Senior Programme Associate

Please note this is a fixed term contract up to 12 months

Role Purpose

The Senior Programme Associate contributes for the administration, financial management delivery, and compliance of one or more complex, multi-year international development programmes. This pivotal role ensures effective coordination between the London-based Project Management Unit (PMU), the project field team, the client, and implementing partners, driving technical excellence, financial integrity, and adherence to client (e.g., FCDO) and Chemonics corporate requirements. This position will also be part of fostering team growth and actively engaging in new business roles.

Key Responsibilities:

• Tracks, and when appropriate, reviews project and financial deliverables and reports for completeness and readiness for submission; may provide copy-editing support as needed.
• Schedules, supports, and leads meetings and presentations, prepares agenda, and capture notes as appropriate.
• Liaises directly with relevant support departments, such as human resources, finance and Business integrity and Operations, to ensure project compliance with rules, regulations, and corporate policy, in consultation with programme manager or director as appropriate.
• Drafts and tracks administrative and financial project requests and changes to clients and partners, including approvals for staffing, financial reporting and tracking, activity modifications, and budget adjustments; may liaise with corporate office and project staff and partners staff to obtain information and submit approvals.
• Analyses and submits subcontract invoices and backup documentation; drafts subcontracts and modifications using internal templates; liaises closely with partners on contractual issues.
• Supports Programme Manager and liaise with Programme Accountant to provide support and review on programme invoicing, financial reporting, programme forecasting, local expenses and budget tracking.
• May provide support via short-term assignments to projects within and external to the Business Line in areas of expertise including but not limited to start-up/close-out, operations, MEL, and funds management.

•  Leads recruitment efforts for programme staff and short term technical assistance, under supervision of a manager including sourcing candidates, conducting interviews, checking references, collecting employment verification documentation, and providing finalist feedback

• Reviews draft employment/hiring agreements and provides inputs on compensation negotiations.
• Provides travel support for employees and consultants by gathering relevant travel information, reserving tickets, and seeking necessary travel authorisations and approvals; liaises with traveler to collect expense reports and required backup documentation
• Drafts and submits employment agreements and collects necessary backup documentation to complete administrative procedures for onboarding
• Supports project staff new to Chemonics by delivering introductions to Chemonics’ systems, policies, and processes
• Facilitates fielding and repatriation of employees and consultants including but not limited to submitting separation paperwork, updating allowances, coordinating travel and household effects repatriation
• Facilitates securing residency permits, tax documentation, and housing for international staff; oversees the administration of international staff allowance.

•  Coordinates and quality assures responses requests for project information from corporate and project offices regarding client policies and regulations.

• Leads efforts to keep complete files and comprehensive project documentation by saving relevant project documents and approvals to project SharePoint files and facilitating document reviews and file audits as appropriate
• Schedules and supports meetings and presentations, prepares agenda, and capture notes as appropriate.
• Participates in internal and external training events to strengthen core competencies for project management in line with donor regulations and Chemonics corporate standards.
• May contribute dedicated time to other Centres of Excellence and Technical Practices to achieve Chemonics UK goals; including new business, finance and commercial, MEL, communications, and technical practice contributions.
• Participates in internal and external training events to build core competencies for project management in line with donor regulations and Chemonics corporate standards.
• Demonstrates inclusive behaviours consistent with Chemonics’ values.
• Serves in an acting manager capacity as required.
• Performs other duties as required.

•  Participates on proposal teams in specific line roles of increasing complexity, including, but not limited to, section writer, coordinator, and other roles as necessary; serves as mentor for roles which they’ve mastered.

• Travels when appropriate to conduct information-gathering regarding new business efforts, including meeting with potential subaward partners.

Innovation and Improvement

• Support the enhancement of programme management practices through innovative approaches, leveraging innovative technologies and methodologies such as AI.

• Experience in relevant administrative or professional work environment, including basic understanding of contractual, procurement, financial management, or related experience.
• Experience and/or relevant academic or training background in practice technical area including but not limited to international affairs, international development, humanitarian, education, GEDSI, governance
• Understanding of primary donor client requirements and methods of business preferred.
• Experience with data entry, filing, cataloguing, retrieving, and preserving records preferred.
• Communicates clearly and concisely in both verbal and written communications; strong cross-culture communication and sensitivity skills. Experience producing communications materials and managing events preferred.
• Experience multitasking with attention to detail, organisation, and time management skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Works independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in problem solving and initiative to learn new skills.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and word processing abilities.
• Foreign language proficiency in a relevant region we operate in preferred.
• Previous experience working in international development and/or living or conducting work in developing countries preferred.

• Degree in relevant field or equivalent work experience required; advanced degree preferred

• UK work authorisation or ability to obtain it required.
• Willingness to travel up to 8 weeks per year

Chemonics is a sustainable solutions firm that designs and delivers people-centered solutions at the intersection of technology, data, and human progress. Building on 50 years of experience in 160 countries, our global network of experts collaborates with ambitious partners to navigate complex environments and achieve results.