Job Description

About the Blavatnik School of Government

Our vision is of a world better led, a world better served and a world better governed. We are a global school committed to improving the quality of government and public policymaking worldwide, through three routes:

teaching

current and future leaders

;

generating

research with impact

; and

engaging

with governments and practitioners

.

What we offer

The School is a collaborative, friendly, and dynamic department based in an award-winning building in Oxford. We host regular events and talks with well-known guest speakers - all of which are open to staff. On the social side, we have regular coffee/cake mornings for staff, a family-friendly Halloween event, and Christmas and summer parties.

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees' wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

An excellent contributory pension scheme

38 days' annual leave

Family leave schemes and a comprehensive range of childcare services

Cycle loan scheme and discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans

Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

Opportunities for hybrid working (typically60% of working hours on-site and 40% remotely)


More information about working at the School can be found on our jobs page.

About the role

The Project Finance and Grants Manager will manage all financial, contractual and donor-related aspects of the research programme, which has four donors and five survey and policy partners in Kenya and South Africa.

The role also includes some programme coordination and administration. You will develop a broad understanding of the terms and conditions of the portfolio's funding streams.

You will report to the Programme Manager, who has overall operational oversight for the programme. You will be a key member of the School's research support team, with regular oversight from the School's Senior Finance Officer for Research Projects. However, you will need to lead on financial, contractual and donor-related work with a high degree of autonomy and independence

About you

The ideal candidate is a highly organised finance and project management professional with experience managing complex grant portfolios in academic or donor-funded environments. They will have strong skills in budget forecasting, financial reporting, and cash flow management, ensuring compliance with funder, University, and School policies. Proficient in post-award financial management and University finance systems, they will confidently process payments, monitor expenditure, and support audits, while providing advice to academic and administrative staff.

In addition to financial expertise, the candidate will play a key role in donor contracting and reporting, coordinating inputs across teams and maintaining clear records and timelines. They will liaise effectively with collaborating partners, supporting capacity building and ensuring financial reporting and procurement meet institutional and donor requirements. Strong communication skills and the ability to explain complex procedures clearly are essential. The candidate will also support wider programme administration, including risk tracking, fieldwork logistics, and responding to project queries, working independently to support the Principal Investigator and Programme Manager.

Application process

Please upload a supporting statement that outlines how you meet the selection criteria

in your own words

, along with your CV, and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The closing date for applications is at 12 noon (UK time) on

Monday 15 September 2025.

Whilst the role is a Grade 7 position, we would be willing to consider candidates with potential but less experience who are seeking a development opportunity, for which an initial appointment would be at Grade 6 (34,982- 40,855) per annum) with the responsibilities adjusted accordingly. This would be discussed with applicants at interview/appointment where appropriate.