🇳🇬 Job Vacancies @ British Council – 3 Positions

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.

We are recruiting to fill the following positions below:

1.) Business Assurance Manager
2.) Head of Business Assurance
3.) Intern - Facilities Support

Job Title: Business Assurance Manager

Location: Lagos or Port Harcourt, Rivers
Contract Type: Indefinite Contract
Department: Exams

Role Purpose

• The purpose of the role is to provide professional advice and support to exams operations within Nigeria in the achievement, monitoring and embedding of Quality and Compliance Assurance (QCA), IELTS and other awarding body standards.
• The focus will be on understanding the broad range of standards and how they apply to a range of Exams policies and procedures and supporting Operations in navigating a path through them to advise on appropriate solutions to target improvements and manage risk.
• To support centres on effective implementation of action points arising from Exams compliance audits and reviews.

Main Accountabilities
Consultancy, Analysis & Problem-solving:

• Undertake a scheduled number of full QCA reviews of exam operations (i.e. self-assessments) both in onsite locations and offsite venues in Nigeria. providing clear, prioritized recommendations to support exams operations improved compliance and mitigate any identified risks.
• Support, develop and guide exam colleagues in carrying out their self-assessments. Providing ongoing guidance and updates to exam colleagues regarding corporate and board-specific standards, requirements, and risk mitigation.

Internal Customer Focus:

• Build an in-depth understanding of the specific operational context, opportunities and challenges facing Nigeria cluster, to ensure that the advice and support provided is based on informed insight into the business and operating context.
• Seek internal customer and other stakeholder feedback to monitor satisfaction with the standard of advice and support provided as well as make recommendations to the Business Assurance Lead and Cluster Head of Operations on areas of improvement.

Service Improvement:

• Identify opportunities for improvements within the established quality and compliance processes and procedures and make recommendations to the to the Head of Business Assurance and Cluster Head of Operations.
• Support the Head of Business Assurance and contribute to the maintenance and improvement of Global Compliance standards, procedures, and processes to ensure that they are aligned with changing Exam Board standards and best practice, ensuring the needs of Nigeria exams operations and working context are promoted.

Functional Expertise:

• Proactively maintains a sound working knowledge of developments in external policy, practice, and regulation within their functional discipline to build credibility, confidence, and business insight.
• May be the “go to person” for first-line advice and guidance on a specific practical process, topic or system – either within the corporate functional department as a whole or embedded within a particular geographical unit or SBU team.

Relationship & Stakeholder Management:

• Develops good working relationships with appropriate colleagues throughout the British Council and in the relevant functional discipline to facilitate the effective provision of high quality and customer-focused services and advice.
• As required, represents the British Council in discussions and dealings with external suppliers/providers

Leadership & Management:

• Plans and prioritizes own activities, which span across a range of different work streams or internal client relationships. Responds to changing and at times competing requirements to ensure effective delivery of responsibilities over a monthly/quarterly time horizon
• Tasks and coordinates others (e.g. internal customers, colleagues or third party suppliers) to complete activities in accordance with agreed corporate procedures relevant to the functional discipline

Risk and Compliance:

• Support teams to manage their risks within the agreed risk appetite and providing the Exams management and other stakeholders with assurance that our risk taking is appropriate and that significant risks are being managed.
• Record and review risks facing exams operation in local risk registers.

Minimum Requirements

• University Degree

Desirable:

• IELTS auditing experience, either internally or in contractor capacity
• Four years in an exams administration or similar role.

Role Specific Knowledge and Experience:

• Experience of conducting Quality and Compliance audits and/or quality reviews (including self- reviews) for example in an exams or customer focused environment
• Broad understanding of the breadth and range of examination distribution products and services delivered in Nigeria.
• In addition to ability to meet main accountabilities detailed above, good relationship and stakeholder management skills.

Language requirements:

• Proficient in English language (CEFR C1 or above) and excellent report writing skills.

Remuneration
N14,297,766.00 Annually plus benefits (Pay Band - BRC-6-F).

Application Closing Date
22nd November, 2023 (23:59 West African Time).

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Regular travel within Nigeria and occasional travel to non- represented markets.
• Occasional evening and weekend working will be needed, for example when travelling or carrying out exam’s reviews.
• Role holder must have existing rights to live and work in the country the role is based.
• Please ensure you include a supporting statement that highlights your skills, knowledge, and experience. This information will be used in the shortlisting assessment.

Job Title: Head of Business Assurance, Nigeria

Location: Lagos and Port Harcourt - Rivers
Contract Type: Indefinite Contract
Department: Exams
Pay Band: BRC-7-F

Role Purpose

• The purpose of the role is to develop a business assurance strategy, provide professional advice and support to exams operations within Nigeria in the achievement, monitoring and embedding of Quality and Compliance Assurance (QCA), IELTS and other awarding body standards.
• The focus is to ensure standard and quality of the delivery of examinations operation in country according to British Council and Exams Boards standards as well as advise and assist teams to exceed quality standards.
• Furthermore, the role will support operations and advise on appropriate solutions to target improvements and manage risk as well as effective implementation of action points arising from exams compliance audits and reviews.

Main Accountabilities
Consultancy, analysis & problem-solving:

• To undertake and manage the quality assurance process across all products for Examinations operation in country, ensuring assessments take place, reviews are documented appropriately, action plans are devised and acted upon by assigned exams team members according to established deadlines.
• Advise centers on risk mitigation measures, new standards, and best practice - Monitor and assist with incident investigation, implementing risk mitigation measures as necessary.
• Help facilitate and support any global QCAs scheduled in country, including development of action plans and implementation of risk mitigation strategies.

Internal customer focus:

• Engage key stakeholders (Director Exams, Regional Operations Manager, Assistants/Regional business assurance).
• Share regular updates and/or tailored country reports and findings on quality and compliance status, progress, and issues, ensuring risks are reported/escalated in a timely manner.

Service improvement:

• Support the communication and roll out of changes to QCA, IELTS and Awarding body standards, processes and procedures with operation teams
• Identify opportunities for improvements within the established quality and compliance processes and procedures and make recommendations to the Director Exams, Regional Operations Manager, Assistants/Regional business assurance team.

Functional expertise:

• Proactively maintains a sound working knowledge of developments in external policy, practice, and regulation within their functional discipline to build credibility, confidence, and business insight.
• Will be the “go to person” for first-line advice and guidance on a specific practical process, topic, or system – either within the corporate functional department as a whole or embedded within a particular geographical unit or SBU team.

Commercial & Financial management:

• Using agreed corporate systems and processes, plans and manages the budget for their area of activity/service provision, and conducts monthly and year-end reporting on income and expenditure, profitability, and risk.
• Shows an understanding of value for money/cost effectiveness in the advice, recommendations or service support provided to internal customers.

Relationship & stakeholder management:

• Develops good working relationships with appropriate colleagues throughout the British Council and in the relevant functional discipline to facilitate the effective provision of high quality and customer-focused services and advice.
• As required, represents the British Council in discussions and dealings with external suppliers/providers

Leadership & management:

• Lead and coordinate with the Regional Operations Manager/Regional
• Operation Support Manager and/or Assistants/Regional Business Assurance lead for confidential materials approval movements and any compliance matter/incidents/investigations.

Risk and Compliance:

• Support teams to manage their risks within the agreed risk appetite and providing the Exams management and other stakeholders with assurance that our risk taking is appropriate and that significant risks are being managed.
• Record and review risks facing exams operation in local risk registers.

Safeguarding:

• Ensure that safeguarding implementation standards are followed in exams structures and mechanisms that promote safety for children and adults.
• Escalate safeguarding concern the National Safeguarding Manager Pakistan.

Minimum Requirements

• University Degree

Role specific knowledge and experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in a Business Assurance or Exams Manager role.
• Demonstrable experience of promoting and managing compliance in line with corporate and external compliance frameworks.
• Significant experience collecting, analysing and presenting data to identify trends.
• Broad understanding of the breadth and range of examination distribution products and services delivered in Nigeria.
• In addition to ability to meet main accountabilities detailed above, good relationship and stakeholder management skills.

Salary
NGN 23,652,757,00 / Annum plus benefits

Application Closing Date
22nd November, 2023 at 23:59 South Africa Time

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Internal candidates not based in the mentioned 3 countries who have interest in the role should reach out to the Hiring Manager first before submitting their application.
• Language requirements: Proficient in English language (CEFR C1 or above) and excellent report writing skills.
• Regular travel within Nigeria and occasional travel to non- represented markets.
• Occasional evening and weekend working will be needed, for example when travelling or carrying out exam’s reviews.
• Role holder must have existing rights to live and work in the country the role is based.
• Please ensure you include a supporting statement that highlights your skills, knowledge, and experience. This information will be used in the shortlisting assessment.

Job Title: Intern - Facilities Support

Location: Lagos
Duration: 12 months
Contract type: Locally Engaged

Role Purpose

• The British Council would like to offer fresh graduates an experiential learning opportunity to gain real world experience through an internship programme.
• The practical experience an intern gains is expected to complement the theoretical knowledge he/she has gained during their studies.
• The intern is expected to both learn from and contribute to the workplace during the internship period, in turn providing an opportunity to increase employability skills.
• An outcome being that students and graduates are more employable and successful because of the skills they acquire.

Duties and Responsibilities
With the support of the Facilities Manager, the intern duties will include:

Facilities Services and Premises Project Delivery:

• Assist Facilities Team in-country to manage the Lagos facilities/estate effectively and efficiently as defined in the Regional and Country Delivery Plans enabling delivery of all key sectors of the British Council Programme.
• Responsibility for the pro-active maintenance management of Lagos office and compound undertaking daily checks on facilities and equipment to ensure operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Maintain the office and estate by ensuring security and optimum delivery of customer care services in Facilities Unit.
• Responsible for day-to-day coordination of all facilities services and project activities for the Facilities team, ensuring relevant and necessary report to the Facilities Manager
• Where appropriate, assists the Facilities with the coordination of other facilities and building improvement activities and liaise with relevant internal and external stakeholders and staff to ensure effective conclusion.
• And any other tasks as directed by relevant team leads.

Logistics Management:

• Provides logistic supports to visitors coming to Lagos.
• Effective planning and management of vehicles and drivers to ensure optimum transport support for British Council operations

Management and Support for the role:

• The intern will report to the Facilities Manager based in Lagos. S/he will be expected to work closely with other members of Staff in Lagos and key internal stakeholders such as the Country Facilities team

Requirments
Essential - The ideal candidate should:

• Graduate level education in related field
• Maximum of 4 years post-NYSC in any field of study.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to multitask.
• Have fluency in written and spoken English.
• Be computer literate with proficiency in the use of MS Word, MS Excel and PowerPoint.
• Have an interest in Facilities management

Other Requirements:

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

Remuneration and Benefits

• The intern will be paid equivalent N170,000 gross / Month
• Health Insurance (HMO) will be provided for interns who are on 6 months or more
• Group Life Insurance will be provided for all interns during throughout the duration of their internship.

Application Closing Date
15th November, 2023. (23:59 West Africa Time)

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candiates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• This is a short-term intern position; intern roles are not a prelude to longer term employment with the organisation. If opportunities for further paid employment arise, these will be advertised and interns who apply will be considered against the same criteria as other applicants.
• Necessary adjustments will be made for staff with disability where necessary. Applicants wilth disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.