Project Officer

Position: Project Officer

Reporting to: Senior Project Manager

Location: Sidcup, Greater London, and hybrid working of 2 days in the office and 3 days remote

Contract Type: Permanent and full-time

Starting Salary: £27,000 – £29,000 gross per annum (based on experience) plus benefits

 

Purpose

The Project Officer will be responsible for supporting the effective implementation of project delivery activities across our portfolio, predominantly in Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East. 

The post holder will support projects, ensuring delivery meets quality expectations (internal and client), delivers to scope of project, within budgeted resources and in line with project timelines. The post holder will work closely with project managers, delivery partners, consultants and internal technical experts to ensure projects maximise their positive impact.  

The Project Officer will also support the Senior Project Manager and Director of Project Delivery to disseminate good management practice across the organisation, and advise on delivery approaches.  

 

Main Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Programme Officer include the following:

Project Support

·       Provide support to Project Managers in the delivery of projects, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget and scope and comply with client contract.

·       Take on Project Management of assigned select projects within a determined budget/complexity threshold.

·       Set-up and monitor project workplans, including change requests ensuring that approvals are formally recorded.

·       Manage day-to-day relationships with delivery partners and internal team(s) and build solid understanding of delivery needs and timelines across projects.

·       Monitor and support timely client and consultant billing and invoices attached to delivery.

·       Support onboarding of consultants for new projects, including due diligence checks and contract preparation based on set templates.

·       Ensure project management software and tools are accurate and kept up to date for allocated projects.

·       Provide timely responses to client queries and alert Project Managers of any potential risks

·       Lead duty of care and travel planning for staff and consultants, working alongside administrative officers

·       Liaise closely with technical colleagues and Project Managers on project support needs.

 

Project Financial Management

·       Monitor project budget performance, capturing variances & liaising with the Finance Team.

·       Monitor consultants’ expenses/fees against contracts and client invoices against contracts.

·       Make recommendations to ensure financial outcomes are met with respect to time, quality and cost, and provide early warning of project overspend

·       Prepare internal project update reporting including finances and resourcing using required management tools. 

 

Organisational Support and Business Development

·       Provide support in strengthening policies, procedures, and management tools for Development Pathways 

·       Coordinate with wider project team to ensure technical capacity is well planned across Development Pathways’ portfolio of projects 

·       Signpost colleagues to relevant project management tools and processes, when required 

·       Support project closure processes as required, capturing and sharing lessons internally. 

·       Provide ad hoc input to evolving organisational requirements as directed by the Director of Project Delivery. 

·       Assist with identification and monitor business opportunities in donor markets, as requested

·       Update SharePoint and ensure project data sheets are developed and up to date to facilitate BD tenders

·       Collate and share project information to support the Business Development and Communications departments.  

 

Reporting Lines

This post will report to the Senior Project Manager

 

Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours

The Project Officer will require the following combination of applied skills, knowledge, and behaviours to successfully contribute to team goals:

·       An undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject 

·       Around 1-2 years’ experience working within international development,  research and/or the consultancy sector.  

·       Understanding of project implementation requirements and specifications

·       Ability to plan and coordinate project implementation activities including reporting, finance, project management and develop and implement administrative systems in a complex environment

·       Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders

·       Demonstrated capacity to coordinate quality documentation that conveys ideas and concepts in a clear, logical and accessible manner.

·       Well-developed interpersonal communication skills demonstrated by successful liaison and rapport building with consultants and stakeholders consulting 

·       Ability to understand and effectively utilise financial information.

·       Ability to prioritise, plan and organise workflow to tight timeframes, handle multiple tasks and be flexible with changing priorities.

·       Proven ability to resolve problems, anticipate barriers and create practical solutions

·       High IT proficiency (Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), SharePoint, etc.)

·       Demonstrated attention to detail ensuring quality standards are maintained

·       Ability to travel internationally when required

·       Proficiency in additional languages, would be advantageous but is not required

·       Commitment to values of international development, social justice and equality.

 

Terms of Employment and Benefits

Recruitment will be at the junior level and is a permanent and full-time post. Along with basic salary, the successful candidate would receive an attractive package of the following:

·       Fulfilling work - working to make a difference to some of the world’s most under-served communities.

·       Flexible working – Development Pathways offers employees flexible work hours and remote work options.

·       Generous time off – recharge with 30-holiday entitlement plus public/bank holidays.

·       Excellent health and well-being provision – access to the company private health care scheme (after the satisfactory completion of the probationary period), pension scheme and Employee Assistance Programme.

·       Group Life Insurance   

·       Commitment to professional development opportunities – we encourage our staff to participate in professional learning and development.

·       Provision of a company laptop

·       Yearly working at home allowance

·       Monthly travel allowance if attends the office two days per week

·       Reward Scheme for involvement in winning bid work

·       Lunch provided when in the office.

 

How to apply

We invite interested candidates to please apply for the post by including all of the following:

1. A cover letter explaining why you are applying for this position, and how you would meet the selection criteria for the post of Project Officer
2. A detailed CV (curriculum vitae) specifying your qualifications, education, and relevant work experience
3. All applicants will be required to specify if they have the right to work and live in the UK.

Closing date for this post will be the close of business on the 30th August 2024.

Applications should be submitted by email.

Applicants must confirm if they have the right to live and work in the UK.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and we retain the right to close this role without notice.

Due to the high number of applications expected, unfortunately only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Applicants, please note the Privacy Notice on our website.

Development Pathways is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate and support diversity and are committed to providing a work environment that is inclusive and free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on individual qualifications and abilities.  without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, family or parental status, or disability status.