Senior Project Officer - IHR Strengthening Project (IHR-SP)

This role is based within the Global Health Protection Directorate at the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which leads the delivery of UKHSAs Global Health Strategy.

The Senior Project Officer will support the International Health Regulations (IHR) Strengthening Project, one of UKHSAs largest global programmes. This long‑term, Official Development Assistance (ODA)‑funded initiative supports countries and regions across Africa, Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Indo‑Pacific to improve IHR capabilities and enhance global health security. Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, project managers and senior public health advisers, the post holder will play a key role in coordinating and delivering project activities across finance, governance, quality assurance, reporting and business management.

The role will contribute to effective planning, risk management and performance monitoring, ensuring activities are delivered in line with organisational policies, ODA requirements and value‑for‑money principles.

The position is London‑based with hybrid working arrangements, with occasional international travel for short periods. TA strong interest in global health and experience of working on complex or international programmes and budget management will be essential to supporting the successful delivery of IHR-SP.

Working for your organisation

The Senior Project Officer will provide direct support to project managers to ensure effective delivery of the IHR Strengthening Project, leading on defined aspects of finance, commercial, governance, quality assurance and reporting. The post holder will work closely with internal teams, and external partners to support delivery and maintain effective working relationships across the programme.

Key duties include supporting programme and project managers across business management and governance, quality and reporting functions. The role will ensure compliance with organisational policies and procedures, including ODA compliance.

The post holder will manage project risk registers, proactively identifying, monitoring and communicating risks and issues to relevant stakeholders. They will support business management activity including budget monitoring, financial forecasting, expenditure tracking and financial reporting, ensuring effective use of programme resources. The role will also support commercial activity, including procurement and contract management processes, contributing to commissioning and contract oversight in line with UKHSA and government requirements.

The role will support coordination and delivery of key programme activities. Additional responsibilities include potential line management responsibilities and deputising for project managers as required.

• Provide direct support to the project managers and senior leadership team in the delivery of the project leading on specific strands on governance, quality and reporting. They will work with other members of the team, build and maintain relationships with international and UK partners on project deliverables.

This will include taking responsibility for:

• Supporting the Programme and Project Mangers across the business and support function project

• Supporting value for money analysis and identifying areas of improvement across the project when required

• Information governance adhering to UKHSA policies and ODA compliance

• Managing risk registers and communicating risks to various internal and external audiences

• Supporting business management with budget management and planning

• Line management of other team members if needed

• Leading on supporting business management with procurement and contract management

• Supporting key project activities e.g. international training and events, visits, recruitment, international deployments

• Supporting on adhoc projects such a workforce (recruitment, onboarding, L&D) and change and continuous improvement

• Supporting cross-UKHSA relationships around Global Operations programmes

• and undertaking reporting activities to senior staff members, both within and outside of UKHSA

• Deputising for the project managers as required

• Carrying out other projects and functions as agreed with line manager

Other

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

• Degree in relevant social science/science subject (such as Public Health, Global Health, Epidemiology, Health Sciences/Policy, Project Management) or equivalent experience in public health /local authorities space or project management background.

• Proven experience of project management (risk management, finance, commercial, VfM, governance, quality assurance, reporting and secretariat)

• Experience of conducting work both unsupervised and as part of a team

• Experience of working on international projects/programmes and awareness of major UK government and international global health initiatives

• Appreciation/understanding of the public health / public sector .

• Excellent project management and organisational skills including ability to multi-task to tight deadlines

• Ability to analyse complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written, e.g., report writing) including attention to detail and presentation skills

• Ability to manage team members

• Ability to innovate and demonstrate problem solving skills, to be pro-active and able to use initiative

• Ability to make quick, well-judged decisions in an independent manner

• Confident working with senior colleagues and high- profile delegates

• Demonstrate appreciation and acknowledgment of the range and complexities of diversity; self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases and personal triggers; cultural competence cultural sensitivity and awareness

• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.