British Council Massive Recruitment for Graduates 2019

The British Council is the world’s leading cultural relations organization and creates opportunities for people in the UK and worldwide to understand each other, to work together and learn from one another. We see this as crucial to building secure, more prosperous and sustainable futures for us all.

We build trust and understanding between different countries and cultures and develop strong international links that are of benefit to people in Britain and the rest of the world.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

1. Job Title: Head of Finance

Location: Lagos
Department: Finance
Job Category: Finance
Region: Sub Saharan Africa
Pay Band: Senior Leadership Band
Duration: Indefinite

Role Purpose

• The Head of Finance will have responsibility for all aspects of strategic and operational finance in Nigeria, acting as the finance partner to the Country Director and Nigeria Executive Team.
• S/he will be responsible for ensuring the finance strategy delivers growth through new business operating models and conforms to the Council’s financial control standards and the broader corporate and regional objectives, whilst ensuring compliance with local tax and regulatory requirements.
• The post holder will be a key member of the Nigeria Executive Team, working collaboratively with the Regional SSA Finance Teams, and will actively contribute in the design and implementation of regional financial strategy in the country.
• S/he will be comfortable with a highly visible senior role, during a period of significant organisational change.
• S/he will have a broad base of finance experience and have previously led multi-location finance teams.
• The post holder must also display an understanding of the organisation’s aims and the ability to connect with operational colleagues.
• Where necessary, s/he will be prepared to roll up their sleeves and support their team in making things happen

Geopolitical/SBU/Function Overview
Nigeria is one of the largest economies in Africa. It is also the most populous country with over 180 million citizens. The UK is its largest trading partner. Nigeria holds significant political power in the region and internationally and its society retains a positive attitude to the UK. Therefore, there continue to be major opportunities for the UK and BC to build on our strong existing relationships with the Nigerian government, institutions and customers/audiences. However, there are complex and substantial risks to this work i.e. security and compliance.

Nigeria is the British Council’s largest operation in sub-Saharan Africa with offices in 4 cities – Port Harcourt in the south, Kano in the north, Abuja the Federal capital and Lagos the commercial centre. We also have a number of project offices across the country. Our 200 staff work across a range of states delivering large scale contracts, partnership programmes, examinations, projects as well as services in Arts, Education & Society and English & Exams. We are already achieving substantial impact and income (current annual income is £27.2 million) and have plans to grow and develop our impact further. Partners and clients include government, public and private institutions, foundations, private sector organisations and civil society. We work closely with the wider UK mission including DFID and UKTI.

Future:
42% of Nigeria’s population is under 14. The government has recognised that its Vision 2020 must address the aspirations of this young population as part of its drive to achieve peace and prosperity. This has led to unprecedented interest and investment in Education, the Arts and good governance. This alignment with the UK’s priorities creates a growth environment for the British Council. To be successful in this, we are building understanding with our UK stakeholders of Nigeria as an emerging economy with substantial commercial and development opportunities as well as the challenges they may be more familiar with. In this we seek to integrate our approach with that of the wider UK mission.

We are expanding and scaling up our existing programmes, contracts and services in the Arts, Education & Society, English & Examinations and developing offers to fill important gaps such as in Skills. We are also working to ensure that we have a good balance of partnership, customer services and client funded work across all these sectors. To do all this we need to create the right enabling environment. In addition to developing the professional and technical expertise of our staff, we need to support them to build their relationships within Nigeria, the region and the wider global network. This will ensure we develop as well as adopt and use best practice. We also need rigorous and compliant frameworks to support our work in areas such as finance, tax & status, security, procurement, compliance and quality management. We have new premises in Kano and have a major premises project under development in Abuja. However, there is still more work to be done, especially in Lagos and Port Harcourt to ensure our premises and technology support our brand reputation for integrity, innovation and professionalism.

Related: Apply For Core Net Global Academic Challenge 2019

Main Opportunities/Challenges for this Role

• The post holder will have, as a member of the Country Management Team (CMT), contribute actively on country level strategy, leadership, policy and decision making.
• The post holder will be expected to travel within Nigeria, regionally and more widely.
• As with any business that experiences peaks and troughs of activity, there is likely to be a need to work outside office hours from time to time.

Accountabilities, Responsibilities and Main Duties
The post-holder will:

• Provide financial information which supports the Country Director and SBU leads in making business decisions in line with country and regional strategy, which grow the business in a profitable and controlled manner.
• Ensure the delivery of strategic and operational business planning, forecasting and reporting in partnership with country SBU leads.
• Ensure the assessment of financial risk and return on market opportunities and any investments in new products and services.
• Lead on ensuring all financial aspects of the setting up new products, projects, investments and services e.g. tax and accounting compliance, as well as pricing and costing are addressed.
• Effective financial control and risk management, working together with Risk and Compliance regional team to ensure that all aspects of financial risk are managed rigorously.
• Maintain a strong culture of risk management, both within the operation and with partners.
• Lead on Treasury and cash flow management for the Nigeria operation.
• Act as Company Director of the company (limited by shares) in line with legal and organisational requirements of the role and as advised by the Company Secretary and local legal advice. Ensure compliance with the Nigerian regulatory framework, in particular: statutory financial reporting, tax reporting, visa and employment quota regime, exchange control, corporate governance, and other regulations applicable to Nigerian entities (premises, health and safety, HR et al.)
• Coordinate advice on financial and legal aspects of commercial negotiations.
• Support Director Programmes to ensure that effective financial monitoring and reporting is undertaken to British Council, client and/or partner standards.
• Ensure effective and efficient delivery of financial services by maximising productivity in financial transactions and support.
• Lead in-country organisation, support and response to internal and external audits.
• Ensure financial business processes are kept up to date, documented and communicated to staff.
• Ensure that the Fixed Asset Register is completed accurately and monitored on a regular basis.
• Ensure all Finance and Tax activities are delivered in compliance with and to relevant official standards and governance.
• Monitor and ensure implementation of changes in Nigerian tax and accounting legislation and ensure any changes required are made to financial and business systems.
• Lead the development and delivery of the Nigeria Status Business Case ensuring that the operation has the right governance structure to successfully and compliantly deliver its business growth.
• Develop and leverage potential for business growth through high quality financial modelling and commercial costing and pricing strategies.

Team Leadership and Management:

• As a member of the Country Management Team (CMT), contribute actively on country level strategy, leadership, policy and decision making.
• Contribute to ensuring the policies, procedures and systems of the BC are delivered with integrity.
• Maintain close working relationships with all SBU leads and exploit collaborative working opportunities to support achievement of impact in Nigeria.
• Demonstrate effective leadership of the Nigeria Finance staff and ensure that line management of staff is to British Council standards.
• Coach and support individuals and teams.
• Ensure that capability and capacity in the Finance team is fit-for-purpose and able to respond flexibly to changes in the portfolio and operating context.
• Ensure financial training for members of the Finance team and operational staff.
• Ensure Performance Management process in undertaken to meet corporate requirements.
• Actively support equality and diversity and work to the British Council’s EDI policy at all times

Key Relationships
Internal:

• Country Director and Nigeria Executive Team
• Regional Finance Team, UK group Finance, Country Finance and Shared Services Centre
• Internal Auditors

External:

• External Auditors
• Corporate Affairs team (Corporate Governance and Legal)
• Key colleagues in Strategic Business Units (SBUs)
• Major suppliers including bank and consultancies
• Tax authorities
• Relevant colleagues in British High Commission

Role Requirements 
Threshold requirements:

• Passport requirements/ Right to work in country – All applicants should have a pre-existing legal status to live and work in Nigeria. The British Council will not facilitate/sponsor visa applications and work permits.

Assessment Stage: Shortlisting:

• Direct contact or managing staff working with children?

Person Specification
Qualifications:

• Qualified accountant or equivalent with proven experience of successfully managing and delivering in similar roles

Assessment Stage: Shortlisting:

Role Specific Knowledge & Experience 
Minimum / Essential:

• Ten years of relevant experience in commercial and/or ‘not for profit‘ organization
• Commercial experience, including analysis of business operations, investment appraisal feasibility analysis
• Leading a team of professionals and working across functions/locations
• Operating in international and multi-cultural organisations
• Knowledge of Nigerian Tax and reporting regulatory requirements
• Strong evidence of managing the performance and development of finance teams

Desirable:

• Evidence of being a key decision maker i.e. member of board or senior management team
• Experience of managing government funded projects
• Extensive project management with regards to change with evidence of leading and delivering

Assessment Stage: Short listing and/or interview

Role Specific Skills (if any):
Essential:

• Financial Planning and Management Accounting (all areas level 4):
• Business Performance Management (including Investment Appraisal)
• Financial Analysis
• Management Reporting
• Planning, Forecasting and Budgeting

Financial Accounting and Reporting (level 3)

• Governance, Policy, Financial Risk and Compliance (level 3, except for specialisms)
• Business partnering (level 4)

Desirable:

• General Knowledge across other finance fields

British Council Core Skills
Managing Finance and Resources – (Level 5) –  Evaluates performance:

• Evaluates resource allocation and use over time, to understand business and service performance and assess future opportunities and constraints.

Managing Risk (Level 4) – Exemplifies strategic risk management:

• Has track record of balancing and mitigating risks in strategic and business plans and of providing a clear model of best practice to the business area/function.

Managing Projects (Level 4) –  Leads larger projects:

• As above for medium-to-large and/or high risk projects, coordinates a diverse team with awarenessof equality and diversity impact as part of the project specifications and handles changes in specification or plan to meet unexpected circumstances.

Communicating and Influencing (Level 5) – Influences at the highest level:

• Influences and manages relationships at the highestlevels to build mutual understanding, shapes perceptions of the British Council and creates positive change over the medium term.

Managing People (Level 4) – Leads a large and varied team:

• Manages a substantial group to deliver annual business objectives. The team includes differentprofessions, cultures and/or areas of business,and may cover multiple locations.

Assessment Stage: Short listing and/or interview

British Council Behaviours

• Being Accountable – (Most demanding)
• Making it Happen – (Most demanding)
• Shaping the Future – (Most demanding)
• Working Together – (Most demanding)
• Connecting with Others – (Most demanding)
• Creating Shared Purpose – (Most demanding)

Application Closing Date
30th June, 2019 (23:59 UK Time)

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online
Click here to download Job Details (Pdf)
Click here to download BC Behaviour (pdf)
Click here to download BC Core Skills (pdf)

Related: Apply For Fully Funded Hurford Youth Fellowship Program 2019

2. Job Title: Operations Manager – South

Location: Lagos
Role Type: Business Delivery
Pay Band: Pay band 7
Duration: Indefinite
Reports to: Head of Operations – Nigeria

Role purpose

• The purpose of this role is to ensure exams operations meet demand, whilst maintaining customer service quality, exams integrity and compliance standards across our Lagos and Port Harcourt offices.
• The postholder will have responsibility for the southern part of country and will also have oversight in this area outside of our main office locations.
• This role is ultimately responsible for efficient and effective capacity, cost management, test day delivery expected to guide and coach team members to meet operations and service delivery standards.
• The role also will work closely with commercial and business development colleagues in the geography.

Geopolitical/SBU/Function overview
The English and Examinations Strategic Business Unit (E&E) is one of three strategic business units in the British Council (the others being Arts and Education & Society) all of which have the remit to build trust for the people of the UK by building relationships through aspects of our language and culture. E&E achieves this by enabling people across the world to access the life-changing education and work opportunities that are created by learning English or gaining valuable UK qualifications. Promoting the English language also provides a medium for communication, helping break down barriers of misunderstanding or mistrust between cultures. The British Council’s 2020 vision for English & Examinations is to be the world authority in high quality English language teaching, learning and assessment, as well as the International distributor of choice for UK professional and school qualifications.

The Examinations business makes a significant contribution to British Council financial sustainability, and as such, it is essential that the business evolves in order to maintain its position in a fast-changing operating context. There is a need to standardise and automate activities across the globe to deliver efficiencies, and there is also a requirement to develop new digital products and services to meet changing customer demands and competitive pressures. In a cost and resource-constrained environment, balancing the ongoing requirements and allocation of funds will be critical, as will the integration and planning of the implementation of the different changes across a global network of 110+ countries charged with the on-going delivery of impact and income whilst changing key elements of the supporting operational platform

Main Opportunities/Challenges for this Role

• Setting up new operational ways of working to support the new Exams Operating Model, coaching and developing team members to delivery to a high standard and ensuring culture change is considered.
• Upholding compliance standards and efforts to standardise across product and execute high quality exam delivery services for assigned geography
• Implementing significant change, with regards to people, process and systems
• Upholding a customer service culture

Main Accountabilities
Product Service Delivery:

• Implements a range of standardised, operational procedures and systems within a given work plan to achieve specified, clearly measurable targets (revenue, volume, time and/or cost)
• Receives instructions, plans and organises given resources accordingly (often at short notice) to ensure that work is carried out efficiently and effectively
• Adapts work plans where necessary to meet customer expectations.
• Drives continuous improvement at country level in the efficiency/cost effectiveness/quality of service delivery
• Uses a range of standardised systems and processes to plan and coordinate effective, timely and cost effective logistical support to enable the delivery of high quality services to a range of customers (internal and/or external)
• Manage service delivery across all products – IELTS, Distribution, University and Schools.
• Ensure smooth maintenance and transition to new processes including CBT and CD IELTS.
• Serve as IELTS Administrator. Carry out responsibilities related to this role.

Customer service:

• Takes end-to-end accountability for researching and obtaining satisfactory and timely resolution of complex/escalated customer (internal or external) operational complaints and issues, coordinating input from other colleagues/departments/managers as required, to do so. Ensures the customer is kept informed throughout the process.
• Ensures end to end experience for test candidates is to high quality standard.

Relationship & stakeholder management:

• Develops good working relationships with appropriate colleagues to facilitate effective and efficient service delivery.
• As required, supports the Head of Operations in hosting/attending external events or meetings, ensuring these run efficiently and effectively and that a positive, professional image is projected.

Risk & compliance:

• Uses standardised processes to monitor team/unit compliance with agreed corporate risk management procedures relevant to service delivery (e.g. child protection, security policies, financial protocols, antifraud measures) to protect the interests of the BC and its customers at all times.
• Highlights to senior managers any instances of non-compliance.
• Ensures team receive and maintain appropriate induction/training in all relevant risk management procedures.
• Uses standard corporate protocols to assess a range of risks into service/product/programme delivery.
• Makes appropriate contingency plans to manage delivery safely and effectively in challenging or highrisk circumstances.

Analysis & reporting:

• Uses agreed financial procedures/templates, conducts monthly and year-end analysis and reporting on income and expenditure/ profitability and risk/pipeline/actual performance versus plan targets

Commercial & resource management:

• Directly plans and controls specific cost variables (rather than the total budget) to meet established targets, ensuring compliance with all relevant corporate financial systems and processes
• Actively seeks to maximise value for money when acquiring resources, goods or services for the country operations.
• Operates and runs regular reports on financial processes and procedures to enable effective budget and resource management.
• Handles budget management on assigned cost areas.

Leadership & management:

• Motivates and encourages team performance.
• Plans and prioritises country’s operational activities, and supports team development towards effective delivery of services
• Manages day to day performance of country operations team, dealing with sickness, discipline, motivation etc., to ensure high quality service delivery is maintained at all times
• Tasks and coordinates others (e.g. third party suppliers, external partners and internal colleagues) to complete activities in accordance with agreed service delivery/ contractual/ project milestones or requirements (e.g. cost schedules, time deadlines etc).
• Deputise for Head of Operations – Nigeria, as required

Key Relationships
Internal:

• Operations Manager, Operations Planning Manager and Operations Pool Manager and respective operational teams. Commercial function.
• Global/Regional Procurement Team
• CMR and Logistics Team and Technical Support
• Exams colleagues in business development and account management
• Business Assurance
• Customer Service
• Finance and Resources Team
• Regional Operations Manager
• Regional Compliance Lead
• Exams Regional Management Team
• Global/Regional Examinations Team
• Global exam product teams
• HR, GIS, Procurements
• Country Director

External:

• Venue Staff
• Examiners
• Venues
• Exams partners and agents
• Exam Boards
• Receiving Organisations
• Exam candidates
• B2B Customers
• Technical support providers

Threshold Requirements

• Passport requirements/ Right to work in country: All applicants should have a pre-existing legal status to live and work in Nigeria. British Council will not facilitate/sponsor visa applications and work permits. Assessment stage – Shortlisting
• Direct contact or managing staff working with children? – Yes (IF YES. Appropriate police check ). Assessment stage – N/a

Person Specification
Qualifications:

• University degree in any subject or relevant qualification – Minimum / essential
• Assessment Stage – Shortlisting

Role Specific Knowledge & Experience:

• Relevant experience of overseeing production of goods/provision of services – Minimum / essential
• Experience of planning and delivery in a fast paced operational environment at a management level – Minimum / essential
• Experience managing large teams – Minimum / essential
• Experience of delivery change and ensuring that new ways of working are embedded – Minimum / essential
• Experience working in Exams environment – Desirable
• Experience of leading on delivery of computer based exams – Desirable
• Assessment Stage – Shortlisting.

Application Closing Date
20th June, 2019. (23:59 UK time)

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online
Click here to download Job Details (Pdf)
Click here to download BC Behaviour (pdf)
Click here to download BC Core Skills (pdf)

Related: Apply for IBM Cloud Developer Experience Graduate Program 2019

3. Job Title: Senior Programme Manager, Schools Education

Location: Kano
Role Type: Policy, Advisory & Expertise
Pay Band: 8
Duration: Fixed Term, Until 31 March 2021 with possibility for renewal on mutual agreement
Reports to: Director, Programmes

Role Purpose

• To provide technical and programme leadership of School (Basic) Education programmes for British Council Nigeria particularly in Kano and Northern Nigeria in order to raise the impact and profile of British Council work in Northern Nigeria.

Geopolitical/SBU/Function Overview

• Nigeria is one of the largest economies in Africa. It is also the most populous country with over 190 million citizens. Nigeria holds significant political power in the region and internationally and its society retains a positive attitude to the UK.
• There are therefore major opportunities for the UK and BC to increase influence, funding sources and, through this, our impact by building on our strong existing relationships with the Nigerian government, private and civil society institutions and customers/audiences.
• However, there are complex and substantial risks to this work like security and compliance. Nigeria is the British Council’s largest operation in sub-Saharan Africa with offices in 4 cities – Port Harcourt in the south, Kano in the north, Abuja the Federal capital and Lagos the commercial centre. We also have a number of project offices across the country. Our c200 staff work across a range of states delivering large scale contracts, partnership programmes, examinations, projects as well as programmes in Arts, Education & Society and English & Exams.
• We are already achieving substantial impact through partnerships with public and private institutions, foundations, private sector organisations and civil society. We also work closely with the wider UK mission including Department for International Development (DFID) and Department for International Trade (DIT). Our Kano operation is a key part of all our operations, and we deliver key activities across our business units in that location.

Main Opportunities/Callenges for this Role
Technical and Programme Leadership of School Education Programming:

• Working with the existing School Education team, this role will provide technical leadership to new and existing school education programmes, focusing on themes including teacher development, school leadership, language in education and inclusive education policy and practice. The role will also be required to deliver team leadership of teams working on some of our School Education programming particularly funded by donors.

Relationship Management of Schools Programme Stakeholders:

• This role will initiate and maintain senior relationships in public sector, private sector, emirate council and other civil society to aid delivery and create new opportunities for our School Education work in Northern Nigeria. The role will also build and maintain relationships with donors and Her Majesty’s Government departments working in Northern Nigeria like Department for International development (DFID)

Partnership and Business Development for Northern Nigeria:

• The role will be contribute to positioning and pursuit of partnership and funding opportunities to scale up particularly in School Education in Northern Nigeria.

Leadership and Operational Oversight of Kano Office:

• As administrative head of the Kano Office, the role will oversee the Kano operation and provide matrix management to the various teams stationed in that location to strengthen operational effectiveness.

Main Accountabilities
Programme and Team Management

• Lead design / and or delivery of a portfolio – British Council and / or Donor Funded medium to large – scale school education programmes or components Provide technical input into internal and external project and programme development particularly around Teacher Development, Language in Education, School Leadership and Inclusive Education.

Stakeholder Management:

• Maintain and develop close understanding of and links with the School Education sector in Nigeria, particularly in the North, representing the British Council on sector stakeholder groups.
• Develop and manage a strong relationship with the Education & Society Strategic Business Unit in country, region and UK ensuring alignment with relevant strategies and plans.

Intelligence and Insight:

• Develop tools and processes for gathering and reporting on trends, opportunities and key players in the British Council areas of focus in Kano and Northern Nigeria and ensuring that internal knowledge of the region is always up to date and accurate.
• Commission periodic market research and other insight activity in consultation with business unit leaders to scope out opportunities for impact and partnership.

Partnership and Business Development for Northern Nigeria:

• Identify, communicate and support business development and partnership pursuit opportunities in Kano and Northern Nigeria working with business unit leads and supporting positioning and pursuit activities.

Operational Oversight of Kano and Northern Nigeria:

• Providing operational oversight of Kano office and leading a team of diverse staff Ensuring adherence to all corporate requirements in programme delivery and coaching teams to improve delivery standards Represent business unit leads and Country Director in Kano and Northern Nigeria as required

Membership of Senior Leadership Team:

• As member of SLT, contribute to country and cluster strategies and plans and lead on delivery of related activities as assigned.

Key Relationships:

• Senior Leadership Team
• Country Management Team
• Education Teams in Country, Region and UK.
• Business Unit Leads
• Marketing and Communications team
• Programme teams, Exams teams in Kano and beyond

External:

• Senior sector leaders in target sectors in Kanos and Northern Nigeria
• Government officials in related ministries in Kano and Northern Nigeria
• Donor community supporting programmes in Kano and Northern Nigeria.

Qualifications

• Significant (minimum 10 years) recent professional experience working in the basic education sector in Nigeria preferably Northern Nigeria; with experience in at least two of (teacher education, language in education, school leadership, inclusive education, education policy development).
• A well-developed network among (Northern) Nigerian education stakeholders in the public and private sector.
• Experience of designing and implementing School education projects with partners
• Minimum of five years’ experience leading multidisciplinary teams directly and, in matrix environments.
• Demonstrable experience of managing diverse public, private and civil society stakeholders in education sector
• Evidence of partnership development and fundraising from public or private sector or donor agency

Role Specific Knowledge & Experience
Essential:

• Stage Relevant postgraduate degree or equivalent professional experience

Assessment:

• Shortlisting

Desirable:

• Formal Programme Management qualification

British Council Core Skills:

• Managing People: Leads a large and varied team: Level 4
• Managing Projects: Leads larger projects: Level 4
• Communicating and influencing: Uses influencing techniques: Level 4
• Managing Finance and Resources: Plans and deploys resources: Level 4
• Managing Risk: Develops the culture: Level 3
• Managing Accounts and Partnerships: Plans and leads on accounts and partnerships: Level 4
• Developing Business: Leads business development: Level 4

British Council Behaviours
Connecting with others – Most Demanding:

• Building trust and understanding with people who have very different views

Being accountable – Most Demanding:

• Showing real dedication to the long-term mission of the British Council or the team.

Shaping the future – Most Demanding:

• Changing the nature of what we do and the benefits we gain by thinking and planning with creativity.

Making it happen – Most Demanding:

• Achieving stretching results when faced by change, uncertainty or major obstacles.

Creating shared purpose – More Demanding:

• Creating energy and clarity so that people want to work purposefully together.

Working together – Most Demanding:

• Creating the environment in which others who have different aims.

Application Closing Date
19th June, 2019 (23:59 UK time)

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online
Click here to download Job Details (Pdf)
Click here to download BC Behaviour (pdf)
Click here to download BC Core Skills (pdf)

Related: Apply As Business Development Associate At Blue Sense Project

4. Job Title: Account Manager

Location: Lagos (2) & Port Harcourt  (1)