View Vacancy - KL- Newton Fund Programme Officer, Newton Ungku Omar Fund Malaysia B3 (L)
Main purpose of job
This is an exciting opportunity to work within the UK’s Newton Fund programme. The Fund strives to build partnerships between research and innovation funders, organisations and institutes, as well as between individual researchers from the UK and Malaysia. Known in Malaysia as the Newton-Ungku Omar Fund, the programme supports excellent joint research and innovation in UK and Malaysia with the aim of using science to support the social and economic development of Malaysia. Together with the country Strategic Manager and wider Newton Fund network, the Programme Officer will have the opportunity to shape, manage and facilitate partnerships through a variety of activities.
Roles and responsibilities
- Programme Management: Working closely with the Strategic Manager to oversee the broad range of established activities under the Newton Ungku-Omar Fund. This includes managing specific programme portfolios, building and maintaining relationships with UK and Malaysian delivery partners, problem solving and facilitating negotiations where necessary. Tracking quarterly and annual funding profiles against forecasts in order to identify areas of risk and opportunity.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitoring of programme progress (timeline and outputs-wise), including gathering examples of impact, identifying and drafting case studies, and keeping the Fund’s recipient database up to date. Leading on data gathering and analytical support for the Fund’s external evaluators and consultants, where necessary.
- Reporting: Collating of reporting material, both qualitative and financial, for Newton-Ungku Omar Fund team in Malaysia. This includes writing monthly progress report, identifying examples of impact, feeding into briefing write-ups, and communicating fluently with UK stakeholders. Financial reporting includes the internal reporting of expenses, travel, subsistence and other costs incurred by the in-country team.
- Communications and Promotions: Developing the Fund’s long- and short-term communication strategies and implementation, including managing regular communication activities such as promotions for active funding opportunities, guidance for prospective applicants and answering enquiries regarding the Fund. Other tasks include public presentations, drafting press releases, writing blogposts, case studies, newsletters and providing content for social media updates.
- Alumni Engagement: Planning activities aimed at strengthening engagement with past and current Fund recipients. This includes creating and managing an alumni network, sending regular newsletters, organising on-ground alumni events, and be an effective contact point for all alumni enquiries.
- Event Planning and Management: Lead on planning and delivery of Newton Fund events, including logistical coordination, arranging printed material, and stakeholder engagement. This includes high level meetings, delegation visits, promotional events and workshops.
- Strategic Development: Supporting with information gathering through research and analysis to feed into the strategic direction of the Fund in Malaysia. Contribute to in-country strategic plans by identifying opportunities for collaboration and synergies amongst activities.
- A minimum of degree-level qualification.
- Minimum 3 years work experience in a project/programme management role, with elements of managing finances.
- Proven capability in analytical and business writing.
- Good IT skills and proficiency in using standard office applications for programme management and analysis.
- Ability to establish effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, particularly with government agencies.
- Ability to represent the programme through public presentations and engagements.
Language requirements
- Excellent written and spoken English and working proficiency in both written and spoken Bahasa Melayu
- Preferably candidates with a degree in a (but not limited to) science, technology, innovation or management background.
- Knowledge of the science, research and innovation landscape in Malaysia, as well as understanding of the contribution that research and innovation can make to socio-economic growth.
- Experience working internationally and/or across cultures.
- Experience working and maintaining relationships with government bodies, agencies and ministries.
Learning and development opportunities
- Programme management
- Negotiating and influencing
- Working across cultures
The British High Commission offers a competitive remuneration package, benefits, leave entitlement of 20 days per annum (calculated on pro rata basis) and works hard to provide L&D opportunities to staff. There are a wide range of options available for personal development including training courses, coaching and mentoring, job-shadowing, presentations and learning sets. Staff have access to a wide variety of online resources through the Diplomatic Academy and Civil Service Learning. The jobholder will be required to take some specific training courses related to their role. All new staff undertake a workplace induction and there are a number of mandatory e-learning courses covering areas such as diversity, health and safety, and information management.
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre- employment and security checks. Staff who are locally recruited by the British High Commission are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. You must have or be able to obtain a valid work permit.
Please note that your application must be submitted before 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.
Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.
Kindly check your application centre or email regularly for any update on the status of your application.
This opportunity is closed to applications.