Programme Manager: Cultural and Social Development Tunisia

About the Project

The British Council, together with the European National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC), is managing an EU-funded €4m contract (indirect management) to support the strengthening of the Tunisian cultural sector. The project specifically aims to stimulate a local collaborative approach in view of supporting the creation of a social and cultural ecosystem, at the heart of which all the stakeholders (citizens, civil society, the public and private sectors) are engaged, and actively contribute.  

Through mainly flagship grants schemes (€3m) but also tailored technical assistance activities, the project will aim to achieve two main objectives: 

1. promote cultural diversity and access to culture in Tunisia, targeting, in particular, vulnerable populations 
2. support the freedom of expression and creation by means of innovative projects, increased international exposure and knowledge-sharing.

The main activities consist of the management of three funding programmes (on local cultural engagement, support to creation, and on festivals and heritage), mapping and research action, awareness-raising and tailored capacity building programme, and the development of a digital collaborative platform for culture.

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Programme Manager with significant experience in leading, managing and reporting on major programmes in the culture and/or social development sectors, with professional experience working in sensitive political contexts. The Programme Manager will be required to:

• oversee the implementation of the activities (including reforecasting if necessary) to achieve agreed outcomes and outputs, and take responsibility for the timely delivery of results
• ensure consultations with EUNIC partners and the cultural sector in regions (CSOs, cultural operators, educational actors, private sector, etc.)
• lead the programme team according to British Council’s standards; give strategic guidance; ensure coordination and motivation; addressing heard and well-being; quality assurance
• lead on key strategic and technical (consultative) working groups with the Ministry of Culture, Twinning Project and EUNIC members
• lead on the mapping and analysis exercise in order to accurately identify existing project networks, and to refine the design of the grant programmes
• develop and implement the various approach-based strategies of the project with clear methodologies and delivery plan for the team and partners
• plan resources and mobilise/monitor external expertise through procurement exercise
• coordinate M&E and reporting according to the LogFrame; ensure the project is monitored effectively, that data is reported internally, to partners and to the client, risks highlighted and lessons learned
• supervise the communication and visibility strategy 
• prepare technical reports (including financial reporting), and represent the actions therein
• ensure the programme meets all relevant internal and external compliance and contractual requirements (financial, HR, quality management, regulatory, security etc.) to ensure British Council and all project partners and contractors operate legally, with integrity and in a way that manages risks effectively.

Qualifications and experience required

Essential

• Approximately ten years’ international consultancy or related experience as a programme manager on EU-funded (or  equivalent high level) contracts in the sectors of culture and/or social development, with elements of organisational development or capacity-building, including excellent records of design, planning and management of projects and teams
• Approximately five years’ experience of development cooperation, understanding the challenges at policy and implementation levels
• Demonstrated commitment to social innovation and culturally-sensitive, cross-sector approaches
• Excellent social and interpersonal skills in negotiation, leading on consultations with a variety of stakeholders, demonstrating inclusiveness and active listening approaches in groups
• High level of integrity and accountability, commitment to working with peer-reviews
• Ability to work autonomously and in a solution-oriented way
• A university degree/education, demonstrating excellent research and analytical skills
• Excellent written (especially technical reporting) and spoken French and English.

Desirable

• Professional experience in Tunisia and/or the Arab Mediterranean
• Internationally-recognised certification in project management.

To apply for this role, please send:

• CV tailored to the profile of this position
• two references
• a covering letter/e-mail demonstrating how you meet the criteria and competences required and what has attracted you to apply  

to caroline.delan@britishcouncil.org with the subject line ‘CSD Programme Manager Tunisia’.