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

Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia - The MRC Unit 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: Programme Officer

Location: Fajara, Gambia

Role Purpose 

• Your role will support the AREF Awards team to ensure that we effectively deliver our research aims and run bespoke research funding competitions. Our aim is to support the technical capacity development of African researchers who are working on addressing important challenges for human health in Africa.
• You will work closely with the Award Research Managers to foster and maintain relationships with fellows, sponsors, and the administrative contacts at fellows’ employing and host organisations.
• The post holder will manage the selection, awarding and management of awardees to various Award programmes and the review and selection processes. This job will involve working closely with academics, funders, and other professionals from a range of different countries and cultures.

What you will do
Research Funding Management:

• Provide day-to-day administration for the AREF portfolio of awards to emerging health researchers in Africa
• Support the on-going development of grant management tools
• Support researchers from Africa with routine enquiries
• Develop and maintain working relationships with our awardees and our College of Experts
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date information on current and past awards

Funding schemes:

• Administer specific grant programmes
• Support the delivery of specific funding competitions
• Undertake administrative eligibility checks on applications for awards
• Co-ordinate the assessment (peer review) of applications ensuring delivery according to best practices in terms of accuracy, impartiality and confidentiality
• Communicate with experts (peer reviewers) selected to assess applications for awards
• Convene and support the awarding panel, including preparation of meeting papers, logistics of panel meetings and reports
• Ensure a seamless process for applicants and reviewers
• Support negotiation of final awards

Monitoring and Evaluation, and Reporting (Awards Programmes):

• Systematically monitor the operational effectiveness and efficiency of Award programmes to consistently improve and innovate their management.
• Create (or adapt) and manage planning tool(s) that provide AREF staff with an overview of Awards 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
• Liaise with Awards programme attendees to collect pre-, interim, and post fellowship and programme reports and follow up on surveys to feed into the M&E system.
• Keep timely and accurate records of outputs and impact from Awards participants and alumni.
• Analyse the collected data and present the results to the M&E Manager.
• 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 (GDPR).

Information management:

• Maintain up-to-date databases to track, monitor and report the funding processes
• Support evaluation by systematically collecting and organising information from awardees on the outcomes of their awards
• Continue the on-going development of our research information management systems
• Provide information for the Alumni database and fellows attending grant writing programme.

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 Pre-Award Research Manager and work closely with other senior managers.

About You
Who you are?

• You are inspired to help us to deliver our vision to advance medical research, improve human health and change people’s lives in Africa. Our team is proud to work for the Africa Research Excellence Fund.  We are ambitious for AREF and for ourselves.  We are approachable - providing advice to everyone and explaining our work. We are dedicated and committed to achieving the most for our donors and our researchers.  And we are involved – constantly looking for new ways to engage and improve.  We love our work, and we will be looking for this in you too.  

You will have experience of:

• Working in a grant-giving, research, research funding, scientific, or development environment.

You will be able to:                                                                                                      

• Communicate clearly in writing and verbally with colleagues, scientists and other stakeholders  
• Demonstrate good research and analytical skills
• Work in an organised and systematic manner with excellent attention to detail
• Work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Multi-task and prioritise your work
• Find solutions to problems by reviewing best practices elsewhere
• Demonstrate high level of IT skills, specifically Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Respond flexibly to work priorities and requests
• Work confidently in a team and be self-motivated to work alone
• Provide excellent customer service.

You will be:

• Educated to Degree level in Management, Health or other relevant field
• Trained in budgeting, project management

You may also have experience of:  

• Working in a charity and/or a Scientific/Health Research field.
• Strong organisational and communication skills
• Excellent programme coordination skills
• Grants management experience
• Working knowledge of information management platforms
• Knowledge of health in Africa

Additional Information:

• 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 appointment is for 2 years initially and subject to a probationary period of 6 months.  

Salary
The salary will be paid in Grade 3b of MRCG at LSHTM’s pay scale.

Application Closing Date
4th February, 2026.

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

Note

• This positions should only be applied to by existing staff or previously employed staff of MRCG@LSHTM
• MRCG at the LSHTM is an equal opportunities employer and operates a strict no smoking policy.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.