Consultant

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For over 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.

We work with people in over 150 countries and reach over 700 million people.

We connect. We inspire.

The Role:

The British Council has been awarded additional funding under the second phase of the UK Government’s International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF), the UK’s flagship programme for supporting international science, technology, research and innovation collaboration. As a key delivery partner, the British Council works with researchers, institutions, innovators and international partners to strengthen global research partnerships and advance shared priorities. The Consultant on the ISPF team plays a central role in the design, delivery and operational management of these programmes, ensuring effective programme implementation, grant management, compliance, monitoring and evaluation, and client reporting. The role also supports the day-to-day coordination of ISPF grant funding processes, promotes the integration of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) principles across programme activities, and provides task management and operational support to colleagues and stakeholders across the UK and international delivery network.

Accountabilities:

• Coordinate the operational delivery of ISPF programmes, ensuring effective programme implementation, financial tracking, reporting, quality assurance, and continuous improvement across UK and international teams.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including universities, research institutions, delivery partners, and funders, to support successful programme delivery and a positive participant experience.
• Monitor programme performance, risks, and compliance, ensuring adherence to corporate policies, contractual obligations, safeguarding, data protection, financial controls, and EDI requirements.
• Lead programme analysis, reporting, and financial oversight, using data and insights to support decision-making, improve operational effectiveness, and ensure accurate budget monitoring and forecasting.
• Provide leadership and operational guidance, supporting colleagues, promoting best practice, driving process improvements, and embedding equality, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism principles throughout programme delivery.

Requirements of the role:

• Experience in using technology effectively in the workplace
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of project management, particularly client-funded and/or partnership projects  
• Experience of delivering grant calls.
• Experience of managing teams and projects in line with Project Management standards.
• Motivation and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and anti-racism, demonstrated through an understanding of the British Council’s approach (aptitude if recruiting externally) and of equality considerations relevant to the role, and examples of behaviours and decisions or actions that contribute to a more inclusive organisational culture or to a more inclusive programme, product or service
• Confident user of information technology (Word; Excel; PowerPoint), Microsoft 365 functionality and working knowledge of British Council SAP system (aptitude if recruiting externally)
• Able to manage delivery of digital events on basic platforms (Microsoft Teams) ensuring all project standards are met, including those for accessibility and safeguarding.
• Well-organised, able to determine project priorities at all stages, to develop and communicate work plans, to track progress towards goals and use data and evidence to assess achievement.
• Ability to analyse equality issues relevant to projects/programmes and identify opportunities to address these in the delivery

Closing Date:   Applications will close on 5th November at 23:59 UK Time.

You must have the legal right to work in the listed locations at the time of application.

Important Information:

Contract type: Fixed Term Contract to 31 March 2029

Pay band:  7

Annual Salary: £32,381 onwards plus London Market allowance of £3,300 if London based

Location: Hybrid role UK wide (London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast).

This role is open to candidates based in all UK locations and on a permanent homeworking basis for staff already on permanent homeworking contracts.

Requirements:
Please note that candidates must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in the listed locations at the time of application. 

Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided. 
 
British Council supports working in new ways such as hybrid working, subject to full approval by line management and conditional upon our ability to provide the appropriate level of service.  This may not be appropriate for all roles but can be explored at interview.

#LI-Hybrid

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

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability, and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent and we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.
 
Safeguarding Statement 

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 in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.
If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org