The objective of this position is to contribute to the organization’s mission by executing responsibilities that align with its strategic goals. This role is designed to fulfill specific functions essential to the company’s operations, necessitating a candidate who meets the outlined qualifications and possesses the skills required to perform the associated duties effectively. The successful applicant will be responsible for delivering key outcomes that support the team’s objectives and drive overall performance.
To assist the Head of Arts in executing the British Council Nigeria’s Arts and Culture portfolio, overseeing the execution, governance, and adherence to global programs and the Arts Core Offer within the country.
You will oversee delivery teams, partners, contracts, and budgets for multiple concurrent programs, ensuring adherence to quality, impact, financial, and reporting standards in alignment with British Council policies and the 2026–2030 strategic framework.
To serve as a deputy to the Head of Arts when necessary, assist in cultivating partnerships and generating revenue, and take a pivotal role in operational planning for the UK–Nigeria Season of Culture 2028.
Main Accountabilities
Program planning and delivery entails the strategic design, coordination, and execution of initiatives to achieve defined objectives. This involves developing comprehensive plans, allocating resources efficiently, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Responsibilities include monitoring progress, identifying potential risks, and implementing corrective measures as necessary. Effective communication and collaboration with stakeholders are essential to maintain transparency and accountability throughout the process.
Drive the execution and ongoing oversight of several concurrent arts and culture initiatives across Nigeria, guaranteeing adherence to predefined scope, schedules, financial constraints, quality benchmarks, and impact objectives.
Translate strategic country arts initiatives and global program frameworks into comprehensive operational plans, detailed work schedules, and measurable milestones for the portfolio.
Lead the strategic development and execution of key components within larger programs, with a focus on driving the operational ramp-up of the UK–Nigeria Season of Culture 2028.
Monitor progress to ensure alignment with established plans, proactively detect any deviations, and coordinate corrective measures in collaboration with the Head of Arts and the regional team.
Lead the closure of programs and ensure audit readiness by completing lessons learned and after-action reviews, while integrating these insights into the design of future programs.
Seasoned professionals with strong leadership and team management capabilities are sought after for this role. The ideal candidate will excel in guiding teams, fostering collaboration, and driving performance to achieve organizational goals. Proven experience in motivating and developing teams, resolving conflicts, and ensuring alignment with strategic objectives is essential. Candidates must demonstrate a track record of building high-performing teams and creating an inclusive, productive work environment.
Motivate and lead delivery teams and project staff by embodying the British Council’s core values and behaviors, while championing equity, diversity, and inclusion at every opportunity.
You will be responsible for formally managing project managers, project officers, and interns within the Arts and Culture team, overseeing tasks such as objective setting, performance management, and professional development.
Oversee geographically dispersed teams spanning Abu Dhabi, Lagos, and other Nigerian sites, fostering a collaborative environment that enhances portfolio-wide delivery.
Act as a deputy to the Head of Arts for operational issues, governance meetings, and external interactions as necessary.
Partner, stakeholder, and relationship management entails cultivating and sustaining strong connections with key individuals and organizations, including clients, vendors, and internal teams. This involves proactive communication, aligning objectives, and ensuring mutual benefits through collaboration. Responsibilities include identifying stakeholders, assessing their needs, and addressing concerns to foster trust and long-term partnerships. Additionally, the role requires negotiating agreements, resolving conflicts, and maintaining transparency to uphold professional integrity and drive collective success.
At the program level, you will cultivate and oversee partnerships with delivery partners, suppliers, grantees, and consortia, ensuring adherence to contractual obligations and shared objectives. Your role involves fostering accountability and driving alignment to achieve collective goals.
Develop and sustain productive partnerships with internal collaborators and stakeholders throughout the British Council, encompassing regional and global Arts teams as well as Cultural Engagement and operational departments.
Proactively cultivate and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders across Nigeria’s arts and culture landscape, encompassing government ministries, cultural institutions, creative enterprises, civil society organizations, and counterparts from Her Majesty’s Government (FCDO, DEBT, DAMS).
You will serve as the British Council’s representative at various sector events, working groups, and collaborative partner meetings, while also playing a key role in advancing thought leadership within the Nigerian creative economy.
Experienced professionals are sought to drive business growth and enhance revenue streams through strategic initiatives and client engagement. The ideal candidate will identify and pursue new market opportunities, forge and maintain key partnerships, and implement innovative income-generating strategies. Responsibilities include conducting market research, developing tailored business proposals, and negotiating agreements to secure lucrative deals. Strong analytical skills, a results-driven mindset, and exceptional communication abilities are essential to excel in this role. Proficiency in CRM systems and a track record of achieving revenue targets will be advantageous.
Diligently support the exploration, evaluation, and establishment of innovative partnerships, co-funding initiatives, and revenue streams that align with the Nigeria arts strategy and global programs.
Provide crucial assistance to the Head of Arts in managing intricate bid development processes, conducting partnership negotiations, and making informed contracting decisions, all while maintaining strict alignment with global program priorities.
Maintain accurate pipeline data, track opportunities, and gather partner intelligence to guide strategic planning, resource allocation, and investment decisions.
Ensures adherence to regulatory standards, mitigates potential risks, and upholds safeguarding protocols to protect organizational integrity and stakeholder welfare.
Ensure full compliance of every program and project with all relevant British Council policies and processes, including safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), supply chain management, social value, anti-fraud measures, data protection, and conflict sensitivity.
Oversee comprehensive supply chain operations for the portfolio as needed, encompassing due diligence, procurement, and partner integration.
Proactively assess potential risks across all programs and collaborate with the Senior Responsible Owner to design and execute effective risk mitigation strategies.
Maintain safeguarding standards consistently across all service delivery, ensuring partners and suppliers comply with British Council requirements.
We are seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist to oversee the systematic assessment of project performance, ensuring alignment with objectives and continuous improvement. The role involves designing and implementing MEL frameworks, collecting and analyzing data to track progress, and generating actionable insights to inform strategic decision-making. Key responsibilities include establishing performance indicators, conducting evaluations, and fostering a culture of adaptive learning within the organization. The ideal candidate will possess expertise in MEL methodologies, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in relevant software tools. Experience in international development or a related field is highly desirable.
Facilitate the creation of outcome-focused initiatives by contributing to the design of Monitoring & Evaluation frameworks and results frameworks that align with global program theories of change.
Collect programmed-specific data, ensuring all information is accurate and reliable, then perform fundamental analysis to support informed decision-making and reporting.
Produce internal and external reports, case studies, and impact narratives that effectively showcase the portfolio’s significance to stakeholders across the UK, Nigeria, and global audiences.
Integrate monitoring, evaluation, and impact storytelling seamlessly into the team’s operational framework from the outset of program planning.
Financial oversight encompasses the strategic planning, monitoring, and optimization of an organization’s fiscal resources to ensure stability, growth, and compliance. This role requires a keen analytical mindset, proficiency in financial analysis tools, and a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks. Responsibilities include preparing detailed financial reports, forecasting revenue and expenses, managing budgets, and advising stakeholders on investment decisions. Strong communication skills are essential for presenting complex financial data clearly and collaborating with cross-functional teams. A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field is typically required, along with relevant certifications and several years of experience in financial management.
Oversee the approved portfolio budget, expenditures, and income in alignment with strategic plans, maintaining precision in financial forecasts and reporting.
Conduct monthly financial assessments and participate in quarterly business evaluations in collaboration with the Head of Arts and Finance colleagues.
Maintain rigorous financial oversight for all grants, contracts, and partner agreements, guaranteeing the punctual disbursement of funding tranches and precise reconciliation of partner expenditures.
Minimum/essential
The ideal candidate for this position must meet the following qualifications: a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, at least three years of experience in a similar role, and proficiency in industry-standard software tools. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently are essential. Additionally, excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are required to effectively collaborate with team members and stakeholders.
A bachelor’s or advanced degree in Arts, Culture, Humanities, Social Sciences, or a closely related field—or relevant professional experience of equivalent standing—is required.
With a minimum of three years of hands-on experience in project or program management within the arts and culture sector in Nigeria, the ideal candidate will possess a proven track record of delivering successful initiatives in this dynamic field.
Proven expertise in overseeing extensive, multi-country initiatives or large-scale domestic programs, ensuring compliance with stringent project closure protocols and rigorous audit standards.
Proficiency in managing at least two distinct funding mechanisms within a well-defined compliance framework is required, such as grant-in-aid arrangements, partner co-funding initiatives, support from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), trusts and foundations, or corporate sponsorships.
Seasoned professionals with a proven track record in overseeing client relations, cultivating strategic partnerships, and administering contractual agreements are encouraged to apply.
Proven ability to engage and manage diverse stakeholders, such as government representatives, delivery partners, sector organizations, and creative professionals, effectively.
Experienced in detecting program risks and implementing effective mitigation strategies in collaboration with the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO).
Accomplished in leading teams, particularly those operating across multiple locations.
Proficiency in MEL principles, results frameworks, and theories of change is essential.
Conducted lessons learned and after-action reviews to enhance the design of future programs.
Desirable
A Master’s degree in a field related to the creative industry, cultural policy, or international development is required.
A foundational project management qualification is essential, with in-house training programs or documented evidence of ongoing professional development in this field also deemed acceptable.
With a minimum of five years of hands-on experience in project or program management within the arts and culture industry, you will bring a proven track record of delivering successful initiatives in the sector.
Possesses a deep understanding of the UK creative sector, including the key drivers of growth and avenues for strategic partnerships.
Professionally rewrites to:
Possesses a clear grasp of the funding environment within Nigeria’s arts and culture sector.
Demonstrated a strong track record and deep expertise within the arts and culture sector in Nigeria.
Proven track record in facilitating bilateral cultural seasons, festivals, or high-profile showcase programs.
We are seeking a candidate with specialized competencies to fulfill the requirements of this position. Essential capabilities include proficiency in relevant software applications, a strong grasp of industry regulations, and the ability to analyze complex data. Additionally, the ideal applicant will demonstrate exceptional problem-solving skills, adaptability to evolving technologies, and collaborative teamwork. Prior experience in a similar role is strongly preferred, with a proven track record of delivering measurable results.
Skilled in converting strategic objectives into detailed operational plans spanning a diverse portfolio within the arts and culture sector.
Skilled in overseeing projects and programs, with expertise in strategic planning, financial oversight, risk mitigation, and performance reporting.
Demonstrates exceptional proficiency in both written and verbal communication, adept at crafting concise and informative reports, strategic briefings, and professional documents for external partners.
Demonstrated proficiency in financial management, coupled with the capacity to oversee and allocate resources across multiple budget streams effectively.
Proficient in digital tools such as Microsoft 365, project management software, and fundamental data analysis techniques.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
