Senior International Programme Manager

Job Title: Senior International Programme Manager 

Responsible to: Head of the Political Advisers Unit

Salary: £42,565

Tenure: Permanent 

Hours: 40 hours per week, full-time

Location: Westminster, London (with some international travel and scope for some remote working)

Job Description

As part of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary team and liaising closely with the secretariat of the WFD (Westminster Foundation for Democracy) you will work to plan, implement and oversee the Liberal Democrat WFD-funded programmes. 

You will work closely with the international affairs team in both Houses of Parliament, as well as other senior representatives and committees within the wider Party. 

You will work in close coordination with WFD Headquarters. The Senior Programme Manager has overall responsibility for strategic planning and programme functions, including managing capacity and resources to deliver the best possible impact, problem solving, leading the monitoring and evaluation of programmes, and ensuring compliance and sound corporate governance.

The role maintains a wide range of important working relationships including with Liberal Democrat sister-parties and other partners, WFD’s senior management, the Board of Governors, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and British Embassy representatives in programme countries and peer development agencies from other countries.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Programme Design

• Developing and implementing the future strategy for Liberal Democrat approach to WFD funding for the duration of this parliament, working closely with key stakeholders.
• Providing effective liaison and communication with the Party’s Federal International Relations Committee, Party leadership, international affairs team, parliamentary parties in both Houses of Parliament as well as the wider party.
• Ensuring that the WFD programmes are in tune with the Party’s approach and strategy to foreign affairs, as well as aligned to WFD’s programming methodologies and the agreed Results Framework with FCDO for areas of priority and impact.
• Undertaking political economy analysis and problem identification for programme design with the ability to understand complex political environments substantially different from the UK.

Policy and programme management

• Managing the Liberal Democrat Westminster Foundation for Democracy funded programmes.
• Oversee all aspects of the full programme cycle (design, mobilisation, implementation, [including evaluation], and transition/closure), working with WFD’s teams and external partners to ensure effective programme implementation.
• Plan work, manage budgets and projects and establish deadlines to ensure effective programme management.
• Identify, document and construct mitigation strategies for programme risks.
• Produce and/or contribute to necessary internal and external accountability and progress reports such as quarterly reporting, annual/final reports and programme evaluations.

Resource Management

• Ensuring appropriate technical resources are available for programme delivery, including identifying experts, consultants and facilitators as necessary.
• Provide effective financial management and ensure financial risks are well understood and effectively managed. This includes preparing annual budgets and monthly consolidated forecasts with the WFD Business Central finance system.
• Managing a small team providing the administration of these programmes.

Leadership and Engagement

• Identify and develop relationships with key individuals, institutions and networks in the countries where Liberal Democrat WFD programmes operate.
• Manage and maintain relationships with sister parties and other existing partners and peer organisations/networks; coordinate approaches and share lessons with other agencies, as appropriate.
• Establish and maintain key relationships with donors and sponsors including FCDO in the UK and posts overseas at the appropriate level.
• Represent the Liberal Democrats in internal and external forums.
• Work in partnership with other political party offices implementing WFD programming for shared learning and the design and implementation of an annual cross-party project.
• Participate in opportunities to inform WFD’s future direction and leadership by actively engaging in consultation processes, providing feedback, attending all staff meetings, and identifying and promoting opportunities for change and continuous improvement.

Person Specification

We are looking for an experienced candidate with an understanding of development assistance who has knowledge of running international programmes and should be familiar with working in a political environment. 

With a global remit, the Senior Programme Manager is required to deliver demonstrable results within a variety of complex political environments. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate an understanding of the priorities of the Liberal Democrats and will be comfortable working with senior political figures.

They will be able to work to tight timescales and will have the confidence to make political judgements. 

They will be able to take the initiative and be able to prioritise a demanding workload.

The successful candidate will feel comfortable occasionally representing the Party at an international level.

The role will primarily be based in London but will involve some international travel and it will be possible for some flexible and remote working.

About WFD

Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) is the UK public body dedicated to supporting democracy around the world. WFD’s established purpose is to assist, support and encourage the peaceable establishment and development of pluralistic democratic practice and political institutions. WFD offers:

• High quality and impactful programmes that directly support institutions in political systems to develop inclusive political processes, more accountable political systems, protection of rights and freedoms, and more pluralistic societies;
• Specialist analysis, research, and advice to inform policy makers on a range of democratic governance issues; and
• International election observations on behalf of the UK.

Essential Skills and Experience

The candidate will be able to show knowledge and experience that demonstrate:

• Understanding of international development assistance.
• Background in project and programme design, implementation, and management.
• Knowledge of the Liberal Democrats.
• Experience of working in an international environment an understanding of foreign affairs.
• The ability to manage, brief and coordinate senior politicians.
• Experience of running development programmes and managing budgets.
• Experience managing resources, delivering value for money, and achieving agreed objectives.
• Experience in proposal development, contracting, procurement, grant management, donor compliance, financial scrutiny, and reporting.
• Experience using programme management systems and tools.
• Intermediate level Microsoft suite skills.
• Donor or partner engagement experience.
• Line management experience and skills.
• Experience of managing complex communications structures.
• A clear commitment to the ideals and values of the Liberal Democrats

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Experience of training, giving presentations and public speaking.
• Experience of working on women’s political leadership programmes or research.
• Knowledge of Liberal Democrat sister parties.

How to Apply

Please fully read through the requirements of the job before applying and take a few minutes to complete our Equality and Diversity Monitoring Forms then proceed with your application.

A full CV of no more than two pages and including a telephone number and email address;

A covering letter (no more than one A4 page) setting out why you want the job and how your experience and skills are relevant to it;

To be considered for this position, please submit your application to Recruitment@libdems.org.uk 

We will be reviewing applications as they come in and reserve the right to appoint prior to the closing date.

Please note: We will not be able to employ you if you are not eligible to work in the UK. We will not be able to obtain a work permit on your behalf.

Applicants are encouraged to inform us if any reasonable adjustments are needed to be made during any part of the recruitment process.

Please let us have details of your current salary and two referees including one from your current employer – if you would prefer us not to contact them until a later stage of the selection process, please let us know.

Please note: Due to the volume of applications that we receive, we cannot confirm receipt of applications. The inbox is frequently monitored on a daily basis and all applications are passed on to the Recruitment Managers for the advertised positions.

The Party believes it is essential to foster equity, equality, diversion and inclusion within our workforce. We want our employees to thrive in an environment where everyone is welcome and supported to achieve their potential. It is important to celebrate what makes us unique and that you feel valued, appreciated and free to be who you are.