Operations Director

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.

The Operations Director is responsible for Client Management and the Compliance of the ILMpact project with all relevant policies, standards and client expectations. You will be responsible for the delivery of the project.

You will have strong relationship management with the British High Commission and an oversight of compliance with British Council internal processes including: finance, compliance, security and safeguarding to ensure audit readiness.

You will be in charge of risk & crisis management ensuring proactive risk identification, mitigation planning, continuous monitoring, and effective crisis response to safeguard project objectives, beneficiary needs and stakeholder interests.

You will ensure the programme is aligned with overall British Council organizational goals and policies and quality Assurance of client-facing project documents (e.g. reporting) to ensure compliance with the MoU and broader corporate needs.

The Operation Director's main duties include maintaining a strong and positive working relationship with the British High Commission, Pakistan, and being their single point of contact on the project. Leading on and ensuring accuracy and timeliness of reporting to the British High Commission.

Compliance with budgetary and financial standards and KPIs. Ensuring sound financial management, auditing and reporting including the application of value for money principles.

Managing any project audits and ensuring documentation and internal controls remain updated and compliant to facilitate a smooth and transparent audit process.

You will have overall responsibility for ensuring the programme is at all times in line with the MoU for the project along with timely recruitment of all roles across the team.

1. High level experience of working with the British High Commission Pakistan.
2. Significant working in a leadership capacity on large-scale donor funded programmes.
3. Demonstrable high-level donor management skills.
4. Excellent financial literacy and an ability to interrogate financial reporting to ensure compliance with standards.
5. Experience of managing client audits on large-scale donor-funded project.
6. Experience of risk management on large-scale programmes in South Punjab and Kyber Patunkhwa.
7. Strong understanding of British Council (or similar) policies in relation to donor-funded projects.

Department: English & School Education, Cultural Engagement.
Contract type: Fixed Term Contract until September 2027.
Contract Hours: Full time - 36 hours per week.
Pay band: 9-D.
Location: Islamabad, Pakistan.

Closing Date: 27 April at 21:59 UK time.

• Please note that candidates must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in Pakistan.

• Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided.

Interviews will be held in early/middle of May.

The 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.

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

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.