Programme Officer.

Pay band: 7.
Salary: Starting at £30,839 plus £3,300 London Market Allowance per annum.   For candidates with exceptional skills, knowledge and experience (specific to the role) the British Council may consider a moderate broadening of the advertised pay range.

What we’ll offer you:   In addition to a competitive salary and excellent civil service pension contributions, the British Council offers:
•    32 days annual leave, in addition to public holidays
•    3 days volunteering leave
•    Opportunities to grow and develop in the role with continuous professional development.

Location: UK – London.
Department: Arts, Cultural Engagement.
Contract type: 12 months (Maximum) fixed term contract (Maternity Cover)
Closing Date: 19th November 2023 at 23:59 UK Time.

Requirements: 

This role is based in the UK.  Candidates must have the pre-existing (permanent) legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. 

Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided. 

This is a maternity cover for a maximum of 12 months, therefore, the role could be shorter if the role holder returns to work sooner.

The expectation is to be working in the London office approximately 2 days per week.

British Council supports working in new ways such as hybrid working, subject to 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:

Come and join the British Council’s Higher Education & Science team, with Cultural Engagement as a Programme Officer.

This role is a maternity cover, working in a large team of nine, where you will contribute to the efficient administration of the Chevening Scholarship Programme on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.  The Chevening programme is a UK flagship Scholarship scheme.

The Role:

We’re looking for a Programme Officer to join the programme from ideally January 2024, on a fixed term contract for approximately 12 months (Maternity Cover).

The focus of this Post is to facilitate a full and memorable experience for Scholars throughout their time in the UK and to support their day-to-day requirements.   You will display a strong commitment to customer service through the professional and timely administration of awards and development of events and other engagement opportunities.

You will work alongside a range of stakeholders as their contact for the Programme whilst managing a portfolio of universities comprising between 120 and 160 Scholars.

Accountabilities:

•    Take responsibility for a portfolio of universities and to act as the first point of contact for a range of stakeholders including the Scholars themselves, universities, partner organisations and overseas Posts as required to ensure the smooth running of the programme.

•    Update financial and information databases including Microsoft Office and internal systems.

•    Under the direction of the Senior Programme Officer – UK, to plan, organise and deliver events (including at least one event in partnership with a university), and other visits or opportunities. These events will have the aim of enriching the Scholar experience, developing relations with universities and partners and increasing the overall value and impact of the programme. You will also contribute to the engagement strategy and evaluation of events under the supervision of the Senior Programme Officer – UK and Programme Manager – UK.

•    Provide stakeholders with a high-quality service including the provision of professional and timely responses to a wide variety of enquiries and correspondence through all mediums/channels. Customer service targets will be measured in relation to our contractual key performance indicators.

•    Assist in the production and distribution of various scholarship materials to clearly defined timelines and targets as defined by our contractual key performance indicators. The documentation will include official scholarship documentation, correspondence, newsletters, memoranda of understanding, financial documents and others as required.

•    Take a pro-active role in developing and raising awareness and developing the Chevening brand with stakeholders (especially with Scholars, universities and event partners).

•    Support and promote policies and carry out duties in a customer service driven and resource efficient way, recognising the shared responsibility involved when delivering a professional flagship scheme.

•    Attendance at certain events which may be in the evenings or at weekends will be required.

Requirements of the role: 

•    Knowledge of international higher education students.
•    An understanding and commitment to good customer care/services
•    Excellent time management and organisational skills and the ability to remain focused in order to complete work to a high standard during times of greater volume, taking into account the cyclical nature of the academic year.
•    Strong administrative skills, including the ability to complete repetitive tasks to a high degree of accuracy and a high level of proven competence with Microsoft Office Suite

Closing Date:   Applications will close on 19th November 2023 at 23:59 UK Time.

Additional Information:

You must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. We are unable to support with sponsorship or relocation support.

Interviews will be held around the beginning of December 2023.

This role is based in the UK only.