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Contract Duration: Two years fixed term contract

Salary: £32,381 per annum

Location: Edinburgh, Cardiff or Belfast (Hybrid)

Closing Date: 20 October 2026, 22:59 UK time

Right to Work Requirements: Current right to work in the UK. The British Council is not able to support or sponsor work visa applications.

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.

The Department for Education has announced that the British Council is set to take on the role of National Agency for Erasmus+.

In December the UK and EU arrived at a political agreement that the UK would rejoin the Erasmus+ scheme in 2027. That agreement has now been legally formalised under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

The British Council has a longstanding commitment to supporting international exchange. It was a lead partner in the Erasmus+ UK National Agency from 2014-20, where Erasmus+ made a significant contribution to the UK's cultural relations activities, funding 8,091 projects, engaging 583,757 UK participants, and awarding around €1.1 billion to UK organisations.

Role Purpose:

The Partner Finder sits within the dedicated Erasmus+ Partner-Finding Team and plays a key role in helping organisations across the UK identify, engage and build relationships with suitable European partners.

Working under the guidance of the Senior Partner Finder, you will provide tailored advice and practical support to organisations across all four UK nations and multiple education, training, youth and sport sectors. You will help organisations establish sustainable international partnerships, increasing participation and supporting successful Erasmus+ projects.

Main Responsibilities:

Direct Partner-Finding Support

Provide tailored advice and practical support to organisations seeking European partners.

Support organisations at different stages of readiness, from first-time participation to experienced Erasmus+ delivery.

Assist with identifying, assessing, and engaging potential partners aligned to project aims and programme priorities.

Provide guidance on building effective, balanced partnerships, including roles, responsibilities, and consortium design.

Partner Identification & Brokerage

Proactively identify suitable European partner organisations using networks, platforms, and National Agency contacts.

Facilitate introductions, matchmaking, and initial relationship-building where appropriate.

Maintain accurate and auditable records of partner-finding activity and outcomes.

Encourage organisations to develop and share partner search profiles and project ideas.

Cross-Sector and Cross-Nation Coverage

Work across sectors and all four nations to ensure equitable and inclusive access to partner-finding support.

Adapt approaches to meet sector-specific needs, capacities, and contexts.

Support priority or under-represented groups to engage in European partnerships.

Contribute to reducing barriers to participation through targeted outreach and tailored support.

In consultation with Sector Leads, work alongside the Ambassador network to extend reach and peer-to-peer support.

Ensure all interested organisations are effectively signposted to appropriate support and opportunities

Provide feedback and intelligence from ambassador engagement to inform team activity.

European Liaison and Networking

Engage with European partner-finding structures and National Agencies across participating countries and contribute to two-way exchanges of information.

Share organisational needs and partnership requirements with European counterparts, as guided by the Senior Partner Finder.

Identify emerging opportunities aligned to programme priorities and thematic areas set by the European Commission for collaboration and partnership development.

Contribute to and participate in European-level networking activities, including contact making seminars (TCA), brokerage events, and thematic workshops.

Online and Digital Support

Support organisations to access and effectively use online partner-finding tools and platforms, including the Erasmus+ Project Results Platform, EPALE (for adult learning), and the European School Education Platform.

Contribute to the development, refinement, and promotion of digital guidance and resources aligned to these and other platforms.

Signpost organisations to relevant European and programme level tools and support tools based on sector and need.

Capture and report data on partner demand, gaps, and outcomes.

Escalate emerging risks, trends, or issues to the Senior Partner Finder.

Contribute to continuous improvement of partner-finding approaches and resources.

Use insight to inform outreach, event planning, and service development.

Perks and Benefits

Generous annual leave, plus public holidays based on location. Extra annual leave for your birthday or an alternative celebration day. Access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Pension plan with contributions from Mauve Group (where applicable). Opportunities for professional growth via Mauve Academy – our learning portal. Annual training allowance for career development. Hybrid working environment, with home setup allowance (where applicable). Optical benefits (£155/€180 toward eye tests, glasses, and lenses). Exciting opportunities, including domestic/international travel, team meet-ups, and company-wide events.

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