Research and Learning Programme Manager (20-2018)

Hours per week: Full Time, 35 hours per week

Grade: Grade 7

Salary: £35450 to £46856  per annum

Closing Date: 23.59 hours BST on Sunday 10 June 2018

Interview Date: 19/06/2018

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

About K4D and other Resource Centre support

The 5 year K4D programme started in October 2016, offering a range of learning activities and evidence and research services. The programme develops interdisciplinary ‘learning journeys’ using a range of approaches to share knowledge and experience across DFID and with other development partners. The research helpdesk service provides high quality syntheses of evidence and knowledge to support policy and programme work. It strengthens the use of evidence and learning in decision-making processes. 

The K4D programme is led by IDS with six partners: University of Birmingham, International Development Department (IDD); Education Development Trust; ITAD; Nuffield Centre for International Health & Development at the University of Leeds; Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM); and University of Manchester, Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute (HCRI).

In addition to this programme, IDS also provides Resource Centre support (e.g. research helpdesk, learning events) to a number of other donors, including through programmes such as HEART and GSDRC. This role will continue to manage and fundraise for these and similar programmes.

Overall purpose of the role:

We are seeking to recruit a highly-motivated Research and Learning Programme Manager to join the Knowledge, Impact and Policy team (KIP).

The main focus of the role (80%) will be management of the Evidence and Knowledge for Development (K4D) programme, a five year research and organisational learning programme funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), currently in its second year. The successful candidate will be responsible for the management arrangements for the evolving programme of research, learning and policy engagement work being carried out by an experienced team based at IDS and six partner organisations. This role also currently includes management, development and fundraising for other resource centre projects, including the research helpdesk (20%).

The Research and Learning Programme Manager will report to the Head of KIP for line management purposes, and to the K4D Programme Director for K4D responsibilities, in a matrix arrangement. The role will work closely with other members of the K4D programme management team (Research Uptake Manager, Learning Journey Manager and Evaluation Manager) across the K4D consortium as well as the programme management team at DFID. Working as a member of a collaborative and supportive team, the post-holder will need the ability and initiative to work autonomously and contribute to the strategic development of K4D’s evidence and learning work and to facilitate effective communication with DFID advisory staff working in research, policy and programming.

This position is exciting and unusual, providing a bridge between academic expertise and those working in donor agencies and government policy and research departments. This is a large and demanding programme, with nearly 20 research and knowledge staff members sitting across multiple locations, collaborating closely as a team. The post requires strong management skills, including managing donor and consortium relationships, fundraising, supporting the strategic development of the programme and helping to strengthen the impact of the programme. It involves liaison with senior development agency staff so an assertive and diplomatic approach to relationships management is essential.

Key Responsibilities of the role:

Programme Management 

• Provide overall strategic programme management to ensure planning, budgeting, communication and reporting systems and processes are in place and being followed to ensure high-quality delivery within agreed timeframes and budgets. 
• Support programme management, team planning and communications. 
• In consultation with programme colleagues and clients, manage resourcing, coordinating the availability of appropriate staff skills and capacity and allocating work across project teams according to relevance, experience and availability.
• Oversee the financial management of the programme. Ensure that budgets and forecasts are up to date, that expenditure is managed effectively, and that funders are invoiced accurately and on time, in accordance with financial regulations and organisational procedures.
• Oversee and support the planning, delivery and quality of programme communications, including the production of knowledge and learning products, web-based resources, social media, blogs, branding, templates and marketing/communication materials. 
• Ensure that effective contractual arrangements are put in place with funders, partners and sub-contractors, and liaise with colleagues to ensure that all IDS’ contractual obligations and due diligence processes are met.
• Coordinate and ensure the effective regular reporting to programme donors, working collaboratively with colleagues to meet quality and timeframe expectations.
• Work collaboratively and coordinate with other programme colleagues, project hub support staff and professional research teams to deliver the programmes, including with colleagues working on research, learning, communications, marketing, administration, finance and M&E.
• Participate in and develop external networks, for example to identify sources of funding, build relationships for current and future activities, and enhance research impact.
• Act as a key initial point of contact for programme donor and funder enquiries, including helping to manage programme relationships with DFID.
• Provide strategic direction and support for the development of new funding opportunities related to the Resource Centre support areas, e.g. learning and helpdesk functions.

People Management 

• Matrix manage IDS and consortium team and support staff, setting objectives, managing performance and designing job roles related to programme responsibilities. 
• Work collaboratively with the programme management team to coordinate and deliver programme services and allocate work across the team accordingly.
• Support research and learning teams at IDS and all partner organisations, to deliver research and learning processes and outputs.
• Ensure clear guidelines, resources, procedures and IT support for team members to carry out their work.
• Identify and address training needs and skills gaps as required. 
• Identify preferred technical suppliers and delivery partners and oversee the quality and delivery of consultancy work.
• Identify and address gaps in programme resourcing, contributing to recruitment and selection as needed.
• Monitor delivery of work by team and resolve any emerging issues related to workload, quality and content expertise.

K4D programme specific:

• In consultation with the Programme Director and the management group, contribute to the establishment and maintenance of the overall strategic approach to the management and implementation of the K4D programme.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues on the consortium management team.
• Coordinate communications across the consortium team to support day to day operations.
• Organise management, steering group and other meetings in liaison with programme colleagues and donors.
• Support the Programme Director, Learning Journey Manager(s), Research Uptake Manager and other core staff in K4D to effectively carry out their roles.

Other

• Promote the work of the Institute both nationally and internationally
• Carry out other IDS-related tasks as required commensurate with the grade of the post.

Person Specification

Skills and experience

Selection Criteria Description	Essential [E] or Desirable [D]	Assessed by *
Knowledge
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of current issues and debates in international development • Knowledge of current thinking and practice on knowledge management and research communication, and use of virtual knowledge sharing tools • Understanding of the processes of how evidence can inform policy. • Good understanding of the challenges facing donor agencies working across a range of different thematic areas and countries • Strong understanding of programme management approaches.	E	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 project management skills, including financial management. • 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 • A problem-solving approach to be able to strategically design services around learning and evidence needs • Excellent interpersonal skills	E	I
• 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	D	I
Experience
• Developing and managing partnerships with external organisations, subject experts and content providers, ideally having worked to strengthen the capacity of partners. • The ability to identify suitable funding sources and experience of raising funds in an international context. • 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	E	I
• Working with or for DFID or other bilateral or multilateral donor agencies	D	I
Attributes
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and client-focused 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	I
Other
• Regular short term UK and occasional international travel	E	I
Understanding of the processes of how evidence can inform policy.	E	A
Good understanding of the challenges facing donor agencies working across a range of different thematic areas and countries	E	A/I
Strong understanding of programme management approaches.	E	A/I
Excellent knowledge and understanding of current issues and debates in international development	E	A/I
Knowledge of current thinking and practice on knowledge management and research communication, and use of virtual knowledge sharing tools	E	A/I
Would you like to be considered for the Grade 6 Knowledge Officer role we are currently recruiting for if you are unsuccessful on this occasion?	E	A/I

*A - Application I - Interview

Information to Candidates

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

• a competitive salary, including cost of living awards and incremental increases on an annual basis as per policy and the option to join our pension scheme. 
• interest free travel loans, following successful completion of a probationary period
• support in attainment of a relevant professional qualification in line with the Professional Development Policy
• childcare fund
• competitive maternity and paternity policies that offer compensation above the statutory minimum
• 24 days annual leave per year (pro-rata for part-time), plus public holidays and up to 6 non-negotiable closure days
• enhanced sickness pay entitlements
• support with relocation costs for staff joining us from outside the EU
• eligibility to use the University of Sussex gym and sporting facilities at staff rates

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.