We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.

We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021–22 we reached 650 million people.

Global Sector and Programme Lead TVET.

Department: Education, Schools, TVET & NFE.
Contract type: Fixed Term Contract until 31st May 2025.

Pay band: SMP-L

Salary: Starting at £61,623 plus £3,300 London Market Allowance for those based in the London area.

Benefits Include, but are not limited to: 
•    32 days annual leave, in addition to public holidays
•    3 days volunteering leave
•    Career average defined benefit pension scheme
•    An unrivalled opportunity for you to get to use all the experience you’ve built up working in and/or leading global organisations to support us in building trust across the world.

Location: UK – London, Cardiff, Manchester, Edinburgh or Belfast only.

Closing Date: Monday 26th February 2024 at 23:59 UK time.

Requirements: Candidates must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. 

Mobility, relocation and visa sponsoring support will not be provided. 

British Council supports working in new ways such as hybrid working, subject to full approval by line management and conditional upon our ability to provide the appropriate level of service.  This may not be appropriate for all roles but can be explored at interview.

The Team:

Education is a powerful vector for cultural relations activity – especially as access to high quality education at all levels is more important than ever. The UK’s strength in education makes it an excellent partner for people-to-people, institution-to-institution and government-to-government connections.  It is one of the three core pillars of the British Council’s cultural engagement activity.  The TVET element of our global programmes makes a significant contribution to our overall impact.

The British Council aims to improve the quality of  Technical, Vocational, Education Training (TVET) education systems, benefitting young people and supporting the drive to deliver Sustainable Development Goals, while deepening ties to the UK in the process.

We will apply technical knowledge of education system reform, programme design and implementation to strengthen the effectiveness of TVET institutions and systems, improving teaching and learning and enabling young people to gain the technical skills needed by employers and the economy.   This will benefit the UK and overseas systems we work with.

The Role. 

This is an exciting opportunity to join the TVET (Technical Vocational Education Training) Team on a 12 month basis as our Global Sector and Programme Lead.

The purpose of the Global Sector and Programme Lead, role is to:

• Demonstrates thought leadership and sector expertise in relation to Skills and TVET policy and systems, and owns key stakeholder relationships on behalf of the British Council.
• Provides technical expertise relating to TVET to the development and delivery of the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships Programme.
• Leads (or supports where the lead is located in our global network) the design, development and delivery of TVET programmes funded by  external partners or clients that.  Where the role holder leads a programme, they will also manage relevant client or partner relationships.
• Contributes to the financial sustainability of the British Council through attracting partnership funding and contract income to grow our global TVET portfolio.
• Manages risk and compliance in relation to the TVET  portfolio.
• Leads and manages large, dispersed teams and delivery partners.

Accountabilities:

Some of the accountabilities are, but are not limited to:

• Contribute to and implement the global strategy for our work with TVET institutions and systems
• Lead the delivery of the TVET contribution to the global CE business plan including global financial and non-financial targets.  Incorporate innovation in programme design and delivery, including online.
• Lead the implementation of the TVET element of the Going Global Partnerships programme working in close partnership with the Regional and country teams delivering it
• Lead the development and presentation of the impact narrative for our TVET work in collaboration with moniotoring and evaluation team.
• Lead the central TVET team and provide direction to and share sector knowledge with colleagues around the world who are working on the TVET strand of our global programme.
• Foster an outcome focused, accountable environment where activities and plans are conducted in accordance with the British Council values and where equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is a strong element of the culture.
• Contribute to the visibility, reputation and brand of the British Council and the UK with clients, partners and governments which will in turn allow British Council/UK to act as a preferred partner and advisor for TVET projects around the world
• Be the lead operational contact for any partnerships which are incorporated within the TVET strand of the Going Global Partnership programme and associated contracts being managed on behalf of the FCDO, DfE, EU and other clients
• Lead the TVET strand of our Going Global Partnerships programme to meet agreed financial and non-financial targets and meet global/corporate standards for global and UK-led TVET programmes across all funding streams.
• Owns and builds the pipeline for area of influence, developing opportunities with identified clients and partners to deliver programmes that are financially viable and achieve our strategic KPIs.
• Leads, writes or quality assures new proposals. Provides strategic support to proposal teams.

Requirements of the role

•    Knowledge of TVET sector in the UK and Internationally.

•    Project design and delivery of TVET programmes outside the UK.

•    Leadership experience – Managing a dispersed team to deliver programmes.

•    Significant knowledge and experience of preparing bids and proposals in the TVET sector.

Closing Date:   Applications will close at 23:59 on Monday 26th February 2024 UK Time.

Interviews will be held around the middle of March 2024.

You must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application.