Project Coordinator

Focus of the Role

The Project Coordinator is a one-year fixed-term contract to support the nascent Mali team. In Mali, TBI is starting a new project supporting the Transitional authorities to implement the eighteen-month transition roadmap adopted in September 2020. Led by the Sahel Lead, the project comprises 2-3 Technical Experts who will regularly engage with Transitional authorities and work shoulder-to-shoulder with government officials.The Project coordinator will be working on different areas to ensure the sound management of day-to-day activities and support the Sahel Lead in the overall project management.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in assisting the Sahel Lead and Technical Experts.  While the Sahel Lead will be in charge of overall project supervision, the Project coordinator will be in charge of coordinating and supporting the work of the experts on the ground and liaise with main stakeholders if/when needed. He/she will also be involved in researching the potential Tech for Development (T4D) project component. This is a role in a fast-paced team, in a new project, working within complex policy areas that are highly scrutinised.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management

• Drive and coordinate deliverables against work plan for agreed pieces of work for government. Ensure the smooth running of day-to-day operations in relation with project activities
• Day-to-day support of TBI experts, including but not limited to:
  • Participate to meetings with officials from government and development partners
  • Drafting of notes, progress reports and PowerPoint presentation
• Support the coordination efforts of TBI experts on strategic communication on their respective areas of expertise
• Carry out MEL Lead duties, using impact tools to log activity and impact from the Sahel programme
• In coordination with the Dakar-based Sahel Associate, support on project finance management including responsibility for tracking and recording expenditure against budget, petty cash management, maintaining the payment tracker and submitting cash requests, and supporting the Sahel Lead with the review of management accounts
• Work closely with other TBI staff within the project
• Quality assure and assess project processes and documentation
• Identify project risks and report to Sahel Lead to mitigate them

Briefing and analysis

• Gather information and producing briefings as necessary
• Prepare draft briefs, proposals (for government and for fundraising), presentations, and provide draft feedback on government documents as required
• Undertake data collection, information-checking and analysis
• French-English translation tasks where necessary

Operational running of the programme

• Support with the preparation of high level trips  to Mali, supplying information needed by TBI HQ and the Executive Chairman’s Office 
• Organise and manage the Mali team meetings and events, prepare written summaries and conduct follow-up activities, as appropriate
• As necessary liaise with London-based finance, legal, people and operations teams to ensure the smooth running and set up of the Mali programme

Tech for Development

• Liaise with TBI’s Sahel Team and TBI’s central Tech for Development team to complete a tech landscape assessment
• Support in tech for development opportunities, particularly in the areas of digital government services, and fostering innovation with respect to government priorities
• Work with technical experts in engaging with counterparts in Mali
• Develop briefs and notes for counterparts and our Tech for Development central team
• Facilitate meetings with counterparts and our Tech for Development central team

Person Specification

• A minimum of 4-6 years’ proven experience relevant to the position
• Proven knowledge of the Malian context
• Proven project management and leadership experience
• A post-graduate degree in Political Science, Law, International Relations, or related fields
• Demonstrated engagement with diverse donors and development partners
• Previous experience in legal and/or political matters is preferable
• Previous experience in highly political context is preferable
• Readiness to adapt to last-minute changes and tight deadlines, showing high flexibility as priorities change, and support areas are revised according to needs
• A commitment to rigorous fact-checking and attention to detail
• Experience with consulting projects is an added advantage
• High levels of enthusiasm, resilience, a can-do attitude, and ability to achieve consistently results in a fast-paced and complex environment.
• Strong analytical and management skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with capacity to develop a professional network
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office products Word, Excel and PPT and other relevant software and tools
• Excellent writing, analytical and editing skills in French including the ability to translate academic and research output into accessible policy analysis as well as to produce briefings for high level meetings
• Ability to communicates in English both in writing and speaking
• Candidatures from Malian nationals are strongly encouraged

Please note that we require your submitted cv in English.

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies. We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people  

We do this within two connected divisions: 

 Government Advisory 

Our Advisory Practice works directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It has both non-profit partners and a client base and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia. We are currently in a rapid expansion phase from c. 18 countries at present, to 30 by December 2022.

 Policy Futures 

Our Policy Futures work encompasses three broad areas: 

• Renewing the Centre: developing a bold and innovative domestic policy programme to help renew the centre ground of British politics; 
• Tech and Public Policy: exploring the policy challenges and opportunities presented by the technological revolution; and 
• Extremism Policy Unit: creating solutions designed to tackle the threat of extremist ideologies in the UK and around the world. 

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are: 

• Open and Progressive: you’ll believe in the value of teamwork 
• Bold and Pragmatic: you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity 
• Optimistic Changemaker: you’ll be focused on results 

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you\'re successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.