Programme
Development
Officer
RECRUITMENT PACK
What you need to know
The post is Programme Development Officer and you’ll be in the Programmes department.
As a Programme Development Officer you will be working closely with resource mobilisation
teams in Country Offices and Regional Offices. You will scope and evaluate new opportunities
from new and existing institutional donors in Plan countries. You will lead on the development of
new high-quality proposals and tenders for institutional donors (particularly the EC, DFID, Big
Lottery Fund, Comic Relief and multilaterals).This position also requires some international travel.
It’s a permanent contract and it’s a full time post at 34.5 hours a week.
We are based in Old Street, London.
What we’re looking for
The successful candidate will have experience of developing high quality proposals and/or
tenders for institutional donors. You will have experience of working remotely with multiple
countries and partners to develop proposals and tenders within tight time frames. Experience of
living and working in developing countries is essential in this role.
Please note: to apply for a position with Plan UK, you must be eligible to live and work in the
United Kingdom (in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006). Most
importantly, we follow stringent child protection policies and procedures when dealing with
applications.
What we offer you
The usual recruitment rate for this post (Grade 3) is £35,929 with future pay progression within
the pay band from £35,929 to £38,765.
We have a generous annual leave entitlement which starts at 25 days (plus public holidays) for
new starters. It goes up to 30 once you’ve been with us for 6 years. We match contributions up to
6% on the pension scheme (which you can join once you’ve been with us for 3 months)
We aim to be a family-friendly employer, with enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
and pay, as well as child care vouchers and a flexible working policy. Even more benefits include
season ticket loans, study loans, a healthcare plan; cycle scheme and career break policy.
We would like all applications by midnight Sunday 25 October 2015.
Interviews will be scheduled for Wednesday 11th November 2015.
Only candidates that have been shortlisted and interviewed will receive feedback. If you do not
hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, you can assume you have been unsuccessful
on this occasion.
Job PLAN UK JOB PROFILE
Job Title
Programme Development Officer
Department
Programmes
Unit (if
appropriate)
Programme and Partnership Development Unit
Reporting to
Programme Development Manager
Responsible for
n/a
Overview of Department
Plan UK is one of 21 National Offices who support programmes in 50 developing countries in
Africa, Asia and the Americas, which are underpinned by Plan’s Child-Centred Community
Development approach. The Plan UK Programmes Department supports Country Offices with
fundraising, project delivery, learning and advocacy using programmatic evidence. Plan UK has
a Programme Partnership Agreement with DFID and supports a large portfolio of projects funded
by institutional donors including the EC, ECHO and the United Nations.
The Programmes Department supports Plan’s global programme by:
 Ensuring Plan UK has a coherent, relevant and innovative programme from which we
learn, share and promote change to realise Plan’s mission and promote awareness of
Plan’s work;
 Providing technical support and thought leadership to all Plan UK departments and
contribute to Plan’s global technical capability;
 Collaborating in the design, development and submission of and reporting against grants
awarded by institutional donors;
 Providing resources to support Country Office resource mobilisation and strategic plans;
 Managing strategic grants secured by Plan UK on behalf of the global organisation;
 Monitoring Plan UK’s programme portfolio and sharing learning, support the development
of policy and advocacy positions, contributing towards publications and representing
Plan’s programmes work to a range of audiences to promote awareness of Plan’s mission.
Job Purpose
Working closely with resource mobilization teams in Country Offices, Regional Offices and Plan
UK, the post-holder likely focus on East and Southern Africa and will:

Scope and evaluate new opportunities from new and existing institutional donors in Plan
countries.

Lead on development of new high-quality proposals and tenders for institutional donors
(particularly the EC, DFID, Big Lottery, Comic Relief and multilaterals).

Build and maintain strong relationships with, and represent Plan to institutional donors
within the UK and in Country offices as appropriate.

The position requires regular travel (estimated 25%).
Key Duties
Identifying funding
opportunities and
developing proposals
from institutional and
multilateral donors
Representation &
Networking
Other Responsibilities
Key Activities
 Scope and identify new funding opportunities with institutional
donors.
 Lead on proposal development.
 Keep up-to-date on donor priorities.
 Coach field-based staff to secure in-country funds, provide
practical direct assistance, and facilitate training.
 Represent Plan to institutional donors and build relationships in
collaboration with technical advisors.
 Represent Plan to potential new partners/consortiums and build
relationships in collaboration with technical advisors.
 Participate in regular team meetings and contribute to the
overall smooth operation of the department.
 Keep up to date with the major issues and solutions pertaining
to alleviating poverty in developing countries.
 Take an active role in the Programme Department's Strategic
Planning process.
 Pro-actively share knowledge and experience of Plan’s work
overseas with other Plan UK staff and with its staff worldwide.
 Undertake other tasks as requested by supervisor.
General
 To be open to change and demonstrate a flexible and adaptable
approach.
 To work collaboratively with other departments and be a supportive
and effective team member.
 To ensure that all activities undertaken on behalf of Plan UK,
externally or internally, are executed in accordance with the overall
aims of the organisation and in line with Plan’s policies and
procedures.
 To participate in training and other activities as requested by the
organisation.
Stakeholder and
Customer Service
 To provide quality customer service to all our respective audiences
and comply with Plan UK’s quality management protocols.
Awareness and
Representation
 Commitment to Plan’s position on promoting girls’ rights and gender
equality; and integrating this into all aspects of work.
Key Deliverables
Constructive guidance to resource mobilization and programme staff in country
offices for proposal development purposes.
High-quality proposals based on evidence that are compliant with donor guidelines
and manageable by COs/ROs and UKNO
Decision Making Criteria: A = Accountable, R = Responsible
Please
Indicate A R
or N/A
R
R
Level of Child
Protection
Responsibility
Level of
Budgetary
Responsibility
Key Working
Contacts
Medium - Have responsibility for ensuring Child Protection procedures or
policies are adhered to.
None – (development of future budgets).
Department colleagues including other Programme Officers, Thematic
Leads, other Plan staff including Heads of Unit, Grants Finance staff,
Country Directors and grants and programme staff in Plan Country Offices
and Regional Offices.
Donor representatives in UK and other countries as appropriate.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Your job description may be subject to change.
Date Created
05 October 2015
Plan UK Person Specification
Job Title
Programme Development Officer
Department
Unit (if
appropriate)
Programmes
Programme and Partnership Development Unit
PERSONAL COMPETENCIES
Competency Title
Communicating with all
stakeholders
Working effectively and efficiently
Demonstrating Plan values
The successful candidate will be able to….
- Communicate to a high standard verbally and in
writing in English, with the ability to adapt styles to
address different audiences tactfully and diplomatically.
- Motivate and influence others.
- Communicate to a high standard verbally and in
writing in French and/or Spanish (desirable). The post
is likely to focus on East and Southern Africa so
languages are not essential.
- Work accurately and efficiently to changing deadlines
and targets managing a wide and varied workload,
using strong organisational skills.
- Prepare impactful proposals and reports.
- Competently develop and review budgets.
- Be an enthusiastic and efficient member of a team.
Build and maintain good relationships with team.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
The successful candidate will have experience of ….
Proven experience of developing high quality proposals and/or tenders for institutional donors,
particularly DFID or the EC.
Experience of working remotely with multiple countries and partners to develop proposals/tenders
within tight time frames.
2 years’ experience of living and working in developing countries.
SPECIFIC SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
The successful candidate will have the
ability to….
Coach key members of staff in Country Offices
in best practices for proposal development.
The successful candidate will have
knowledge of….
Development issues demonstrated by a relevant
degree-level qualification (knowledge of child
rights programming particularly desirable).
Facilitate project design workshops for Plan
Country Offices and partners.
Donor contractual requirements/priorities,
particularly DFID and EC.
Design budgets and resolve financial issues.
Participatory approaches to M&E
Date Created
05 October 2015