View Vacancy - CPK - Prosperity Programme Manager, Energy and Low Carbon C4(L)

In November 2015, the UK Government announced a £1.3bn five-year Prosperity Fund to promote the economic reform and development needed for growth in partner countries. Priorities include improving the business climate, competitiveness and operation of markets, energy, and financial sector reform. As well as contributing to poverty reduction in recipient countries, it is expected that these reforms will create opportunities for international business, including UK companies.

The British Embassy in Beijing plans to undertake an Energy and Low Carbon Economy Prosperity Fund programme in China from early 2018 until March 2021. It is anticipated that delivery of the particular elements of the programme will be undertaken by external suppliers and delivery consortia that may in turn sub-contract delivery of particular elements. The contract is likely to be of significant value and complexity. We are consequently recruiting a programme manager to join the Energy and Low-carbon Economy programme team to support programme delivery, monitoring and project engagement.

The successful candidate will play a central role in shaping the programme and managing programme performance. The role will be responsible for contract development and management and for ensuring that the programme meets best practice standards of project delivery. As a result of the programme’s pre-tender status, it is expected that the Programme Manager will need to be comfortable working flexibly across multiple and evolving work streams over the programme lifecycle.

This position is advertised on a fixed-term basis until 31 March 2019 with potential extension pending approval of Prosperity Fund funding.

Roles and responsibilities:

1. Programme and contract management

• Ensure the effective implementation of projects and leading on monitoring of contractual obligations, including managing relationships with implementing agencies.
• Develop strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and provide support to Programme suppliers to successfully deliver the programme within the timescale and budget.
• Liaise between the relevant policy team(s), China Prosperity Fund Programme leads, and Central Management Team to ensure alignment with wider HMG objectives and Prosperity Fund standards and guidelines.
• Undertake field trips in China and potentially in the UK to support activities.
• Work closely with the Head of Programme Delivery and counterpart Programme Manager to ensure successful overall programme delivery.
• Support design, implementation and management of a small portfolio of potential non-Official Development Assistance (ODA) activities.

2. Procurement

• Assist with all aspects of the procurement process, including drafting of Terms of References and evaluating tendering documentation for multi-year, multi-million pound contracts and smaller in-year project procurements including tenders, grants and HMG self-implemented activities.
• Liaise with energy and low carbon policy colleagues to ensure scope, design and delivery of activities align with HMG priorities and engagement.

3. Monitoring, Reporting, Evaluation and Learning (MREL)

• Manage accurate budgeting, forecasting, and invoicing information.
• Conduct periodic reviews, audits, and reporting of projects.
• Work with Portfolio-level monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL) contractors to ensure the programme aligns with HMG standards and best practice.
• Lead annual review process to evaluate programme impact.
• Detail and disseminate programme learning and facilitate exchanges with Prosperity Fund and China Network colleagues.

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a programme or project management role, including in the design of projects, defining specific outputs, outcomes and indicators, evaluating and monitoring projects, and managing risks.
• Strong experience of procuring programmes or projects from the market and managing budgets and activities over the project lifecycle.
• Strong interpersonal skills and representational ability.
• Excellent budget and project management skills.
• Sound working knowledge of basic software, including Word and Excel.
• A university degree in a relevant field.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.