Programme Manager (International Health Regulations Strengthening)

Position description

At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards.  We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

Our mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. We will work to ensure our people have the diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds we need to thrive, that our employees are representative of the communities we serve and feel valued and enabled to play their part in delivering our work. Creating our working culture is an ongoing process which we are developing by listening and learning together, hearing and acting upon diverse voices and opinions to develop a common sense of identity and effective ways of working.

Global Operations

This post is located within UKHSA’s Global Operations division, led by the Director of Global Operations. The Global Operations division supports the delivery of UKHSA’s Global Health Strategy. It provides a corporate service to UKHSA supporting the oversight, coordination and delivery of PHE’s UKHSA’s international activity and working with UK government departments and other UK partners to build and strengthen international public health links. The division also maintains its own extensive portfolio of global health programmes and projects, focusing on capacity building and health system strengthening in partner countries.

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking individuals with project/programme management, public health knowledge and international relations capability, able to demonstrate both UKHSA’s and Civil Services competencies and ways of working.

The IHR Strengthening Project (IHR-SP) has grown exponentially over the last two years and as such the post-holder will work alongside another programme manager and use their existing programme management, global health and public health technical skills to work together to coordinate and facilitate the International Health Regulations Strengthening Project.

The IHR Strengthening Project is an Official Development Assistance (ODA) funded project designed to improve IHR capability in selected countries and regions. The project’s initial implementation phase (2017-2021) has been extended until 2025, with medium and long-term activities taking place through partnerships with National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) in several countries in Africa and Asia.   The IHR Strengthening Project also works with organisations such as Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC) and the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) to support regional networks of effective public health institutions, leading to an integrated public health approach across the continent.

The post-holder will be an experienced project/programme manager, with demonstrable international experience, responsible for driving delivery of the project in liaison with the current programme manager, the rest of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and the project managers. They will be expected to strategically and operationally lead the project management team alongside a co-programme manager, undertaking regular monitoring and reporting of progress and procurement/contract management where required. In addition, they will ensure accurate financial management and forecasting. The role will ensure that UKHSA’s technical and monitoring and evaluation input is provided to the project, supporting the implementation of project objectives.

The post-holder will require the ability to be able to work in a complex and changing environment. The post will be based at Canary Wharf (initially hybrid working) but will involve some short-term international travel (typically less than two weeks at a time) to partner countries.

The post-holder will line manage a programme support team and work closely with the programme’s technical leads and the current programme manager and report to the Head of the Project.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme Management

1. Support the identification of UKHSA and cross-HMG resources, skills, links and current engagement that can be leveraged for this project
2. In collaboration with the project leadership, report and provide briefings to UKHSA corporate board as necessary and external stakeholders/sponsors such as DHSC and the FCDO, team.
3. Ensure accurate and timely programme reporting, synthesising the information to report to the governance structures of the project and funding bodies as required, and – as part of the IHR Strengthening Project Senior Leadership Team (SLT) – to regularly update the Senior Management Team, DHSC and FCDO.
4. Contribute to the IHR Project monitoring and evaluation work.
5. In collaboration with project leadership team and country leads, ensure that workstreams within the project are delivered on time and to quality standards and that robust review and feedback mechanisms are in place to monitor the delivery of the project
6. Ensure regular assessment of risks for IHR project working at both strategic and operational levels, and that there are effective processes in place for surge capacity and mitigation
7. Assist in the preparation and delivery of high level ministerial and executive briefings on the implementation of the project as required
8. Along with the other programme manager take responsibility for overall project performance monitoring and use of resources and initiate corrective action where necessary
9. Line management of IHR Project support team and other staff as appropriate, ensuring staff are working to defined objectives and are adequately supported in their roles
10. Demonstrate excellent leadership qualities and values in both day-to-day operations and in more challenging situations. Cascade a clear vision and translate this into delivery objectives for the team, so that they are both inspired and empowered to deliver.

Culture and Behaviour

1. Support the IHR-SP leadership team to embed the UKHSA values (Impactful, Insightful, Inclusive) across the project to create an impact for change culture establishing shared ownership with respect to dignity and kindness at work.
2. For all areas of work, implement metrics and KPIs to routinely report measures of improvement to the IHR-SP Senior Leadership Team, Project Board, Health Protection Operations and DHSC.

Business Management and Operations

1. Working with the IHR project Managers, Head of Global Health Operations, responsible for ensuring adherence to HR, budget and procurement processes, and the timely and effective spending of project funds that represent good value for money
2. Foster an enabling and empowering culture for staff that supports their learning and development and maximises their opportunities for career progression

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 

Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan.  Attending internal / external training events

To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.

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.

Location

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow.  This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at London Canary Wharf office. Specialist or regional roles will be based at the appropriate UKHSA site. For certain roles, some additional flexibility may be possible, which will be agreed upon with the hiring manager based on individual requirements and business needs.

The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business need and in line with departmental policy.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of no more than 1,000 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

• Educated to level 7 (postgraduate) in a relevant subject or equivalent level of knowledge and experience of working at a senior level in a related specialist area
• Experience working in health projects or programmes at a senior level and strong project coordination and management experience in an international context
• Must be able to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others. Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals
• Experience of effective communication with a range of stakeholders that demonstrates leadership and decision making
• Experience of a flexible approach to managing and prioritising a high workload and multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines
• Understanding of global health issues, including the health challenges of LMICs and international health architecture knowledge, especially the International Health Regulations
• Previously budget management experience, including budget setting and working knowledge of financial processes
• Ability to manage multiple business opportunities, allocating tasks as appropriate, identifying risks, issues and dependencies, and implementing best practice
• Ability to work across a wide range of stakeholders at senior level with strong relationship building, influencing, negotiating & interpersonal skills, including on operational issues as well as broader public health and global health security issues
• Presentation skills (verbal and written) to a high standard in a range of settings, suitable for presentations to corporate boards, CMO’s and health ministers
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable Criteria

• Successfully completed a recognised project and/or programme management course
• Ability to discretely provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups

 

Application instructions

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