ERIS Senior Programme Development Adviser

ERIS – Senior Programme Development Adviser

Job Description(1February 2014)

Reporting to:Executive Directorand Director of Programmes/Deputy Executive Director

Key relationships:Programme Managers (Team leaders), Programme Managers, Programme Officers, Director of Finance and Administration, External Consultants, Donors

The Senior Programme Development Adviser has overall responsibility for:

Advising on, and taking part in, the preparation and submission of project and programme proposals in line with ERIS and donor requirements.
Identifying new programme development opportunities and preparing a steady pipeline of new proposals.
Providing advice on the latest developments and approaches to project and programme funding.

Establishing and maintaining productive relationships with key donors and potential funders.

Ensuring proposals have suitable budgets to enable ERIS to deliver projects effectively and meet both donors’ and ERIS’s financial requirements.

The Senior Programme Development Adviser has specific responsibility to:

Programme development

Work with the Executive Director, Director of Programmes/Deputy Executive Director, Director of Finance and Administration and other Senior Programme Development Advisors to develop ERIS’s programme development strategy.
Ensure that a suitable system is in place to monitor and respond to calls for proposals from relevant donor organisations.
Monitor new programme development opportunities and ensure the maintenance of a suitable database of new programme development opportunities.
Maintain up to date knowledge of the latest donor approaches to funding support for the development of democratic institutions, processes and governance around the world.
Work with other programme development staff to ensure a continuous pipeline of proposals is submitted to relevant donors.
Provide advice to Director of Programmes/Deputy Executive Director and programme teams on changing donor requirements for monitoring and evaluation of programmes.
Provide regular and timely reports to the Executive Directorand Director of Programmes/Deputy Executive Director onprogramme development activities.
Conduct regular programme of visits to target regions or countries to meet donor organisations and identify new programme development opportunities.
Provide support and guidance to country offices in the development of extensions to existing projects and the development of new project proposals.
Ensure that proposals meet donor requirements and are delivered in good time in an appropriate format with all supporting documentation.

Finance

Work closely with the Director of Finance and Administration and programme teams to ensure all project and programme proposals have suitable budgets to enable ERIS to deliver projects effectively and meet both donors’ and ERIS’s financial requirements.

External

Working with other programme development staff, map key stakeholders and maintain a contacts database.
Establish and maintain good working relationships with relevant officials involved in democracy support in donor governments and international organisations.
Represent and promote ERIS at meetings with donor organisations and other stakeholders, conferences, forums and networking events as required.

Safety and security

Ensure that appropriate provisions for the security and safety of ERIS staff and contractors are included in all new proposals, advised by the Director of Finance and Administration, Director of Programmes/Deputy Executive Director and Executive Director.

Other tasks

Abide by ERIS policies, reporting requirements and paperwork in a timely and efficient manner.
Develop and maintain effective relationships with donors and other key stakeholders.
Undertake other appropriate tasks as requested by the Programme Manager, Director of Programmes/Deputy Executive Director and Executive Director.

Senior Programme Development Adviser - Person Specification

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications / Undergraduate degree in political science, law, international relations, development studies or another relevant subject - or clearly demonstrable relevant experience. / X
Post graduate degree in a relevant subject. / X
Skills/abilities / Excellent communication skills in English, both oral and written. / X
Ability to work in other relevant languages. / X
Ability to analyse and report on political situations. / X
Ability to manage and report on multiple complex projects in an international environment. / X
Ability to analyse financial data and communicate financial and contractual issues effectively. / X
Ability to provide leadership to staff in the UK and in overseas offices. / X
Ability to engage, communicate and negotiate effectively with senior government officials, donors and diplomats. / X
Ability to plan and prioritise multiple work programmes to ensure effective and timely delivery of projects. / X
Ability to adopt a flexible approach to work and respond quickly and decisively to rapidly changing and sensitive political environments. / X
Experience/ Knowledge / Experience of preparing narrative and financial project/programme proposals for democracy and governance projects and programmes. / X
Experience of providing technical assistance for democracy/governance projects and programmes. / X
Experience of implementing democracy/governance support projects and programmes. / X
Experience of political analysis and reporting. / X
Experience of project and programme management. / X
Experience of managing contracts, ensuring delivery to donor requirements and maintaining quality of service. / X
Experience of preparing and managing budgets, monitoring expenditure and ensuring financial accountability. / X
Experience in preparing narrative and financial reports. / X
Experience of conducting training on electoral/democracy/governance issues. / X
Experience of managing teams. / X
Experience of working in emerging democracies or developing countries. / X
Experience of leading/participating in international election observation missions. / X
Experience of dealing with a range of donors, including FCO, DFID, EU. / X
Knowledge and understanding of international standards for elections and democracy. / X
Knowledge of current developments in democratic support. / X
Knowledge of democratic governance issues (election management, election observation, media, civic education, etc.). / X
Knowledge of UK and international approaches to supporting democratic institutions and processes. / X
Other requirements / Sympathy with the aims, goals and values of ERIS and a commitment to support delivery to meet them. / X
Positive, constructive approach and attitude to work. / X
Willingness to travel to countries where programmes/projects are being developed and implemented. / X
Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook. / X

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