Project Co-Ordinator

Role Title Project Co-ordinator            Role Information Role Type  Pay Band  Location  Duration  Reports to: New H Beirut-Lebanon Two Years Regional Schools Manager   Role purpose To equally support the Regional Schools Manager to manage delivery of the British Council Connecting Classrooms programme in Middle East North Africa and support the implementation of Taqaddam project in public schools, liaising with key stakeholders, suppliers and wider target audience in Lebanon to meet the project’s objectives.   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 for supporting the Regional Schools Manager (based in Lebanon) in the management and delivery of the British Council Connecting Classrooms programme. S/he will be the focal contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding 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, customer service and HR policies and standards. Equally, the post holder will support the Lebanon Programmes and Partnerships Team, on implementing education project and working closely with all Programmes and Partnerships colleagues at all levels.    Connecting Classrooms is a global education programme for schools co-funded by the British Council and the Department for International Development (DFID). The programme will run from 2015 to 2018 in over 30 countries globally including eight MENA countries (Lebanon, Jordan, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Yemen, Iraq, Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia).   Main opportunities/challenges for this role: Working closely with colleagues across British Council (regionally and locally), the team is responsible for ensuring the quality and consistency of projects and programmes, meeting the expectations of contractors and partners.  This includes:  managing all aspects of delivery, compliance, risk and finances across the portfolio.   Main Accountabilities:   Closely liaising with relevant Project Manager regarding the project brief and deliverables. Reporting on key milestones and where risks are emerging in the projects. Finalising and delivering all arrangements within an agreed time frame. Collecting and analysing Scorecard data where appropriate. Managing project budget and reporting actual and anticipated expenditure to Project Manager.   Finance and evaluation 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 Regional Schools Manager to record yearly budgets for the Connecting Classrooms programme and provide management reporting information as required Provide planning and re-forecasting support for the Regional Schools Manager Develop and implement plans for collection of monitoring data to meet requirements of the programme monitoring and evaluation plan, financial compliance and project performance metrics.                      Events and meetings To provide support for the Regional Schools Manager by booking and managing flights and accommodation arrangements as necessary To support regional Connecting Classrooms events including the booking of venues, organising hospitality, transport, accommodation, marketing materials and management of external speaker requirements therefore contributing to the successful running of events.   Communication and customer service To be responsible for internal and external project communication, including responding to internal and external enquiries Provide support to the Connecting Classrooms team to raise the profile of our schools work by supporting the development of case studies and media material as necessary To support sharing of schools information regionally by developing and maintaining a regional Sharepoint and calendar of Connecting Classrooms events.   Team-working and knowledge-sharing To provide regional support to country Connecting Classrooms teams to deliver an annual programme of activities, products and services; including responding to requests for information To provide information to country and UK staff on our MENA Connecting Classrooms work.     Key Relationships: External stakeholders include: School principals, teachers, and ministry of education representative supporting in education projectSuppliers (hotels, taxi companies, restaurants, travel agencies, etc.)    Internal stakeholders include: Country Director Regional Education Director Regional Schools Manager British Council Lebanon, MENA and UK Programmes and Projects team British Council Lebanon cross-departmental teams (Marketing and Communications, Finance and Resources, Customer Service and Exams).   Role Requirements: Threshold requirements: Assessment stage 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. Shortlisting Direct contact or managing staff working with children? Yes/No   IF YES. Appropriate police check N/a 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: Assessment stage Language requirements (DELETE IF NOT APPROPRIATE) Minimum / essential Desirable Assessment Stage Written and spoken English at Proficiency Level (B2) Fluent in written and spoken Arabic    Good command of written and spoken French   Shortlisting Qualifications Minimum / essential Desirable Assessment Stage University degree or proven relevant experience   Shortlisting Role Specific Knowledge & Experience Minimum / essential Desirable Assessment Stage Project Management Skills – Level 1 Financial planning management – Level 1  2 years’ experience in administrative/project support  role at local and/or international organisation 2 years’ experience in project management   Shortlisting Role Specific Skills (if any) Assessment Stage   Shortlisting AND Interview British Council Core Skills Assessment Stage Managing projects (Level 1) 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 1) Is methodical Able to plan own work over short timescales for routine or familiar tasks and processes. Managing finance and resources (Level 1) Uses resources efficiently Uses resources efficiently in own role and complies with financial rules and procedures. Using technology (Level 1) Operates as a basic user of information systems, digital and office technology Able, with adjustments if necessary, to use office software and British Council systems to do the job and manage documents or processes. Communicating and influencing (Level 1) Communicates clearly & effectively Listens to others and expresses self clearly, with grammatical accuracy and awareness of a diverse audience in speaking and writing.   Shortlisting AND Interview British Council Behaviours Assessment Stage Connecting with others: (Essential) Making regular opportunities to understand others better Working together: (Essential) Establishing a genuinely common goal with others 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     Being accountable (More Demanding) Putting the needs of the team or British Council ahead of my own Creating shared purpose: (Essential) Communicating an engaging picture of how we can work together         Interview   Interview   Interview Required for the role but not assessed during the application stage   Interview   Required for the role but not assessed during the application stage