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About us:
Date: 03-Jul-2022
Location: Dubai, Middle East and North Africa, AE
Company: British Council
The British Council builds connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language. We work in two ways – directly with individuals to transform their lives, and with governments and partners to make a bigger difference for the longer term, creating benefit for millions of people all over the world. We help young people to gain the skills, confidence and connections they are looking for to realise their potential and to participate in strong and inclusive communities. We support them to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications. Our work in arts and culture stimulates creative expression and exchange and nurtures creative enterprise. We connect the best of the UK with the world and the best of the world with the UK. These connections lead to an understanding of each other’s strengths and of the challenges and values that we share. This builds trust between people in the UK and other nations which endures even when official relations may be strained. We work on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2019-20 we connected with 80 million people directly and with 791 million overall, including online and through our broadcasts and publications.
About us:
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, education and civil society. 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.
Role Purpose:
The Arts Cluster Programme Manager represents the British Council to Arts and creative industries stakeholders internally and externally across a number of countries.
They lead on planning and implementation of activities across a cluster of multiple countries – delivered through some or all of the Arts four global programmes: Culture Connects, Spotlights on Culture, Creative Economy and Arts Responds to Global Challenges.
They will work with a small specialist Arts team in the cluster and wider region, as well as country leadership teams across the countries they are responsible for. They also manage sector partner and stakeholder relationships in these countries, with support and input from country leadership teams.
They provide Arts and Creative Industries sector expertise at a country and cluster level and feed relevant insight up to the Regional Arts Director.
They will have regular contact with country leadership teams and the Global Arts management team and will work with colleagues in the region to influence decision making across regional Arts and regional Cultural Engagement.
Main Accountabilities:
Sector/subject expertise
- Uses their own expert knowledge on the arts and creative industries, intelligence and insight from other sector stakeholders, opinion formers and funders to support the ongoing development of global arts programmes that will meet the specific needs of the UAE and the Gulf, while also providing value to a diverse range of UK arts and creative industry organisations.
- Through ongoing relationships with the Global Arts team, builds and maintains good understanding of UK arts and creative industry sector priorities as well as Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and other Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) priorities.
- Represents British Council in the cluster as a recognised, credible authority in Arts and the creative industries to external stakeholders and audiences.
- Provides input for up-to-date and well-informed senior-level briefings on current and emerging themes in arts and creative industries in the UAE and the Gulf
- Identifies and develops opportunities for the UK Arts sector to work in and collaborate with peers in the UAE and the Gulf
Leadership & Management
- Could play a leadership role on a specific component of a larger project or programme
- Manages delivery teams and/or project team.
- Manages all EDI processes and ensures comprehensive use of internal tools in programme design and delivery. Maintains an oversight of the action plan developed through the use of internal EDI tools
Relationship & Stakeholders
- Leads on relationships at a project/programme level.
- Holds delivery partners to account including supply chain management where applicable.
- Communicates internally and externally about a project’s success/challenges and lessons learned.
Commercial and Financial Management
- Manages and controls the agreed budget, expenditure, and income against plans, ensure accuracy of reports and ensure sound financial management and analysis across the portfolio through monthly finance reviews and quarterly business reviews.
- Ensures timely and accurate planning and forecasting, timely reporting of risks, including financial and identify opportunities and mitigation actions
Programme Management
- Ensures that every project/programme is compliant with all internal policies and processes (for example safeguarding, EDI, supply change management, social value and conflict sensitivity).
- Contributes to development of, owns and delivers, the Programme Management Plan
- Identifies risks in a project or programme and puts together mitigation strategies with the senior responsible officer (SRO).
- Responsible for data management including timely data entry, quality assurance of data, undertaking basic analysis of monitoring data, and developing progress reports.
- Undertakes programme-specific data collection as needed and works with colleagues to identify indicators and tools for data collection, quality assures all data, and undertakes basic analysis.
- Supports the design of results-based programmes including development of basic M & E plans and results frameworks.
- Undertakes lessons learned and action-reporting and shares learning for future design.
- Manages, finance, procurement, compliance and reporting on a project/programme.
- Works closely with sources of digital skills and expertise to ensure high quality digital inputs on programmes and projects.
Business Development
- Supports the development and management of relationships with strategic clients and partners.
- Applies due diligence requirements to potential partners.
- Coordinates research in country/regional context such as analysis of client and partner trends and opportunities. Manages network of associate advisors, consultants and partners.
- Embeds effective processes, standards and tools to support pipeline and consultant/partner relationship management.
- Manages or supports the development of high-quality bids/ proposals.
- Participates in contract negotiations with partners and clients, and prepares agreements such as non-disclosure, pre-bid, contract and partner and consultant agreements.
- Ensures timely reporting and communication on externally funded contracts/grant funded initiatives.
- Participates in programme and project reviews and closure activities, helping to ensure learning is embedded in the development of new business.
About You (essential requirements for the role):
- Arabic – written and spoken fluency
- English – excellent written and spoken level (CEFR level C1)
- Foundation level Project Management qualification (in-house training or evidence of CPD in this area could be considered) or equivalent work experience.
- Specialist knowledge and understanding of current trends and practices in arts and creative industries in the UAE and the Gulf.
- Experience of managing large in-country arts and culture projects that have met project closure and audit standards.
- Experience of building partnerships with a diverse range of arts and culture stakeholders – including governmental and funding partners (trusts, foundations, institutional donors)
- Knowledge/ and.or experience of working with at least two types of funding sources within a structured compliance regime.
- Experience of client management, partner management and/or contract management.
- Experience of managing projects or managing aspects of programmes.
- Experience in spotting risk in a project or programme and putting together successful risk mitigation with senior responsible officer (SRO).
Further Information
- Role: MENA – Arts Cluster Programme Manager
- Number of positions: 1
- Pay Band: 7F
- Location: Dubai, UAE
- Contract type: Fixed Term contract (local)
- Closing date: 18th July 2022 (23:59 Gulf Standard Time)
Please note that all applications should be submitted in English only.
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 [email protected]
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.
