British High Commission (BHC) Recruiting for Chevening Scholarships Officer

Ref Id: 04/18 ABJ
Location: Abuja
Job Category: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory: Chancery
Grade: B3 (L)
Type of Position: Fixed Term
Duration of Post: 12 months
Start Date: 1 April 2018

Main Purpose of Job
Chevening is the UK government’s global flagship global scholarship programme targeted at raising future leaders who will maintain lasting positive relationships with the UK. With oversight from the Head of Communications, the Chevening Programme Officer will co-ordinate the overall implementation of the Chevening Programme in Nigeria. This will involve project management and strategic engagement to target alumni’s support of UK foreign policy priorities in Nigeria and Africa at large. Since inception in 1984, Nigeria boasts of an alumni base of 1,197 talented individuals; making alumni engagement a critical pillar of programme administration.

With an estimated population of 186 million people, a widening youth bulge and strong British-Nigeria educational links, Nigeria currently ranks high application volumes received globally. The job holder will be responsible for owning and running the annual Chevening Scholarship promotion and selection process across Nigeria. Working closely with the Chevening Secretariat in London, to ensure candidates are well informed and managed through the full application process, including preparing to leave for the UK and returning to Nigeria.

The job holder will direct actively in cultivating, managing and nurturing internal and external relationships that are critical to the delivery of the programme and development of new local Chevening partnerships (co-funders) and management of existing ones. He/she will therefore ensure effective liaison with the Chevening Secretariat and Chevening Alumni Association of Nigeria. Including visibility/engagement across the BHC Abuja and BDHC Lagos offices and overall brand visibility across Nigeria. A successful Chevening programme is plays an important role in fostering long term relationships between the UK and Nigeria. Setting the strategic direction to capitalise on this potential will be a key part of this role.

As an integral part of the Press and Public Affairs Team, the job holder will also provide cross-government communications support, under the direction of the Head of Communications.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Devise and deliver a local Chevening programme strategy that aligns with the overall country business plan for Nigeria.
• Continuous improvement of programme processes and elements, conducting annual reviews, identifying and executing strategic improvement plans for key programme areas.
• Preparing implementation plans, funding bids, budget forecasts including status and impact reports for senior management and partners.
• Conduct market research, develop bespoke proposals to secure partnerships for co-funding of awards.
• Chevening policy ownership and advice to senior management to inform decision-making.
• Lead the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of alumni projects and activities for effective engagement across Nigeria.
• Ensure the BHC manages the selection process smoothly, keeping up-to-date knowledge of developments through the online system.
• Coordinate and prepare BHC staff to review applications and conduct candidate interviews in Lagos and Abuja offices.
• Information management i.e. and maintain schedule of key project and programme milestones and action log; including contacts database, requests, policy documents, interview documentations.
• Ensure the BHC promotes the Chevening Scholarship programme effectively throughout the year as part of a targeted and well implemented communications campaign.
• Design and update application workshop materials for increased quality applications from Nigeria.
• Planning and coordination of key programme activities in Lagos and Abuja e.g. welcome and farewell events, panel sessions.
• Maintain real-time contact with current Scholars, seeking their feedback and reflecting their experiences across the UK in Nigeria Network.
• Support the development, implementation and evaluation of wider xHMG communications campaigns and comms logistics support for high-level visits.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• Annual Marketing Fund; Welcome Home Fund; Chevening Alumni Project Fund

Requirements
Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• IT literate with specific knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel programmes
• Working experience and knowledge of strategic communications
• Project Management experience

Desirable Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Experience of managing complex processes
• Evidence of maintaining and maximizing effective professional networks of contacts
• Experience of working with Communications and/or Public Relations

Required Competencies:

• Changing and Improving, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering Value for Money, Managing a Quality Service.

Language requirements:

• Language: English
• Level of language required:Excellent command of written and spoken English

Other Benefits and Conditions of Employment
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

• International Communication Skills Course run by the FCO in London
• There are also opportunities to learn about and implement the FCO’s communications planning guide, to ensure communication is well targeted, delivered and evaluated
• Other formal and informal learning and development opportunities accessible through the FCO will be made available

Remuneration
Starting monthly salary - N610,536