Description
Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is a world-renowned independent policy institute, based in London. Our mission is to help build a sustainably secure, prosperous and just world. The Africa Programme at Chatham House is a world-leading centre for independent policy research on issues affecting individual states of Africa, their international relations, and the continent as a whole. By working with the best international researchers on African politics, the Programme offers reliable and independent research that improves the quality of information disseminated globally.
The Africa Programme supports improved understanding of changing international relations and influence in sub-Saharan Africa. We don’t shy away from tackling the difficult and often complex issues facing the continent, and in doing so, we support improved understanding and effective international engagements that can lead to positive outcomes for citizens.
If you have a talent for administration, are proactive and engaged, and are passionate about joining a diverse and tight-knit team that delivers meaningful policy research and debate on the politics and international relations of African countries, we would like to hear from you!
Reporting to the Projects Manager and working closely with the Deputy Director of the Africa Programme, the successful candidate will provide administrative support for a range of Africa Programme projects; work closely with the Programme’s research teams to coordinate different project activities; be responsible for the organization of project related events, publications and dissemination of research findings and outputs; and provide some research and editorial support. Some travel will be required, including on some weekends.
We are an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics. We encourage applications from all backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to improve your experience or support you, please get in touch at [email protected]
Main responsibilities
Delivery
- Provide support for complex Africa Programme research projects, which may cover multiple countries or be funded by multi-year grants.
- Assist with project expenditure monitoring against budgets and maintain records, contracts, and databases related to allocated projects, including drafting narrative reports for project funders.
- Ensure smooth organization of field research trips, seminars, events and conferences related to projects with guidance from the line manager and the Programme’s deputy director; including arranging travel, scheduling, accommodation and logistics.
- Travel to support field research and project events as required.
- Provide research for project-related publications, including assisting with the development of data and graphic-based outputs.
- Regularly update and maintain the Africa Programme’s project pages on the Chatham House website to ensure accuracy and relevance.
- Provide general support for Africa Programme activities during staff absences.
People
- Work closely with project managers to ensure projects achieve their objectives, deliver outputs, and adhere to timelines.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues, project partners, and funders to meet Programme and projects’ goals, using a collaborative approach to deliver work effectively with Africa Programme colleagues and other teams within Chatham House.
- Collaborate with senior programme leadership and colleagues to create a positive working culture, ensuring good practices are shared and the institute’s standards of behaviour are upheld.
Strategy
- Understand the Africa Programme’s and Chatham House’s overall strategy and how your role contributes to it.
- Proactively support financial management, including by monitoring expenditure for activities and ensuring budgetary compliance.
- Find opportunities for collaboration and efficiencies, working across the Programme to help drive these initiatives.
Person Specification
- Demonstrable interest in African affairs.
- Outstanding administration, coordination, and organizational skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience in supporting event organization, preferably internationally.
- Exceptional attention to detail and financial literacy.
- A team player, with energy, enthusiasm, a desire to learn, and work collaboratively.
- A problem-solver with the ability to show initiative.
- Ability to work with a diverse range of partners and navigate cross-cultural sensitivities.
- Ability to take ownership and balance multiple tasks, prioritize accordingly, and work calmly under pressure.
- Proficiency in any official African Union working language (desirable).
Benefits
Benefits include approximately 37 days annual leave (including public holidays and Chatham House closure days), pension salary exchange, employee assistance programme, parental leave, flexible working and other benefits designed to suit your lifestyle. All of this, in a professional, engaging and intellectually stimulating environment.
Salary: £28,000 per annum
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Location: Hybrid (Office/Home), minimum 2 days in the office per week.
Closing Date: Sunday 18th August 2024 at midnight. You will be notified of the status of your application within 4 weeks of the role closing. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; we encourage early application as the closing date may be brought forward if needed.
Please note: We screen candidates anonymously. We will not see your personal information before your application has been moved forward in the process. Please exclude any personal or identifiable information in your application answers including your personal statement.
Please avoid using AI for your application, we want to hear from you! We can tell the difference between a genuine answer and an AI-generated one. Using AI will run the risk of your application being disqualified.
The Job Description as outlined above will not be available once the closing date has passed. Please ensure you keep a copy for your own record.
Please note that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. You must have an existing and unrestricted right to work in the UK.
Department: Research
Locations: London
