Arts Project Manager

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.

We connect. We inspire.

Arts Project Manager

 
The Role:
 

To support the management and compliant delivery of British Council’s Arts programmes in Zimbabwe. The Project Manager will be working with the wider British Council team to provide management oversight of the delivery of Arts programming, promotion of audience engagement and partnership development in Zimbabwe. The role will apply specialist expertise and work in close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders and provide a supporting function to co-ordinate arts programme activity across the British Council’s global network.

The Project Manager will help to position and align the contribution of the Arts portfolio and British Council’s cultural relations mission.

Main accountabilities but not limited to the following:  

Relationship & Stakeholder management

• Has relationships with delivery partners, grantees and stakeholders within country and is able to procure services and contract delivery partners.
• Holds suppliers to account for delivering against contract.
• Build strong internal relationships and networks.

Commercial and Financial Management

• Ensure sound financial planning, working closely with finance teams to ensure British Council and.
• Ensure accurate and timely monthly (re)forecasting is in place, by running regular reports in the SAP system on actuals, monitoring outstanding purchase orders, reviewing commitments, analysing and commenting on reasons for variances to plan and recommending corrective actions.

Project Management

• Contributes to development of, owns and delivers on Project Management Plan
• Identifies risks in a project or programme and puts together mitigation strategies with Programme Manager
• Responsible for project procurement, contracting, compliance and reporting as required
• Checks on and reports on compliance

Requirements of the role:

• Degree or HE qualification in relevant cultural, heritage, or humanities or project management field or equivalent experience.
• Experience of working in Arts sector; Strong organisational skills and attention to detail;
• Ability to work effectively with tight deadlines.
• 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
• Project management qualification desirable.
• Experience of working in project or programme management.
• Experience of using technology in project delivery.

Desirable:

• Foundation level Project Management certificate

Closing Date:  Applications will close at 23:59 on 31 August 2025 South Africa Time / 22:59 UK Time

You must have the legal right to work in the country at the time of application.

Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided. 

Important Information:

Department: Arts

Contract Duration: Twelve months fixed term (Non- Permanent Worker)

Pay band 6
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe 

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

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

Safeguarding Statement

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 in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org