Examination Services Officer

About us

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. We do this by making a positive contribution to the UK and the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust.

We work with over 100 countries across the world in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Each year we reach over 20 million people face-to-face and more than 500 million people online, via broadcasts and publications. Founded in 1934, we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body.

Geopolitical/SBU/Function overview

The post holder will be responsible to handle exams administration and related education/information enquiries, financial tasks, business development and Quality and Compliance Assessment (QCA) contribution.

Main opportunities/challenges for this role

• Administer exams in accordance with Corporate guidelines and Examining body regulations
• Promote UK examinations and sales of Examinations products including Examination based courses
• Regularly update exams venue staff (invigilators, examiners) of new procedures and ensure all are in compliance with the Client Service Standards and Essential Personnel.
• Arrange exam venues and logistics in accordance with Exam Board regulations/Quality and Compliance Assessment (QCA) standards and in line with local requirements.

Main Accountabilities

Exams Administration

• Administer exams in accordance with Corporate guidelines and Examining body regulations.
• Promote UK examinations and sales of Examinations products including Examination based courses.
• Regularly update exams venue staff (invigilators, examiners) of new procedures and ensure all are in compliance with the Client Service Standards and Essential Personnel.
• Proactive collaboration with front line staff to ensure information about Examinations Services is understood and available.
• Recruit, train and supply suitably-qualified venue staff and assist with venue staff performance appraisal/feedback.
• Arrange exam venues and logistics in accordance with Exam Board regulations/Quality and Compliance Assessment (QCA) standards and in line with local requirements.
• Deal with specialised enquiries about examinations when required.
• Facilitate a range of financial services through customer service including registrations & cash collection as and when required.  Prepare invoices and manage income reconciliation, record daily financial transactions.
• Monitor expenses on venue staff/ venue/examination board/payments and other direct activity related to the product(s).
• Support the Examinations team with all examination related duties as and when required.
• Keep updated professionally in order to provide a service that is in line with current legislation and best practice with at least one formal training course each year in accordance with Learning and Development guidelines as and when required.
• Meet requirements of audit and financial reporting and ensure any discrepancy is reported to line management within the stipulated deadline.
• Collect feedback from customers actively and forward it to relevant stakeholders as required.
• Ensure full coordination with Examination Services Manager and CSOs.

Finance

• Report refunds and transfers to Examination Services Manager.
• Manage IELTS Exam transfers, including communication of procedures to customers in agreement with the Examination Services Manager.

Business Development

• Contribute strategy and environment information for the Exams Marketing Action Plan (MAP) to aid Examination Services Manager with its production on an annual basis.
• Liaise with Examination Services Manager regarding the latest relevant developments in professional best practice (British Council, exam boards) to ensure that services are provided to agreed quality standards
• Liaise with Examination Services Manager to promote IELTS and SELT exams to external stakeholders and different partners. This includes presentations.

Quality Compliance Assessment (QCA)

• Comply with all tenets of Quality and Compliance Assessment (QCA), including local regulations as defined by Country Exams Manager (CEM) or Examination Services Manager (ESM).

Key Relationships

Internal

• Local Staff members
• Regional Staff members

 External

• Key stakeholders
• Suppliers
• Random Customers
• Exams Candidates
• Corporate clients
• Public enquirers
• UK universities representatives
• Sub Centre/s
• Venue staff (Examiners and Invigilators)

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. Yes

Notes: Police Check for direct contact with children

Person Specification

Language requirements:

Minimum / essential

• Aptis overall level B2

Desirable

• Arabic speaking and writing

Assessment Stage

• Shortlisting

Qualifications:

Essential

• Bachelor degree or equivalent

Desirable

• BS or BA

Assessment Stage

• Shortlisting

Role Specific Knowledge & Experience:

Minimum / essential

• Minimum of 2 years’ work experience

Desirable

• Experience in an Educational/Customer service field
• Good general knowledge of British Education and Examinations

Assessment Stage

• Shortlisting

Role Specific Skills:

Financial Skills:

• Awareness of payment system process and document standards
• Awareness of the concept of reconciliation

Computer Skills:

• To understand and use the Council’s IT systems in an effective manner in compliance with IT security standards including ability to access and use the British Council intranet site
• To understand and comply with BC security standards

Assessment Stage

• Shortlisting and Interview

British Council Core Skills

Using Technology (Level 2) - 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.

Managing Finance and Resources (Level 1) - Uses resources efficiently

Uses resources efficiently in own role and complies with financial rules and procedures.

Planning and organising (Level 2) - Plans ahead

Organises own work over weeks and months, or plans ahead for others, taking account of priorities and the impact on other people.

Analysing Data and Problems (Level 1) - Is systematic

Breaks down problems into a list of tasks to be done and decides on appropriate action.

Assessment Stage

Shortlisting and Interview

British Council Behaviours

Connecting with others – More Demanding

Actively appreciating the needs and concerns of myself and others

Working together – More Demanding

Ensuring that others benefit as well as me

Being accountable – More demanding

Delivering my best work in order to meet my commitments

Creating shared purpose – Essential

Communicating an engaging picture of how we can work together

Making it happen- Essential

Delivering clear results for the British Council

Shaping the future- Essential

Looking for ways in which we can do things better

Assessment Stage

Interview