Project Manager
PEACEworks
8:30am – The Optimistic Start
The day typically begins with the noble intention of being organised and getting to my preferred seat and desk in the office. Coffee in hand, laptop open, and a quick glance at the calendar reveals a modest number of meetings and a ‘To Do’ list, “Ok, that’s manageable,” I think optimistically. Five minutes later, three new emails arrive marked urgent, one partner requests a “quick call,” and the funder has sent a notification about an ‘urgent matter’, the coffee suddenly feels very necessary.
9:00am – Email Triage
Emails are categorised into three groups:
Action immediately, action after another coffee, or requires a level of diplomacy - best handled after lunch. Email topics usually include partnership updates, finance queries, staffing logistics, and at least one email that begins with “Just a quick question…” (which rarely is).
10:00am – Partnership Coordination
The PEACEworks project is built on collaboration, which means staying connected with partners across the programme. Calls and messages fly back and forth as we discuss delivery targets, participant engagement, and the small matter of keeping everything aligned with programme outputs.
Somewhere during this conversation someone inevitably says, “It shouldn’t take long…” — a phrase that most project managers know usually means the opposite.
11:30am – Problem Solving Mode
Every project has moving parts, and the PEACEworks project has plenty. The challenge might involve balancing partner responsibilities, supporting programme delivery, or interpreting funder guidance that reads like it was written by a committee… because it probably was.
This is the moment where project management becomes equal parts strategy, diplomacy, and creative thinking.
1:00pm – Lunch (In Theory)
Lunch is planned. Lunch is prepared. Lunch is placed beside the keyboard and is usually eaten approximately three hours later while replying to emails.
2:00pm – Reporting and Documentation
Time to update reports, track outputs, and make sure everything aligns with programme requirements. Spreadsheets, documents, and monitoring forms appear in abundance.
The aim is simple: ensure everything is clear, accurate, and audit-ready — because somewhere in the future a very diligent auditor may look at this document and ask questions.
3:30pm – Staff and Partner Check-ins
A good part of the role is supporting the team. This might involve quick catch-ups with staff, discussing programme progress, or solving the occasional “small issue” that turns out to have seven moving parts and three emails already copied to half the partnership.
4:30pm – The Final Email Sweep
Just before finishing for the day, there is always one last check of emails.
Two things are guaranteed:
There will be at least one new request, and someone will send an email starting with “Before the end of the day…”
5:00pm – Tomorrow’s To-Do List
The day ends by writing tomorrow’s task list, which is reassuringly organised and achievable… until tomorrow morning arrives and the cycle begins all over again.
Being the PEACEworks Project Manager means balancing partnership working, programme delivery, reporting requirements, diplomacy, sensitivity as well as unexpected challenges. But it also means working with dedicated people, supporting meaningful community engagement, and seeing the positive difference the programme makes.
I really enjoy my job and the challenges it brings. I would say, the best part of the role is knowing that whatever I may face in the job, I know I can rely on a great team of people for support should I need it!
And on the busiest days, there is always the quiet comfort of knowing that another coffee is only a kettle away.