Senior Project Manager - Thomson Reuters Foundation

We are seeking a confident and experienced Senior Project Manager with significant experience  managing media development projects, grant administration, donor accountability and MEAL. including in politically sensitive and/or high-risk environments. You will provide crucial support to the Regional Programme Manager -Central and Eastern Europe: working closely with relevant Project Managers to deliver high-quality oversight, guidance, and coaching to ensure the effective implementation of some of the Foundation’s most strategically important programmes. You will have excellent knowledge of Central and Eastern Europe , including understanding of political, economic, and media freedom issues in key countries of the region. 
 
You will provide critical support to the Central & Eastern Europe Programmes team: supporting the growth and development of an and TRFs new regional portfolio approach. You will Deputise for the Regional Programme Manager where appropriate and ensure the RPM has appropriate oversight and awareness of key project developments while providing assurance on core project management processes. You will maintain networks and relationships with journalists, other media development actors and donors to monitor and analyse key trends in the region to support the growth and adaptation of the portfolio. You will provide supportive line management to Project Managers: striking the right balance between empowering staff while providing support and accountability where needed.   
 
You will work closely with project teams to ensure that TRFs projects are managed to a high professional standard: drawing upon your project management skills and experience to guide Project Managers in developing robust project delivery plans; facilitate risk identification and oversee the delivery of mitigating strategies; and ensure monitoring, evaluation and learning plans are delivered and used to support decision-making and future programme delivery. Overall, you will support project teams to deliver highly professional, impactful programming which delivers for TRF and its partners. 
 
You will draw upon your depth of experience to guide Project Managers in delivering high-quality partner management: facilitating effective working with key internal stakeholders; identifying and responding to risks to TRFs partnerships in projects you support; and representing TRF and its programmes at key moments as appropriate.  
 
 Please note, this is a 2-year fixed-term contract with the possibility for extension, contractually based in our London office with a corporate requirement to attend in person at least 2 days per week.  

About the Role  
As a Senior Project Manager at the Thomson Reuters Foundation, you will: 

•  Oversee and inform the implementation of complex media development programmes focussed on supporting the effectiveness, sustainability and innovation of journalists and media outlets in the region through a combination of training, long-term mentorship, financial and in-kind support.  
• Provide oversight and quality-assurance to the work of Project Managers and project delivery teams, ensuring that all aspects of TRFs Project Cycle Management framework and grant accountability are delivered to a high standard.  
• Monitor and analyse key trends and issues for independent media in key countries of the region and inform TRF’s strategy, programming and partnerships accordingly.  
• Coach and support Project Managers to deliver more technically complex parts of their role: for example, supporting responses to complex risks and issues; ensuring MEAL frameworks drive effective decision-making and programme adaptation; and facilitating partnerships with a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders including colleagues from consortium partners, beneficiary organisations, other implementers/donors, and internal colleagues.  
• Identify and facilitate learning from project delivery relevant to the future development of TRFs programmes, processes, and delivery methodologies: working with the Regional Programme Manager and others to ensure these are embedded across the Foundation. 
• Ensure high-quality information and reporting is delivered by the project team to enable the delivery of a high-quality governance approach: enabling decision makers to take timely and effective action in response to any emerging trends, issues, learning or new evidence. 
• Provide effective line management to staff as required, with a focus on facilitating the development of professional project management skills.  
• Support the Regional Programme Manager in the continued development and growth of the regional team, and the introduction of a regional portfolio approach within the Foundation. Deputising as Team Leader as required.  
• Contribute towards the strengthening of Project Cycle Management approaches and practice in collaboration with other senior programme staff.   

About You

As Senior Project Manager at the Thomson Reuters Foundation, you will likely have:

• Experience of programme delivery in Central and Eastern Europe and a strong understanding of the context in this region.  
• Substantial experience (5+ years) of leading the management of complex donor-funded projects and programmes, including experience of managing delivery in politically sensitive and/or high-risk contexts.   
• A strong technical understanding of project management methodologies and project cycle management, including experience of mobilising new projects and developing project management processes/frameworks and governance arrangements.   
• Experience of implementing and reporting effectively on international development projects, including strong knowledge and experience of managing contracts and compliance requirements for projects funded by the FCDO, USAID and other institutional donors.  
• Ability to use experience and judgement to manage the identification and response to risks with implications for TRF, its partners both within projects directly within your work area and more broadly, escalating as appropriate.  
• Experience in working with technical experts, evidence and contextual analysis, and using these inputs to shape project delivery: including managing the deployment of consultants and freelancers. 
• Experience in managing the delivery of projects through suppliers and partner organisations, including supporting partner organisations to strengthen reporting; ways of working; and to build understanding of project plans and objectives.  
• Excellent budget and financial management, including strong Excel skills. 
• Line management experience and/or experience of providing coaching and training to less experienced team members.  
• Excellent interpersonal skills – able to establish and maintain positive working relationships both internally and externally, with people from diverse backgrounds including under challenging circumstances.  
• Experience of delivering programmes related to media development, journalism and/or a related field would be a considerable asset.