Job Description & Person Specification

Programmes Assistant

Salary: £300 – £400 per month

Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week

Location: Based in Pakistan

Reports to: Programmes Manager

Closing Date: Rolling (Interviews to be conducted on a rolling basis)

About READ Foundation

READ Foundation (RF) is a UK based registered charity working to provide access to quality education to vulnerable children in our regions of work. We create opportunities for orphan and needy children to go to school, to gain an education and build a better life for themselves. We currently focus on constructing new schools, providing sponsorship for orphans, and are now expanding our educational portfolio to reflect the large humanitarian and development needs ongoing throughout the world.

Purpose of Job

The Programmes Assistant will support the Programmes Coordinator and Programmes Officer in administering RF’s portfolio of education projects across the globe. The role holder’s primary role will be to provide administration assistance to the programmes team ensuring effective project management and administration of RF’s educational projects in Pakistan.

Main Responsibilities:

Project administration

Administration and reporting

• Support the team with efficient document management, including storing of all project information and supporting documents.
• Assist in the development of project reports for various stakeholders.
• Maintain effective communication internally between departments to ensure up to date information is available on the status of our projects. Some follow up will be required for reporting from field offices and partners.

Contract management support

• Support the Programmes Coordinator/Programme Officer in concept note and proposal development in coordination with other members.
• Follow up on project-related donor queries through swift and efficient communication.
• Oversee logistical support with the Programmes Coordinator and HR to ensure processes are developed and abided to for field trips (internal or external).

Risk management

• Learn and follow up on RF’s partner due diligence framework with selected organisations.
• Contribute to an effective culture of risk management across the organisation (both at HQ and field office level).

Other

• Conduct guided research on education focused interventions in the development sector.
• Provide logistical support for the programmes department.
• Assist the Programmes Coordinator/Programme Officer in any other tasks deemed necessary.

Special Working Conditions

Work occasional flexible hours including evenings and weekends.

Company benefits

The position also comes with the following benefits:

• 32 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays and company-wide holidays)
• Awards for employee of the year
• Paid time off for bereavement, sick days and medical appointments
• Investment in training, professional growth and development

READ Foundation is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in all aspects of our work, along with encouraging a healthy work life balance.

Requirements

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Track record of success in working in an organisation of complexity, to deliver high quality results to deadlines.
• Experience of evaluating concept notes and project proposals to assess project quality.
• Demonstratable experience of applying effective problem-solving techniques.
• Effective communicator who is able to develop strong relationships with the fundraising team, key people within the company and external stakeholders.

Experience & Qualifications

• Some experience within a charity or similar environment (including volunteering or internship roles).
• Educated to a degree level. It would be preferable in a development or humanitarian discipline such as International Development, International Relations (Desirable).
• Experience in developing or managing education-based projects (Desirable).
• Experience of successfully fundraising and dealing with institutional donors and international donors.
• Proven experience and knowledge of effective budgetary control and grant management.
• Strong and well-developed analytical skills coupled with experience of writing quality proposals and reports.
• MS Office Suite; Project management systems.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise a complicated workload.

Skills

• Ability to work under pressure, manage time, workload and prioritise work to deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated with an ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Good independent judgement and ability to challenge constructively.
• Excellent organisational, planning and time management skills.

Benefits

Company benefits

The position also comes with the following benefits:

• 32 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays and company-wide holidays)
• Awards for employee of the year
• Paid time off for bereavement, sick days and medical appointments
• Investment in training, professional growth and development

READ Foundation is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in all aspects of our work, along with encouraging a healthy work life balance.