Programme Coordinator

Programme Coordinator

Job purpose summary: To provide high-quality coordination, communications and administration in the management of consultancy assignments across the Mokoro portfolio.

Salary: Up to £36,000 per annum full-time (dependent upon qualifications and experience).

Contract: Full time (open to discussion, minimum 80% required).

Location: Oxford/Hybrid.

Reporting to: Chief Executive.

Working internally with: Business Development Coordinator, Finance Manager, Business Administrator, Research team, Principal Consultants and Associates.

About Mokoro

Established in 1982, Mokoro is an international development consultancy providing technical, policy and research expertise in support of sustainable economic and social development that contributes to improving the wellbeing and opportunities of poor and vulnerable people. Our technical services include evaluations and reviews, research, training, programme design, policy analysis and advice, in the areas of aid effectiveness; public policy and management; and land, livelihoods and natural resources. Our experience cuts across sectors, issues and disciplines. We have undertaken more than 750 consultancy assignments in 80 countries worldwide, for national governments, multilateral and bilateral aid agencies, and NGOs. The company draws its consulting capacity from its Principal Consultants, the technical staff team, and its wider network of associates. Further information on Mokoro’s background and current portfolio is at www.mokoro.co.uk.

As a not-for-profit business, our values and commitment to high quality work are the primary drivers for what we do, and how we do it. We are looking for an enthusiastic, flexible, team player with demonstrable experience for the role and an interest in working in a niche/ specialist organisation making a contribution to international development.

Role description

The Programme Coordinator is part of Mokoro’s small, busy support team and is responsible for the effective coordination of a range of Mokoro’s consultancy assignments and contributing to business development. The Programme Coordinator works closely with others in the Business Support team, including another Programme Coordinator, the Business Development Coordinator and other staff and consultants in managing and contributing to a substantial and varied consultancy portfolio. All members of the team are committed to Mokoro’s approach to collaborative working, strong supportive relationships and high quality work.

Programme Management and Administration (70%)

• Provide timely, supportive project management and coordination of a portfolio of consultancy assignments including contract management, budget monitoring, payments and invoicing, project planning and deadline management, client liaison, and other relevant tasks.
• Prepare and monitor assignment budgets, maintain records and financial information in consultation with the Finance Manager, and ensure alignment with company practice and targets.
• Ensure timely invoicing and payments relating to client and consultant contracts, in consultation with the Finance Manager.
• Ensure effective communication between consultancy teams, clients, and the business support team, to enable smooth delivery of assignment objectives, including through participation in team meetings when required.
• In liaison with the Team Leaders and research team members, coordinate learning reviews and/or de-briefing (where relevant) and ensure the preparation of project completion reports.
• Develop and maintain client, consultant and assignment records (e.g. regular inputs into Mokoro’s Management Information System, preparation of Assignment Summaries).
• In conjunction with the Chief Executive, ensure appropriate risk reviews, briefings and preparation are undertaken for short-term travel and consultant safety during assignments.
• In liaison with the Business Administrator and other team members, ensure assignment travel and other logistical arrangements are in place.
• Coordinate the provision of external proof-reading services and assist with proofreading and formatting external / consultancy documents, when required, ensuring highest quality standards are met for reports.
• Line management of the (office-based) Business Administrator role (to be confirmed).

Business Development and Business Process Improvement (20%)

• Contribute to the preparation of proposals/ competitive tenders, supporting the drafting of submissions and ensuring these meet the highest corporate standards.
• Play a proactive role in developing and strengthening Mokoro’s networks of consultants, clients and partners.
• Contribute to the effective and efficient participation of Mokoro in a range of Framework agreements, liaising with consultants and partners in responding to requests for services, in collaboration with other team members.
• Contribute to organisational projects and improvement to internal business systems to improve efficiency and effectiveness in business development and programme management as needed.

Communications/ general (10%)

• Contribute to knowledge management and learning at Mokoro
• Prepare and provide written/ oral inputs into Team and Board meetings where required.
• Represent Mokoro in meetings with partners, consultants or clients and at external events.
• Any other reasonable task as assigned by the line manager.

Person specification

Knowledge, skills and experience

• A flexible team player, with first class multi-tasking and prioritisation skills, attention to detail, a diplomatic approach and an aptitude for effectively managing a wide and varied workload, often to tight deadlines.
• Knowledge of the aid and development sector, including good awareness of key agencies, donors, and other actors.
• Proven demonstrable project management experience gained in the voluntary, private or public sectors.
• Sound budgeting and financial management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with a proven ability to collaborate successfully with a diverse and geographically dispersed team.
• Strong IT competency in all standard Microsoft packages with advanced skills in formatting in Word, strong proficiency in Excel.

Desirable

• Experience in an international development consultancy context.
• Experience of contract negotiations and management.
• Experience with Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.
• Business Development experience such as proposal writing and/or grant applications.
• Knowledge and understanding of formatting and referencing standards for academic reports.
• Demonstrable experience of safety and security management for individuals on short-term overseas assignments.
• Additional language abilities relevant to Mokoro’s work, in particular: Arabic / French / Portuguese / Spanish.
• Line management experience.

General terms and conditions

**Contract/Hours:**Full time based on a 37.5 hour week. Office hours are currently 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday UK time.

Location: Oxford/Hybrid. Our strong preference is that an individual would be able to work in the Oxford office for several days per week (open to discussion).

Leave: Annual leave entitlement is 25 days pro rata (as well as all English public holidays), plus an additional 3 days to be taken at Christmas, Eid or a similar observance.

Salary: Salary is paid monthly in arrears by credit transfer. Mokoro operates a contributory pension scheme, with a generous employer contribution.

Probationary period: There will be a three-month probationary period, with a review carried out after six weeks, and again at the end of the period.

**Notice:**Two weeks’ notice during the probationary period; three months’ notice upon satisfactory completion of probationary period.