governance officer jobs

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated Programme Officer to join the Malaria Epidemiology Unit, supporting the operational delivery and management of research studies across Africa. The Programme Officer will work closely with chief investigators to achieve both operational and administrative objectives for the R21-PD consortium’s multi-country clinical trial and associated research activities.

You will play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless collaboration and integrity across multiple projects, working with partners and funders from the UK, Africa, and Europe. The role will involve supporting the delivery of clinical trials and providing proactive, independent support in areas such as trial governance, data protection, project contracting, and communication with funding bodies.

In addition, you will contribute to the broader goals of the Malaria Epidemiology Unit, supporting business development, operational management, administrative oversight, financial tracking, and communications activities as the programme portfolio continues to expand.

Key Responsibilities are (but not limited to):

• Develop and maintain robust project management systems for R21-PD and other key projects, including workplans, deliverables, milestones, and risk management.
• Act as a key liaison with internal teams (Finance, Governance, Data Protection, Contracts) to ensure compliance with organisational procedures and funder requirements.
• Track project progress and expenditure, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with budgets, KPIs, and reporting obligations.
• Support the preparation of technical and financial reports for funders, ensuring alignment with formats required by schemes such as EU and UKRI.
• Provide administrative and logistical support across the Malaria Epidemiology Unit, including meeting coordination, minutes, diary management, and travel support.
• Manage governance processes, including ethics submissions, trial monitoring requirements, sponsorship, insurance, and data safety monitoring.
• Develop and maintain effective communication channels with partners, funders and colleagues internationally, including supporting external meetings, networking events, and project communications.
• Coordinate grant applications, including planning collaborative sessions, preparing budgets, drafting partner documentation, and consolidating proposal materials.

You will possess:

• Educated to Degree level or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrable knowledge of Global Health and challenges of working in resource-poor settings.
• Extensive experience supporting project activities funded by a variety of donors.
• Experience processing and tracking workplans and expenditure against agreed budgets.
• Experience supporting activities in lower- and middle-income countries.
• Experience working in a research institution or international development organisation in a similar role.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality reports.
• Proficient computer skills, including MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Ability and willingness to undertake national and international travel.

(For a full list of essential and desirable criteria, please refer to the job description and person specification.)

Additional benefits of joining LSTM

• 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, plus Christmas closure days
• Generous occupational pension schemes
• Government-backed “cycle to work” scheme
• Affiliated, discounted staff membership to the University of Liverpool Sports Centre
• Plus, a host of additional family-friendly policies

Application Process

To apply for the position, please upload your CV and Covering Letter.
Due to the volume of applications we receive, we sometimes close our vacancies early. It is therefore advisable to apply as early as possible if you would like to be considered for this role.

Inclusion is central to our values at LSTM

We seek to attract and recruit people who reflect the diversity across our communities, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, nationality, faith or belief, social background, age, or disability. LSTM selects candidates based on skills, qualifications, and experience. We welcome conversations about flexible working and applications from those returning to employment after a career break.

About LSTM

Founded in 1898 and the oldest of its kind in the world, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for teaching and research in tropical diseases. Through strong partnerships with governments, NGOs, private organisations, and global institutions, LSTM works to promote improved health, particularly for people in low-resource settings in the tropics and sub-tropics.

LSTM actively promotes Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding Policies.