Are you a collaborative,  outcome-focussed, creative and highly effective individual with a passion for social impact?  Are you able to turn great ideas into effective action in an entrepreneurial environment?

If so, Nesta has an exciting opportunity for an experienced International Development Programme Manager to join Nesta Challenges, a pioneer in using challenge prizes to find and support the ideas and people who can change the world for good.

About Nesta and Nesta Challenges

Our Challenges team is at the forefront of identifying and defining problems where new ideas, technologies and approaches can be encouraged to radically improve outcomes and then developing and managing challenge prizes that optimise the likelihood of success. Challenge prizes are competitions which reward whoever can first, or most effectively, meet a defined challenge and we have launched prizes in a broad range of areas that include improving outcomes for Nepalese farmers, improving access to justice, and the £10m Longitude Prize for antimicrobial resistance.

About this exciting opportunity

This is a stretching and rewarding role leading first-of-a-kind projects that deliver real change in people’s lives.

As International Development Programme Manager, you will lead on one or more challenge prizes, where you will be expected to transform high quality programme design into action, overseeing the day-to-day delivery by working with a broad range of partners, contractors, prize entrants and other stakeholders.  You will also be responsible for prize planning and implementation to launch and beyond, and for the monitoring of milestones, evaluation and finance to keep track of project budgets and deadlines. Plus:

• Working with potential partners and clients to identify the focus of prizes

• Supporting the design of prizes, through workshops, conducting research with stakeholders and experts

• Selecting and appointing expert advisors and panelists for prizes

• Developing compelling communications and marketing campaigns and strong impact evaluation strategies

• Designing and co-convening workshops and manage landmark events

• Developing relationships with relevant government agencies and charitable foundations in order to raise funding for new prizes and existing prize ideas

• Providing effective coaching and development of Nesta Challenges’ junior staff

What we are looking for

You will be passionate about innovation and social impact with experience of running international development programmes or working with the European Commission on Social Innovation across Europe. You will have proven experience of leading the design and delivery of multi-stakeholder programmes, including setting and achieving ambitious deadlines, scenario planning, managing budgets, staff and suppliers.

A strong communicator, you will possess exceptional organisational, prioritisation and time management skills with the ability to coordinate and track multiple projects simultaneously. The ability to guide other members of the team through effective and regular communication and collaboration is vital, as are outstanding relationship-building and stakeholder management capabilities.

How to apply

For further details about this post, and to apply, please complete the application form on our website.

The closing date for applications is 8 March 2021 at 8:00am.

Interviews will take place w/c 15 March 2021.

At Nesta, we believe that a diverse workforce leads to an organisation that is more innovative, more creative and gets better results.

We want our workforce to represent the diversity of the people and communities we serve. We also want our workplace to be one where different experiences, expertise and perspectives are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to grow and develop.

This means that when we are recruiting, we actively seek to reach a diverse pool of candidates. It also means that we are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that potential employees may need to in order to be successful.

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including working from home, compressed or part-time hours, job shares and other arrangements. 

Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.