Amref Health Africa UK

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title: Programme Assistant

Responsible to: Programme Manager

Salary: £19,100 - £25,849

Duration: Permanent

Location: Angel, London N1 9PD

Job Type: Full-time post at 35 hours a week

I. THE ORGANISATION:

Amref Health Africa is Africa’s leading health charity and one of the leading healthcare development agencies on the continent. Our vision is of lasting health change within Africa’s most vulnerable and remote communities. Headquartered in Nairobi, we are a truly African organisation. This ethos defines our community-based approach and echoes across each and every one of the projects and programmes we deliver.

We started life in 1957 as the Flying Doctors of East Africa. Beginning with aeroplanes to provide the most remote communities with health care, we have always used the ‘tools of our time’ to bridge the gap between heath systems and people. Today we use e-learning, telemedicine, and mobile phones to spread health knowledge and care. Our work – ranging from maternal and newborn health to water and sanitation - has won high-profile international awards such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Award for Global Health and the Conrad Hilton Humanitarian Award.

Amref Health Africa UK is composed of the Programme Team, Fundraising Team and Communications Team, and Finance and Administration Team. We have a portfolio of innovative health programmes funded by a range of donors including institutions, corporates, trusts and foundations.

Job purpose: Under the guidance of the Programme Manager, the post holder will provide financial and administrative support across the Programmes Team, including supporting the identification and design of new projects, proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation of projects and relationship management with donors.

Key relationships: Based in our London office, you will work closely with the Programmes Team consisting of the Programme Manager and two Programme Officers. In addition, you will work with other UK departments, particularly the Head of Operations, Fundraising and Finance, and will develop good working relationships with Amref Health Africa Country Offices.

II. Principal Functions/ Key Result Areas:

1.  Team Finance and Administration Support

The post holder will be central to supporting the Programme Team to deliver against the yearly operational plans. This will include working with the Programme Manager to:

a)  Provide general administrative tasks for the Programme Team, including organising team meetings and taking of minutes.

b)  Support the Programme Manager on the coordination of fund transfers to Africa.

c)  Act as focal point for the finance team on the coordination of day to day financial operations relevant to Programmes.

d)  Support the Programme Manager on the monitoring of monthly organisational management accounts and forecasting.

e)  Coordinate the dissemination of the UK’s project portfolio’s achievement and outcomes for the Fundraising and Communications Team.

f)  Other tasks delegated by the Programme Manager

2.  Support the Programmes Team on management of the project portfolio: This will include:

a)  Supporting the team in proposal development, including researching new funding opportunities, editing/reviewing sections of proposal documentation, developing and formatting of logical frameworks, work plans, budgets and formatting for final submission to the donor.

b)  Supporting the team on the grant management cycle including:

i)  Ensure timely and accurate donor reporting, both narrative and financial in line with Amref Health Africa UK’s monitoring system.

ii)  Maintain donor reporting systems and ensure that assigned projects remain compliant with donor contracts.

iii)  Review financial reports and ensure spending is in line with work plans, approved budgets and team income and expenditure forecasts.

iv)  Monitoring income and expenditure for assigned projects

v)  Liaising with donors on contract administration issues

vi)  Coordinating effective communication with project managers in support of the above.

Amref Health Africa welcomes all applicants and values diversity. We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.

III. PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Knowledge and Technical Skills
§  An understanding of African health and development issues
§  An understanding of UK donor context and other donor requirements
§  Experience of project cycle management, contract management
§  Ability to translate technical financial data into informative reports
§  High level skills in Microsoft Office particularly Excel, Word, Power point / Essential
Desirable
Desirable
Desirable
Essential
Qualifications and Experience
§  A degree in a relevant subject (e.g. social science, public health) or equivalent experience working in an NGO programmes department
§  Successful track record in financial management, budget preparation and analysis, managing complex grants/contracts, financial reporting preparation and presentation.
§  Experience of working in a fast paced role. / Essential
Essential
Essential
Communication/Interpersonal skills
§  Ability to communicate with people from other cultures at a distance.
§  Excellent coordination skills and ability to work to tight and multiple deadlines.
§  Excellent writing and editing skills.
§  Ability to represent the organisation effectively at external meetings and events.
§  Excellent oral and written communication skills.
§  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. / Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential

Finance skills

§  Highly numerate and good analytical ability.
§  Experience of preparing and interpreting financial management information.
§  Experience in accounting or finance-related environment. / Essential
Essential
Desirable
Other personal qualities and competencies
§  Problem solving: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.
§  Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and innovative ways to improve operations of the organisation and to create new opportunities.
§  Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively, dynamically and effectively with others, including remote teams, to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organisational effectiveness.
§  Organise: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information and activities. Ability to work to multiple and tight deadlines.
§  Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behaviour and business practices, and ensure that their own behaviour and the behavior of others are consistent with these standards and aligned with the values of the organisation.
§  Willingness to travel: This role may require some travel to Amref Health Africa countries. / Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential

III. BENEFITS

·  25 days annual leave entitlement

·  Cycle scheme

·  Potential travel to Amref Health Africa countries

·  Competitive pension scheme contributions

Closing Date for Applications: Friday 11th November 2016.

Interview Date: Likely to be the week commencing 14th November 2016

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Amref Health Africa UK: Programme Assistant 3 Job Description