Senior Consultant, Investment Climate Reform Facility

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.

We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021–22 we reached 650 million people.

Senior Consultant, Investment Climate Reform Facility

Role Type: Business, Partnership and Programme Development
Salary: £33,904 (+ £3,300 market allowance if based in London)
Contract Type: 1.5 year contract (with potential to be extended)
Location: UK, Brussels, SSA Region where British Council have an office

Requirements: Candidates must have the pre-existing (permanent) right to work in location. Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided. If you are currently sponsored by the British Council, in a country or regional role, please check with your local/regional HR colleagues if you are able to remain in your current location for this global role.

 
Closing Date: 9th June 11:59pm UK time

Context

This role sits within the Cultural Engagement (CE) Strategic Business Unit (SBU). CE brings together our portfolio of work in arts, education, English and research. Our portfolio is delivered through a set of globally led programmes that locates our work and impact within our strategic framework. These programmes delivery our key performance indicators and impact ambitions.

The ICR Facility is co-funded by the European Union (EU), the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), together with the German Federal Ministry for Economic cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the British Council. It is implemented by British Council, GIZ, Expertise France and SNV.

Role Purpose

The Senior Consultant, ICR Facility provides technical expertise and leadership for the quality management and delivery of technical assistance requests and knowledge products of the Investment Climate and Reform (ICR) Facility across Africa, Caribbean and Pacific. The ICR Facility supports partner countries in the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) to create a more conducive and sustainable business environment and investment climate, especially in support of Women´s Economic Empowerment (WEE). More information on the ICR Facility: https://www.icr-facility.eu/

Main Accountabilities:

Operational Delivery

• Liaises closely with the Technical Lead Knowledge Managemnet, to design and deliver knowledge products (reports, trainings, blogs, live events, peer-to-peer events etc.) related to the business environment that have been assigned to the British Council to meet both internal and external stakeholders requirements.
• Liaises closely with the Technical Assistance Lead at the British Council to generate technical assistance requests for all regions/countries.
• Assess, design, deliver and evaluate technical assistance requests received from eligible partners in ACP countries; to meet required outputs and outcomes. The technical assistance requests submitted relate to reforms to the business environment to remove barriers and support an enabling environment for women´s and young people’s full participation in the economy.

Relationship & Stakeholder Management

• Develops and maintains excellent relationships and communication with internal and/orexternal customers to build a clear understanding of their needs and experiences, to inform and enable continuous improvement in the quality of service/programme/product delivery.
• In accordance with agreed regional and SBU strategies, acts as a figurehead for the team/unit in local cultural relations/commercial/collaborative activities, managing a range of relationships with Consultants, ICR requesters etc.) to achieve positive outcomes for the British Council and facilitate effective operational delivery.

Risk & Compliance

• Uses standard corporate protocols, combined with previous experience and detailed knowledge of the local social/political/security context, to assess a range of risks in to service/product/programme delivery. Ensures appropriate contingency plans are in place and implemented promptly to manage delivery safely and effectively in challenging or high-risk circumstances.
• Investigates any reported instances of non-compliance with agreed corporate risk management policies (e.g. safeguarding, security policies, financial protocols, anti-fraud measures, information management), and takes appropriate remedial action, including escalation to more senior colleagues as required.

Analysis & Reporting

• Uses management information, analysis and personal operating experience to identify and make recommendations on improvements to ways of working, processes, procedures and/or resources that will enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Implements a range of agreed British Council reporting procedures and holds staff to account for maintaining them, to ensure that results are accurately recorded, thereby enabling timely and effective operational decision-making and provision of essential impact data.

Commercial & Finance Management

• Leads the negotiation/structuring of local deals to achieve required operational goals, drawing appropriately on the input and expertise of other colleagues/external advisors as required to protect the British Council’s interests effectively.
• Within agreed corporate procedures and schedules of delegated authority, manages and reports on variances to plan, controlling principal local levers impacting on cost and service provided (e.g. people, processes, resources, suppliers).

Leadership & Management

• Leads and controls a large team of people and/or range of resources in various locations in the ACP region, ensuring clear communication of goals and expectations.
• As an experienced operations professional, actively contributes to the development of wider regional and SBU strategies and plans.

Requirements of the role:

• Understanding of business environment reform and ecosystem support targeted towards enterprise/private sector development.
• Understanding and interest in issues related to women’s and youth’s economic empowerment, social enterprise and related topics.
• Experience of setting standards and leading diverse project teams and multiple implementing partners to deliver agreed targets for impact and income, particularly in client-funded and/or partnership projects.
• Experience of promoting and embedding EDI and anti-racism standards within large scale projects or programmes.
• Experience of leading evaluation activities within projects, including lessons learnt exercises, and implementing change based on insights to foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Language Requirements:

The ability to speak French at Proficiency Level CEFR B2 minimum is advantageous.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary offer
• 32 days annual leave, in addition to public holidays
• 3 days volunteering leave
• Career average defined benefit pension scheme
• An unrivalled opportunity for you to get to use all the experience you’ve built up working in and / or leading global organisations to support us in building trust across the world!

Closing Date: 9th June 11:59pm UK time

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 askhr@britishcouncil.org

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.