British Council
Sep 24, 2022
Full time
The British Council builds connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language. We work in two ways - directly with individuals to transform their lives, and with governments and partners to make a bigger difference for the longer term, creating benefit for millions of people all over the world. We help young people to gain the skills, confidence and connections they are looking for to realise their potential and to participate in strong and inclusive communities. We support them to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications. Our work in arts and culture stimulates creative expression and exchange and nurtures creative enterprise. We connect the best of the UK with the world and the best of the world with the UK. These connections lead to an understanding of each other's strengths and of the challenges and values that we share. This builds trust between people in the UK and other nations which endures even when official relations may be strained. We work on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2019-20 we connected with 80 million people directly and with 791 million overall, including online and through our broadcasts and publications. Overview The British Council is the UK's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. We do this by making a positive contribution to the UK and the countries we work with - changing lives by creating opportunities, buildingconnectionsand engendering trust. We work with over 100 countries across the world in the fields of arts and culture, English language andeducation. Each year we reach over 20 million people face-to-face and more than 500 million people online, via broadcasts and publications. Founded in 1934, we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. Role Purpose The Head of Education leads and develops our education work in Northern Ireland, ensuring quality and compliance with British Council standards. They have oversight of education activities in Northern Ireland and will lead the education team, managing and working closely with a range of internal and external stakeholders in the UK and overseas. Main accountabilities but not limited to the following: Leadership Provides leadership and line management for the Northern Ireland education team, enabling colleagues to collaborate on delivery, while promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. Oversees a portfolio of Northern Ireland specific education activities, ensuring they are tailored to the specific needs of Northern Ireland and support internationalisation of education in Northern Ireland through activity such as outward mobility, leadership development and new market development. Deputise for Country Director as required. Programme & financial management Leads on Northern Ireland portfolio planning working closely with British Council Northern Ireland, UK Region and Cultural Engagement colleagues - both UK and overseas - and the Northern Ireland HE, FE/TVET, non formal education and schools' sectors. Identifies relevant areas and commissions research that contributes to the British Council's agenda, credibility and reputation in Northern Ireland such as Language Trends Northern Ireland. Ensures effective financial management and compliance; manages and delivers to target, budgets, profitability, timelines, and to corporate quality standards in all areas Leads the negotiation/structuring of supplier contracts (e.g. M&E, research etc.) to achieve required operational goals, drawing appropriately on the input and expertise of other colleagues as required to protect the British Council's interests effectively Holds delivery partners, team members and consultants to account including supply chain management and ensures contractual obligations, quality assurance and due diligence on programmes or projects are met. Monitors, reviews and ensures that the Northern Ireland education portfolio is achieving agreed impact measures and that appropriate reporting is in place against Strategy 25 and FCDO key performance indicators. Business development Leads on business and partnership development strategy for the Northern Ireland Education portfolio, aligning with regional and corporate priorities, systems and processes. Develops external and internal project proposals and provides expert input into bids for co-funded or full-cost-recovery projects in education within Northern Ireland. Develops new partnerships and projects that are innovative, generate income or co-funding and meet Northern Ireland Education sector priorities, expanding the impact of our work in Northern Ireland. Relationships & Stakeholders Builds and maintains critical country funder and partner relationships relevant to the Education sectors in Northern Ireland, to maintain an excellent understanding of relevant themes and issues. Uses this insight to identify new opportunities and partnerships for British Council Northern Ireland. Influences education policy in Northern Ireland, for example, through providing evidence for Parliamentary Committees, NI Executive consultations (e.g. curriculum reform, language policy, international education), promoting research and through influencing senior stakeholders. Builds and maintains a broad, diverse and dynamic network of key education sector representatives in Northern Ireland, including education leaders, practitioners, organisations, advocacy groups, intermediary and sector bodies, etc. Ensures there is a clear point of contact for our external stakeholders and partners in Northern Ireland and one whom they will respect and acknowledge as an expert in internationalisation of education. Builds and maintains government and sector institutional relationships that British Council Northern Ireland needs to succeed in Northern Ireland. Represents the British Council externally and internally, including in Northern Ireland and UK Government coordinating bodies as required Leads on relationships with a range of senior stakeholders and partners at a programme level, including representing and communicating about Northern Ireland, UK and global Education programmes and British Council Northern Ireland at senior external level. Contribute to and sometimes lead on wider, education and cross-sectoral areas of our work including external relations activity with the NI Executive. Is able to communicate credibly on themes, opportunity and research relating to the education sectors - particularly in Northern Ireland - on a wide range of internal and external forums. Develops and nurtures internal relationships across the UK region, Cultural Engagement and in the wider organisation to ensure Northern Ireland's strategic objectives are aligned, understood and achieved. Sector/subject expertise Uses their own expert knowledge on Northern ireland education sectors, as well as intelligence and insight from other sector stakeholders and funders to support the ongoing development ofglobal education programmes that meet the specific needs of Northern Ireland, while also providing value to international as well as wider UK education organisations. Through ongoing relationships with the Cultural Engagement Education Sector Teams, builds and maintains good understanding of Northern Ireland/UK Education sector priorities as well as key international and FCDO, Devolved Administrationand other HMG priorities. Represents British Council in Northern Ireland as a recognised, credible authority in Education to external stakeholders and audiences e.g. briefing and welcoming international education stakeholders to Northern Ireland through British Council or partner programmes; briefing Northern Ireland Execuitve and Parliamentary stakeholders; participating in outward missions etc. Provides up-to-date and well-informed senior-level briefings on current and emerging themes in education in Northern Ireland. This includes commissioning and conducting detailed analysis and research and contributing sector knowledge and content to proposals. Identifies opportunities for Northern Ireland's Education sectors to work in and collaborate with peers internationally. Supports internal capacity building, ensuring that the team in Northern Ireland can access appropriate and cost-effective L&D opportunities and grow their sector knowledge and skills Brand and market positioning Promotes and positions the diversity of Northern Ireland Education sectors internationally. Ensures British Council Northern Ireland's value proposition and support to the Northern Ireland Education sectors is clear, agreed and communicated. Ensures that British Council Northern Ireland's reputation for quality and as a valued not-for-profit partner remains high and contributes to our organisational mission of building trust between Northern Ireland and other countries. Works closely with colleagues in UK Region and Cultural Engagement to feed market/customer insights into the programme development planning cycle, to ensure British Council Northern Ireland's offer is market relevant for Northern Ireland and consistent with the British Council, NI Executive and FCDO objectives..... click apply for full job details