5 Sector Lead Roles (Adult Education, Vocational Education; Youth, Sport, Schools)

The Department for Education has announced that the British Council is set to take on the role of National Agency for Erasmus+.  

In December the UK and EU arrived at a political agreement that the UK would rejoin the Erasmus+ scheme in 2027. That agreement has now been legally formalised under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. 

The British Council has a longstanding commitment to supporting international exchange. It was a lead partner in the Erasmus+ UK National Agency from 2014-20, where Erasmus+ made a significant contribution to the UK's cultural relations activities, funding 8,091 projects, engaging 583,757 UK participants, and awarding around €1.1 million to UK organisations. 

5  Sector Lead Roles (Adult Education, Vocational Education; Youth, Sport, Schools)

Pay Band: SMP (9)  
Contract Duration: 2 Year Fixed Term Contract with possibility of extension   
Location: London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast and those on an existing home-working contract in the United Kingdom.
Right to Work Requirements: Right to work in the UK at the time of application. The British Council is not able to support or sponsor work visa applications. 

Closing Date: Applications will close on Wednesday 29 April at 23:59 UK Time.

We are operating on the basis that any offer is made pending client confirmation of funds.    

 
Role Purpose:

We have 5 Sector Lead vacancies within the following sectors of Erasmus+: 
•    Youth
•    Sport
•    Vocational Education and Training (VET)
•    Adult Education (AE) 
•    Schools. 

The Erasmus+ Sector Lead is accountable for setting and delivering the sector strategy for Erasmus+ in their respective field.

Acting as the sector’s senior point of contact, you will work with sector bodies, potential applicants, beneficiaries, and internal teams to encourage high quality applications, mitigate risks, and surface actionable insights, to ensure the programme delivers demonstrable impact, equity, and client satisfaction.

The post provides strategic guidance and technical expertise in support of the successful implementation of Erasmus+ projects within a specific sector - Vocational Education and Training (VET), Schools, Youth, Sport, Adult Education (AE). 

The role focuses on aligning sectoral activities with EU priorities, enhancing quality standards, and fostering partnerships.

The national agency for the Erasmus+ Programme in the UK, markets the Programme, provides advice, guidance and training to applicants and beneficiaries, assesses applications for several of the Programme's actions, administers grants to organisations across the UK and provides support throughout the various lifecycle phases of their projects. The DfE is the counterpart to the contractual documents, and the agency will also work closely with the Devolved Governments of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to ensure that the Programme provides maximum benefits to the education, training, youth, and sport systems across the UK. 

Erasmus+ operates in the following sectors:

•    Schools: Supports primary and secondary school activities.
•    Vocational Education and Training (VET): Covers training and education for specific trades and skills.
•    Higher Education: Offers opportunities for university students and staff to study or train abroad.
•    Adult Education: Supports learning opportunities for adults.
•    Youth: Focuses on non-formal and informal learning for young people.
•    Sport: Promotes integrity, good governance, and values-based education in sport. 

The post reports to the National Agency Director.

Main accountabilities but not limited to the following:

Strategic Advisory:

•    Lead development of the sector strategy, investment approach, and annual delivery plan in line with the objectives of DfE as the National Authority, the Devolved Governments, the European Commission and programme-wide frameworks.
•    Translate strategic goals into clear sector priorities and outcome targets.
•    Act as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for sector-specific matters 
•    Interpret and apply Erasmus+ priorities (inclusion, sustainability, digitalisation, civic engagement) across their sector.
•    Advise stakeholders on policy integration and sector development strategies.
•    Represent the National Agency at internal and external events.
•    Build strong relationships with sector networks and Government Departments across all four nations to inform practice, extend reach, and enhance programme credibility and impact.
•    Champion widening participation and boosting access for disadvantaged and under-represented groups 

Sector Engagement & Capacity Building:

•    Lead engagement across all UK nations, building strategic relationships with sector bodies and Devolved Governments.
•    Mobilise the sector working closely with sector organisations ensuring the sector is aware of and has the knowledge and tools to maximise E+ participation. 
•    Prepare high‑quality reports, data, and insights for governance boards and client assurance.
•    Produce sector insight products (briefings, thematic reports, case studies) to enhance learning across the programme.
•    Feed learning into future funding rounds, guidance, and sector strategy
•    Deliver training sessions and workshops for applicants and beneficiaries.
•    Develop guidance materials and best practice resources.
•    Facilitate networking and partnership development among institutions.

Quality & Inclusion:

•    Ensure projects meet Erasmus+ quality standards, including inclusion, sustainability, and digital education.
•    Support initiatives that widen participation among underrepresented groups.
•    Promote British Council’s approach to equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism.

Requirements of the role

•    Experience of meeting needs/expectations of external/internal clients
•    Experience of working with partners and stakeholders in the successful delivery of programmes/projects
•    Experience of working with a dispersed team in order to meet programme/project objectives
•    Analysing Data and problems L4 - Solves complex problems: Able to apply or devise specialised concepts and methods of analysis – or commission them from others. Understands the output and uses the results to make clear and / or solve complex business, market or policy problems.
•    Planning and organising L4 - Plans for the longer term:  Shapes forward plans for 3-5 years ahead for a major unit or multiple units, taking account of British Council strategy and the need to manage contingencies, risks and impact.
•    Communication and Influencing L4 - Uses influencing techniques:  Uses formal and informal negotiating and motivation techniques to influence others’ behaviour and persuade them to think and act differently, while respecting difference of view and culture.

Language Requirements:

The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal fluency in English is required. 

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. 
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