View Vacancy – Marshall Scholarships & British Council Education Lead

November 1, 2024

Contract
Washington
Posted 1 day ago

British Embassy

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.

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Job Category

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)

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Job Subcategory

Communications, Press and Media

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Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Main purpose of job:

The British Government’s Embassy in Washington has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic person to join the Communications Team as the Marshall Scholarships & British Council Education Lead. This is an exciting opportunity working at the intersection of higher education, communications and diplomacy, at a time of strategic growth and development for the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission (MACC) and of renewed interest of UK Education sector in the USA.

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme. It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible. In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment side-by-side with UK diplomats, armed forces personnel and other country-based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences.

This post will be responsible for two areas of work. It will devote half of the time to the leading and implementing the Marshall Scholarships. The other half will be dedicated to managing and developing UK-USA education connections, developing education insights and maximising the value of British Council managed UK programmes in the USA. It will set annual KPIs in collaboration with both the Marshall Commission and the British Council.

This role will deliver the Marshall Scholarship programme including overseeing the US based Marshalls selection process, drive US communications, and outreach and stakeholder engagement. Based in Washington DC, the post-holder will be part of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission (MACC) Secretariat team, which is located in the UK and oversees administration of the Marshall Scholarships. The post-holder will report to the MACC CEO and work closely with the Head of Strategic Communications & Public Diplomacy at the British Embassy in Washington, concentrating on US-focused activity. Specific areas of work will include:

Lead promotion and outreach with faculty, students and relevant stakeholders at universities and education non-profits across the US;
Manage alumni engagement, coordinating and supporting the scholarship outreach application and selection process with UK consulates
Oversee the creation and execution of the pre-departure orientation programme for selected Marshall Scholars;
Other activities as assigned pertinent to the support of Marshall Scholars and successful delivery of the Marshall Scholarship programme.

As Education Lead, the postholder will play a critical role in securing UK presence in key education fora in the USA and be the main to US education sectors, ensuring that we provide relevant insights from the UK Education sector into the USA’s market; in coordination with other UK actors, create and implement Education related activities through a portfolio of British Council-managed programmes that are generally delivered on behalf of UK government departments or other local funders; strengthen our position in the USA Education markets and strategise and action new areas for bilateral collaboration, contributing to higher corporate strategic priorities, while promoting mutual benefit to the UK and US.

The role will ensure all activity and engagement initiatives uphold quality standards and evaluate a highly impactful portfolio of British Council-managed programmes in the USA. The USA portfolio is part of a global portfolio, which is managed in the Americas by a pool of programme leads and delivery teams dispersed in different locations of the Americas region and in the UK.
The role holder will serve as regional leadership in developing a viable strategy for Education collaboration in the USA, taking into account local demand, FCDO priorities, innovative financial models, and prioritising key local stakeholder engagement. It expected that role holder will be asked to fulfil institutional representation duties for the whole of the office operation and occasional administrative.
As a key member of the Marshall Secretariat located in the US, the post-holder will make a clear contribution to the continued success and future development of the UK government’s flagship scholarship programme for American graduates, and will play a key role in mapping new areas for collaboration.

Roles and responsibilities:

For Marshall Scholarships Programme:

Working lockstep with the British Embassy’s Communications Teams and the MACC Secretariat to strategise and implement stakeholder engagement campaigns which will enhance awareness of the Marshall Scholarships programme and encourage applications from a wide and diverse range of individuals and institutions across the United States. The role holder will develop and manage content to support such campaigns, including digital assets for social media and communications toolkits for outreach events and webinars, and will help manage MACC social media accounts.
Helping coordinate and manage regional outreach efforts with eight British Consulates staff across the US in advance of the annual application process, which typically opens in May.
Manage and map the programme’s relations with US stakeholders, including, the National Association of Fellowships Advisors (NAFA), and US colleges and universities, as well as expanding engagement with other partners such as educational non-profits.
Helping to facilitate and coordinate the British Embassy’s Marshall Scholarship selection process within the US and assisting teams at over eight Consulates and the MACC with recruitment of Marshall Support officers at post, application assessors, members of reading committees and selection committee members (typically from May to November).
Develop strategy with the Association of Marshall Scholars (AMS) to engage and monitoring of the 2,500+ Marshall alumni network throughout the US, monitoring and drawing attention to individual successes of Marshall alumni.
Manage and build a network of relevant journalists and media organizations to develop opportunities to promote and secure attention on Marshall Scholarship successes in local, state and national media, including for the annual selection of a new class of Marshall Scholars in December each year.
Serve as the point of contact in the US for guidance and support to prospective applicants and relevant university faculty throughout the application and selection process, including assisting with related queries.
Lead reporting and data analysis related to the selection process, assisting with arrangements for and attending meetings as required, and some administrative tasks on an ad hoc basis such as updating databases and website copy. Managing own time to ensure relevant deadlines are met.
Assisting with periodic events for newly-selected Marshall Scholars and alumni, in coordination with the Embassy, the Association of Marshall Scholars, and the MACC.
Understanding the British Council’s values and contributing to an inclusive organisational culture, ensuring that people feel valued and are treated equitably, and supporting wellbeing.
Any other related duties as set out by the line managers.

For British Council Education Lead:

Sector/subject expertise:

Utilises Education expertise and insight from other sector stakeholders, opinion formers and funders to develop external and internal relationships, raise profile and firm up opportunities to strengthen ongoing and form new collaborations that will meet the specific needs of the country while also providing value to the UK missions in USA and a diverse range of UK Education organisations.
Through ongoing relationships with the Global sector teams, builds and maintains good understanding of UK sector priorities as well as FCDO and other HMG priorities in country, providing expert input and pro-actively connecting across FCDO and British Council for the benefit of our key audiences, as students, professors and researchers, HEIs in the USA, and the UK.
Represent British Council in the US as a credible authority in Education to external stakeholders and audiences.
Provides input for up-to-date and well-informed senior-level briefings on current and emerging themes in Education, especially Higher Education.
Identify and develop opportunities for the UK sectors to work in and collaborate with peers in country.

Leadership & management

Actively collaborates with leads across the British Council network, empowering and enabling colleagues to collaborate on British Council-managed programmes, while promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. Connects regularly with regional Cultural Engagement leadership in Education and global programme teams delivering into the USA.
Ensures all projects meet quality assurance British Council programmes, upholding delivery standards in country and managing issues and risks, and, when locally-sourced, partner agreements and supplier contracts.
Occasionally, may be asked to manage small budgets for activity within country.
Actively contributes to the EDI strategy (to mainstream EDI and become anti-racist in our cultures and practices within our organisation and in our programmes).
Occasional support and troubleshooting for British Council-managed programmes delivered in Canada.

Strategy and/or planning:

Lead planning process in Cultural Engagement’s client-funded portfolio in the USA and support British Council leadership in overall country planning. Portfolio of focus will include British Council-managed science, research collaborations, student recruitment, and mobility programmes.
Develop internal relationships across Cultural Engagement to ensure strategic objectives are aligned, understood and achieved
Manages and maintains critical country partner relationships relevant to the British Council, with a focus on Education but occasionally Arts stakeholders as well, to maintain an excellent understanding of relevant themes and issues in Education. Uses this insight to identify new opportunities and partnerships for the British Council, and build favourability for the UK.
Builds a broad, diverse and dynamic network of key sector representatives in country and a range of sector institutional relationships that will help open doors for exchange work with UK.
Serves as a British Council representative externally and internally.

Brand and market positioning:

Promotes through strategic engagement and communications the diversity of the UK Education and the Arts sectors in country, promoting British Council online offers.
Ensures that British Council’s reputation for quality and as a valued not-for-profit partner remains high and contributes to our organisational mission of building trust between the UK and other countries.
Collaborates with colleagues and experts in the regional/UK-based Cultural Engagement department to feed market/customer insights into the programme development planning cycle, to ensure the British Council’s offer is market relevant for the countries listed above and the UK, demand-led and consistent with the British Council and FCDO objectives.
Develops internal and external communications materials to highlight impactful stories from the CE portfolio in country.

Business development:

Creates strategy for business and partnership development for the portfolio, aligning with country/regional and corporate priorities, systems and processes.
Develops and manages relationships with strategic clients and partners.
Applies due diligence requirements to potential partners.
Coordinates research in country/regional context such as analysis of client and partner trends and opportunities.
Embeds effective processes, standards and tools to support pipeline and consultant/partner relationship management and approvals.
When and if aligned to regional strategy, manages or supports the development of high-quality bids/ proposals and participates in contract negotiations with partners and clients, and prepares agreements such as non-disclosure, pre-bid, contract and partner and consultant agreements.
Ensures timely reporting and communication on externally funded contracts/grant funded initiatives.
Participates in programme and project reviews and closure activities, helping to ensure learning is embedded in the development of new business.

Resources managed:

This will not be a supervisory position. Post holder would manage project expenditure delegated to them by line manager and comms team budget, and/or British Council or MACC project funds.

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Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Substantial experience in higher education and either public diplomacy or communications, campaigns
Graduate or equivalent experience with a deep understanding the US higher education landscape, including but not limited to understanding of the experience and needs of higher education students, institutional organisation, landscape within private and public institutions, and enhanced by your own personal experience.
Expertise in developing innovative ideas for effective public engagement through traditional and digital mediums, particularly for a younger audiences
Experience with working with/in dispersed teams
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation skills, with the potential to present information to a wide variety of audiences.
A professional attitude in working with senior staff as well as demonstrating a diplomatic and delivery-oriented approach at all times, even in potentially stressful situations.
Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to build, maintain and strengthen relationships within an international context.
A user-orientated approach to the design and delivery of services with demonstrable experience working with administrative processes and procedures.
A proactive approach to identifying and addressing problems and contributing to the improvement and streamlining of the programme as a whole.
Well organised with a proven ability to deliver multiple tasks and high volume of work on time and prioritise a busy workload with conflicting demands.
Strong attention to detail to process complex paperwork and situations.
Ability to work independently, as well as working collaboratively and as part of a team.
Proven administration experience, including experience of Microsoft Office, updating and maintaining databases, and portfolio management.

Language requirements:

Language: English

Level of language required: Fluent in English; Strong written and verbal English communication skills required.

US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US has restrictions on the type of visas our non-diplomatic staff may hold. If you are not a US Citizen or a US Permanent Resident, or the dependent of a diplomat (with an EAD card), you may not be eligible for employment with the UK government. We cannot accept student Visas (J1, F or M) nor other forms of work Visas (I, H, P). If you hold a work visa it is best to check on your eligibility to work for a foreign government before applying for a position. The UK Government does not routinely sponsor work visas; the job advertisement will state clearly whether sponsorship is available.

You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.

All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.

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Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Project Management qualification or equivalent experience
Experience in working in matrix-managed
A solid understanding of the UK higher education system
Strong understanding of the US media market, including the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences across multiple channels.
An interest in or knowledge of UK-US relations.
Demonstrated international experience either by working overseas or in an internationally-focused organisation.
Experience of working with and maintaining budgets.
Experience managing professional social media accounts, including creating innovative content.
Experience of using an online application system and/or graphic design software, including Photoshop, Illustrator and Canva

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Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture

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Application deadline

11 November 2024

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Grade

Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

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Type of Position

Fixed term, with possibility of renewal

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Working hours per week

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Region

Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories

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Country/Territory

United States

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Location (City)

Washington

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Type of Post

British Embassy

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Number of vacancies

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Salary Currency

USD

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Salary

$105,882 gross annually

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Type of Salary

yearly

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Start Date

6 January 2025

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End Date

25 August 2025

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Other benefits and conditions of employment

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance.

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Additional information

This role is 40 hours a week. We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of teamwork and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly. Following British Embassy working guidance, this position will be fully in person, with the flexibility to occasionally work from home pending approval from line manager.

Some domestic travel within the US may be required. Some overseas travel to the UK may be required. Occasional working or being available for calls during unsocial / early morning hours to align with UK office hours may be requested as well as weekend hours for annual Marshall events.

Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6-12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, e.g. some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.

Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.

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Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

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To apply please copy and paste this link: https://fco.tal.net/vx/appcentre-ext/candidate/jobboard/vacancy/1/adv/
To help us track our recruitment effort, please specify on the application form/indicate in your cover letter where (jobs-near-me.eu) you saw this job posting.

View Vacancy – Marshall Scholarships & British Council Education Lead

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