Further Particulars
This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the
information you will need to provide with the application.
1
Role details
Vacancy reference:
10002
Job title:
Senior Project Manager
Reports to:
Director of International Development
Salary:
£47,787 - £53,765
Terms and conditions:
Academic Related
Grade:
9
Duration of post:
Fixed Term until 31 July 2015
Working hours:
Full-time
Location:
International Development Office, Walton Hall
International travel:
Is a requirement of the post
Closing date:
12:00 Noon on 12 June 2014
Type of application form accepted:
Completed OU Application Form
Important Note:
Please use the criteria listed in the Person Specification as subtitles within the relevant
section of the application form and/or in a covering letter. Examine carefully the
description of the role and analyse how your skills, knowledge and experience match with
the requirements set out in the person specification. Please pick out specific examples
from your experience which clearly demonstrate that you have the particular knowledge,
experience and capabilities required.
Number of referees required:
3
Unit recruitment contact:
Claire Nappin
Page 1 of 6
2
Summary of duties
Role summary

To provide project management expertise for the initiation, management and controlled
closure of projects and their constituent activities.

To effectively and competently manage all stages of specific international development
projects within the OU; to contribute to the development of organisational strategy in
the area of international development; to promote OU resources and approaches,
particularly in Africa.

To work closely with the strategic stakeholder groups, academic leads and key external
stakeholders nationally and internationally. The post holder works with a cross-section
of project team members as required for the successful delivery of multiple projects.
Main duties
1 To set up and manage complex projects and associated activities with donors and
partners across multiple countries.
2
To provide integrative leadership and strategic advice on the set up, management and
delivery of projects.
3
To advise on and manage project activities such as:
 Appropriate governance/management structures and staffing in the UK and
internationally
 Scoping project requirements with key stakeholders and setting expectations
 Identifying project benefits, deliverables, objectives and deadlines
 Developing appropriate documentation and approval mechanisms internally in the
OU and with donors and partners
 Developing, maintaining and progressing project plans within scope, ensuring that
the project keeps to schedule and within budget
 At project inception phase, managing negotiations, which can often be protracted
over several months
 Conducting multiple stakeholder analysis, consultation, management and
communications
 Coordinating benefit and risk management during the preparation of bids and
regularly throughout the term of each grant
 Developing and promoting appropriate business, technical and developmental
solutions and drafting business cases/bids/proposals as required for internal
purposes, donors and partners.
4
To identify, attract, develop and manage relevant and appropriate cross-function
resources and teams from across the University.
5
To plan and co-ordinate the implementation and roll-out of the project outcomes.
6
To document and develop systems that capture intellectual capital from projects,
enabling replication across regions as appropriate.
7
To produce timely reports on progress for the Director of International Development and
strategic stakeholder groups as required.
8
To work with the Senior Development Manager and the IDO Accountant to develop
project bids and reports for donors.
9
To conduct post-implementation reviews of projects, ensuring that any lessons learnt are
appropriately disseminated and acted upon.
Page 2 of 6
Other duties
All members of IDO staff are required to:

Have a strong commitment to the principles and practice of equality and diversity.

Take reasonable care of the Health and Safety of themselves and that of any other
person who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.

Attend appropriate staff development events.
3
Person specification
Qualifications, experience and expertise
 A degree or equivalent business/higher education experience.
 Proven and extensive project management experience.
 Formal project management qualification (APM, Prince II, PMI or equivalent).
 Good knowledge of MS Project and/or or other project management tool.
 Experience in budget accountability.
 Accountability for project procurement and contracting.
 Proven resource allocation, co-ordination and management experience across multidiscipline groups.
 Excellent oral and written communications skills with an ability to communicate
effectively at all levels.
 Proven ability to work sensitively and appropriately with people of other cultures.
 Ability to take ownership of and develop holistic solutions to resolve complex problems.
 Ability to handle multiple projects and tasks, acting with foresight and making result
oriented decisions.
 Ability to be a team-player and steer teams/groups towards top performance.
 Ability to work flexibly and, at times under pressure, to meet deadlines and changing
priorities.
 Ability to manage across cultures, regions and teams.
 Experience of assuming personal responsibility for meeting multiple stakeholder needs.
 Ability to use judgement in difficult negotiation situations.
Additional
 International travel is a requirement of the post.
 Experience of working in international development and/or managing projects in the
developing regions and countries is a considerable advantage
 Flexibility with regard to reasonable weekend and evening travelling / working as the
post requires.
Page 3 of 6
4
Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working
International travel is a requirement of the post.
5
About the unit/department/project
The post is based in the International Development Office which is part of the Open
University Development Office.
The Development Office
The Open University Development Office has two key functions: Fundraising and
International Development. The Director of Development is supported by the Deputy
Director/Head of Fundraising and the Director of International Development.
Fundraising
The Fundraising team is responsible for securing philanthropic donations for the University,
in support of the OU’s Strategic Plan.
There are four sub-teams:

Major Gifts
Seeks donations of £10k+ from individuals, trusts and foundations, corporations and
institutional grant makers to support the University’s work.

Prospect Research
Identifies potential prospects and provides briefings and detailed information on
people and organisations the Development Office works with.

Legacy Fundraising
Secures support from people leaving gifts in their Will.

Annual Fund
Seeks donations from the OU’s alumni body, students, members of staff and others.
The fundraising team is supported by colleagues working in finance and operations,
database and events.
International Development
The International Development Office (IDO) supports and encourages the development of
sustainable, scalable funded programmes by promoting and strengthening local
partnerships to help build human capital. IDO works collaboratively with colleagues across
the OU to use the University's expertise in distance learning and electronic media, and to
support teaching and research capacity building partnerships at scale.
IDO provides a professional hub for managing the international development programmes. It
does this by providing effective and robust project and programme management, and
supporting the academic programme directors from the scoping stages through to
implementation and delivery of programmes with the partner organisations and
governments.
IDO’s current primary focus is to capitalise on the OU’s strategic advantage and proven
capabilities to encourage the development of sustainable, scalable programmes in Africa
and South Asia in four areas:
1
Teacher education, English language teaching and CPD for teachers
2
Health education, health systems and health information management
3
Governance, leadership, and business management
4
Strengthening Higher Education systems.
Page 4 of 6
Teacher Education Capacity Building Projects in sub-Saharan Africa
There are currently three teacher education development projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
TESSA (Teacher Education in Sub Saharan Africa) is a research and development
programme. The current TESSA priorities include:

Early grade reading module development (2012-15) the aim of which is to improve the
quality of literacy teaching in sub-Saharan Africa.

Improving the quality of teaching at Secondary Level in sub Saharan Africa (currently
further funding currently awaited) and Primary Level (ongoing).

Extending the reach of TESSA in francophone West Africa, especially Togo.
Keeping Girls in School, Access into Teaching in Malawi (2010-2016) this programme is
providing 3000 girl school leavers with a second chance to pass their GCSE-equivalent and
qualify for teacher training, to improve girls’ life chances and livelihoods.
GEC Sierra Leone, Plan UK (2013-16) a project to improve girls’ outcomes: The Open
University is a technical advisory partner for the Learning Assistant strand of this project.
In addition, the OU is currently developing a bid as part of a consortium for a DFID- funded
initiative in Ghana.
6
How to obtain more information about the role or application process
If you would like more information about this role or have any questions regarding the
application process please contact the Recruitment Co-ordinator. Email OUDO@open.ac.uk.
7
The application process and where to send completed applications
Please ensure your application form is received before 12:00 noon on Thursday 12
June 2014. You should post or deliver it to:
Name/Job title:
Claire Nappin – Recruitment Co-ordinator
Department/Unit:
Development Office
Address:
Jim Burrows Building, 1st Floor, Walton Hall
Alternatively, you may email your application to: OUDO@open.ac.uk.
8
Selection process and date of interview
The interview panel will be chaired by: Daniel Nti – Director of International
Development
The other members of the interview panel will be:
Edith Prak – Director of Development
Anna Peachey – Interim Deputy Director of International Development
The interviews are expected to be held on 26th June 2014.
We will let you know by 20th June if you have been shortlisted for interview. Further
information about the selection process will be sent to you if you are invited for
Page 5 of 6
interview. The selection process for this post will include a relevant exercise.
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
Page 6 of 6