Administrative Consultant for EU-ECOWAS Scholarship for Sustainable Energy at British Council

Role Purpose

To support the Programme Manager with administrative and financial management functions of the EU ECOWAS Scholarship Programme.

Support with coordination and delivery of the key elements and activities of the programme across all the countries where the scholarship is based. Responsibilities will also include providing support to the Programme Manager on the recruitment, selection, placement and management of candidates and support to the delivery teams in programme host locations across West Africa.

Programme Context

The British Council manages the EU ECOWAS Scholarship Programme in 6 West African countries in Sub Saharan Africa. The contract involves the recruitment, selection, placement and management of candidates on a tailored scholarship scheme.

The overall objective of the scholarship programme is to enhance human capital development in West Africa, particularly in sustainable energy through scholarships. It will also support the strengthening of capacity within the participating Higher Education Institutions.

The programme aims to improve access to high-quality training in strategic areas of the sustainable energy sector in West Africa. It will also support the education of young graduates from higher education institutions in West Africa to enable them to acquire the profile required to meet the growing demand for specialists at the highest level in the field of Clean, Sustainable Energy Development to promote good governance of the sector in the region.

The scheme is targeted at prospective postgraduate students looking to study for a Masters' degree in the energy sector at specialised universities in West Africa. Participants will include students from ECOWAS member states involved in the energy sector: Energy Management, Regulation, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.

Main accountabilities:

Scholarship Management Coordination and Administration

• To manage all activity related to the EU ECOWAS Scholarship Programme in line with agreed timelines, costs, targets and established performance indicators as stated in the programme description of action (DOA) and contract.
• To work with the Finance Manager to manage the programme events’ financial elements in accordance with agreed project financial plans and corporate standards.
• To work with both internal and external stakeholders related to projects including but not limited to the scholarship beneficiaries, suppliers and supporting teams across British Council offices in West Africa and UK.
• To work with the Programme Manager to manage partnerships, contract and procurement procedures in compliance with British Council corporate standards and programme donor requirements as outlined the EU ECOWAS Scholarship Programme contract.
• To plan and manage project logistics during events and travels.
• Work with the Programme Manager to complete the progress reports, project Monitoring & Evaluation systems and reporting guidelines provided within the EU ECOWAS Scholarship Programme contract.

Financial management

• Support Programme Manager in ensuring effective management of programme budget. This will include providing data and information to support internal monthly reporting on budget performance, cash forecast and planning exercises in line with British Council corporate procedures.
• Support the Finance Manager and the Programme Manager in the Development of the programme financial reports for each programme reporting cycle (every 12months during implementation) in line with programme donor reporting standards. Ensuring reports meet the requirements set by the donor in the programme contract.
• Work with the Finance Manager to ensure that all programme related procurement is delivered in line with compliance and procurement standards and processes as outlined in the EU – ECOWAS Scholarships programme contract and all programme related procurement documentation are appropriately retained and filed for programme audit and donor spot check processes.
• Work with the Project manager to develop detailed activity and event budgets for approval by Programme Manager. Manage delivery against budgets with an emphasis on value for money.

Internal and external communications

• Support the programme Marketing and Communication Consultant to manage project communications with suppliers.
• Support the Project Manager to manage communications and relationships with the scholarship beneficiaries across host locations.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Role specific knowledge and experience:

• At least 3 years programme management and delivery experience, at least one of which should be related to Higher Education programming,
• Experience organising and managing events.
• Demonstrated experience managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in using financial management software SAP.

Desirable

• Experience working on a donor funded contract e.g., World Bank, European Union etc.
• Experience of working in the area of scholarships management/ administration