Project Manager

Advert

 Project Manager
We are seeking a highly motivated, collaborative, and independent project manager to oversee the management and reporting for a large interdisciplinary project funded by the European Union’s (EU) Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Actions programme. The project is titled DOWN2EARTH: Translation of climate information into multilevel decision support for social adaptation, policy development, and resilience to water scarcity in the Horn of Africa Drylands. It is designed to strengthen climate services in the drylands of East Africa through research on climate, water, and food, as well as social adaptation and policy development.
This position will be based on the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Cardiff University, a dynamic and successful multi-disciplinary centre of research and teaching.
The successful applicant will have demonstrated experience in managing a large, interdisciplinary project with multiple partners and international experience is desirable. They will work closely with the project Principal Investigators (PIs) from the various institutional partners on the Management Board and external stakeholders through the Advisory Board, and they will convene and document a wide range of in-person and virtual meetings focusing on different aspects of the project. The manager will also be responsible for technical and financial reporting to the European Commission in consultation with Cardiff University research support and with all consortium partners. There will opportunities for travel to Europe and Africa for meetings, workshops, and promotional activities. Some background or working knowledge of climate change and/or environmental science is desirable, but not essential.
The successful applicant will be expected to become rapidly familiar with the wide range of interdisciplinary activities within the project, to engage with the European Commission’s portal for project reporting, and to work with external stakeholders to maximise the project's impact.
This position is part time (17.5 - 21 hours per week). It is available from 1st September 2021 and is a fixed-term appointment for 3 years.
Salary: £27,924 - £32,344 per annum, pro rata for hours worked (Grade 5)
Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Michael Singer, email: [email protected]

For further details about working in Cardiff University please contact Briony FitzGerald, email: [email protected]
Important Notes:

Applications can only be accepted via the online system.

It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.  Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined below. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide under each element.

When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure that you name it with the vacancy reference number.

Date advert posted: Friday, 10 September 2021

Closing Date: Friday, 1 October 2021

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Job Description

Job Purpose

Lead and manage the DOWN2EARTH project, an EU-funded project spanning 14 partner institutions in 8 countries. Cardiff University (CU) is coordinating DOWN2EARTH, so the CU-based manager will be responsible for liaising with consortium administrative staff, organising and recording meetings, documenting workflow progress, developing/supporting synergies across the consortium, and financial/technical/ethics reporting to the European Union (EU).

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Duties
•             Manage the operation of DOWN2EARTH, planning, organising and delegating work, monitoring progress and intervening as required
•             Manage the performance, induction and development of the team
•             Support and guide team members in welfare issues, escalating as necessary to specialist support areas
•             Ensure the delivery of the team’s service level agreements, adapting these according to changes in workload and customer requirements
•             Collaborate with others in order to make recommendations for the development of established processes and procedures
•             Undertake the training of others in areas relating to the teams work
•             Undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance
•             Establish working relationships with key contacts to help improve service levels, developing appropriate communication links with the University’s Schools/Directorates and outside bodies as required
•             Gather and analyse data to inform management decisions, establishing basic trends and patterns in data and creating reports as appropriate

General Duties
•             Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
•             Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity
•             Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1.            NVQ 3/A-Levels or equivalent

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2.            Substantial experience of supervising a team
3.            Specialist knowledge of appropriate administrative systems and processes
4.            Ability to set up standard office systems and procedures and make improvements as appropriate

Customer Service, Communication and Team Working
5.            Ability to communicate detailed and complex information effectively and professionally with a wide range of people
6.            Experience of managing the work of others,
7.            Experience of dealing with performance and welfare issues
8.            Evidence of ability to explore customers’ needs and adapt the service accordingly to ensure a quality service is delivered.

Planning, Analysis and Problem solving
9.            Evidence of ability to solve expansive problems using initiative and creativity; identifying and proposing practical solutions and resolving problems with range of potential outcomes
10.          Evidence of ability to plan the work of a team, reacting to changes in workload and priority

Desirable Criteria

1.            Degree or an equivalent qualification or equivalent work related experience
2.            Experience of working in a Higher Education environment
3.            Experience with project communications

Job Category

Management & Executive