Newton Fund Officer at British Government

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)  

Main Purpose of Job:

This is an exciting position working on UK Government’s science and innovation ODA programmes. The Newton Utafiti Fund Programme (https://www.newtonfund.ac.uk/about/) was launched in Kenya in 2016 to develop science and innovation bilateral partnerships with the ultimate aim of promoting the economic development and social welfare of Kenya. The Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), a £1.5 billion fund announced by the UK Government in late 2015 to support cutting-edge research that addresses SDG related challenges faced by developing countries. 

This is an interesting role for a resourceful candidate. The role will support the delivery of the Newton-Utafiti Fund and GCRF, with a significant focus on outreach to beneficiaries, monitoring and promoting both Funds. The position is located within the High Commission’s Science and Innovation team based in Nairobi.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Programme Management and Delivery (50%)

• Support the Newton Fund Country Manager in coordinating Newton Fund activities in Kenya for impact assessment and monitoring.
• Assist with negotiations between UK and Kenyan partners on funding and programme solutions.
• Engage with institutions to promote the Fund and generate high quality applications.
• Keep track of all Newton Fund activity in Kenya, building up a database of activity and beneficiaries to provide the Newton Central Team, Country Manager and High Commission with information as necessary.
• Manage the Newton-Utafiti’s programme local budget and monitor programme spend by delivery partner feeding into monthly and quarterly reporting and ensure spend as profiled.
• Manage the local risk register, regularly updating it and escalating urgent matters to the Newton Fund Management team.
• Work proactively with Newton Fund Country Manager and Science and Innovation colleagues to identify opportunities for future collaboration.

Communications (40%)

• Develop and implement a communication plan to reach out to researcher communities in Kenya and the UK and highlight successes/impacts of the Newton-Utafiti Fund and GCRF to the wider community in Kenya and the UK.
• Support the Country Manger in the delivery of Newton Prize 2020 including organising in-country events and identifying opportunities for publicity.
• Work with the Communications team in Nairobi to support and draft media scripts and to maximize engagement on media channels.
• Maintain a database of Kenyan  and UK researchers as well as  identify promotional and marketing opportunities, such as receptions, conferences, workshops etc. to promote the Newton Fund and GCRF and its activities.
• Respond to enquiries from Kenyan and UK researchers regarding Newton- Utafiti Fund and GCRF.
• Work with the in-country Science and Innovation team  to build evidence to demonstrate the value the Newton Fund and GCRF in delivering for the UK in Kenya.

Administrative Support (10%)

• Organise/coordinate meetings with Kenyan and UK stakeholders. Set agendas, prepare documentation and track delivery of actions.
• Provide limited administrative support appropriate to UK delivery partners without a presence in Kenya.
• To support Science and Innovation team with related activities for visiting senior officials, including ministers or other officials.
• Manage own administrative tasks and support the Country Manager on administrative tasks as required.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• A minimum of a degree-level qualification in a relevant field (Public Policy, International Relations, Sciences or Humanities)
• Minimum 2 years work experience in a project/programme management role, preferably with international stakeholders.
• Experience in either communications, media or social media engagement.
• Experience of providing administrative and logistical support.
• Ability to work in fast-paced, high profile environments and deliver to deadlines
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office packages, particularly Microsoft Excel

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Knowledge of Kenyan science and innovation landscape including government, academia and industry
• Confidence in dealing with a range of senior government officials 
• Experience working with international partners 

Required competencies  

Seeing the Big Picture, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace