HE Programme Manager at British Council

This role sits within the Cultural Engagement (CE) Strategic Business Unit (SBU).

• CE brings together our portfolio of work in arts, education, English, and research. Our portfolio is delivered through a set of globally led programmes that locates our work and impact within our strategic framework. These programmes deliver our key performance indicators and impact ambitions.
• All programme management roles deliver activities and projects within this global programme and strategic framework. Our programmes are funded by the British Council’s grant in aid, through partnerships and external clients.
• British Council has a contextualised programme and project management framework with clear standards and procedures for programme management set out by the CE Centre of Excellence. This framework is in line with Cabinet office functional standard for project delivery, FCDO Operating Framework and the Association for Project Management Body of Knowledge.

Role Purpose - The Job

• To support the delivery of the Higher Education portfolio work in Nigeria
• The Programme Manager will be responsible for the successful implementation of the activities within the Higher Education (HE) portfolio in Nigeria.
• The individual will also be responsible for supporting the delivery of country level HE related activities and provide oversight and management of activities like the Study UK Campaign, our alumni work, Higher Education partnerships, internationalisation and education related work in Nigeria.

Main Accountabilities

This role will:

• Afford the post holder exposure to a range of internal and external stakeholders in Higher Education Sector in Nigeria, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the UK.
• Enable to post holder to hone their financial monitoring and reporting capacity through consistent monitoring and reporting required for FCCF and other purposes.
• Require the post holder to implement (through the project managers) and report on programme management standards in evaluation, EDI, Value for Money, and other requirements to be specified.
• Involve working to tight deadlines to ensure delivery of programme within specified timelines.
• Involve negotiating with external suppliers/vendors to get best value for money for the council.
• Need to use the monitoring and evaluation tools of the British Council to report programme activities delivered.

Programme Planning and Delivery

• Work with Business Unit Head, Director Programmes, specialists from the regional team and HQ, Project Managers and project partners to develop effective project management plans for the HE portfolio.
• Lead project team to deliver projects and contracts in the HE portfolio to budget, time and quality standards, ensuring logistical efficiency of programme.
• Lead the delivery by the project teams of event

Marketing and Communications and Evaluation

• Work with British Council Nigeria Marketing and Communications team to develop and disseminate case studies, reports and impact stories for external and internal communication channels including digital and print media.
• Manage relationships to ensure contracted delivery partners support the consultants for monitoring and evaluation and the communications and storytelling to provide required data and/or information to enable them deliver contractual deliverables.
• Provide content to internal Marcomms colleagues for communications materials for distribution internally and externally in Nigeria, the region and UK.
• Write briefs and ad hoc reports for internal and external audiences

Financial management

• Responsible for ensuring effective management of programme budgets by project managers and checking cash flow forecasts and end of month checks and reports are done to standard expected.
• Responsible for external reporting on budget performance to the requirements set by funders, partners and clients.
• Responsible for preparing financial plans and reforecasts with project managers, for approval by Director SBU.

Contract and Grant Management

• Prepare contracts using standard corporate templates for all partners, consultants, grantees, ensuring they capture all elements of engagement and delivery clearly outlining all responsibilities/deliverables/benefits.
• Monitor and ensure delivery according to contractual agreements.
• Monitor proper invoicing and payment schedule from partners.

Business Development

• Ensure due diligence checks are carried out on new clients and partners, under the direction of Director SBU
• Support the SBU Director to complete contract approval process forms when required.
• Use knowledge and insight from working with stakeholders and customers in the sector to contribute to business development and new service models.

Managing stakeholders and customer groups

• Support Business Unit Director and Head of the portfolio to develop and manage relationships with key government and private sector stakeholders, development organisations, funders, donors, and partners.
• As delegated by SBU Director and the Head of the portfolio, ensure relationships with all key clients, project stakeholders and project partners are maintained by project managers, ensuring professional standards of communication, timely responses and follow

Minimum/essential
Requirements Of The Role:

• Bachelors degree
• Experience managing large scale programmes in the areas of youth development, education

Desirable

• Post-graduate degree in Education, Humanities or Social Sciences
• Foundation level Project Management qualification (in-house training or evidence of CPD in this area could be considered)
• Foundation level Project Management qualification (in-house training or evidence of CPD in this area could be considered)
• Experience managing relationships with high level stakeholders within the UK and Nigerian HE space
• Experience of working in the area of international education marketing and delivering international education services

Key Skills

• Good understanding and experience of the Higher Education Sector in Nigeria
• Knowledgeable about student mobility, international student education, and higher education partnerships.
• Evidence of successful programme / project management to high standards, consistently over time including (but not restricted to) evaluation management, financial management, stakeholder management, EDI and child protection.
• Working knowledge of UK and Nigerian Higher Education systems and policy
• Experience managing or supporting the delivery of Higher Education programmes, marketing campaigns and activities related to student recruitment and international higher education events
• Experience organising and managing events.
• Working knowledge of the UK and Nigerian Higher Education sector, structure, systems and discourse
• A working knowledge and understanding of international student recruitment campaign activities, platforms and models for delivery.