Role Pay Band Location Duration Reports to:

Transcription

1 . Role Information Role Pay Band Location Duration Reports to: Director Chile Pay band 8 Santiago, Chile Indefinite Director Remote Teaching (based in Buenos Aires) Role purpose To grow the cultural relations impact of the British Council s work in Chile on a financially sustainable model that will develop a deeper knowledge and understanding between people and institutions in the UK and Chile, and promote prosperity and international opportunities. Geopolitical/SBU/Function overview Chile is one of 13 countries in the Americas Region where the British Council has a physical presence. Although small in terms of population, Chile is an important partner for the UK in the region. Building on existing good relations is important, and ensuring that British Council work is aligned with the direction of the UK embassy s work in Chile is key. Boosted by Chile s overall economic open-ness and growth, its stable institutions and also its growing number of young, educated residents, the international opportunities for Chileans are greater than ever before, as are the opportunities for UK and Chilean companies and organisations to connect, learn together and do business together. Main opportunities/challenges for this role The British Council operation in Chile has grown significantly over the last 5 years. Last year we engaged with over 40,000 people face-to-face, (including 16,000 exhibition audiences) and 500,000 digital through a portfolio of projects and activities that run across our three corporate areas of work: English & Exams; Education & Society; and Arts. To finance this work, we received a 350k in grant-in-aid funding from the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), with the remaining 750k of turnover coming from a mixture of other UK government sources, Chilean organisations, and individual customers. The significant challenge facing the British Council in Chile now, is to grow impact and increase financial sustainability in the face of a significant change in funding arrangements. We also want to do this in a way that takes advantage of the significant opportunities for online and digital engagement. The ability in recent years for the British Council to take advantage of UK government funding is expected to be cut with immediate effect as from 31 December This is the date after which it is expected that Chile will graduate from the OECD list of countries eligible to receive Development Assistance. The British Council will therefore no longer be able to take advantage of the so-called grant-in-aid financing to support its operation in Chile, and will 1 The British Council

2 need to identify alternative sources of finance. One of the main sources of revenue for the British Council across the world is through its delivery of successful and prestigious English and Exams businesses. Globally we teach more than 369,000 people directly through our teaching centres, and in administering academic and English exams such as IELTS, of which we are a co-owner, we also generate income. In Chile, we opened our first English teaching centre in March 2015 Learning Time with Shaun and Timmy, based in Vitacura, Santiago. This purpose-built centre is an exciting partnership with Aardman Animations and part of new global project for the British Council. It provides classes exclusively for children aged 2-6, and will soon extend to age 9. In its first year of operation, more than 250 children took classes in the centre, and we aim to considerably increase during 2015/16. Our exams business is small, but now coming into better health with the growth of the IELTS market in Chile and our own English assessment tool, Aptis. One key area of challenge for the British Council, is therefore, to grow the current English and Exams businesses to ensure that they are financially robust and are able to return a moderate surplus to the centre to help finance other charitable work. Plans are already in place to extend the direct English teaching offer for children, both at our Learning Time centre, and other partnerships, and these need to be developed quickly. A programme of English products and services that can meet the needs of schools and educational providers is also available to develop, and we shortly expect to be able to offer directly English courses and programmes to individual customers online. In addition to our commercial offer in English, we have a strong record in recent years of working with the public education system in Chile mainly in collaboration with the Ministry of Education to provide programmes and services to improve overall levels of English in the school system. We have led and partnered on different training programmes for students and teachers and expect to continue to do this as funding allows. In our work looking for ways to support the education system, we are looking for ways that we can involve both a wider range of Chilean stakeholders and funders, as well as ensuring we can support other UK commercial providers active or interested in the Chilean market. A second area of work for the British Council in recent years has been our Education and Society portfolio, where we focus mainly on higher education and science. Chile is one of 15 emerging economies selected by the UK Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to run the Newton Fund a 3-year fund, co-funded by Chilean partners, that builds science and innovation capacity in Chile and supports social and economic development. As one of a handful of delivery partners for the fund, we have identified opportunities to lever 800k of funding over 3 years with partners such as CONICYT, Chilean universities and public bodies. However, under the same change in OECD funding criteria mentioned above, Chile will no longer be eligible for Newton Fund financing from January Work has now begun, therefore, to identify alternative programmes and partnership opportunities for the British Council in higher education, skills, school education and science. Determining the best opportunities and strategy for 2017 onwards is a current challenge. A small, but valuable education service for UK universities complements this area of work. Each year we run a postgraduate education fair, attended by some leading UK universities keen to recruit Chilean students. We hope to expand this service deeper into the higher education market, and also identify opportunities to support English language institutes in the UK. 2 The British Council

3 A good Arts programme remains a core element of the way in which the British Council delivers cultural relations, and an excellent way not only to connect Arts practitioners and professionals, but to engage wider audiences. Over recent years, we have built up a broad range of arts programmes, having focussed particularly on performing arts. Exchanges and visits from UK artists and collaborations with leading Arts organisations in Chile, such as GAM, Corpartes, FITAM and CEAC have enabled a stimulating interchange of ideas and some new artistic creations. With an increasingly vibrant arts scene in Chile, growing audiences and good interest from UK organisations to engage with Latin America, the Arts programme now has the opportunity to develop and identify the partners and funders interested in working together. The British Council s status in Chile is effectively that of a branch. We are fully part of the corporate British Council headquartered in London, but have Chilean legal and tax identity. The Country Director is the Legal Representative in Chile. As a UK public (non-governmental) body, we are bound by UK legislation on public financing and accounts and need to uphold the strictest financial integrity and transparency in our work. As a non-profit NGO, registered as a charity in England and Wales, it is also vital that al the British Council s work provides a public benefit, and is in keeping with the values and ethos of the organisation. Zero tolerance to fraud, tight information management, a commitment to safeguard and ensure the protection of children and vulnerable adults, and a leading role in championing inclusion, diversity and equality runs through all our work. Within the team in Chile, the Country Director currently has a team of 16 other members of staff to deliver the work. There are 4 direct reports to the Director, namely, the Director of English and Exams, the Higher Education Manager, the Arts Manager and the Finance Manager. The Learning Time English centre in Vitacura currently employs 4 full-time staff with the other team members being based at the office in Providencia. Beyond the team in Chile, a team of regional managers support the operation. These include Regional Directors for the 3 business areas, and finance, as well as regional leads for digital, marketing, young learners and compliance. The Country Director forms part of a broad Regional Leadership Team which is convened by the Regional Director (currently based in Miami), and comprises Country Directors from the other countries in the Americas, regional business area and finance leads. Main accountabilities Strategic Planning and Leadership, and partnership pursuit Develops and implements the Country strategy for the British Council in Chile in agreement with Regional Director, Regional business leads and HM Ambassador. Ensures that all business areas understand and are clear of their business targets and that plans for developing business and partnerships are implemented successfully. Takes lead on building relationships for partnership with key stakeholders in the public and private sector (e.g. senior ministry officials, education authorities, CEOs) Achieving impact and stakeholder management Is accountable for achieving planned cultural relations impact in Chile and ensuring clear reciprocal benefits to the UK and Chile are gained from project portfolio. 3 The British Council

4 Ensures that stakeholders and customers are managed effectively and appropriately People management Line-manages direct reports and ensures that line-management and performance management of Chile team is conducted in accordance with British Council policies. Ensures that all members of the team have clear performance targets, regular reviews and opportunities for learning and development. Programme and Resource Management Ensures that programmes are well-managed and delivered to achieve planned targets and within agreed budgets. Ensures that the British Council s values relating to equality, diversity and inclusion are incorporated into project plans and delivered, as well as ensuring that child protection and information management are safe-guarded. Ensures that resources are available and suitably apportioned in order to achieve country business objectives. Financial and governance / Risk and Compliance Ensures that all financial reporting and accounting is carried out in accordance with UK and Chilean legislation, and that all appropriate controls to ensure good financial management are adhered to, including appropriate delegation of authorities and separation of duties. Is accountable for the operation of the British Council in Chile as legal representative. Ensures that all staff in Chile are aware of their responsibilities and duties relating to compliance. Responsible for identifying, controlling and reporting on operational and financial risks to the operation. Communications and PR Responsible for ensuring effective communication of British Council work in Chile, in particular through regular digital channels and the adherence to brand guidelines. Represents the British Council publicly when required speaking at events or through the media, ensuring the British Council s mission and values are transmitted. Other important aspects of the job Occasional travel required outside Chile (mainly to other countries in South America), and occasional travel within Chile Frequent evening and weekend commitments Flexible and remote working required. Working from home, or outside office expected at least once a week Ability to self-administer commitments and diary (No PA or secretary) 4 The British Council

5 Role requirements Threshold requirements Passport requirements/ Right to work in country Security or legal checks Person specification Language requirements Minimum / essential Must have Chilean nationality or permanent residency, not through condition of a work contract. Due to nature of work involving children, and also the financial responsibilities, an enhanced criminal records check, or certificado de antecedentes will be required Desirable Assessment stage Assessment stage Advanced English (to level C2) Advanced English (to level C2) Shortlisting Qualifications (if any) Minimum / essential Desirable A recognised qualification in business and commercial management (e.g, business administration, marketing, project management, contract management). Shortlisting Role specific knowledge and experience Minimum / essential A strong record of management achievement as a successful commercial leader and leader of high performing teams. Desirable Detailed understanding of Shortlisting the Chilean context in one or more of the main programme areas (English, Education and Arts). British Council core skills Managing People (level 4) Leads a large and varied team - Experience of managing a substantial group to deliver annual business objectives. The team includes different professions and/or areas of business, and may cover multiple locations. Assessment Stage Shortlisting and Interview 5 The British Council

6 Communicating & Influencing (level 4) Uses influencing techniques - Able to employ formal and informal negotiating and motivation techniques to influence others behaviour and persuade them to think and act differently. Finance & Resource Management (level 4) Plans and deploys resources - Experience of negotiating and agreeing the resources for a defined area as part of forward planning, monitoring progress and adjusting resources or priorities to meet goals. Managing risk (level 3) Develops the culture - Track record of analyzing potential risks, promoting risk awareness, and holding others to account for their practices Commercial & Business Development (level 3) Leads business development Defines and develops products/ programs/ services which deliver British Council goals on impact, income and surplus within a defined area of business that respond to market opportunities and aligns to wider corporate strategies. British Council behaviours Creating Shared Purpose (MORE DEMANDING): creating clarity and clarity so that people want to work purposefully together. Assessment Stage Interview Connecting with Others (MORE DEMANDING): Actively appreciating the needs and concerns of myself and others. Shaping the Future (MORE DEMANDING): Exploring ways in which we can add more value. Working Together (MOST DEMANDING): creating the environment in which people who have different aims can work together. 6 The British Council

7 Equality and Diversity The British Council creates international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and builds trust between them worldwide. Working effectively with diversity is an essential part of the British Council s work. The British Council is committed to understanding, valuing and working with diversity to enable fair and full participation in our work, ensuring that there is no unjustified discrimination in our recruitment, selection and other processes; ensuring action that promotes equality of opportunity, including conducting equality screening and impact assessments of policies and functions and progressing diversity action plans; treating individuals with whom we work fairly and with dignity and respect; and playing our part in removing barriers and redressing imbalances caused by inequality and discrimination. We also require that clients, customers, partners and suppliers are aware of this policy and operate consistently with it. Child Protection The British Council believes that all children have potential and that every child matters everywhere in the world. The British Council affirms the position that all children have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse as set out in article 19, UNCRC 1989 As a condition for employment on any basis with the British Council, we reserve the right to carry out the necessary legal background checks and require a Self-Declaration form to be signed in compliance with the norms of the Child Protection policy. Our child protection vision and policy is to enable the Council to achieve a child safe environment with an emphasis on ensuring a proactive culture and safe practice in the organisation. 7 The British Council