We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.
Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.
We connect. We inspire.
Assistant Consultant - Language Assistants
Important Information:
Contract Duration: Fixed term contract ending 30 September 2026
Salary: £25,520
Locations: UK: Belfast, London, Edinburgh, and existing Manchester homeworking contracts
Closing Date: Applications will close on 27 July 2026 at 22:59 UK Time/ 23:59 South Africa Time
Rights to work: You must have the legal right to work in the country at the time of application. Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided.
Hybrid model: Mandatory 3 days in the office each week
The Role:
Education is a powerful vector for cultural relations activity – especially as access to high quality education at all levels is more important than ever. The UK’s strength in education makes it an excellent partner for people-to-people, institution-to-institution and government-to-government connections. It is one of the three core pillars of the British Council’s cultural engagement activity.
This role sits in the Schools team of education. The British Council aims to improve the quality of school education systems, benefitting young people and supporting the drive to deliver Sustainable Development Goal 4 while deepening ties to the UK in the process. We apply technical knowledge of education system reform, programme design and implementation to strengthen the quality of teaching and learning, and to create international educational opportunities for young people in the UK and around the world.
Main accountabilities but not limited to the following:
Operational Delivery
- Uses a range of standardised systems and processes to plan and coordinate effective, timely and cost-effective logistical support to enable the delivery of high-quality services to a range of customers
- Receives instructions and requests from senior managers and/or customers (internal or external), and plans and organises given resources accordingly (often at short notice) to ensure that work is carried out efficiently and effectively
- Provides timely feedback on operational issues and events to more senior managers, enabling the adaptation of work plans where necessary and supporting continuous improvement in the efficiency/cost effectiveness/quality of service delivery/systems in the unit or department
Service Delivery
- Takes end-to-end accountability for researching and obtaining satisfactory and timely resolution of complex/escalated customer (internal or external) operational complaints and issues, coordinating input from other colleagues/departments/managers as required, to do so. Ensures the customer is kept informed throughout the process.
Relationship & stakeholder management
- Develops good working relationships with appropriate colleagues throughout the British Council to facilitate effective and efficient service delivery.
- As required, supports senior colleagues in hosting/attending external events or meetings, ensuring these run efficiently and effectively and that a positive, professional image of the British Council is projected. These events may be face to face, delivered digitally or in a blended model.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with project partners, end user(s), suppliers and contractors, to facilitate the smooth running of the project and ensure ongoing alignment of interests.
Risk & compliance
- Follows agreed corporate risk management processes and procedures when delivering services (e.g. safeguarding, EDI, anti-racism, security policies, financial protocols, anti-fraud measures, cyber security) to always protect the interests of the British Council and its customers.
- Contributes actively to monthly control checks (MCC) and annual compliance check (ACC) process to ensure risks & issues are captured across the entirety of the project/programme
Analysis & reporting
- Using standard procedures and templates, regularly records, analyses and reports on operational activity levels and performance data, to support senior managers in making timely and effective business decisions that respond to operational needs.
- Contributes to establishment and implementation of an effective M&E process for a particular project/programme, for instance through capturing audience participation or feedback through a recognised M&E process.
Commercial and/or financial management
- Operates and runs regular reports on range of standard, corporate financial processes and procedures to enable effective budget and resource management for the team, unit or project(s) – e.g. purchase order system, vendor creation, SAP reporting, procurement processes.
- Actively seeks to maximise value for money when acquiring resources, goods or services for the team, unit or project by adopting current best practice in procurement and advising managers on the use of tenders etc.
Leadership & management
- Plans and prioritises own work activities, which span across a range of different work streams, responding to changing and at times competing requirements to ensure effective delivery of responsibilities over a weekly/monthly time horizon.
- Tasks, coordinates or assists/motivates others (e.g. third-party suppliers, external partners and internal colleagues) to complete activities in accordance with agreed service delivery/ contractual/ project milestones or requirements (e.g. cost schedules, time deadlines etc)
- Provides on-the-job coaching and mentoring to less experienced colleagues, as required
Requirements of the role:
- Experience of managing relationships effectively with a variety of stakeholders
- Experience of having lived, worked or studied abroad and/or knowledge of other cultures
- Experience of delivering excellent customer service through a range of media and platforms to diverse audiences
- Experience of promoting equality, diversity and inclusion within projects
- Understands and promotes ethical conduct, and able to ensure that own behaviour and the behaviour of others is consistent with the standards and values of the British Council
- Proficiency in German language
Desirable:
- Experience of international mobility programmes.
- Understanding strategy for foreign language teaching and learning in UK schools.
- Experience of working on or delivering events and/or webinars
- Association of Project Management (or equivalent) certification
- Proficency in French and Spanish language
A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.
Safeguarding Statement
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 in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.
If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org
