Project Officer - Department of Economics

Job Description

FACULTY OF ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS
PROJECT OFFICER IN PUBLIC POLICY HUB (PPH) AND THE CHAIR IN MUNICIPAL FINANCE IN AFRICA.
PEROMNES POST LEVEL 10 (ONE YEAR CONTRACT)

The incumbent will serve as a cornerstone of operational excellence and strategic coordination for the Public Policy Hub (PPH) and the Chair in Municipal Finance in Africa. The role supports a rapidly expanding portfolio of high-level research collaborations, government partnerships, donor-funded programmes, and municipal governance reforms across the continent.

• Personal assistance to the PPH and the Chair in Municipal Finance;
• Provide full administrative and operational support to all PPH and Chair activities, including strategic meetings, partner engagements, workshops, policy dialogues, training programmes, conferences, and project management support to current and emerging initiatives;
• Support partnership development by identifying new collaborators and funders, preparing briefings and presentations for donor engagements, contributing to proposal development for multi-year programmes, and assisting with the preparation and coordination of Memoranda of Agreement;
• Provide project management support to ongoing and emerging initiatives, including major donor-funded projects;
• Assist in the development, editing, and quality control of research outputs, including policy notes, academic articles, municipal finance diagnostics, and strategic presentations for government partners;
• Act as the central coordination and liaison point between internal UP stakeholders and national and international partners, strengthening communication and collaboration across research, policy, government, development, and community stakeholders;
• Support data-driven research and programme delivery through coordination of data governance and ethics processes, monitoring and evaluation activities, and the development and quality assurance of research and policy outputs for internal and external stakeholders;
• Coordinate and manage the planning and delivery of PPH and Chair events, including research workshops, policy dialogues, trainings, conferences, travel arrangements and stakeholder meetings;
• Manage budgets, monitor expenditures, and ensure strict compliance with university and donor funding requirements; and
• Liaise with Faculty Marketing & Communication teams to produce high-quality communication materials: newsletters, project highlights, training announcements, impact stories, social media content, and policy-relevant visuals.

• Grade 12 with at least four (4) years’ office administration, secretarial and financial administration experience; OR
• Relevant National three-year Diploma with at least two (2) years’ office administration, secretarial and financial administration experience;
• Computer skills, including basic database management and proficiency in MS Word and MS Excel; and
• A driver’s licence.

• Strong professional communication skills (written and verbal);
• Proven ability to coordinate projects, manage multiple work streams, and meet deadlines with accuracy;
• High level of administrative competence, organisation, and attention to detail;
• Ability to prioritise work independently and operate effectively under pressure;
• Sound stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to interact professionally with internal and external partners;
• Strong problem-solving ability;
• Ability to prepare, edit, and quality-assure reports, briefings, and presentations;
• Working knowledge of governance, compliance, and confidentiality requirements;
• Proficiency in MS Office with the ability to adapt to new technologies; and
• Excellent interpersonal skills, professionalism, integrity, and accountability.

• A relevant degree in Public Administration, Project Management, Economics, Finance, Development Studies, Public Policy, Business Administration, or a related field;
• Experience in project coordination or office administration, preferably within a higher education or research environment;
• Proven exposure to multi-stakeholder,…