EXCITING JOB OPENING: BRITISH COUNCIL IS LOOKING FOR A SENIOR ADVISER FOR ENGLISH PROGRAMMES IN SSA
At the British Council, we are dedicated to fostering connections, understanding, and trust among people in the UK and around the world. We work directly with individuals, empowering them with the skills, confidence, and networks needed to transform their lives and contribute to a better world. Our initiatives encompass learning English, obtaining a high-quality education, and gaining internationally recognized qualifications. With a presence in over 100 countries and territories, we reached 650 million people in the 2021–22 period.
Application Deadline: October 18, 2023
Location: Accra, Sub Saharan Africa, GH
Company: British Council
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Senior Advisor English Programmes, SSA
Role Purpose
We are currently seeking a Senior Adviser to provide technical sector expertise to our regional English Programmes portfolio. This role will support business development and ensure the high-quality, compliant delivery of programmes and contracts, with a focus on improving English teaching, learning, and assessment standards in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA).
Main Accountabilities
Programme Development
- Support clusters and countries in SSA to plan and develop English Programmes in alignment with regional and global English Programmes strategies.
- Contribute to the development of projects under the frameworks of all five global English Programmes.
- Promote a Teaching for Success approach in continuous professional development (CPD) for schools, countries, clients, and partners.
- Ensure the integration of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) principles within English and Education programme development, in line with regional EDI strategy.
Proposal Management
- Assist in the technical writing of English Programmes FCR (Full Cost Recovery) and GPF (Grant Programme Fund) bids/proposals.
- Ensure seamless proposal coordination throughout the entire process, including the sourcing of required resources such as technical consultants and sector experts.
- Uphold British Council standards for proposal documents, including design and data protection.
- Collaborate with the E&S Business Development Manager, Commercial Manager, and Finance Team to ensure accurate costing and pricing of proposals.
Grant Management
- Ensure timely reporting and communication on donor contracts, both externally and through internal monthly reporting within SSA.
- Provide advice and, when necessary, support project managers on donor guidelines, policies, and procedures, particularly concerning reporting, procurement, matching funds, spending rates, and visibility requirements to ensure compliance.
- Prepare local grant guidelines for activities with partners, subject to review by Cultural Engagement (CE) Contract Management.
- Review grant agreements with partners to ensure proper adherence to all donor rules and regulations, in conjunction with CE Contract Management.
- Review project status and, when appropriate, prepare follow-up proposals and timely documentation for no-cost extensions or project closures, in accordance with donor guidelines, in conjunction with CE Contract Management.
Networks and Partnership Development
- Establish and maintain an active English sector network to enhance awareness of the British Council’s and the UK’s expertise and engagement in English.
- Play a proactive role in identifying, cultivating relationships with, and sustaining a network of strategic partners in the UK and SSA for collaborative projects.
- Contribute to sector conferences, professional forums, and external workshops to elevate the British Council’s profile.
- Foster relationships with partners, stakeholders, and clients within the English portfolio.
- Create and maintain an active internal regional and global network of English Programmes colleagues to facilitate knowledge sharing, communication, and developments within English Programmes.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)
- Actively contribute to an inclusive and anti-racist organizational culture by acknowledging your own biases and taking steps to mitigate them. Ensure that people feel valued and are treated equitably, with a focus on their well-being and mental health.
- Familiarize yourself with the British Council’s approach to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and its relevance to your role. Dedicate time to learn and develop your understanding of EDI and anti-racism principles.
Role-Specific Knowledge and Experience
Essential Requirements
- Postgraduate degree in English Language Teaching (ELT) or a relevant qualification, or equivalent experience.
- Experience in middle management roles within the English or education sectors.
- Experience in delivering donor-funded projects or programmes.
- Familiarity with client policies and procedures.
- Experience in engaging with and managing diverse stakeholders, including multilateral agencies, donors, government officials, and academics in SSA and the UK.
- Experience working within a consortium arrangement or with other funding partners or sponsors and management of associated contracts.
- Extensive experience in managing complex, senior, client, stakeholder, and partner relationships and meeting reporting requirements.
Desirable
- Experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa is highly desirable.
Further Information
- Pay Band: 8
- Contract Duration: Three (3) Year Fixed Term Contract
- Department: Cultural Engagement/English Programmes
- Location: Flexible location in SSA offices
- Contract Type: This role is being offered as locally engaged and Long Term Strategic International Assignment (LTSIA) for Ghana
Candidates applying from outside British Council’s operating countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) will be hired under LTSIA terms. Candidates hired under LTSIA terms will be based in Ghana, with relocation support provided.
Candidates applying from an operating British Council (SSA) office will be hired under Locally Engaged terms. Please note that there will be no relocation support provided for candidates hired under Locally Engaged terms.
Language Requirements: Strong written and oral English communication skills
Closing Date: October 18, 2023. Applications will close at 23:59 East Africa Time
For inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
Please note: Applications to this role can only be considered when made through the Apply section of our careers website. Our ‘ASK HR’ email is only to be used in case of a technical issue encountered when applying through the careers website. Emails with supporting statements and CV/Resumes sent to this email address will not be reviewed and will be deleted.
A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement
The British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity, and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to ensure their behavior aligns with this commitment. We actively seek applications from under-represented groups, particularly on grounds of ethnicity and disability. All disabled applicants meeting essential criteria are guaranteed an interview, and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.
The British Council is dedicated to safeguarding children, young people, and adults with whom we work. We believe that everyone worldwide deserves to live in safe environments and be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment, and exploitation, as outlined in article 19 of the UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989.
