Grants Manager, Cultural Protection Fund in London

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.

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract until 31st January 2027

Location: UK, the successful candidate will be attached to one of our offices in London, Cardiff, Belfast or Edinburgh.

Closing Date: 17th May 2026

Salary: £30,839 plus £3,300 London Market Allowance for those in the London area only. You must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. There is no relocation or sponsorship support.

Role Purpose

This role will play an integral role in the work of the Cultural Protection Fund by acting as the main relationship holder for funded projects; generating interest in the fund, assessing grant applications and monitoring live projects taking place in and around the Middle East, North Africa, East Africa and South Asia.

Role Context

Our work in Arts and Culture transforms lives, creates positive change and stimulates global conversations about the issues facing us all. We foster new alliances between the UK's creative sectors and the rest of the world, encouraging global conversations and helping artists and cultural professionals to achieve their ambitions and realise their potential.

Main Accountabilities

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Working with colleagues to ensure that all aspects of the CPF programme and ways of working are underpinned by the British Council’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy. Proactively seeking ways to ensure increased access and inclusivity, using EDI tools where appropriate.
• Programme development and delivery: Contributes to the development of the Cultural Protection Fund including aspects of design, planning and delivery so that it meets the highest professional and technical standards and contributes optimally to the achievement of the British Council and UK government objectives. Responds to expressions of interest from potential applicants, advising them on the criteria and scope of the Fund to support the development of relevant, high‑quality applications. Produces effective, well-informed assessment reports incorporating appropriate advice from Specialist Assessors, in‑country British Council staff and other stakeholders, and present recommendations to the CPF Approvals Panel. Monitors a dynamic portfolio of live projects, applying knowledge of best practice for project management and demonstrating a keen awareness of all internal and external guidance associated with the Fund. Supports the Fund’s reporting to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) by keeping accurate records relating to financial spend, project progress and risks.
• Customer/market focus: Represents the Cultural Protection Fund professionally at stakeholder events and provides excellent customer service to potential applicants and grant recipients. Contributes to the wider Culture and Development work so that the British Council is recognised by external stakeholders and audiences as a respected, credible authority in the field.
• Sector/subject expertise: Contributes knowledge of the cultural heritage sector and best practice in grant‑making to support the development of awarding of relevant, high‑quality cultural protection projects. Actively cultivates professional networks of Specialist Assessors, in‑country British Council staff and other stakeholders and draws upon this network to ensure that appropriate expertise informs and underpins the work of the Fund. Works to develop or build upon existing knowledge of the context and stakeholders within the Fund’s target countries in order to inform assessments, recommendations and the overall work of the Fund. Applies knowledge of best practice in project management to ensure that delivery risks are minimised and projects are delivered on time and to budget. Provides proactive advice and support to colleagues, including those overseas, to ensure understanding of the Cultural Protection Fund and support projects in delivery.
• Relationship & stakeholder management: Develops trust‑based relationships with a range of key practitioners, partners, organisations, opinion‑formers and stakeholders (in the UK and overseas) to promote the Cultural Protection Fund and British Council’s cultural relations strategies and people‑centred approaches to working. The Cultural Protection Grants Manager builds and maintains excellent relationships with internal partners and stakeholders in the UK and across the global network, to ensure effective, integrated and joined‑up delivery of agreed programme objectives in a complex matrix environment. Represents the Cultural Protection Fund as required at stakeholder meetings and events.
• Commercial, financial & resource management: Outlines clear expectations for grant recipients with regards to financial expenditure and monitors this carefully to ensure that agreed targets are met. Displays full awareness of all financial guidance relating to the Fund when advising applicants and grant recipients. Maintains accurate and up‑to‑date records on all projects and contributes to monthly and year‑end financial reporting in a timely manner. Adheres and contributes to risk management and operational processes, and actively applies learning from this to improve financial planning.
• Leadership & management: Manages and liaises with contract staff employed to advise on or otherwise support the Cultural Protection Fund as well as potentially line‑managing staff both within and beyond the local office base. Contributes actively to the effective decision‑making and planning related to the Cultural Protection Fund and related British Council initiatives and projects as required.
• Risk & compliance: Ensures that funded project(s) are delivered in line with BC quality standards and Project Management methodologies, including corporate KPIs, governance requirements and communications, EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion), anti‑racism and Gender Equality targets. Deploys technical and/or commercial experience to identify project issues and identify potential solutions or improved ways of working to address them, escalating where necessary.

Minimum/Essential Requirements

• Relevant degree or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrable experience within the cultural heritage sector and knowledge of current practice.
• Experience of grant‑making and/or project management.
• Experience of writing analytical reports and presenting information verbally in a formal setting.
• Knowledge of heritage in MENA / East Africa / South Asia.
• Experience of developing relationships with a wide range of stakeholders to increase engagement with a project or programme.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience with working in an international context or with different cultures.
• Project management qualification.
• Experience of evaluating projects and/or programmes.
• Knowledge and understanding of evaluation tools and techniques.

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.