Senior Programme Manager MyJustice

Role Purpose

This post will be the Senior Programme Manager for the EU-funded MyJustice III programme in Myanmar, delivered by the British Council under the PAGoDA framework. The post holder will provide oversight and leadership of programme management, contract management, business management and delivery management standards to achieve excellence across this programme. The role involves coordinating internal and external resources to meet business targets, delivery milestones and client deadlines, ensuring maximised profitability, client satisfaction, compliance with British Council internal policy, EU contract requirements and contribution to cultural relations impact.

Role Context

Within the current political context of Myanmar, we remain focused on fostering vibrant, healthy, inclusive and deep-rooted educational and cultural relationships between institutions, communities and individuals in Myanmar and the UK. We offer teaching and learning of English, recognised UK qualifications, collaboration grants for artists and cultural organisations, insights into the private higher education sector, digital and physical library access and opportunities to strengthen local networks and civic space through flagship programmes such as MyJustice and Sone Sie.

Main accountabilities

Programme Management

• Ensure that MyJustice is delivered according to all corporate and client standards of quality and compliance (e.g., safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion, supply chain management, social value and conflict sensitivity).
• Work with colleagues to support the design of results‑based and impact‑driven programmes and plan and redesign as required.
• Manage all contractual obligations on programme or project level.
• Convene risk meetings, update risk register and mitigate or allocate risk.
• Manage procurement, grants management and due diligence on programmes.

Programme Quality, Learning and Impact

• Provide strategic oversight and guidance to the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) function, ensuring appropriate systems, frameworks and processes are in place.
• Oversee programme reporting and learning processes, capturing progress, achievements, challenges and lessons learned.
• Support development of results framework, monitoring plans and performance indicators aligned with client requirements and British Council impact and reporting standards.
• Lead coordination of programme reporting, presenting achievements, outcomes, challenges and lessons learned to the client.

Commercial and Financial Management

• Monitor and report on the contract pricing model through the project life cycle.
• Ensure sound financial management, planning and reporting.
• Oversee client invoicing process.
• Manage project profit and loss accounts.

Relationship & Stakeholders

• Responsible for relationships with partners/funders, clients and internal stakeholders at a programme/project level.
• Hold delivery partners, team members and consultants to account through effective supply chain management.
• Communicate on a variety of platforms about the programme or project.

Business Development and Delivery

• Build relationships with strategic clients/partners within area of influence.
• Use insights to understand current and prospective business development opportunities.
• Lead development of MyJustice related proposals and business cases in country/region.
• Ensure appropriate assessment, technical and commercial quality assurance and evaluation procedures for programmes and tender submissions.
• Provide direction and support on contract negotiations and delivery on individual contracts with the client and partners.
• Ensure internal and client compliance including legal finance, procurement, contract management and reporting.
• Contribute to the development of internal and external communications materials to highlight impact and support positioning for new opportunities.

Leadership, Strategy and Team Management

• Develop and implement all programme, process and business strategies; champion performance improvement and keep up to date with priorities and targets.
• Champion EDI within the programme and empower team members to mainstream EDI.
• Lead cross‑functional working groups and initiatives within the programme team.
• Develop and nurture internal relationships across the programme team, including in Myanmar, East Asia and the UK.
• Support and mentor the programme team, building effective working relationships with the client, partners, consultants and internal British Council teams.
• Operationalise work plans for this programme and ensure all members understand their responsibilities.
• Contribute to best practice across the programme and wider regional strategy for achieving excellence in delivery.
• Build capacity and confidence across the wider programme team through training and support.
• Embed career planning, development planning and continuous professional development.
• Line‑manage programme managers / programme support colleagues.
• Represent the British Council externally and internally.

Role Specific Skills

• Sound understanding of the Myanmar country context, particularly as it affects civil society and stakeholders in the justice sector.
• Good skills and knowledge in programme delivery, management and evaluation of full cost recovery contracts.
• Understanding of business planning principles and processes.

Role Specific Knowledge and Experience

• Relevant degree in a sectoral area relevant to development contracts.
• Post holder to achieve an agreed qualification within 12 months of starting in post, or extensive programme management experience.
• Extensive experience (more than 5 years) of leading and managing programmes or large projects.
• Experience managing large programmes in value and scale, ideally from inception to successful closure.
• Experience working with several different funding sources and knowledge of different programme frameworks and compliance rules.
• Experience working within a consortium arrangement or with other funding partners or sponsors and management of associated contracts.
• Extensive experience of managing complex client, stakeholder and partner relationships and reporting requirements.
• Experience identifying risk, mitigating risk and monitoring risk and reporting risk through appropriate channels.
• Experience leading a large, diverse, dispersed project or programme team.
• Experience presenting and communicating programme success to a range of external audiences.

Desirable Requirements

• Applied Programme Management Professional (APMP) or equivalent level of qualification in programme management.
• Knowledge of the EU and delegated agreement contracts.
• Commercially aware.
• Extensive professional networks in relevant international development areas.
• Understanding of matrix/functional structures.
• Experience operating successfully in sensitive thematic areas or conflict‑affected regions.
• Experience assessing or developing MEL frameworks and designing data collection mechanisms.
• Coaching approach to management, with an emphasis on team development.

Additional Job Requirements

• International Assignment until June 2028. UK nationality required.
• Role will require security clearance at Developed Vetting (DV) level.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

The British Council welcomes applications from all sections of the community and is a Disability Confident Employer. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements and 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. Appointment to positions with direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks in line with legal requirements and British Council safeguarding policies for adults and children.