Assistant Consultant - Language Assistants

Overview

We are a mission-driven organization supporting peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. We connect. We inspire.

British Council Payband 6

Contract Type: Fixed term contract until 31st March 2026

Location: London, Edinburgh, Belfast. Internal candidates based in the Manchester office are welcome to apply with their current homeworking arrangements.

Contract Hours: Full time – 36 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Closing Date: 12th October 2025

Salary: £25,520. In addition, there will be an annual LMA of £3,300 for London based candidates.

Benefits (UK): 32 days annual leave, 3 days volunteering leave, Career average defined benefit pension scheme.

Office Requirement: There is a requirement to work from the office up to three days per week depending on location.

Right to Work: Candidates must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in the UK. Mobility/relocation/visa sponsorship is not provided.

Role Purpose

• To support the delivery of the outgoing English Language Assistants and incoming Modern Language Assistants programmes; including eligibility checking, matching of candidates, query handling and providing support to applicants and participants through the programme lifecycle.
• Provide administrative support, managing information, data and records.
• Plan and deliver pre-departure / induction and information events and webinars.
• Support the management of stakeholders including government contacts, schools, universities, language associations and overseas delivery partners.
• Support the consultant in managing at least one of the wider programme activities e.g. marketing, customer service, alumni & engagement, monitoring and evaluation, systems and records management etc.

Accountabilities / Responsibilities

Operational Delivery

• Use a range of standardised systems and processes to plan and coordinate logistical support to enable the delivery of high-quality services to a range of customers.
• Receive instructions and requests from senior managers and/or customers, and plan resources accordingly to ensure work is carried out efficiently and effectively.
• Provide timely feedback on operational issues to senior managers, enabling adaptation of work plans and continuous improvement in efficiency, cost effectiveness, quality of service delivery and systems.

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 as required. Ensures the customer is kept informed throughout the process.

Relationship & Stakeholder Management

• Develops good working relationships with colleagues across the British Council to facilitate effective service delivery.
• Supports senior colleagues in hosting/attending external events or meetings, ensuring they run efficiently and project a positive, professional image. Events may be face to face, digital or blended.
• Establishes and maintains effective relationships with project partners, end users, suppliers and contractors to facilitate smooth project delivery and ongoing alignment of interests.

Risk & Compliance

• Follows agreed corporate risk management processes and procedures (safeguarding, EDI, anti-racism, security, financial protocols, anti-fraud measures, cyber security) to protect the interests of the British Council and its customers.
• Contributes to monthly control checks (MCC) and annual compliance checks (ACC) to ensure risks and issues are captured across the project/programme.

Analysis & Reporting

• Using standard procedures, regularly records, analyses and reports on operational activity levels and performance data to support senior managers in making timely decisions.
• Contributes to establishing an effective M&E process for a project/programme, e.g., capturing audience participation or feedback through a recognised M&E process.

Commercial / Financial Management

• Operates regular reports on standard financial processes to enable budget and resource management (PO system, vendor creation, SAP reporting, procurement).
• Maximises value for money in acquiring resources by adopting current procurement best practices and advising on tenders where applicable.

Leadership & Management

• Plans and prioritises own work across multiple streams to ensure timely delivery.
• Coordinates or mentors others (e.g., suppliers, partners, colleagues) to meet milestones and requirements.
• Provides on-the-job coaching and mentoring as required.

Role-Specific Knowledge and Experience

Minimum / Essential Requirements

• Experience of managing relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience of living, working or studying abroad and knowledge of other cultures.
• Experience delivering excellent customer service across multiple media to diverse audiences.
• Experience promoting equality, diversity and inclusion within projects.
• Understands and promotes ethical conduct aligned with British Council standards.
• Confident IT user (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft 365) and working knowledge of SAP; aptitude for external recruitment is a plus.
• Ability to set up and coordinate digital events on basic platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams) with accessibility and safeguarding considerations.
• Well-organised, able to follow prioritised work plans and use data to track progress.

Desirable Requirements

• Association of Project Management Fundamentals (or equivalent) certification.
• Experience of international mobility programmes.
• Understanding of strategy for foreign language teaching and learning in UK schools.
• Experience of delivering events and/or webinars.

Language Requirement

• English at Proficiency Level CEFR C2
• Competence at B1 level in Spanish (preferred), French, German.

Additional Job Requirements

• Occasional domestic and/or international travel

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer and guarantees an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about adjustments to enable participation.

Safeguarding Statement

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults. Appointment to roles with direct involvement with vulnerable groups will require checks in line with legal requirements and safeguarding policies. For application assistance, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org

Additional Information

Notes: This is a fixed-term contract position with a closing date of 12 October 2025. Location options include London, Edinburgh, or Belfast; Manchester-based internal applicants may apply with homeworking arrangements. Mobility/relocation/visa sponsorship is not provided. The role includes optional but occasional travel.