Main purpose of job:

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is looking for a highly motivated and capable individual to fill the position of Programme and Communications Manager for the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF).  The UKCIF programme is the UK’s largest aid programme in the Caribbean.  It is providing £350m to support 15  infrastructure projects across 9 Caribbean countries, from climate-resilient roads in Saint Lucia and Dominica, to economically critical new port developments in St Vincent and Montserrat.  The UKCIF team is an effective and supportive team, consisting of a Team Leader, Infrastructure Advisor and Social Development Advisor based in Bridgetown, and a Senior Programme Manager (SPM) based in London.  You will play a critical role within that team, working closely with the implementing partner, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), to contribute to the smooth running of the programme and to ensure that its benefits are communicated effectively.  You will work closely with the SPM to ensure that best practice on programme management is applied across UKCIF, including on finanical management, monitoring, reporting, and procurement, in line with FCDO’s Programme Operating Framework.  You will work with our partners and stakeholders to develop strategic proactive and responsive communications products for internal and external audiences.  You will support the smooth functioning of the team through administrative tasks and effective information management.  You will be expected to work well with others, to tackle issues in a proactive, practical and pragmatic way, and to thrive when working at pace.

Roles and responsibilities:

The overarching purpose of the role is to contribute to the efficient and effective implementation of the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF).  The main areas of responsibility are: programme management; communication activities; and administrative support.  In particular, these responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the SPM to deliver strong programme management, including effective risk management, quality monitoring, reporting and evaluation, and efficient management of contracts and procurement processes;
• Supporting the SPM to manage programme finances, including financial reporting, processing payments and encashments of Promissory Notes, and updating financial forecasts;
• Leading for the FCDO on the UKCIF communications plan, which is developed and delivered in collaboration with the CDB; this will include: identifying strategic comms opportunities; helping to develop comms products, such as press releases, photos, videos and social media campaigns; and managing regular updates to a UK Government audience;
• Drafting high-quality briefing for Senior Officials and Ministers, project update reports and responses to Parliamentary questions, as well as other written communication and reporting as required;
• Completing administrative and organisational tasks, including around effective information management, mission planning for the team, making arrangements for the FCDO’s annual review of the programme, and leading for the FCDO on the organisation of a potential UKCIF conference in the region in 2025, delivered in collaboration with the CDB;
• Championing economic and social development, climate resilience and other FCDO priorities through all of your work internally and with partners.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Staff:  No line management responsibilities
Expenditure:  Part of the UKCIF team managing £350m

• Experience supporting the delivery of aid programmes, including managing programme finances, risk management, monitoring and reporting;
• Experience working on communications, for example press releases, social media or speech writing
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong team working, people management and organisational skills;
• Ability to prioritise workload, deliver at pace and respond flexibly as new priorities arise.

Language requirements:

Language: English
Level of language required: Proficient