Programmes Officer - Fixed Term Contract - Hybrid or Remote

Job Level Lead

Location UK-based Flexible Colchester, or home-based with monthly travel to Colchester, depending on candidate. Overseas travel with trips lasting from between 10-14 days

Contract 3-6 month Fixed Term Contract Full-time. Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK

Salary £27, 809 per annum

Background

Lepra is dedicated to addressing leprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF) and their consequences through direct support, advocacy, and the promotion of inclusive communities. We work in Bangladesh and in India, through our sister organisation, LEPRA Society. We work in partnership with people affected by leprosy and LF to improve detection, ensure access to treatment and care, and promote inclusion and wellbeing. Last year we finalised our new Global Strategy for 2024-30, which will guide us in our efforts to accelerate progress towards global targets for leprosy and LF, and towards our vision of a world free from leprosy and LF.

Job Context

Our Global Strategy marks a significant evolution in our organisational direction, introducing innovative approaches and renewed priorities. This includes our first-ever global Theory of Change (ToC), our most comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) framework to date, a Research and Innovation strategy, and a dedicated Advocacy sub-strategy to guide our influencing efforts.

Within this context, the Programmes Officer will play a vital role in supporting the work of the Programmes and Advocacy team. This is a dynamic and multifaceted position that spans the areas of research, implementation, advocacy, and MEAL. The successful candidate will be a proactive and well-organised individual, capable of managing multiple responsibilities, coordinating projects, and fostering effective communication across teams and departments.

Job Purpose

The purpose of the role is to provide essential support to a small, dedicated team within the UK Programmes and Advocacy team, facilitating the effective planning, implementation, and monitoring of projects aimed at addressing leprosy and LF. Working closely with the Senior Programmes Manager and the team, the Programmes Officer will ensure seamless coordination of activities, enhance data-driven decision-making processes, and contribute to impactful advocacy and research initiatives.

Working Relationships

• Reports to Lepra UK s Senior Programme Manager
• Works closely with the Programmes and Advocacy Team
• Day-to-day management liaison with the State Coordinators and other staff of Lepra sister organisation in India, LEPRA Society and the Lepra Bangladesh team.
• Close working links and collaboration with institutional funders and partners
• Close working links with other Lepra teams in the UK namely, the Fundraising and Communications Team and the Finance and Operations team.
• International travel as needed for programmes oversight and support, and external representation.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Support (40%)

• Assist the Senior Programme Manager (SPM) in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of leprosy and LF related projects.
• With oversight from the SPM manage the implementation of small projects
• Coordinate with colleagues in India and Bangladesh to ensure smooth execution of project activities.
• Assist in preparing detailed reports including quarterly progress reports, annual reports and end of project reports, presentations, and project documentation as required. VK1
• Assist in tracking progress against work plans, budgets, and project milestones.

Administrative and Logistical Support (10%)

• Scheduling meetings and coordinating travel arrangements
• Preparing meeting agendas, taking minutes, and tracking action points.
• Supporting the coordination of team-wide planning and reporting processes.

Research Support (10%)

• Work closely with the Head of Research to facilitate research activities and technical assessments.
• Assist in the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative research.
• Assist in preparing and disseminating research findings through reports, publications, and presentations.

MEAL Support (10%)

• Contribute to maintaining robust Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) systems by supporting the team in collecting, analysing, and reporting data on project outcomes and impact.
• Support the collection and analysis of the recent baseline study in India.
• Support the data collection and analysis process for the annual report.
• Support the team in monitoring performance through tracking process indicators, monitoring for trends and contributing to trends analysis.
• Support the development and maintenance of databases for tracking project progress and performance indicators.

Advocacy Support (10%)

• Develop and prepare advocacy materials including briefs, presentations, and reports.
• Prepare advocacy materials, including briefs, reports, and presentations.
• Provide operational and content support for advocacy activities.

Consulting with stakeholders, partners, and donors (10%)

• Act as a donor liaison point for institutional funding.
• Deliver presentations on behalf of the organisation to partners and donors at meetings and conferences.
• Support the Fundraising and Communications Team to create compelling fundraising proposals and communications materials which compliment Lepra s strategic objectives.

Safeguarding (10%)

• Promote a culture of respect, transparency and accountability within Lepra s implemented projects.
• Ensure suitable safeguarding measures are in place and followed in all projects.
• Support the integration of strong safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) practices into project design and delivery.
• Contribute to the effective implementation of Lepra s Safeguarding and PSEA policies and procedures and promote a safeguarding culture within the organisation.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor s degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, International Development, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Experience in project coordination, preferably in the health; humanitarian or in the international development sector.

Desirable

• Relevant post-graduate qualification
• Relevant professional health-related qualification
• Project Cycle management qualification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Experience in project coordination or management, preferably within the health or humanitarian sector.
• Ability to plan, execute, monitor, and evaluate projects effectively.
• Experience in coordinating multiple tasks and managing timelines effectively.

Desirable

• Experience as a project coordinator, preferably gained with an overseas development organisation or in academia, in a similar health focused role.
• Experience in data collection, analysis, and reporting is an advantage.
• Experience with statistical analysis software or GIS mapping tools.
• Experience working in or with Southeast Asian communities.
• Proficiency in one or more Indian languages (e.g., Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Telugu, etc.) is an asset.

Skills, Attitudes and Personal Qualities

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent administrative skills, specifically Excel and significant experience in MS Office packages.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a small team, across departments and in international settings.
• Ability to work independently, be flexible and prioritise workload.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Ability to travel within the UK and overseas.
• The right to work in the UK.

We have fully embraced flexible working and the role can be either fully remote, hybrid or fully based at our Colchester offices. We offer a lot of flexibility in working practices and there is free reserved parking available. We also offer 26 days annual leave plus public holidays (pro-rated), pension, Employee Assistance Programme and support from an in-house well-being team.

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