Job Overview
The British Council builds connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language. We work in two ways – directly with individuals to transform their lives, and with governments and partners to make a bigger difference for the longer term, creating benefit for millions of people all over the world. We help young people to gain the skills, confidence and connections they are looking for to realise their potential and to participate in strong and inclusive communities. We support them to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications. Our work in arts and culture stimulates creative expression and exchange and nurtures creative enterprise. We connect the best of the UK with the world and the best of the world with the UK. These connections lead to an understanding of each other’s strengths and of the challenges and values that we share. This builds trust between people in the UK and other nations which endures even when official relations may be strained. We work on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2019-20 we connected with 80 million people directly and with 791 million overall, including online and through our broadcasts and publications.
Please click on the link below to apply:
Contract Duration: 3 years
Location: Tripoli, Libya
Pay Band: 4/H
Salary: 2061 LYD NET/month + medical insurance
Closing date: 22 November 2020
Role Purpose
To contribute to meeting British Council’s regional and country objectives through the efficient, effective and compliant delivery of UK examinations across Algeria and meeting income and volume targets. This will be achieved by:
- Smooth running of exams, with primary responsibility for Aptis, University, Professional and Schools Exams in addition to contribute to running IELTS occasionally.
- Meeting all areas of compliance of UK exam boards and British Council in line with British Council corporate standards.
- Providing support to the Exams Operations Manager in reparation of financial data and monitoring payments.
Function Overview
Algeria is the largest country in Africa with a population of 42 million, the second largest in MENA, speaking Arabic, French and a significant number of Amazight (Berber) languages. 70% of the population is under 30 years of age. The Algerian government is under pressure to create economic growth and jobs to meet the aspirations of young people. Education is a priority, with high levels of investment. With its demographic boom school and university education has expanded greatly. Enrolment in education is 95% at primary, 60% at secondary, with 20% of learners’ progressing to higher education. The literacy rate is 80%, however a limited knowledge of English, compounded by limited fluency in French and Arabic, is cited as a major issue by many employers.
Algerians are seeking English to integrate more into international business, industry and academia. There is huge and growing demand for English, with 8 million learners in schools taught by 32,000 teachers and it is seen as a key skill required by employers who complain many school and university leavers lack the skills to enter employment successfully. Youth are seeking to learn English, driven by a perception that it improves career prospects as well as a desire to engage in film, music and social media. Due to the sheer scale of the country and absence of foreign visitors the population has had relatively limited international exposure. However, there is a strong demand across the country for UK education and culture. The UK is admired for its mix of tradition and modernity, its football and education; its tolerant and diverse society. Overseas and particularly in the UK there is a lack of understanding of contemporary Algeria, its culture and society.
The operating environment in Algeria is challenging from a security point of view, and a period of austerity has been in place since the fall in oil prices in 2015. Unemployment levels are high, especially amongst university graduates. Many people are contemplating the future direction of the country given the experiences of the last few decades and the desire for changes in education, employment and the diversification of the economy.
The British Council Exams operation in Algeria is a relatively young business, We started offering IELTS UKVI exams in 2015 with a partner and then moved to a new venue in 2017. We then moved our standard IELTS test centre to separate premises in June 2018. Our main product is IELTS, although we have good opportunities to sell Aptis as a package combined with Learn English Connect to local universities. We also administer university and professional exams for UK awarding bodies. In the 2018/19 financial year, we expect to deliver around 2,700 exams. Demand for IELTS is growing and we are already at capacity in our venue in Algiers. There are also opportunities outside Algiers provided that we can find suitable venues, trained IELTS Speaking Examiners and venue staff. It will be the Operations Manager’s role to lead on increasing our capacity to deliver IELTS and other exams in Algeria, thus increasing our market share of the high-stakes English language test market. The role will also be responsible for meeting the expectation and the promise made to the candidate or the organization through a compliant, customer focused delivery of all examinations.
Main Accoutabilities
Exams Delivery and Quality Assurance – Aptis, University and Professional and School exams
- Coordination of Aptis, University, Professional and Schools exams from first enquiry until exam despatch, ensuring all aspects of exam delivery (pre- & post-test day activities as well as test day delivery) are in line with UK exam board regulations and British Council requirements.
- Overseeing check-in and secure despatch of scripts (accountable to universities and boards).
- Overseeing delivery for Computer Based Tests according to exam board regulations and British Council standards.
- Ensuring all British Council areas of compliance are met – including Quality and Compliance Assurance (QCA) standards, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Data Protection, Child Protection, mandatory training requirements, finance.
- Relationship Management with Examinations Boards and with schools providing candidates.
- Maintaining of up-to-date databases and calendars of examinations and contacts.
- Training and quality management of invigilation staff, administrative duties relating to venue staff and examiners.
- Supervision of back-office activity and seasonal teams.
- Implementation of feedback procedures for universities and professional organisations with whom we work.
Financial duties
- Ensuring that Board Fees, Purchase Orders and invoices are processed according to British Council regulations.
- Supporting Examinations Operations Manager with required financial information.
- Finalising income reconciliations for Aptis, University, Professional and Schools exams accurately and submitting them to ESM by specified deadlines for checking.
- Monitoring expenditure and proactively looking for efficiency savings to improve Key Performance Indicators.
- Lead for the exams team on changes in relation to financial processes.
- Responsibility for day-to-day finance tasks related to exams delivery (including appropriate use of SAP as per allocated role) in line with local and corporate standards, for example:
- Ensuring all venue staff claims and payments are correct and timely.
- Ensuring daily posting of income / income recognition is done accurately.
Qualification & Experience
- Bachelor Degree in relevant field
- Fluency in English is essential
- Fluency in Arabic or French is essential
- Experience managing small teams or demonstrating team-leader abilities
- Experience working in international and politically challenging environment
- Experience of managing logistics
- Experience of working to deadlines in a pressured environment.
- Experience managing operations in Exams environment
About Us
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create friendly knowledge & understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. We do this by making a positive contribution to the UK & the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust.
We work with over 100 countries across the world in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Each year we reach over 20 million people face-to-face and more than 500 million people online, via broadcasts and publications. Founded in 1934, we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body.
A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.
Equality Statement
The British Council is committed to a policy of equality and to valuing diversity and is keen to reflect the diversity of the societies in which we work at every level within the organisation. We welcome applications from all sections of the community. We aim to abide by and promote equality legislation by following both the letter and the spirit of it to avoid unjustified discrimination, recognising discrimination as a barrier to equality of opportunity, inclusion and human rights. All staff worldwide are required to ensure their behaviour is consistent with our policies.
The British Council has Disability Confident Employer Status. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. Applicants are encouraged to highlight any specific requirements or adjustments needed to enable participation in the recruitment process.
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; these will include qualification checks, reference checks, identity & criminal record checks in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.
Please click on the link below to apply:
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