Job Description

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

We work with people in over 150 countries and reach over 700 million people.

We connect. We inspire.

Role Purpose:

The Arts Manager will implement activities in country delivered through one or both of the Arts global programmes: Arts in Action and Creative Growth.

They may work with a small team in country and manage sector partner and stakeholder relationships. They will also build relationships and work closely with their peers in other countries and across the global arts network, often collaborating on global programmes.

Role Context:

Cultural Engagement (CE) is one of two global strategic departments within the British Council. It brings together our work in Arts, Education, English & School Education and research. With a workforce of approximately 1000 globally and an income in 2024/25 of £200 million CE delivers impact through research and insight, sector engagement, policy dialogue and a mixed portfolio of commercial and Grant and Partnership Funded (GPF) work globally. CE delivers much of its work through a suite of global programmes/ programmatic frameworks aligned to the British Council’s strategic outcomes.

Our Arts teams in the UK and in our global network of offices, work together and with the arts and culture sectors to achieve significant impact and change by finding new ways of connecting and seeing each other through the arts and contribute directly to peace and prosperity. Our work is delivered through two global programmes. Art in Action connects UK and international artists and creative organisations, encourages innovative collaborations and supports them to access new markets and audiences around the world. We enable creatives to play a part in addressing global challenges and support under-represented groups to be heard. Creative Growth supports the UK and countries around the world to unlock inclusive and sustainable economic growth and innovation through advocacy, sector development and showcase programmes for the creative and cultural industries.

Accountabilities/Responsibilities:

Sector/subject expertise

• Uses their own knowledge of the country’s arts and creative industries, intelligence and insight from other sector partners, to support the implementation of global arts programmes that meet the specific needs of the country while also providing value to UK arts and creative industry organisations.
• Through ongoing relationships with Global arts colleagues, builds and maintains good understanding of UK arts and creative industry sector priorities.
• Identifies opportunities for the UK Arts sector to work in and collaborate with peers in country

Leadership & management

• Provides specialist input and design to help ensure activities under the Arts global programmes are relevant to the Arts and creative industry sectors in country.
• Actively collaborates with colleagues in Arts global teams on programmes.
• Manages Arts activities day-to-day ensuring global standards on programme and contract management are achieved.
• Actively works to mainstream EDI and become anti-racist in our cultures and practices within our organisation and in our programmes. 

Strategy and/or planning

• Contributes to planning process for country arts portfolio within region
• Develops and nurtures internal relationships to ensure strategic objectives are aligned, understood and achieved
• Considers the role of digital products, services and channels in optimising the impact and sustainability of the portfolio, working with regional marketing and digital colleagues.

Relationship & Stakeholders

• Maintains partner relationships relevant to the Arts, and wider cultural sectors, to maintain a strong understanding of relevant themes and issues in the arts and creative industries.
• Builds and maintains a broad, diverse and dynamic network of key creative and cultural sector representatives in country.

Brand and market positioning

• Promotes the diversity of the UK arts and creative industries sector in country
• Ensures British Council’s value proposition and support to the UK arts sector in country is clear and communicated and that our reputation for quality and as a valued not-for-profit partner remains high and contributes to our mission.
• Contributes to the development of internal and external communications materials to highlight impactful stories from the country Arts portfolio

Programme management

• Manages finances of small projects and activities in the Arts portfolio and will flag up issues promptly
• Manages issues with internal and external partners and stakeholders and escalates them when necessary
• Holds delivery partners, team members and consultants to account for agreed deliverables
• Has responsibility for delivering the project management plan
• Where applicable has responsibility for drawing up contracts with partners, working with specialist colleagues where needed
• Manages procurement, grants management and due diligence on arts activities
• Responsible for project/programme management reporting

Qualifications and Work Experience:

Qualifications & Education

• Essentials:
• Degree and/or equivalent experience
• Desirable:
• Project management or equivalent qualification or equivalent work experience

Work experience:

Minimum / Essential Requirements

• Good knowledge and understanding of current trends and practices in at least one sector of the arts and creative industries in the country
• Experience of working on national arts/ creative industry projects

Desirable Requirements

• Understanding and appreciation of current arts trends and practices in the UK
• Experience of working on international arts projects

Additional Requirements

• Occasional evening and weekend work in line with security requirements
• Occasional travel outside Palestine as required.

Important Information

• Language requirements: The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English and Arabic required.
• British Council Pay Band: 6/G
• Contract type: 1-year Fixed Term Contract, with possibility of extension
• Working location: Jerusalem or Ramallah, State of Palestine.
• Monthly Salary: 10,504 ILS, payable over 13 months
• Proof of Identity requirements/right to work in country: Candidates should ensure they have natural legal right to live and work in the country where the role is based. Visa sponsorship and relocation assistance are not provided.  Candidates based in Jerusalem must hold a valid Jerusalem ID.
• Closing Date: 29 November 2026

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 we 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 and 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