Programme Manager 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 Manager

Location: Fajara, Gambia

Job Description

• Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is seeking to appoint a Programme Manager.
• The post-holder will be responsible for providing comprehensive programme management support, including strategic planning, research operations, and administrative oversight across a portfolio of projects within a defined research theme.
• S/he will coordinate the management of research activities with the support of project managers, officers, and administrators, guiding and supervising project management staff to harmonize activities across projects and with external stakeholders to maximize outputs.
• In addition, the post-holder will maintain a holistic view of the programme, ensuring coordination, administration, compliance, and synergies across the research theme.

Requirements
Essential Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in a relevant field, or a first degree with significant experience in research or project management.
• PRINCE2 Practitioner certified, or equivalent.
• Self-guided, strong organizational and planning skills; ability to work independently and under pressure.
• Excellent coordination and management skills.
• Strong track record in project and time management.
• Result-driven and service-oriented.
• Familiar with donor environment and sourcing for competitve funding for scientific research activities.
• Knowledgeable about pre-award procedures, processes, and systems.
• Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to extract, manipulate, analyse, interpret, and report complex data from different systems.
• Ability to produce data in different formats to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Excellent at leading and motivating a diverse, multi-functional team. 
• Excellent understanding and demonstrable experience in project budgeting.
• Excellent communication skills - both written and oral, including coaching and facilitation abilities.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Must be able to communicate to a diverse set of people across multiple media platforms.

Desirable Requirements:

• Previous experience applying for funding and interacting with the following donors will be an advantge: EU / EC funding agencies, EDCTP, UK funding agencies, US federal agencies including NIH, and pharmaceutical companies and Charities.
• Experience with external funder grant application systems.

Employment Terms and Benefits

• An attractive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience of the successful candidate will be paid in Grade 2c of the MRCG at LSHTM pay scale.
• Salary will be paid in Gambian Dalasi.
• For displaced staff, the package includes rent-free furnished accommodation, flights, displacement allowance for spouse and children, contribution to school fees, and shipment of personal effects.

Application Closing Date
30th April, 2026.

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

Note

• Register and complete an online application form using the link above.
• The appointment is up to 31st December 2027 initially and is subject to a probationary period of six (6) months.
• We cannot accept applications from people who are currently or in the last 6 months employed by The Gambia Government.
• MRCG at LSHTM is an equal opportunities employer and operates a strict no-smoking policy.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.