Syria Project Support Officer (based in Lebanon)

About us

The British Council was founded in 1934 to create ‘a friendly knowledge and understanding’ between the people of the UK and wider world in order to enhance mutual prosperity and security, on the belief that greater trust and mutually beneficial relationships enable us all to better navigate the opportunities and challenges of a globalised world. We do this through cultural relations – making a positive contribution to the countries we work in by utilising the UK’s ‘soft power’ to build connections, create opportunities and engender trust. For the British Council this means sharing the cultural resources of the UK, such as art, sport, education, science, culture, language, innovation and creativity, and in doing so making a lasting difference to the UK’s international standing, security and prosperity. To achieve greater reach, impact and value for money we work in partnership with UK organisations and many others around the world.

The British Council manages international development projects worldwide, helping to create opportunities for people and societies to achieve positive change. As trusted international development partners, we work in a range of development sectors, including civil society, justice and security, education, skills and employability, and public sector reform. Working closely with governments, donor organisations, the private sector and civil society, we deliver value for money international development solutions that are both effective and sustainable.

Geopolitical/SBU/Function overview

In Syria, the British Council closed and suspended its operations in its Damascus office in 2012, having been present on the ground since 1943. Nonetheless, we have continued to deliver cultural relations programming in support of displaced Syrians through our neighbouring country offices and also remotely through local partners still operating inside Syria.

The current Syria Directorate is dispersed across four locations, with a primary hub in Beirut. It has a mandate to support host country offices to develop multi-country responses to the Syrian crisis, for overall coordination of the regional response to the crisis, and to develop viable long-term models and programmes for delivering impact back inside Syria.

Our vision for Syria is a peaceful and inclusive Syria - where conflict and change is managed in non-violent ways, the displaced feel safe to return, and all citizens have the opportunity to participate in the political, social and economic development of their country. We will work towards this vision utilising the cultural resources of the UK to empower a constituency of Syrians in Syria and the diaspora - civil society, educators, academics, entrepreneurs, artists, and young people - with the skills, opportunities and resources to address the drivers of conflict, migration and violence in both the short and long term.

Main opportunities/challenges for this role

The post holder will be responsible for supporting relevant Project Managers in the management and delivery of the British Council Projects.  The post holder will be the focal contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding procurement, logistical support of activities and events.  Therefore, s/he is required to demonstrate excellent customer service, communication, entrepreneurship and team working skills, as well as administrative and organisational competencies in full compliance with British Council corporate standards in finance, IT, procurement, customer service and HR policies and standards.

Main Accountabilities

Project Coordination and Delivery

• Coordinate the delivery of project activities in close cooperation with the programme team and partners.
• Provide administrative, financial and logistical support to programme accurately, efficiently and in a timely manner, in line with British Council standards and to the satisfaction of our partners, donors and programme beneficiaries.
• Reporting on key milestones and where risks are emerging in the projects in relation to logistics, procurement and payments
• Act as focal person for programmes beneficiaries and participants for any logistical arrangements

Finance, compliance and procurement

• Provide financial management support including the effective use of SAP, raising PO’s, journals and creating vendors
• Invoicing and maintaining financial files and records
• Supporting the project  Manager to record budgets and provide management reporting information as required
• Provide planning and re-forecasting support for the  project manager
• Follow up procurement and financial procedures to be compliant with British council and donor requirement 
• Ensure a good information management of the project documentation and appropriate filing on the database and collaboration sites.

Events and meetings

• To provide support in events and workshop planning: follow up on procedure, ensure efficient and timely  booking  of venue, flights  and accommodation arrangements as necessary,   organising hospitality, transport, accommodation, marketing materials and management of external speaker requirements therefore contributing to the successful running of events.

Relationship Building and Partnerships

• Contribute to efficient relationship building with partners, project beneficiaries, sector representatives, service providers, donors, etc.

Marketing and Communications

• Work closely with the marketing and communications team to ensure the effective promotion and marketing of programme activities in accordance with communication plans.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Actively contribute to project monitoring and evaluation of activities.
• Collecting and analysing REF data where appropriate.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Ensure that all aspects programme reflect British Council values and adhere to its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion principles.

Key Relationships

External stakeholders include:

• Donors, INGO, NGO, beneficiaries, event participants, suppliers (hotels, taxi companies, restaurants, travel agencies, etc.) 

Internal stakeholders include:

• Project Managers and wider Programmes team
• Director Programmes and Partnerships
• Country Director
• Cross-departmental teams (Regional SBU leads, Marketing and Communications, Finance and Resources, Customer Service and Exams).

Role Requirements

Passport requirements/ Right to work in country: Post holder must be eligible to work in Lebanon. When required, successful candidate needs to secure, at his/her own cost and liability, the appropriate work and residency permits and any other required document, as well as any renewals thereof, from the Lebanese competent authorities.

Direct contact or managing staff working with children?  Yes/No. IF YES. Appropriate police check

Notes: Hours are variable according to events and can include evenings and occasional weekends.  The role includes representing the British Council at external events where appropriate.  On certain days it may be necessary to work longer hours to cater for key deadlines.

Person Specification

Language requirements:

Minimum / essential

• Fluent in written and spoken English - Level (B2)
• Fluent in written and spoken Arabic

Desirable

• Good command of written and spoken French

Assessment Stage

• Shortlisting

Qualifications:

Minimum / essential

• University degree or proven relevant experience

Assessment Stage

• Shortlisting

Role Specific Knowledge & Experience:

Minimum / essential

• 1 years’ experience in project management / project support  / administrative role
• 1 years’ experience in project management

Desirable

• Experience in an international organisation

Assessment Stage

• Shortlisting AND Interview

British Council Core Skills

Managing projects (Level 2) - Follows project management disciplines

Works with project management systems and procedures, and has a track record of compliance with them as a project team member.

Planning and organising (Level 2) - Is methodical

Able to plan own work over short timescales for routine or familiar tasks and processes.

Managing finance and resources (Level 2) - Uses financial systems and processes

Uses corporate financial systems and processes appropriately as part of the job and on behalf of a team.

Using technology (Level 1) - Operates as an advanced user

Works as an advanced practitioner in the use of office software and/or British Council standard and social media platforms and trains or coaches others in their use.

Communicating and influencing (Level 2) - Relates communications to circumstances

Displays good listening, writing and speaking skills, setting out logical arguments clearly and adapting language and form of communication to meet the needs of different people/audiences..

Assessment Stage

Shortlisting AND Interview

British Council Behaviours

Connecting with others - Essential

• Making regular opportunities to understand others better

Assessment Stage

• Interview

Working together - Essential

• Establishing a genuinely common goal with others

Assessment Stage

• Interview

Making it happen - More Demanding

• Delivering clear results for the British Council

Assessment Stage

• Interview

Shaping the future - Essential

• Looking for ways in which we can do things better

Assessment Stage

• Required for the role but not assessed during the application stage

Being accountable - More Demanding

• Putting the needs of the team or British Council ahead of my own

Assessment Stage

• Interview

Creating shared purpose - Essential

• Communicating an engaging picture of how we can work together

Assessment Stage

• Required for the role but not assessed during the application stage