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: as 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\xe2\x80\x8b
• 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\xe2\x80\x8b
• Analysing data and problem solving\xe2\x80\x8b
• Report writing and communication
• Project management

British Council core competencies

• Communicating and influencing (level 3). Is creative and adaptable in communications.

Able to use a range of non-standard and creative approaches to inform, and persuade others, extending beyond logical argument to influence decisions and actions in a way which is inclusive and engaging.

• Managing projects (level 3). Leads smaller projects.

Analyses requirements with the sponsor/stakeholders, defining the specification with awareness of equality and diversity impact, planning, revising, implementing and evaluating on small-to-medium scale and/or low risk projects.

• Planning and organising (level 2). Plans ahead.

Organises own work over weeks and months, or plans ahead for others, taking account of priorities and the impact on other people.

• Analysing data and problems (level 2) Uses data.

Reviews available data and identifies cause and effect, and then chooses the best solution from a range of known alternatives.

Using technology (level 2) Operates as an advanced user.

• Works as an advanced practitioner in the use of office software and/or British Council standard and social media platforms and trains or coaches\' others in their use.

Managing risk (level 2). Supports a risk management culture.

• Has track record of identifying and highlighting risks and suggesting mitigating actions.

British Council values and behaviours

British council values and behaviours are applicable across our organisation, in all roles and at all levels. They are important because they say what we stand for at the British Council and help us to deliver our strategy. We use them to guide our decision making, as well as guiding how we treat one another and the people we work with. These will be assessed in the selection process. Our values are: Open and Committed; Expert and Inclusive; Optimistic and Bold.

The behaviours for each values pair can be found on our for internal staff and at our Careers portal for external applicants.

Further Information

• Number of positions: 1(one)
• Pay Band: Grade 7 / F
• Department: Cultural Engagement - Arts & Culture
• Location: - UAE
• Contract type: Hourly Paid (Non-Permanent Worker).
• Contract duration- 3 to 6 months
• Other: This role is open to candidates who have right to work and live in UAE. There is no relocation or sponsorship support.
• Background check: Selected candidate will undergo appropriate police checks and must obtain three satisfactory references.
• Closing date: 05 February 2024

• Please note that all applications should be submitted only in English.

• It is advisable to apply in advance to avoid any technical issues at the last moment.

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement

The British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to make sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment. We want to address under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability. All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with.

We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989.

Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed; these will include qualification checks, reference checks, identity & criminal record checks in line with legal requirements and with the British Council\'s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you have any problems with your application please email

Please note: Applications to this role can only be considered when made through the Apply section of our careers website. Our \'ASK HR\' email is only to be used in case of a technical issue encountered when applying through the careers website. Emails with supporting statements and CV/Resumes sent to this email address will not be reviewed and will be deleted.

British Council