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Forest Peoples Programme is seeking two Programme Assistants to provide vital administrative, logistical, and project support, helping Indigenous Peoples and forest communities secure their rights and protect their forests. 

About Forest Peoples Programme

Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) is an international NGO that has been working with Indigenous Peoples and forest peoples for 35 years since it was established in 1990. As of 2026, we work in 18 countries across South and Central America, Africa and Southeast Asia, with over 50 partners based in the tropical forest belt. We work directly and in solidarity with communities and peoples, supporting them to secure their rights to their traditional lands, territories, and resources, protect their forests and ways of life, and choose their own futures.

Working at local, national and global levels FPP supports Indigenous Peoples and forest peoples to effect change from the bottom up – grounded in struggles to advance the enjoyment of their rights and seek remedy for violations. At the same time, we work to ensure the voices and priorities of Indigenous Peoples and forest peoples shape national and international law and policy – e.g. relating to business and human rights, climate, and biodiversity – so that resulting regulatory and market reform better serves and respects their rights.

Role summary

The work of Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) is organised via three core programmes, each of which is led by a Programme Coordinator. The Programme Assistant position provides a broad support function for the Programme Coordinator, principally in relation to administrative and logistical support, as well as supporting programme and project monitoring and management (including some financial management). Programme Assistants need to be able to work at pace on multiple different tasks concurrently; to be proactive and take initiative under broad direction; to be able to work directly and respectfully with Indigenous Peoples and forest peoples and their organisations; and to be able to write well, taking notes and distilling information in English (and ideally also in a second relevant language).

Responsibilities

• Contribute to development and tracking of the Programme’s work, including key dates, deliverables and actions, and help maintain internal knowledge management systems and channels.
• Support Programme and sub-programme team meetings, including organising meetings, drafting agendas, taking minutes, and monitoring and following up on action points.
• Support the Programme Coordinator and other programme colleagues in communications with grant partners, donors and other parties, including liaising with partners and programme colleagues to prepare Partnership Agreements, Letters of Agreement, and consultancy contracts (from templates).
• Work with the Programme Coordinator and the finance team to track expenditure across relevant programme budgets, monitor progress (including spend) on key projects within the programmes, track key donor reporting deadlines and help compile and submit narrative and financial reports to donors.
• Support fundraising, including compiling and checking grant applications.
• Support finalisation of publications and communications.
• Assist in planning, preparation and organising of events, workshops or meetings, working closely with FPP’s admin/logistics and finance teams, and supporting the attendance and participation of partners and staff at other national and international events. Accompanying programme colleagues on international trips and meetings to lend a hand where needed.
• Provide (where able) or facilitate access to, remote (and potentially also in-country, as needed) capacity building support to local partners in relation to project management, finance, planning, reporting, computer/IT skills, communication and procedures, monitoring and evaluation etc.
• Act as a port of call for programme staff seeking programme or project information or information about wider organisational policies and processes.
• Support the tracking of impacts against an established Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) framework, working with programme colleagues to assemble and systematise information.
• Participate in FPP meetings and staff sharings (online or in person) and attend FPP’s Annual General Meeting.
• Other tasks incidental to these or otherwise as agreed with the line-manager.

Person specification

Essential experience

• Experience of working in the not-for-profit sector, ideally with an international focus
• Experience with project administration and logistics work, supporting fundraising and donor reporting, and supporting meetings and events.
• Experience of supporting financial management of grants and projects, including drafting and monitoring large and complex budgets.

Desirable experience 

• Experience of working in FPP’s niche (or related), including with Indigenous Peoples, forest peoples, and global south organisations and/or networks
• Experience of working in the geographical regions were FPP works
• Experience of remote working, particularly with people from different cultures
• University degree in a subject relevant to the work of FPP

Essential skills and qualities

• Highly proficient in written and spoken English
• Ability to work effectively, sensitively and proactively as part of a multi-cultural, dispersed team of FPP staff and partners to achieve shared objectives.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build healthy working relationships both internally with colleagues and externally (including with partners from global south, remotely and in person)
• Proven organisational and time management skills with the ability to work under pressure and to multiple deadlines, and the flexibility and agility to respond to multiple and evolving priorities and timelines
• Alignment with the vision, mission and core principles of FPP’s work
• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to synthesise information from various sources and express it concisely
• Availability to travel overseas for 1-2 weeks at a time (likely no more than 2-3 times per year, if at all)
• Strong skills in Microsoft applications, including in particular Word and Excel

Desirable skills and qualities

• Fluent or highly proficient (professional working level) in one or more of the following languages: French, Spanish and/or Bahasa Indonesia
• Understanding of human rights and Indigenous Peoples
• Working knowledge of the themes relevant to FPP work, e.g. environment governance, responsible finance, and gender justice.

We encourage candidates to apply who do not strictly meet all the criteria listed above and yet are confident in their transferable skills. We value individuals who demonstrate commitment to FPP’s vision, mission and core principles, motivation to learn, and the potential to thrive in the role. When reviewing the specified essential and desirable qualities, remember that relevant experience can be demonstrated through academic studies, work experience (paid or voluntary), lived experience, skills, and achievements from any area of your life that relates to this role.

FPP is unable to sponsor visa applications for this role.

Project Manager, Policy Fellow

Terms: full time; 3 year contract
Salary: £36,400-46,000
Location: Remote working, option to use co-working space.  There will be requirements to travel internationally.
Start Date: As soon as possible
Reports to:  Programme Manager, Senior Policy Fellow, Dr Chiara Cervasio

Please note:  Applicants must have the right to work in either the UK, Italy or Germany and be either currently located in one of these countries or prepared to relocate prior to commencing employment.  In this case, BASIC is not providing any relocation assistance and is unable to sponsor VISAs.

About BASIC

BASIC is an independent, non-profit think tank working to safeguard humanity and Earth's ecosystem from nuclear risks and interconnected security threats, for generations to come. Our vision is for a global security consensus founded on multilateralism, the recognition of the indivisibility of security, adherence to Earth's planetary boundaries, and consideration of future generations.

For nearly 40 years, we have built a global reputation for groundbreaking dialogue and incisive thought leadership to strengthen international peace and security. We are an intellectually and culturally diverse team of 20 expert-practitioners with deep institutional experience, headquartered in London with additional presences in Berlin and Rome. We are independent, receive no core funding from any state, and our project work is funded transparently.

BASIC's approach to resolving contemporary nuclear dynamics is centred on dialogue as both a practice and a philosophy. We interpret dialogue broadly, recognising that meaningful engagement takes many forms: from facilitating direct strategic conversations between adversaries grounded in conflict resolution principles, to developing networks and diplomatic initiatives that build consensus around shared objectives, to shaping the intellectual foundations of policy discourse through rigorous research and thought leadership.

BASIC is a fast-paced and rewarding environment with an exceptionally positive and inclusive team culture. We have experienced rapid growth over the past decade and are well-suited to people who are motivated by our mission, able to work at a sustained pace, keen to develop professionally, and enjoy being part of a collaborative team working on consequential issues.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary with room for growth

• 30 days annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays and closure days over the December festive period

• Employer pension contributions of 5% (above the national minimum)

• Flexible working arrangements, with set days (Wednesdays required) but flexibility on hours

• Remote working with option to use co-working space

• 1-2 all-staff in-person team away day per year, as well as other in-person working opportunities

• Opportunities for professional growth and development

• Excellent team culture built on respect, openness, and inclusion

The Role

The Project Manager is an adept and organised professional, esteemed within the nuclear policy community for their level. Responsible for overseeing a discrete package of work, they must demonstrate a clear understanding and alignment with broader programme goals, strategies, and objectives. The role will report to the Programme Manager.

Taking charge of project deliverables, the Project Manager will navigate the entire project cycle, from generating fundraising ideas to developing them further and building knowledge of funding relationships. The role will also include deputising for the Programme Manager during periods of absence, ensuring continuity of delivery, external engagement, and team support as required.

The Project Manager will take responsibility for the South Asia portfolio under the Responsibilities and Global Governance (RGG) Programme. The RGG Programme works to strengthen global security by supporting the development of responsible governance frameworks for weapons and dual-use technologies in cross-cutting operational domains. Under the South Asia portfolio, the RGG Programme has facilitated research and dialogue with the Indian and Pakistani nuclear policy communities with a focus on regional crisis prevention, management, and de-escalation practices.

The Project Manager should possess a solid understanding of global security and conflict resolution and a deep understanding and demonstrable knowledge of military security dynamics in South Asia, coupled with a proven ability to design and execute high-quality project management and research. The ideal candidate is an established researcher with a specialisation in nuclear weapons issues and South Asia. As the candidate will be expected to facilitate India-Pakistan nuclear dialogues, it is important that they will show an ability to engage impartially with all parties.

It is expected that the Project Manager will have solo authored, policy relevant, publications. The Project Manager should possess the skills to expand their network in their area of specialisation, benefiting BASIC, and be capable of line managing other team members within their project. 

This role necessitates a formal project or programme management qualification – BASIC will provide the Project Manager with such training and qualifications if they do not already possess one. The Project Manager will collaborate with their line manager to identify a professional development plan, closing skills gaps and aspiring to become an internationally respected leader in their field.

Key Responsibilities

1. Project Delivery

Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Manage project timelines, budgets, and reporting requirements

• Line manage, mentor/coach, and provide pastoral care for the project team: policy fellows, project assistants and interns

• Write high-quality, policy-relevant research reports, op-eds and briefings

• Organise international roundtables, workshops and other events with track 1 and 2 participants

• Manage relationships with stakeholders and build BASIC’s network and reputation

• Independently represent BASIC at international meetings

2. Fundraising

Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Develop a project, by independently and confidently scoping funding opportunities

• Liaise with the Programme Manager on funding priorities and opportunities

• Manage projects with minimal day-to-day manager input.

• Develop new and existing relationships with funders

• Write and edit funding applications

3. Communications

Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Collaborate with various stakeholders including international partners to build strong relationships.

• Facilitate dialogue and cooperation among diverse stakeholders.

• Promote our / their work confidently and internationally 

• Confidently use online social media platforms, and if possible, press contacts

4. Office support

Applicants will need to be able to support the running of the organisation and colleagues with a range of administrative tasks wherever required.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Educated to Master’s level – or demonstrate the equivalent in work experience

• 5+ years of work experience in a think tank, research institute, NGO, foundation or government working on international security issues

• Demonstrable knowledge of South Asian military security issues

• Passion and commitment to our organisational mission of promoting dialogue to advance global security

• Demonstrated ability and track record in leading the creative development and delivery of policy projects in the UK or internationally, including budgeting and reporting

• Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders from a variety of professional and cultural backgrounds and with broad variations in seniority and function

• Excellent analytical and methodological skills, and an organised approach to research

• Well-developed interpersonal skills, including evidence of working successfully as part of a team

• Track record of previous fundraising experience and success

• Strong track record of publications, including policy-relevant ones

• Experience organising policy roundtables and workshops

• Willingness to travel internationally including to India and Pakistan when required

• Strong organisational skills and an eye for detail

• Good personal network in their research area

• Previous line management experience

Desirable:

• Educated to PhD’s level
• Formal programme/project management qualification

Please note that, due to the large number of applications we receive, we are not able to acknowledge receipt of all applications and only shortlisted candidates will be notified. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, you have not been successful.