Programme Officer

Friends of Palestinian Universities (FPU) is looking for a motivated, organised and thoughtful Programme Officer to join our small and growing team.

FPU works in partnership with Palestinian universities, academics and students to strengthen the resilience and recovery of Palestinian higher education, build meaningful international academic partnerships, and transform understanding and practice within UK and international higher education.

This is a varied, hands-on role at the heart of our work. You will help us develop partnerships between Palestinian and international universities, produce research and resources, support advocacy and public engagement, organise events and convenings, and provide the programme and administrative coordination that enables a small charity to deliver effectively.

You will work closely with the Director, wider FPU team and Palestinian university partners, as well as academics, universities, sector bodies, unions and civil society organisations in the UK and internationally.

What you’ll be doing

Your work will span several areas of FPU’s programmes.

Advocacy and public engagement

You will help deliver FPU’s advocacy and awareness-raising work, including:

• researching and contributing to briefings, reports, toolkits and other public-facing resources;

• building relationships with academics, university departments, higher education networks, unions and student groups;

• supporting campaigns and initiatives responding to the destruction of Palestinian higher education and scholasticide in Palestine;

• helping organise public events, webinars and other opportunities for engagement.

Building international academic partnerships

A major part of the role will be helping strengthen links between Palestinian universities and institutions internationally.

You will:

• research potential university partners and opportunities for collaboration;

• support the development of partnerships, fellowships, research collaborations and exchanges;

• help produce an expanded edition of FPU’s handbook on partnerships with Palestinian higher education;

• engage with Palestinian universities to understand their priorities and identify opportunities for international partnership;

• maintain relationships, contacts and partnership information;

• help organise FPU’s Annual Conference and other sector convenings.

Supporting Palestinian partners

A core principle of FPU’s work is that Palestinian universities, academics and students should shape the international responses that affect them.

You will help create opportunities for Palestinian partners to participate in international meetings, events and initiatives, prepare research and briefing materials, and support convenings in which Palestinian scholars and institutions can share knowledge and shape agendas.

Programme coordination and administration

As part of a small organisation, strong administration is essential to effective programme delivery.

You will help:

• coordinate meetings, events and programme activity;

• organise agendas, papers, invitations, notes and follow-up;

• maintain accurate databases, records and shared files;

• coordinate travel and logistics for Palestinian partners where required;

• support programme-related expenses, procurement and other administrative processes;

• track programme activities, deadlines, outputs and outcomes;

• contribute to quarterly planning, monitoring and reporting.

The role will combine substantive programme work with practical administration, and we are looking for someone who is comfortable doing both.

About you

We are interested in people who can bring strong transferable skills, sound judgement and a genuine commitment to our mission.

You will have:

• excellent written and spoken English and strong research skills;

• excellent organisation and attention to detail;

• experience coordinating projects, programmes, events or campaigns;

• the ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of people and organisations;

• confidence managing multiple priorities and taking responsibility for your own work;

• good administrative and digital skills, including maintaining accurate records and information;

• the ability to work collaboratively and flexibly as part of a small team;

• a commitment to FPU’s mission and to respectful, partner-led ways of working;

• sensitivity when working across different institutional, cultural and political contexts.

It would be particularly useful if you bring some of the following:

• experience in higher education, charities, civil society, advocacy or campaigning;

• knowledge of the UK higher education sector;

• knowledge of Palestinian higher education or experience working on Palestine;

• experience producing reports, briefings or other public-facing resources;

• experience of monitoring, evaluation or programme reporting;

• Arabic language proficiency.

Working with Friends of Palestinian Universities

This is an opportunity to join FPU at an important stage in its development and make a practical contribution to strengthening Palestinian higher education.

You will work closely with Palestinian university partners and a growing network of academics, universities and sector organisations in the UK and internationally.

Because we are a small team, you will have the opportunity to work across different areas of the organisation and develop experience in programme delivery, academic partnerships, advocacy, research, events and international engagement.

FPU is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

How to apply

Please upload your CV and covering letter through CharityJob.

In your covering letter, please explain why you are interested in the role and how your experience and skills would enable you to contribute to FPU’s work.

Please see the attached Job Description for full details of the role.

Closing date: 2 September 2026
Interviews: Week commencing 14 September 2026

Job Description: Programme Officer

Key responsibilities

1. Advocacy and awareness-raising

• Work with the Director to deliver FPU’s advocacy and awareness programme in line with our strategic priorities.

• Research and contribute to producing accessible, high-quality resources for academic, policy and civil society audiences, including briefings, reports, toolkits and event materials.

• Build and maintain relationships with higher education networks, faculty and staff unions, academic departments, student societies and other relevant organisations.

• Support campaigns responding to the destruction of Palestinian higher education and the scholasticide in Palestine, including outreach, messaging and coordination with partners.

• Help deliver FPU events, including planning, speaker liaison, logistics and follow-up.

2. Building Palestinian–international academic partnerships

• Work with the Director to strengthen academic links between Palestinian universities and institutions in the UK and internationally.

• Research and help prepare an expanded second edition of FPU’s handbook on partnerships with Palestinian higher education.

• Support the design and delivery of institutional partnerships and collaborative projects, including research collaborations, fellowships and exchange initiatives.

• Research and map potential partners and opportunities and help develop targeted engagement plans with Palestinian and international universities.

• Maintain an accessible, accurate and up-to-date database of contacts, institutions and partnership opportunities.

• Help organise FPU’s Annual Conference, including programme planning, partner engagement, invitations and registration, logistics and post-event follow-up.

3. Palestinian university liaison

• Contribute to FPU’s engagement and partnership-building with Palestinian higher education institutions.

• Develop a strong understanding of institutional priorities, needs and potential areas for international partnership.

• Map and collate partnership opportunities and priorities, helping ensure that FPU’s wider work reflects the needs of the Palestinian higher education sector.

• Maintain regular communication with institutional partners and support effective follow-up on agreed opportunities and areas of collaboration.

4. Representation and convening

• Help convene and facilitate spaces in which Palestinian scholars, students and university partners can exchange knowledge, develop relationships and shape international agendas.

• Support approaches grounded in Palestinian priorities and collective leadership.

• Prepare research, briefings and background materials for the Director and Palestinian partners participating in meetings, conferences and public engagements.

• Support Palestinian partner representatives to participate effectively in international meetings and events.

5. Monitoring, evaluation and learning

• Work towards objectives and KPIs agreed through FPU’s annual work plan and contribute to quarterly planning and review.

• Track programme activities, outputs and outcomes.

• Gather feedback from partners and stakeholders and help translate this into programme learning and continuous improvement.

• Prepare quarterly programme updates and reporting for the Director and Board of Trustees.

• Help maintain accurate information on programme progress, partnerships and outcomes for reporting to funders and other stakeholders.

6. Programme and administrative support

• Provide administrative and coordination support to the Director, Deputy Director and wider team to support the effective delivery of FPU’s programmes and organisational priorities.

• Support the organisation of meetings, events and convenings, including scheduling, invitations, agendas, papers, note-taking and follow-up.

• Maintain accurate programme records, contact lists, databases and shared files, ensuring information is well organised and accessible.

• Assist with travel, accommodation and other logistical arrangements for Palestinian partners and representatives participating in FPU activities where required.

• Support programme-related operations, procurement, invoices, expenses and other administrative processes in coordination with the Deputy Director.

• Provide other reasonable administrative and operational support required for the effective functioning of a small charity.

7. Working as part of FPU

• Contribute actively to FPU’s collective planning and delivery.

• Work collaboratively and flexibly with colleagues across the organisation.

• Take responsibility for your own areas of work while contributing to a culture of shared endeavour, respect and mutual support.

• Promote FPU’s mission, values and partner-led way of working.

• Follow organisational policies and processes and maintain high standards of professionalism.

• Uphold confidentiality and data protection in all work with partners and sensitive information.