Job Description

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.




We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.




Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021-22 we reached 650 million people.



Arts Manager

Role Purpose

The Arts Project Manager in the United Arab Emirates will be responsible for delivering our arts programme portfolio in UAE and as needed, support programme delivery in the wider Gulf cluster (including Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman). He/She will work with a small team of colleagues in the UAE and the broader MENA region to plan and deliver impact for the local cultural sector and UK cultural professionals. He/She will also contribute to the delivery of potential regional and global multi-country projects that involve the UAE, and the wider MENA region as and when required.


The Arts Project Manager in the UAE will be responsible for the implementation of projects with a medium level of complexity funded by British Council or by another client or funding mechanism - delivered through some or all of the Arts four global programmes: Culture Connects, Spotlights on Culture, Creative Economy and Arts Responds to Global Challenges. He/She will lead the successful delivery of a range of projects from start to finish including managing the contract or project plan, managing client or internal stakeholders, successfully achieving reporting and meeting compliance standards.



Main accountabilities but not limited to the following:

Sector Mobilisation

• Uses their own knowledge on the arts and creative industries, intelligence and insight from other sector stakeholders, opinion formers and funders to support the ongoing development of arts programmes in the UAE, that will meet the specific needs of the UAE and the Gulf while also providing value to a diverse range of UK and regional arts and creative industry organisations.
• Through ongoing relationships with the Global and regional Arts team, builds and maintains good understanding of UK arts and creative industry sector priorities as well as Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and other Her Majesty's Government (HMG) priorities.
Identifies and develops opportunities for the UK Arts sector to work in and collaborate with peers in UAE and the Gulf, where needed.
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Relationship & Stakeholder management

• Develops and maintains relationships with delivery partners and stakeholders within UAE (and other Gulf countries & wider MENA region where needed) and is able to procure services and contract delivery partners.
• Holds suppliers to account for delivering against grant agreement or contract.
Communicates internally and externally about a project's success/challenges and lessons learned.
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Leadership & Management

• Manages Arts Project Coordinator / delivery team.
• Manages all Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) processes and ensures comprehensive use of internal tools in programme design and delivery. Maintains an oversight of the action plan developed through the use of internal EDI tools.
Builds strong internal relationships and networks.
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Programme Management

• Contributes to development of, owns and delivers on Project Management Plan
• Responsible for management of key Arts projects or activities to be held in the UAE.
Support & lead on the development & delivery of multi country projects involving stakeholders from the Gulf & MENA.
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Business Development

• Supports the identification and development of professional networks, relationships, and partnerships to increase the British Council's impact and reputation in the Arts.
• Coordinates research in country/regional context such as analysis of client and partner trends and opportunities
Ensures high quality and accurate pipeline data for country/pillar.
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Financial Management

• Manages and controls the agreed budget, expenditure and income against plans, ensure accuracy of reports and ensure sound financial management and analysis across the portfolio through monthly finance reviews and quarterly business reviews.
• Ensures timely and accurate planning and forecasting, timely reporting of risks, including financial and identify opportunities and mitigation actions.
Ensures compliance to British Council financial policies and procedures.
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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

• Actively contributes to an inclusive and anti-racist organisational culture, being aware of your own biases, and taking action to mitigate against these. Ensuring people feel valued and are treated equitably, with support for people's well-being and mental health.
Understand the British Council's approach to equality, diversity and inclusion and how it applies to your role and make time for learning and development relating to EDI and anti-racism.
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Role specific knowledge and minimum requirements:

• Experience in managing arts projects in UAE and/or other Arab countries in MENA.
• Understanding of current trends and practices in arts and creative industry in the UAE and wider Gulf region.
• Experience of building partnerships with a diverse range of arts and culture stakeholders - including governmental and funding partners (trusts, foundations, institutional donors)
• Strong network building skills and an active and up-to-date network of diverse arts sector contacts
+ Strong written and spoken communication skills.
+ Experience of managing projects from start to finish and familiarity with project life cycles.
+ Understanding of procurement, evaluation and reporting requirements of projects
+ Proven experience of managing project finances
+ Experience of managing stakeholders
+ Experience of using technology in project delivery
Good understanding and experience of supporting monitoring and evaluation.
+

Desirable:

Foundation level Project Management certificate or equivalent work experience.

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Further Information

• Pay Band - 6
• Contract Type: Two (2) Years Fixed Term (Renewable)
• Department: Arts
• Locations: United Arab Emirates, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah
• Language requirements: Arabic - written and spoken fluency and English - excellent written and spoken level (CEFR level C1)
• Role could require some domestic and international travel as required by the programme and some out of hours and evening work responding to or driven by programme/portfolio needs.
• Role holder must have existing rights to live and work in the country the role is based.
• Applications must be sent in English.
• Closing Date: 5 January 2025 applications will close 21:59 UK Time/ 23:59 South Africa Time

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.



Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement

The British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to make sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment. We want to address under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability. All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.



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.



If you have any problems with your application please email askhr@britishcouncil.org



Please note: Applications to this role can only be considered when made through the Apply section of our careers website. Our 'ASK HR' email is only to be used in case of a technical issue encountered when applying through the careers website. Emails with supporting statements and CV/Resumes sent to this email address will not be reviewed and will be deleted.