JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:Programme Intern (12 months)
Reporting to:Programme Finance Officer
Job purpose:To support the Programme Officer in the management of Health Poverty Action's Africaprogrammes by assisting in the administration of project finances. Additional responsibilities will include supporting grant management; reviewing reports and evaluations;and providing information, logistical and administrative services to programme staff.
Background
Spanning almost a quarter of a century, Health Poverty Action’s work has grown to include programmes in 14 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America (with more currently in development). We always prioritise the most poor and the most marginalised – those neglected by governments and almost everyone else. This has led us to work in some very difficult environments, often providing the only external assistance. Health Poverty Action currently employs about 300 staff worldwide (with the vast majority located in our programme countries), and has an annual turnover of around £12 million.
Health status and poverty levels are inextricably bound together. Each is both a cause and a consequence of the other. Put positively, this means there is great power in an approach that addresses both of them asimprovements in one yield improvements in the other. This is the approach Health Poverty Action is committed to. It makes health first and foremost not a medical challenge – though that plays its part – but a fundamental issue of justice and human rights.
Working with communities to build local capacity, Health Poverty Action’s programmes seek to pioneer new approaches. We take a holistic approach, focusing not just on the health sector but being prepared to do anything we can to help make the biggest possible difference to health. Our programmes take a rights-based approach, strengthening poor and marginalised communities to advocate on their own behalf, and helping build the capacity of wider networks and movements they can partner with. Our policy and campaigns work is a major organisational priority, operating both alongside and integrated with our programmes work, so that the two in combination contribute to building a global movement for.
The Programme Department
Our programmes are managed by Country Directors overseen by two Heads of Programmes (one responsible for Africa and one responsible for Asia and Latin America). The Programme Team in London provides support services to the development, implementation and administration of Health Poverty Action’s programmes. The ProgrammesDepartment liaises with: the Policy Campaigns Department to ensure strong integration between our programmes and advocacy work; the Fundraising Department to develop proposals and reports for trusts and foundations; and the Finance Department on programme finances.
Main Functions of the Post
- To assist in the administration of projectfinances
- To support grant management for Africaprojects
- To assist in the broader administration of the Programmes Department
- To contribute to programme development
Outline of Responsibilities
1. To assist in the administration of project finances (60%)
1.1Assist in the preparation and maintenance of project budgets
1.2Assist in monitoring field expenditure/income on allocated projects, providing feedback to field staff and the Programme Officer as appropriate
1.3 Assist in reviewing monthly financial reports, including bank reconciliations
1.4Assist in maintaining forecasts of income and expenditure for each project
1.5 Assisting in preparation of donor reports and claims together with Finance Department and the Programme Officer
1.6Assist in monitoring cash flow to field offices and processing transfer requests
2. To assist with project logistics, support grant management & donor relations (30%)
2.1Help to review quarterly and annual narrative reports from projects, and provide feedback
2.2Review project procurements and ensure they are undertaken in line with HPA policy, and compliant with donor rules
2.3Provide administrative and logistical support to the Country Office staff and their consultants
2.4Assist with the administration of evaluations (e.g. reviewing TORs, reviewing report drafts etc.)
2.5Assist in the administration of meetings and working groups as appropriate, taking minutes, attending and participating, and preparing and distributing papers.
2.6Support the Programme Officer in donor relations & communications as and when required.
2.7 Support the Programme Office in building and reviewing donor reports
3. Provide administrative support to the Programmes Team (10%)
3.1 Assist the Programmes Team with logistics and administrative tasks. This could be, for example, meeting/conference planning, organising travel, booking hotels for visitors to London, organising couriers, etc.
3.2Organise filing Africaprojects, and ensure that both electronic and hard copy files are maintained within an agreed system, to allow easy access by other staff
3.3Be responsible for uploading key documents to our organisational internal shared drive and Glasscubes (organisational online platform)
3.4Provide other administrative support to the Programmes Team as required
4 To assist with programme development & research
4.1Undertake other duties as may reasonably be requested
Person Specification
Essential requirements
- A high level of numeracy & good analytical ability
- Basic understanding of accounting and financial controls
- Experience of setting up spreadsheets and understanding of spreadsheet design, preferably using Excel
- Bachelors degree in a relevant discipline
- Experience working/volunteering in a development NGO either at HQ or country office level
- Excellent writing and editing skills
- Excellent word processing and Internet skills
- Good organisational skills and the ability to juggle different demands and priorities
- Experience of working in a fast-paced environment
- Openness to learning new skills & a pro-active approach to tasks
- Positive team-worker, supportive and helpful towards colleagues
Desirable requirements
- Masters degree in a relevant discipline
- Experience of managing & reporting against donor budgets
- Proven contract/grant management skills, including in the context of an overseas development or aid organisation & experience of the project cycle
- Proven skills in preparing funding applications and reports to statutory donors
- Experience of DFID, EC, Big Lottery Fund funding proposals and reports
- Ability to communicate with people from other cultures at a distance
- Experience of living and/or working in a developing country
Terms and conditions
Salary
£12,318(per annum)
Professional development
Health Poverty Action will support the post holder with their professional development, providing opportunities for formal and/or informal training, on the job coaching and mentorship, and possibly field visit(s) to one or more of our country programmes if required.
Holidays
25 days per year pro-rata.
Location
Vauxhall, London.
Closing date for applications:31 July 2017
Interviews:04 August 2017
Expected start date:From 14 August 2017
Thank you for considering working with Health Poverty Action