Programmes Officer in Manchester

Salary: £23,000 – £27,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week

Location: Manchester, M14

Reports to: Programmes Manager

Closing date: 31-Jul-22

About READ Foundation

READ Foundation is a UK based registered charity working to create school places for children living in poverty in the developing world. We create opportunities for orphan and needy children to go to school to gain an education and build a better life for themselves. We do this by renovating old dilapidated schools or constructing entirely new ones from the ground up, as well as offering full scholarships to orphan children and subsidised fees to children from low-income families.

Purpose of Job

The Programmes Officer will support the Programmes Co‑ordinator and Programmes Manager in administering READ’s portfolio of education projects across the globe. The role holder’s primary 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.

Company 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)

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.

How to apply

Please send your full CV and supporting letter outlining how your skills and experience meet the person specification for the post using the following link: Apply Here