Programme Officer

Friends of Palestinian Universities (FPU) is looking for a motivated, organised and thoughtful Programme Officer to join our small and growing team. FPU works in partnership with Palestinian universities, academics and students to strengthen the resilience and recovery of Palestinian higher education, build meaningful international academic partnerships, and transform understanding and practice within UK and international higher education. This is a varied, hands-on role at the heart of our work. You will help us develop partnerships between Palestinian and international universities, produce research and resources, support advocacy and public engagement, organise events and convenings, and provide the programme and administrative coordination that enables a small charity to deliver effectively. You will work closely with the Director, wider FPU team and Palestinian university partners, as well as academics, universities, sector bodies, unions and civil society organisations in the UK and internationally. What you’ll be doing Your work will span several areas of FPU’s programmes. Advocacy and public engagement You will help deliver FPU’s advocacy and awareness-raising work, including: researching and contributing to briefings, reports, toolkits and other public-facing resources; building relationships with academics, university departments, higher education networks, unions and student groups; supporting campaigns and initiatives responding to the destruction of Palestinian higher education and scholasticide in Palestine; helping organise public events, webinars and other opportunities for engagement. Building international academic partnerships A major part of the role will be helping strengthen links between Palestinian universities and institutions internationally. You will: research potential university partners and opportunities for collaboration; support the development of partnerships, fellowships, research collaborations and exchanges; help produce an expanded edition of FPU’s handbook on partnerships with Palestinian higher education; engage with Palestinian universities to understand their priorities and identify opportunities for international partnership; maintain relationships, contacts and partnership information; help organise FPU’s Annual Conference and other sector convenings. Supporting Palestinian partners A core principle of FPU’s work is that Palestinian universities, academics and students should shape the international responses that affect them. You will help create opportunities for Palestinian partners to participate in international meetings, events and initiatives, prepare research and briefing materials, and support convenings in which Palestinian scholars and institutions can share knowledge and shape agendas. Programme coordination and administration As part of a small organisation, strong administration is essential to effective programme delivery. You will help: coordinate meetings, events and programme activity; organise agendas, papers, invitations, notes and follow-up; maintain accurate databases, records and shared files; coordinate travel and logistics for Palestinian partners where required; support programme-related expenses, procurement and other administrative processes; track programme activities, deadlines, outputs and outcomes; contribute to quarterly planning, monitoring and reporting. The role will combine substantive programme work with practical administration, and we are looking for someone who is comfortable doing both. About you We are interested in people who can bring strong transferable skills, sound judgement and a genuine commitment to our mission. You will have: excellent written and spoken English and strong research skills; excellent organisation and attention to detail; experience coordinating projects, programmes, events or campaigns; the ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of people and organisations; confidence managing multiple priorities and taking responsibility for your own work; good administrative and digital skills, including maintaining accurate records and information; the ability to work collaboratively and flexibly as part of a small team; a commitment to FPU’s mission and to respectful, partner-led ways of working; sensitivity when working across different institutional, cultural and political contexts. It would be particularly useful if you bring some of the following: experience in higher education, charities, civil society, advocacy or campaigning; knowledge of the UK higher education sector; knowledge of Palestinian higher education or experience working on Palestine; experience producing reports, briefings or other public-facing resources; experience of monitoring, evaluation or programme reporting; Arabic language proficiency. Working with Friends of Palestinian Universities This is an opportunity to join FPU at an important stage in its development and make a practical contribution to strengthening Pales