Head of UK-NG Season of Culture Abuja or Lagos

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. We do this by making a positive contribution to the UK and 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. We are  recruiting to fill the position below:

 Job Title: Head of UK-NG Season of Culture

Location: Abuja or Lagos

Contract type: Fixed Term Contract until 31st March 2029

Pay band: 8/E Role Purpose

To lead the Implementation of UK/Nigeria Season to a high standard and in compliance with British Council policies and procedures. This role will work with colleagues in Nigeria, SSA region and the UK, and ensure that all the strands of activity involved in UK/Nigeria Season, across Arts and Higher Education are developed and delivered effectively, on time, within budget and with maximum impact and our aims are clearly articulated and widely communicated. This will include articulating concepts, managing processes and ensuring compliance, communication and evaluation of the UK/Nigeria Season, leading business development, managing internal and external stakeholder communications. This will include feeding into regional analysis on business development targets and achievements for Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), liaising with finance and business development colleagues and helping to set up systems for the collection and dissemination of data across countries and programmes.

Main Accountabilities 

Act as Head of UK/Nigeria Season and lead the delivery of UK/Nigeria Season range of activities across Nigeria and the UK, and ensure that this is supported by all the stakeholders Work closely with SRO/Country Director Nigeria, Director Programmes Nigeria, Heads of Arts, Education and English in country, Regional Arts Director, UK Festival & Season, UK Arts teams and ensure that the activities will be aligned with Nigeria Season’s outcomes and priorities Champions Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) within the programme and empower team members to effectively identify opportunities for mainstreaming EDI in the programme delivery.

Responsible for identifying and management of stakeholders that will be relevant for the delivery of the Season’s priorities Responsible for relationships with partners/funders clients and internal stakeholders for UK/Nigeria Season Holds delivery partners, team members and consultants to account including through effective supply chain management. Maximise channels and communicate on a variety of platforms about the programme or projects.

Coordinates research in country/regional context such as analysis of client and partner trends and opportunities.  Support the development and management of relationships with strategic clients and partners.  Applies due diligence requirements for potential partners.   Manage network of associate advisors, consultants and partners.   Embed effective processes, standards and tools to support pipeline and consultant/partner relationship management.  Manage or supports the development of high-quality bids/ proposals.  Participate in contract negotiations with partners and clients, and prepare agreements such as non-disclosure, pre-bid, contract and partner and consultant agreements.    Ensures timely reporting and communication on externally funded contracts/grant funded initiatives.  Participate in programme and project reviews and closure activities, helping to ensure learning is embedded in the development of new business. 

Ensure that programme/project is delivered according to all corporate (and where relevant, client) standards of quality and compliance (for example safeguarding, EDI, supply change management, social value and conflict sensitivity). Work with the Cultural Engagement team in Nigeria to support the design of result-based and impact-driven programmes and is responsible for planning and re-design as required Responsibility for managing all contractual obligations on programme or project, including financial Convenes risk meetings, updates risk register and either mitigates or escalates risk Ensure that the procurement, grants management and due diligence are managed in compliance with corporate standards Responsible for project/programme management reporting (including contributing to financial reporting) Develops M&E Plans and/or results frameworks (including indicators and relevant tools) and reports to both client and British Council impact targets. Act as the point of contact for the regional Marketing & Comms lead to ensure that the UK/Nigeria Season has effective marketing strategy that is based on clear understanding of target audiences, objectives of the programme, and the country context. Based on programme monitoring data, support periodic review of programme with a focus on documenting learning and improvement of performance. Manage and monitor the Nigeria Season’s budget by working closely with Culture Engagement team and finance team in the country and the region

Requirements of the role

Degree and/or equivalent experience Project management or equivalent qualification Extensive experience of leading and managing programmes or large projects. Experience of financial planning, monitoring and reporting Experience of managing multi country or large programmes that have met project closure standards and passed audits. Experience of working with several different funding sources and knowledge of different programme frameworks and compliance rules. Experience of leading a large, diverse, dispersed project or programme team Experience of working within a consortium arrangement or with other funding partners or sponsors and management of associated contracts. Extensive experience of managing complex, senior, client, stakeholder and partner relationships and reporting requirements. Experience of identifying risk, mitigating risk and monitoring risk and reporting risk through appropriate channels.

Monitoring and evaluation qualification Project management qualification Experience of working within a consortium arrangement or with other funding partners or sponsors and management of associated contracts. Experience of developing MEL frameworks and designing data collection mechanisms Experience of presenting and communicating programme success to a range of external audiences.

Additional  Job requirements:

Unsocial/long hours are likely to be required from time to time as role is required to work with Nigeria and the UK. The role may include occasional travel within the country, region or internationally.

The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required to CEF Level C1 English.

22nd September, 2026. How to Apply

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