Senior Fund Associate (XCEPT)

General Summary

The Cross-Border Conflict, Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) research programme explores conflict-affected borderlands, how conflicts connect across borders, the intersection of climate stresses and conflict, and the factors that shape violent and peaceful behaviour. Funded by UK International Development, XCEPT offers actionable research to inform policies and programmes that support peace.

XCEPT is the most ambitious conflict research programme ever undertaken by the UK Government. Bringing together world-leading experts and local researchers from across the world, XCEPT’s multidisciplinary approach focuses on the causes and consequence of conflict in some of the world’s hardest to reach places. XCEPT uses technology to complement traditional research methods, using satellite imagery and open-source investigations together with traditional mixed-methods research to better understand protracted conflicts in Africa, the Middle East, and South and Southeast Asia. XCEPT’s approach includes a flexible and responsive £7 million Research Fund, managed by Chemonics UK, lead implementer of XCEPT.

XCEPT seeks applications from experienced Senior Associates to support the implementation of the XCEPT Research Fund (XRF). As a flexible commissioning platform, the XRF provides opportunities to grantees to undertake rigorous research on XCEPT’s core themes; to respond to emerging crises with new research and evidence; to pilot the use of new technologies, including satellite imagery and open-source investigations; and to promote and support Global South researchers. The Fund makes a range of awards, from major awards of £400,000 or more to develop a body of work as part of a multi-year portfolio of research; down to smaller awards – up to £50,000 – to enable organisations and individual researchers to conduct quick-turn evidence reviews or projects involving limited fieldwork.  

The full‑time XCEPT Senior Fund Associate role offers an opportunity to contribute to the final year of the XCEPT programme, and to work closely with the XCEPT Research Fund & Uptake Director and XCEPT Fund Manager to support the development of impactful research, and the effective administration, monitoring, and compliance of the programme’s research grants.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions) 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Objective   

The Senior Fund Associate will support the implementation and close-out of a dynamic portfolio of research projects that are scheduled to complete by December 2026, with programme completion at the end of February 2027. The role will support effective programme and financial management by contributing to risk tracking, performance monitoring, uptake of research outputs, and timely close‑out activities. The postholder will be responsible for working in line with XCEPT’s Research Fund Manual, FCDO contract terms and conditions, and any programme‑specific requirements, and for escalating compliance issues as appropriate.

Responsibilities

Research award implementation and portfolio management 

• Support the implementation, monitoring, and close‑out of active XCEPT research awards, contributing to the delivery of contracted research outputs and supporting effective policy uptake within agreed timelines, including support for the October 2026 XCEPT Conference.
• Work closely with Research Managers to support project implementation, including risk tracking, delivery performance monitoring, financial compliance processes, and close‑out preparation.
• Act as an operational point of support for Research Managers and awardees, helping to identify, track, and resolve delivery, compliance, or contractual issues in a timely manner; escalating risks as appropriate.

Financial oversight

• Support the financial implementation and close‑out of XCEPT Fund awards, working closely with the Finance team and other colleagues to help ensure compliance with FCDO financial rules and Chemonics requirements.
• Support the review of award budgets, budget modifications, and forecasts throughout implementation, ensuring costs are allowable, reasonable, and appropriately forecast through to final disbursement.
• Support the preparation of regular Fund budget forecasts by maintaining accurate financial tracking information and flagging potential risks related to underspend overspend, or timing of expenditures, particularly in the final programme year.
• Coordinate inputs to financial reconciliation and close‑out processes for awards, including supporting the validation of final expenditures, helping resolve discrepancies, and assisting with the preparation of final financial reports.
• Work with awardees, under the guidance of senior colleagues, to support good financial management practices, including ensuring required financial documentation for audit and donor review is complete and submitted on time.

XCEPT programme management and systems

• Work closely with the XCEPT Research Fund & Uptake Director and Fund Manager to support high‑quality delivery across the implementation and close‑out phases of active Fund awards, contributing to award management, delivery tracking, risk mitigation, and compliance processes.
• Support the day‑to‑day administration and monitoring of specific projects through final implementation, helping ensure awards remain on track against contracted timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
• Support in populating accurate and up‑to‑date programme trackers (including award delivery, risk, financial, and MEL trackers), ensuring data quality, consistency, and timely inputs to support effective oversight, reporting, and close‑out.
• Support the maintenance and application of systems and processes for award implementation, monitoring, documentation, and close‑out, ensuring alignment with FCDO and Chemonics policies and procedures.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and well‑organised award files, supporting audit readiness and ensuring documentation relating to delivery evidence, approvals, due diligence, and close‑out is properly recorded.
• Support the organisation of Fund meetings focused on implementation progress and close‑out readiness, including preparing agendas and papers, tracking actions, and following up to ensure actions are completed on time.

Support capacity building for award delivery and close‑out

• Provide practical support to current awardees during the implementation phase, including guidance on delivery planning, reporting requirements, financial compliance processes, and preparation for close‑out.
• Support the Research Fund & Uptake Director in delivering targeted, time‑bound capacity‑building activities focused on final‑year delivery, compliance, audit readiness, and successful award close‑out.
• Contribute to maintaining elements of the XCEPT community of practice where appropriate, with a focus on supporting knowledge exchange related to delivery, uptake, and responsible programme closure.
  
  

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. research, international development, public policy, social sciences, finance, or a related discipline), or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience in fund, programme, or research administration.
• 2-3 years’ relevant professional experience in a programme support, fund administration, research administration, or related operational role, ideally within an international development, research, or donor‑funded environment.
• Demonstrated experience supporting the implementation and administration of grants, awards or research projects, including coordination, monitoring, record‑keeping, and reporting.
• Exposure to research fund, grant, or award management processes (e.g. contracting, due diligence, implementation tracking, risk management, reporting, close‑out) is desirable.
• Experience reviewing or supporting financial documentation (such as budgets, invoices, or forecasts) and working with finance teams is desirable.
• Familiarity with, or strong interest in developing knowledge of, FCDO‑funded programme requirements and compliance standards is desirable; prior experience working on donor‑funded programmes is an advantage.
• Experience supporting research delivery or research‑focused programmes is an advantage, particularly where this has involved coordination with external partners or institutions.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to draft clear, concise, and well‑structured materials for internal programme use, research partners, or donor reporting inputs.
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently, maintain accurate records, and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment, with a high level of organisation and exceptional attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work in line with established policies, procedures, and guidance, taking direction from senior colleagues while contributing reliably and proactively to team‑based work.
• Ability to work independently with appropriate guidance, as well as collaboratively within a multidisciplinary and multi‑stakeholder team environment.
• Evidence of initiative, sound judgement, and problem‑solving skills, with a willingness to learn and adapt to new systems, processes, and compliance requirements.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience using programme or grant management systems is an advantage.
• Full professional proficiency in English, both written and spoken.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally for up to three weeks per year, subject to programme needs.

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, age, or other legally protected characteristics.  

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