Newton Fund Projects and Communications Manager

Purpose of job:

This position falls within the Education and Society Business Unit in support of the Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) programmes of the British Council.The incumbent will be responsible for coordinating and managing all aspects of STI projects implemented under the Newton Fund, as well as coordinating the Famelab SA competition. In addition the incumbent will play a strong communications and M&E support role for the Newton Fund programme.

Context and environment:

British Council is the UK’s cultural relations organisation. As a cultural relations organisation, our interest in the STI sector comes from the critical importance of capacity building in the sector and its institutions in promoting the exchange of knowledge and ideas and the benefit that such an exchange delivers for the UK and for the world.

The British Council Newton Fund is a five year programme launched in September 2014 and forms part of the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitment with its primary focus being to develop partner countries research and innovation capacity for long-term sustainable growth.  Through the Newton Fund, the UK will use its strength in research and innovation to promote economic development and social welfare South Africa and to explore new and emerging areas of research, development and innovation through collaboration with South African researchers, scientists and innovators. The British Council’s Newton Fund programme works to support the “People” Strand of the Newton Fund in the areas of STEM, Technology Commercialisation and Innovation and other key National Science and Innovation priority areas.

The British Council’s FameLab project was established in the UK in 2005 to give young professionals working in the sciences the opportunity to work with the media and improve their ability to engage public audiences with their science.  The initiative has since grown to include 25 countries around the world. In 2016, South Africa will host its 4th FameLab season. Through the process it will engage hundreds of young scientists and numerous science organisations, creating a platform to showcase South African science and to build the capacity of scientists and researchers in the area of science communication.

Accountabilities, responsibilities and main duties:

The post holder will be directly accountable to the Programme Manager: Newton Fund.

The holder will also have dotted line responsibility to the Global Managers for each project.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

All duties and responsibilities will be in line with British Council’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, Child Protection and other overarching corporate policies.

1.    Project Management and Delivery

Project management and delivery of Newton Fund projects in SA and Famelab SA. The incumbent should be very familiar with project management tools and principles and be an efficient multi-tasker. This requires highly effective time management across multiple projects. The incumbent will also be expected to work closely with the Newton Fund Programme Manager and with the Higher Education Project Manager in support of the overall goals and objectives of the Newton Fund and Higher Education programmes.  

2.  Relationship Management

To maintain and nurture relationships with key stakeholders internally and externally and to support the Newton Fund and HE Programme Manager to identify potential new partnership possibilities and opportunities to strengthen the HE work of the British Council in relation to STI.

The Project management of multiple strands of the Newton Fund requires careful relationship management and the ability to work with government and other key SA and UK partners. The incumbent should have strong communication skills and be solutions driven.

Internal: Country Director, Regional Higher Education team, UK Science Education team, Deputy Director Education & Society, Newton Fund Programme Manager, HE Project Manager, Communications Manager, Project Officers

External: STI local influencers and leaders, consultants, researchers, UK colleagues in South Africa to promote coordination and synergy where appropriate.

3.  Monitoring and Evaluation

To track, monitor and evaluate the impact of all project activities including the compilation of impact/scorecard data and other evaluation tools required by corporate standards.

4.  Financial planning and management

Familiarity with SAP (FABS) would be an advantage. The incumbent will need to plan and manage project finances in coordination with country teams and regional managers. This includes the role of procurement and contract management and administration.

5.  Marketing & communication management internally and externally

Assist with the delivery of the Newton Fund communications plan and strategy for improving the visibility and understanding of the impact of Newton Fund projects in South Africa. This will include collecting data and impact stories which can be used for marketing and communication. Familiarity with drafting press releases and working with digital media (eg. social media marketing) will be an advantage. The incumbent will be expected to work closely with the BC Communications manager.

7. Other administrative work as required and delegated by Line Manager.

Special requirements of the job

Some unsocial hours, weekend work and travel (local and abroad) is required.

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