Research Programme Coordinator

As the operational backbone of a professional body's research function, this part-time contract role coordinates, manages, and tracks research projects while supporting governance structures and collaborative stakeholder relationships. Working 16 hours (equivalent of 2 days) per week on an initial 6-month contract, the appointment supports the strategic development and scaling of research capabilities. The position ensures all research initiatives progress smoothly, deadlines and compliance requirements are met, and internal administrative workflows, including procurement, secretariat duties, and project tracking, are executed effectively. The arrangement requires working on site for approximately the first month, transitioning to a hybrid model thereafter. Key Responsibilities Maintain comprehensive research project schedules by tracking milestones, progress, and deliverables to ensure researchers, contractors, and partners meet project obligations. Prepare and present project monitoring reports, status updates, and dashboards for the Head of Research and associated governance structures. Deliver secretariat support to the Research Committee and related groups, encompassing agenda management, meeting pack compilation, minute taking, and action item tracking. Manage operational administration including prize adjudications, contract coordination, procurement, invoice workflows, and central document repositories. Support monitoring and evaluation processes for research outputs, compiling summaries and progress documentation for internal and external audiences. Liaise with marketing and communications teams to coordinate website content updates, research publications, and calls for expressions of interest. Facilitate stakeholder engagements, partnership meetings, workshops, and associated logistical planning. Maintain and expand the organisation's research topic radar through desk research and the coordination of annual and ongoing calls for research topics. Proactively review administrative workflows, identify operational bottlenecks, and embed consistent quality standards across all research processes. Requirements Essential Requirements Bachelor’s degree or equivalent tertiary qualification (prior learning gained through informal, non-formal, or experiential routes recognised in lieu of formal qualifications). Minimum of 5 years of relevant working experience. Background in an academic, research, or higher education environment. Practical project management experience. Experience working alongside committees, professional associations, or volunteer communities. Proven coordination, project support, or operational administration experience across multi-stakeholder environments. Highly organised approach with the ability to build, maintain, and execute structured ways of working. Clear, professional communication skills capable of engaging diverse stakeholder groups, including committee members and volunteers. Strong attention to detail, concern for quality, and timeline-driven task execution. Basic financial acumen to coordinate procurement, invoice administration, and related processes. Demonstrated ability to navigate digital platforms, collaborative systems, and new technological tools. Proactive initiative to identify operational bottlenecks and propose continuous process improvements. Willingness and ability to work on site in Cape Town for the first month prior to transitioning to hybrid. Required Software Skills Microsoft Office 365 Microsoft Excel Microsoft Word Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Teams Microsoft SharePoint Work Arrangement Hybrid (On site in Cape Town for the first month, transitioning to hybrid thereafter). Employment Type Fixed Term Contract (Part-time, 6 months, 16 hours / 2 days per week).