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.
Contract: Hourly Paid (Non-Permanent Worker)
Location: United Arab Emirates
Start Date: a s soon as possible
Company : British Council
Role Purpose
To develop an effective and efficient operating environment within the UAE that enables the country operation to deliver the Arts strategy in the UAE and the Gulf Countries.
Role is responsible for the management and delivery of Arts Projects Programmes and support the Arts teams through the full life-cycle of initiation, planning & design, delivery, closure and evaluation, engaging with all stakeholders needed to achieve the goals required for their success (including time, budget, quality, impact). This role will typically require technical expertise in the arts and culture and external relations.
Role Context
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, building connections and engendering trust.
We work with over 100 countries across the world in the fields of arts and culture, English language and education. 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.
This role sits within the Cultural Engagement (CE) Strategic Business Unit (SBU). CE brings together our portfolio of work in the UAE and the Gulf. This programme should contribute to our key performance indicators and impact ambitions.
Main Accountabilities
Strategy & Planning
• Contribute to the Country and Regional Business plan discussions at country and regional level.
• Monitor progress and secure impact targets.
Leadership & Management
• Deliver the role s annual priority work plan for activities to ensure defined business objectives are realised in accordance with the overarching British Council strategy and that of CE global operations.
Relationship & Stakeholder Management
• Identify challenges/opportunities within the Arts Programme and escalate these so that challenges are addressed, and opportunities maximised to increase programme efficiencies and impact.
• Maintain fluid communication with key stakeholders.
• Work with peers and colleagues across the MENA Arts Network.
Assurance and global standards
• Support the embedding of a culture of compliance within the programme, ensuring that the CE single assurance framework (including MCCs, ACC, deep dives etc), corporate policies and procedures, global standards, operating guidelines and local regulations are implemented, monitored and maintained across the regional portfolio.
• As part of the above, support compliance with global standards on business development including pipeline management, adherence to due diligence processes and support to the business development approvals process.
• Analyse and interpret data and insight on the quality of delivery, including MCC reports, using this information to share learning across programmes and projects and drive continuous improvement.
• As part of above to ensure that programme/project risks and issues are systematically identified and reported via agreed systems.
• Support the review monthly financial health checks for the contract(s), following up on anomalies as appropriate.
• Procurement support the management the implementation of best practice frameworks that deliver value for money and identify and secure savings for the organisation.
Internal Information and Knowledge Management
• Support the management of CE regional internal information and knowledge resources and associated internal communications so that they provide maximum value to business development and delivery.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
• To actively Contribute to an inclusive and anti-racist organisational culture, being aware of your own biases, and taking action to mitigate against these. Ensuring people feel valued and are treated equitably, with support for people s well-being and mental health.
• Understand the British Council s approach to equality, diversity and inclusion and how it applies to your role and make time for learning and development relating to EDI and anti-racism.
Language requirements
• English and Arabic (desirable)
Additional job requirements
• Experience of working in the cultural sector in the UAE (visual arts and or creative industries)
Person specification
Qualifications
• Degree or equivalent qualification (Minimum/essential)
Role specific knowledge and experience
• Experience of managing programmes that include external stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience in Arts programmes
• Experience managing reporting processes
• Experience of managing/supporting projects
• Knowledge of good practice in one or more of these areas - programme/project/contract management, assurance frameworks or workforce planning
Role specific skills
• Stakeholder engagement
• Planning and organising
• Analysing data and problem solving
• Report writing and communication
• Project management
British Council core competencies
• Communicating and influencing (level 3). Is creative and adaptable in communications.
