DIGITAX Programme Manager (08-2022)

Hours per week: Part Time, 17.500 hours per week
Contract Type: Fixed Term (01 May 2022 to 31 March 2024)
Grade: Grade 7
Salary: £37362 to £49384  per annum pro rata
Closing Date: 23.59 hours BST on Saturday 30 April 2022
Interview Date: 18/05/2022

Who We Are

The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) is a global leading institution for research, teaching and learning, and impact and communications, based at the University of Sussex.  We are ranked first in the world for development studies by the QS University Rankings, together with the University of Sussex. We are also ranked best international development policy think tank.

Our Vision

Our vision is of equal and sustainable societies, locally and globally, where people everywhere can live their lives free from poverty and injustice. We contribute to this by transforming the knowledge, action and leadership needed through our world-class research, learning and teaching.

Our Values

We aim to ensure that our core values based on respect, resourcefulness, excellence and inclusivity are reflected in the environment we work in. 

Our Commitments 

•           Upholding climate and environmental justice 

•           Reducing extreme inequities 

•           Fostering healthy and fulfilling lives 

•           Nurturing inclusive, democratic and accountable societies 

Our Priorities

•           Collaborate across sciences, sectors and communities to do research that brings about progressive change

•           Build future leadership for development

•           Champion the use of evidence for social and environmental justice

•           Work with partners to expand international research and mutual learning networks for development

•           Create a sustainable, resilient and equitable institution.


For more information go to: www.ids.ac.uk


 

Job Description

In filling this role, three sets of skills will be particularly important.

Excellent interpersonal and management skills, in order to oversee and coordinate a growing and international team. The Programme Manager will play a critical role in managing the whole DIGITAX team, and facilitating effective coordination and delivery of key roles.

Strong budget planning and financial management skills, in order to align programme activities with funding timelines and requirements – and coordinate diverse and sometimes complex external partnerships. The key role is not in accountancy, as the ICTD has a programme accountant, and individuals project budgets will be handled by others. Instead, the Programme Manager needs to be able to adopt a bird’s eye view of the entire budget, communicate financial matters clearly to the both donors and the broader team, play a central role in strategic financial planning and oversight, and play a leadership role in coordinating external contacts and partnerships where necessary.

Ability to oversee a broad and complex research, communications and capacity building programme, think strategically about it and communicate it effectively to donors and other external stakeholders. The Programme Manager will have primary responsibility for developing annual and donor reports, new proposals and for managing key aspects of external donor communication – including highlight high impact work and its practical implications. To do so, the Programme Manager needs to work closely with all member of the team in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the overall program and activities.

Please read the job description for more details.

 

Person Specification


Skills and experience
Selection Criteria Description Essential [E] or
Desirable [D]		 Assessed
by *
Qualifications
Degree or equivalent relevant qualification or equivalent experience

Desirable:
Postgrad qualification preferred.		 E A/I
Knowledge
• Good knowledge and understanding of current issues and debates in international development
• Extensive knowledge of project planning, implementation and management gained at a senior level.
• In-depth knowledge of change management, designing, and implementing policy and procedures.

Desirable:
• Some understanding of the technology and policies related to digital financial services, digital identification, and financial inclusion, preferably in low-income countries and for low-income populations.
• Some understanding of tax policy and practice in low-income countries		 E A/I
Skills
• Ability to strategically oversee and guide all the necessary management functions of a large and complex and adapting programme
• Excellent all-round communication skills, including English language verbal, writing and editing skills, and the ability to tailor material for different formats and communicate specialist knowledge in non-technical language.
• Team management skills including ability to supervise, support, mentor and motivate individual team members, both in IDS and other locations
• Strong budget planning, financial and project management skills.
• Well-organised, with the ability to prioritise work in order to meet competing deadlines
• Diplomacy and a professional approach when dealing with external partners and funders (from both Global North and South). A problem-solving approach to be able to strategically design services around learning and evidence needs
• Excellent interpersonal skills

Desirable:
• Ability to assimilate complex research or other relevant material quickly, assess its merits, and draw out key messages and implications for policy and practice
• Good research skills, including analytical and synthesis skills		 E A/I
Experience
• At least 5-10 years' experience in programme management
• Developing and managing partnerships with external organisations, subject experts and content providers, ideally having worked to strengthen the capacity of partners.
• Project management, including financial management – delivering projects to time and to budget, preferably gained in the context of large donor-funded programmes
• People management experience
• Facilitating and/or participating in networks and communities of practice
• Management of communications projects and/or strategies.

Desirable:
• Working with or for the Gates Foundation or other bilateral or other philanthropic organisations
• Experience living and/or working in low-income countries		 E A/I
Attributes
• Ability to oversee a broad and complex research, communications and capacity building programme.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Good sense of networks and diverse contacts across sector
• A proactive attitude and an ability to work both in a team and take initiative independently.
• Ability to recognise potential, build capacity and train others to gain relevant skills
• Flexible approach and ability to cope with change
• Attention to detail and a commitment to the quality of outputs
• Excellent time management skills, with the ability to juggle various tasks, people, demands, etc. at the same time and often to competing deadlines
• Capacity to work across cultural / institutional barriers		 E A/I
*A - Application I - Interview
 

Information to Candidates

Benefits At IDS we offer a number of additional benefits to staff. These include:

Location
The successful candidate will be based at the Institute of Development Studies on the University of Sussex campus. The University of Sussex is located 10 minutes away from the lively and cosmopolitan seaside city of Brighton on the UK South Coast, 60 minutes away from central London, 30 minutes away from London Gatwick Airport and is surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Sussex South Downs. Situated between the sea and the South Downs, Brighton is one of the most vibrant and unique cities on the South Coast, for more information please go to http://www.visitbrighton.com/

How to apply

Please apply using the online application form.