Programmes Officer

Job Description & Person Specification

Programmes Officer

Job Description & Person Specification

Programmes Officer

Salary: 27,000-£30,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week

Location: Manchester, M14

Reports to: Programmes Manager

Closing Date: 31st March

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK

About READ Foundation

READ Foundation is a UK based registered charity working to provide access to quality education to vulnerable children in our regions of work. We create opportunities for orphan and needy children to go to school, to gain an education and build a better life for themselves. We currently focus on constructing new schools, providing sponsorship for orphans and are now expanding our educational portfolio to reflect the large humanitarian and development needs ongoing throughout the world.

Purpose of Job

The Programmes Officer will support the Programmes Coordinator and Programmes Manager in administering READ’s portfolio of education projects across the globe. The role holder’s primarily role will be to ensure effective project management and administration of READ’s educational projects globally.

Main Responsibilities:

Project administration

• Administration and reporting
• Ensure efficient document management, including storing of all project information and supporting documents.
• Critically review concept notes and proposals from partner organisations and vet according to key requirements such as implementation quality, value for money, impact etc.
• Effective communication between field offices/partners and the HQ to ensure up to date information is available on the status of READ projects.
• Work with READ’s orphan sponsorship team, to provide inputs from a child welfare and safeguarding perspective. Some follow up will be required for reporting from field offices and partners.
• Ensure effective communication of project outcomes and deliverables to the Marketing department through case studies, videos etc.
• Provide administrative support to READ fields offices globally.

Contract management support

• Contribute to writing concept notes and proposals in coordination with the partnerships coordinator.
• Effectively manage project-related donor queries through swift and efficient communication, in coordination with the programmes partnership officer.
• Oversee logistical support with the Programmes coordinator and HR to ensure processes are developed and abided to for field trips (internal or external).

Risk management

• Administer and follow up on READ’s partner due diligence framework with selected organisations.
• Establish an effective culture of risk management across the organisation (both at HQ and field office level).
• Work closely with the finance team to ensure effective governance across the whole project lifecycle.

Special Working Conditions

Work occasional flexible hours including evenings and weekends

Company benefits

The position also comes with the following benefits:

• 32 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays and company-wide holidays)
• Awards for employee of the year
• Paid time off for bereavement, sick days and medical appointments
• Investment in training, professional growth and development
• Occupational Pension Scheme
• Hybrid working options available (some days working remotely can be discussed at time of interview)
• Health insurance cash plan

READ Foundation is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in all aspects of our work, along with encouraging a healthy work life balance.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Knowledge of project management principles and their application.
• Track record of success in working in an organisation of complexity, to deliver high quality results to deadlines.
• Experience of evaluating concept notes and project proposals to assess project quality and VFM.
• Demonstrable experience of applying effective problem solving techniques.
• Effective communicator who is able to develop strong relationships with the fundraising team, key people within the company and external stakeholders.

Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year experience within a charity or similar environment.
• Educated to degree level in a development or humanitarian discipline such as International development, International Relations, Project management in developing environment, NGO management etc. (Desirable)
• Experience in developing or managing Education based projects (Desirable)
• Experience of successfully fundraising and dealing with institutional donors and international donors.
• Proven experience and knowledge of effective budgetary control and grant management.
• Strong and well developed analytical skills coupled with experience of writing quality proposals and reports
• MS Office Suite; Project management systems
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise a complicated workload.

Skills

• Ability to work under pressure, manage time, workload and prioritise work to deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated with an ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Good independent judgement and ability to challenge constructively.
• Excellent organisational, planning and time management skills.

Safeguarding Commitment: At READ Foundation, we are unwavering in our dedication to creating a safe and secure environment for all, especially children and vulnerable adults. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of sexual exploitation and abuse. To uphold this commitment, this role necessitates background checks and strict adherence to our safeguarding policies and procedures. By applying for this position, you acknowledge and pledge to uphold our safeguarding principles.