage their workflows and use their data
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Working with projects in Africa and Asia to provide technical advisory and consulting services to help them to better manage and share information, knowledge and data
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Training and mentoring international researchers by delivering courses, workshops, and individual support in areas including journal article/report writing, grant writing, project management and communications for non-specialists
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Contributing to business development across the company, including marketing and client outreach.
Working with Scriptoria
Our senior team has an exceptional skill set, and we recognise that candidates with all the skills we need simply may not exist. But don’t worry, if you have some of the skills we want but lack others – we will train you to fill those gaps. This will include thorough training in the delivery of our well-respected training courses.
Our staff have the choice to work wholly or partly from home or from our office in Tooting, SW London, during regular operational hours (08.30-17.30). If working from home, staff must have a working environment suitable for holding video-call meetings/training sessions with clients.
Wherever you work, you will interact regularly with senior team members to gain new skills and exchange ideas.
This job will require regular travel to deliver training courses (mostly in the UK, estimated 2 to 8 days per month) and may also involve international travel, including to developing countries. So, applicants must be willing to travel (in line with UK government guidance).
Key skills and experience
Essential
Qualifications and skills
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A PhD in a quantitative STEM research subject
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2 years minimum of postdoc/industry experience (in a research or research-support role)
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A strong understanding of research processes and data analysis and management
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A demonstrated talent for writing - including writing journal articles and writing for non-specialists
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At least one first-author paper in a peer-reviewed journal
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Experience delivering live training/teaching courses
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An excellent, practical knowledge of MS Excel and MS PowerPoint
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Excellent English language skills, to the standard of a native speaker
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The right to work in the UK
Characteristics and interests
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A friendly, open personality (bright, resilient, cheerful, confident)
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A passion for international development and building researchers’ skills
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An interest in information management and technology, data systems and analytics and in helping create new IT systems and software (programming skills are not required for this role)
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A willingness to travel and to take a flexible approach to working hours when travelling
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The confidence required to give presentations and training courses and to lead (facilitate) meetings, online and in person
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The ability to work very well under pressure and self-manage
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The ability to juggle multiple tasks and work alongside the company Directors
Desirable
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Experience working on collaborative research projects with international partners
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Experience working with programs such as Microsoft SharePoint or other knowledge management tools
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Experience with statistical analysis in R
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Experience in grant writing and/or grant management
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Experience writing communications materials that translate science for non-specialists and encourage engagement
Salary and annual leave
Salary will depend on qualifications and experience but is expected to be between £35,000 and £38,000 p/a (depending on experience). Annual leave is 25 days per year plus public holidays (33 days).
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.