Project Officer (AREF) at Medical Research Council Unit - The Gambia (Internal Recruitment)

Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia - The MRC Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is one of two research units established in sub- Saharan Africa by the Medical Research Council UK and is the MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM’s single largest investment in medical research in a low and middle-income country. MRC Unit The Gambia at LSHTM represents a unique concentration of scientific expertise and high-quality research platforms in the West African region.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project Officer (AREF)

Location: Fajara, Gambia
Grade: 4 - 23
Accountability: The post-holder is accountable to the EDI Manager

Role Purpose

• You will be responsible for providing administrative support to ensure the delivery, review, and improvement of a portfolio of AREF Academy programmes.
• You will work closely with the Operations & Governance Manager to manage training programmes, foster and maintain relationships with programme participants and external project stakeholders.  
• The post holder will manage AREF’s alumni body and the Alumni Network Programme to ensure a deeper connection between AREF and its alumni body and to support further capacity development of this body of health researchers. AREF provides training programmes to early-career health researchers across Africa in order to support individuals’ transferable skills, research income generation, and career development.
• As part of the Operations team, the post holder will be responsible for managing the logistical and operational processes required for AREF to successfully deliver professional development for African post-doctoral researchers/early career researchers (ECRs). 
• You will be expected to manage application review processes, programme organisation and monitor and evaluate programmes and implement changes for continuous improvement. 

What you will do
Academy programmes:

• Manage the application launch and review process for academy programme opportunities, which will include preparing call documents, conducting eligibility checks and preparing application review packs for reviewers.
• Arrange and manage application and peer review processes and participant selection. 
• Organise virtual programmes for programmes with participants in various time zones
• Organise physical workshops at international locations in accordance with AREF policies, including issuing invitations, tracking acceptances, booking venues and refreshments, booking attendees’ travel and accommodation, preparing, collating and sending information packs, at-the-event administrative support, (liaising with the venue, setting up rooms and IT, trouble shooting), thanking attendees and Faculty, checking expenses claims and invoices for approval, keeping records of costs against budgets.

Monitoring and Evaluation and Reporting (Academy Programmes):

• Systematically monitor the operational effectiveness and efficiency of Academy programmes to consistently improve and innovate their management.
• Create (or adapt) and manage planning tool(s) that provide AREF staff with an overview of Academy programmes, key actions, milestones, and dates, current progress and risks to delivery.
• Support the M&E Manager in the collection, collating and analysis of surveys for Academy programmes
• Liaise with Academy programme attendees to collect outputs and other performance information such as participant data and attendance and follow up on surveys to feed into the M&E system.
• Keep timely and accurate records of outputs and impact of Academy participants and alumni.
• Prepare data, analysis and content for reports, articles and/or case studies for reports and draft quantitative and qualitative summary reports with support from the M&E Manager and Communications Manager in accordance with UK regulations, in particular the General Data Protection Regulations.

Operations:

• Manage post and handle correspondence received by the general email box.
• Maintain electronic records of documents (locate historical documents, update alumni database, scan documents, and keep records of invoices received).
• Purchase items for The Gambia office and programmes following best procurement practices and in adherence with MRCG Unit’s policies and procedures.
• Contribute to SOPs for academy programmes and M&E activities. 
• Schedule staff group meetings.
• Manage all routine correspondence and deal with department queries, referring upwards as appropriate.
• Maintain stocks of stationery, forms and housekeeping in the department; book accommodation and transport for visitors/staff travelling.
• Arrange for catering during training sessions and other functions.
• Ensure, with other Department staff, that excellent customer care is provided to all AREF’s visitors.

CEO/Co-President Support:

• Manage the CEO’s and Co-President’s diaries, scheduling meeting and appointments as directed and minuting meetings where required.
• Support the CEO and the Co-President in the preparation of documents needed for meetings.

In addition, you will also:

• Undertake various projects as required.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties.
• Identify opportunities to continually improve the charity.

Who you will work with: 

• You will report to the Operations & Governance Manager and work closely with the Programmes team. 

About You  
You will have experience of:

• Events management, preferably training events, outside of the UK
• Project management 
• Working with suppliers and contractors.  

You will be able to:                                                                                                      

• Communicate clearly and concisely in writing and verbally with colleagues and other stakeholders. 
• Manage a geographically dispersed college of skilled and professional associates.

You will be:

• Educated to a Bachelor's degree in business management, project management or related area.

You may also have experience of:  

•  Working in a charity/NGO
• Experience in project management and/or a project management qualification.

Application Closing Date
4th February, 2026.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Click here for more information

Note

• The post-holder will be based in The Gambia at the Medical Research Council Unit the Gambia at The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara.
• The salary will be paid in Grade 4 band of MRCG at LSHTM’s pay scale.
• The appointment is for 2 years initially and subject to a probationary period of 6 months.  
• The closing date for the receipt of applications is TBC. 
• MRCG at the LSHTM is an equal opportunities employer and operates a strict no smoking policy. 
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.