Senior Programme Manager, Centre of Expertise

Westminster Foundation for Democracy

Dumfries and Galloway

Hybrid

Expires: Expiring in less than 2 weeks

Full time

£47,600 - £52,800 per year

Job summary

The Centre of Expertise is looking for an experience Senior Programme Manager to lead on the operational delivery of its information and knowledge services.

Job description

Reporting to the Head of the Centre of Expertise (CoE), the Senior Programme Manager (SPM), Centre of Expertise will be the lead operational manager within WFD CoE’s Project Delivery Unit, overseeing the coordination and delivery of the CoE's portfolio of enquiries and technical assistance engagements, ensuring a high-quality, responsive and client-focused service to the FCDO and other stakeholders and partners. Key areas of work include;

Primary point of contact for new enquiries, coordinating the initial response process, supporting resource allocation decisions, and ensuring that opportunities and engagements are effectively assessed and assigned.
Provide day-to-day management and oversight of the delivery portfolio while maintaining responsibility for delivering their own portfolio of enquiries and technical assistance assignments.

Working closely with the Head of CoE, Practice Leads and other technical advisers within WFD, and CoE Programme Managers, they will ensure strategic priorities are translated into effective operational delivery.

Person specification

It is essential you have the following.

Minimum 8 years’ experience withing international project and programme design, implementation and management.
Significant experience managing complex development, governance or technical assistance portfolios.
Experience providing advice, guidance, support and resources to remote and diverse teams.
Experience in proposal development, contracting, procurement, grant management, donor compliance, financial scrutiny and reporting.
Experience using programme management systems and tools. Intermediate level Microsoft suite skills.
Experience managing multiple concurrent projects within a fast-paced environment.
Strong understanding of programme and project management methodologies.
Experience managing budgets, contracts, procurement processes and delivery risks.
Proven ability to coordinate diverse stakeholders and balance competing priorities.
Experience working with government, donor or international development clients.
Excellent organisational and operational management skills and ability to work independently
Significant experience managing resources, delivering value for money and achieving objectives.
Demonstrable experience leading project management teams
In-depth political, professional and sectoral knowledge related to (or experience working in) governance, democracy support and promotion.
Senior partnerships management experience and exceptional key stakeholder engagement skills.
High level English language, writing (reports, briefing documents) and communication (presentations) skills.
Line management experience including staff development, coaching and mentoring.
Experience acting as representative leading networking, promotional activities/events or assessment visits.
Knowledge and experience implementing monitoring and evaluation methodologies
High degree of accuracy and ability to deliver to deadlines
Self-motivated with the ability to multitask and effectively plan and organise own workload with minimal supervision.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £47,600, Westminster Foundation for Democracy contributes £13,789 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Learning and development tailored to your role
An environment with flexible working options
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Applications are via CV and Cover Letter, which are received via our online application system. www.wfd.org/careers.

Your application should represent your skills and personal experiences accurately and authentically, AI assisted applications will not be acceptable.

This vacancy will close on 25th November 2026

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

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Contact point for applicants

Salary range

£47,600 - £52,800 per year