Programme and Partnerships Manager

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

**Main purpose of job**:
The global science network is a unique component of the UK’s overseas footprint with 152 officers in 67 locations around the world providing science, technology, and innovation (ST&I) expertise. Our global science network in Africa comprises 20 people in 4 locations.

The network develops bilateral and regional ST&I relationships for UK advantage, impact, and influence. The network is composed of the Science and Innovation Network (SIN) and Research and Innovation Hubs (Hubs). The Global Science Department (GSD) sits within the Research and Evidence Directorate (RED) under Charlotte Watts as the FCDO’s Chief Scientific Advisor.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a fast paced and dynamic regional team, the RED Southern Africa Research and Innovation Hub (SARIH) and lead the team’s project and financial management. SARIH supports data driven development and diplomacy by providing rigorous evidence, analysis and learning to drive evidence-based policy and improve the effectiveness of FCDO programmes across Southern Africa, and promotes and amplifies UK and international research partnerships across the region to tackle pressing global issues.

SARIH also supports the development and implementation of ambitious strategic science, tech and innovation (ST&I) partnerships across priority Southern African countries, notably in South Africa. You will work on important global topics including climate change and biodiversity, women and girls, and global health. You will work collaboratively with four other regional teams based around the world to service the evidence needs of FCDO’s country offices.

Based in the British High Commission, Pretoria, the post holder will ensure best practice and compliance with FCDO's Programme Operating Framework (PrOF) are applied across the management of portfolio, programmes, and projects.

At a portfolio level, the post holder will be responsible for SARIH portfolio management including collating timely and accurate management information for the team leader and senior management, monitoring budget and expenditure information (including travel and training), and reporting and communicating on key results and impacts. The post holder will working closely with other programme managers across the Global Science Department to ensure coordination and best practice when implementing FCDO data and transparency requirements.

At a project level, the post holder will work closely with SARIH’s technical advisers to contribute to the successful delivery of the required outcomes of projects through your inputs into project design, procurement ad mobilisation of implementing partners, establishment of appropriate governance and assurance, monitoring progress and evaluating results, reviewing invoices and processing payments, and monitoring and managing risks. The post holder will also proactively manage communications with delivery partners to ensure that key programme and finance governance rules and principles are communicated appropriately.

In addition, the post holder will coordinate reporting on SARIH’s regional projects and lessons learned to a wider audience, working with FCDO’s communication teams to reach both internal and external audiences.

**Roles and responsibilities**:
We all have a responsibility to embrace the changes of the FCDO as it transforms, building the culture we want to see and delivering our cultural statement in how we lead and behave towards others; how we make decisions and how we get the job done is everyone’s responsibility.

Reporting to the Southern Africa Research and Innovation Hub (SARIH) Team Leader, you will be responsible and accountable for:
**Programme and risk management**
- Work with FCDO technical leads and advisers to ensure the successful delivery of around £500,000 distributed across multiple small and medium-sized research projects under the Evidence Fund for SARIH ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget, in accordance with the project plan and the PrOF.
- Lead on due diligence assessments of partners including scoping, fieldwork and reporting.
- Regularly review partner reporting, alongside the FCDO technical lead. Critically appraise progress, troubleshooting project issues, maintaining and monitoring risk registers and inputting into annual reviews and dissemination activities.
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with SARIH programme partners/ suppliers, key donors and stakeholders in various locations in UK and overseas offices.
- Work collectively with programme managers across the Global Science Department to support delivery of Departmental objectives, share lessons and best practice, problem solve, and flex to provide cross-cutting programme management support.

**Financial management**
- Manage the team’s Evidence Fund budget, monitoring expenditure and costs against delivered and realised benefits/outputs t