Job Description: Project Officer (Leadership Exchange Programme and Global campaigns)

Location: Hybrid. In London office at least 3 days per week plus when meetings required. Flexibility for remote work and some international travel.

Reports to: Deputy Director

Hours: One year fixed term contract - 5 day week (37.5 hour week)

Salary: £36,000

Start Date: ASAP

Role Overview:

The Project Officer will be responsible for delivering key initiatives, including our flagship Leadership Exchange Programme (LEP). The Leadership Exchange Programme supports funded study visits for city leaders to visit and learn from their peers in cities around the globe. City leaders can see success in action and scale and replicate successful policies in their own cities. You will also support delivery of other projects and initiatives that support our work to amplify culture on a global scale.

You will need to be an excellent, detail-oriented individual with proven project management skills, and have the ability to nurture working relationships with City partners.

About World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF):

World Cities Culture Forum is the leading global network of civic leaders from over 40 creative cities across six continents, collectively representing a population of over 245 million. World Cities Culture Forum champions the role of culture as a driver of equitable, sustainable, and prosperous cities.

Our network shares ideas and solutions to tackle 21st-century challenges, such as climate change, cultural tourism, affordable workspace, and diversity in public spaces, by placing culture at the heart of city planning and investment.

Through our Global Summit, leadership programmes, and research, we empower city leaders to build thriving communities and economies where culture flourishes.

Diversity Statement:

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. If you are excited about this role but don’t meet every qualification, we still welcome your application. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that each individual brings, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Delivery:

Leadership Exchange Programme (LEP):

• Application Management: Guide and support cities through the LEP application process.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Work with City Partnerships Manager to identify areas for potential collaboration among city partners.

• Selection Process: Lead on jury and selection process of successful applications, ensuring fairness and transparency.

• Grant management: Oversee the grant allocation process, ensuring compliance and best use of the fund.

• Programme Administration: Provide end-to-end support for the programme development, logistics, and execution of city exchanges, ensuring a high standard of delivery.

• Exchange delivery: support city partners to curate enriching and thorough exchange itineraries that promote knowledge exchange help to scale ideas in cities around the world.

• Evaluation G Improvement: Continuously evaluate programmes, capturing key learnings, and identifying opportunities for future improvement.

• Reporting: Provide regular progress updates on the Leadership Exchange Programme including to the Board of Trustees and LEP’s funding partner,

Strategic project support:

You will also provide project management and administrative support for the additional initiatives and projects below, and respond to new demands and opportunities.

· MONDIACULT 2025: lead on WCCF’s participation in UNECSO’s MONDIACULT 2025 conference, including briefing and preparation for panel participation and other agreed deliverables, and supporting the City Partnerships Manager to grow our campaign ‘The São Paulo Manifesto: A Goal for Culture’.

· Regional projects G events: work closely with City Partnerships Manager to support delivery of regional programmes and events, including a joint project with UCCI (Union of Ibero American Capital Cities).

· Support the Programme Officer with webinars and other online events where appropriate.

General responsibilities and duties:

· Undertake the duties of the job description in accordance with the operational policies of WCCF, including but not limited to the diversity policy and code of conduct.

· Maintain good working relations with the Board, staff, city advisory committee members, city partners and other stakeholders.

· Present the organisation in an appropriate and professional manner to its stakeholders.

· Contribute to the development and growth of the organisation through working in accordance with its wider objectives, corporate philosophy and values.

· Assist at WCCF events outside of normal working hours as necessary.

· Perform other reasonable duties as required to support organisational goals.

Person Specification Essential Experience:

· Proven experience in project management, ideally within an international or cultural context.

· Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills, with the ability to work effectively with people from diverse disciplines, cultures, and backgrounds.

· Strong track record in delivering programmes or projects on time and within budget.

· Ability to build and maintain professional relationships with diverse stakeholders.

· Proven ability to manage grant funding processes and ensure compliance with funding guidelines.

· Exceptional organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly and concisely to a wide range of audiences.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Please be advised that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. All applicants must possess the necessary right to work documentation in the UK.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a CV and a maximum 400 word personal statement detailing their qualifications and experience via the application form link. We also encourage applicants to complete the Diversity Monitoring form which is not part of the application and is for diversity monitoring purposes only.

Project Officer (Leadership Exchange Programme and Global Campaigns)