Job Description

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.

The Department for Education has announced that the British Council is set to take on the role of National Agency for Erasmus+.

In December the UK and EU arrived at a political agreement that the UK would rejoin the Erasmus+ scheme in 2027. That agreement has now been legally formalised under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

The British Council has a longstanding commitment to supporting international exchange. It was a lead partner in the Erasmus+ UK National Agency from 2014-20, where Erasmus+ made a significant contribution to the UK's cultural relations activities, funding 8,091 projects, engaging 583,757 UK participants, and awarding around €1.1 billion to UK organisations.

Job Title: Erasmus+ Head of Compliance & Fraud

Pay Band: SMP (9)
Salary: £55,699 gross per annum plus £3,300 London Market Allowance per annum
Contract Duration: 2 Year Fixed Term Contract with possibility of extension
Location: London, United Kingdom
Right to Work Requirements: Current right to work in the UK. The British Council is not able to support or sponsor work visa applications.
Closing Date: Applications will close on Tuesday, 21 July at 22:59 UK Time

We are operating on the basis that any offer is made pending client confirmation of funds.

Role Purpose

The Erasmus+ Head of Compliance & Fraud is responsible for safeguarding the integrity, accountability, and operational resilience of Erasmus+. The role ensures all areas of delivery and contractual requirements have the necessary fit-for-purpose frameworks developed & embedded so all those involved in Erasmus+ delivery know how to and can comply with their obligations.

This position provides strategic leadership on compliance and controls – included but not limited to those leading to fraud prevention, detection, and response. The role designs and maintains a robust control framework that mitigates risks across the full grant lifecycle - from application and assessment, through distribution and monitoring, to audit and closure. Working closely with delivery teams, senior programme leadership, contracts and internal audit, the Head of Compliance & Fraud ensures that the programme meets the highest standards of transparency, fairness, and financial stewardship.

The role leads the development of a proactive compliance culture, oversees investigations, promotes best practice in ethical conduct, and ensures timely, accurate reporting to both internal and external stakeholders. Ultimately, the role exists to protect programme funds, uphold public trust, and enable the successful delivery of outcomes by ensuring that funds are used for its intended purpose and managed in line with legal, contractual, and regulatory expectations.

Main accountabilities but not limited to the following:

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and develop the Compliance & Fraud function, ensuring the team has the capability, structure, and capacity to meet programme needs.
• Manage performance, set clear objectives, and ensure high professional standards.

Compliance Framework & Governance

• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve the programme’s compliance framework, ensuring alignment with contractual requirements, legislation, client governance, and organisational policies.
• Oversee the design and implementation of internal controls across the full grant lifecycle, ensuring they are proportionate, effective, and well documented.

Fraud Prevention, Detection & Response

• Develop and deliver the programme’s fraud risk strategy, including prevention, detection, investigation, and resolution activities.
• Manage the fraud risk register and ensure the ongoing assessment of fraud threats and vulnerabilities across delivery partners and internal processes.

Assurance, Monitoring & Audit

• Lead the programme’s assurance activity, including first and second line monitoring, thematic reviews, co-ordination of, and response to third line internal audit activity, and client commissioned audits.
• Ensure findings are tracked, actions are completed, and risks are mitigated effectively.

Risk Management

• Act as the programme’s senior subject-matter expert on compliance and fraud risk, advising the National Agency Director and senior leadership.
• Ensure alignment with organisational risk management frameworks and maintain a clear view of emerging regulatory or operational risks.

Stakeholder & Client Engagement

• Serve as the key interface with the client on all compliance, fraud, and assurance matters.
• Build strong, proactive relationships across internal teams and delivery partners to promote a culture of transparency, accountability, and ethical behaviour.

Policy Development & Implementation

• Lead the development and review of Erasmus+’ policies and SOPs for compliance, fraud, due diligence, grant management controls, conflict of interest, and financial integrity.
• Ensure policies are communicated, understood, and consistently applied across the programme and partners.

Capacity Building & Culture

• Champion a culture of strong governance, ethical conduct, and zero tolerance for fraud.
• Coordinate with relevant internal functions to develop and deliver training, guidance, and support for programme staff and delivery partners on compliance and fraud obligations.

Requirements of the role

Role Specific Skills:

• Be an exemplar of integrity, honesty, discretion and professionalism for the National Agency
• Independently minded and willing to challenge existing business practice

Role Specific Knowledge and Experience:

Minimum/essential

• Experience of working in internal control or compliance
• Fluency with Governance, Risk Compliance (GRC) tools
• Proven track record in relationship development with internal stakeholders at all levels of the organisation
• Experience of effective and efficient process design
• Skilled at synthesising information and presenting clear insights to senior stakeholders

Desirable

• Experience of leading internal control compliance functions
• Experience in working to counter fraud frameworks
• Experience of or certification in six sigma methodology or alternative approaches to effective process design
• Experience of fraud management processes and policies

Language Requirements

• The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal fluency in English is required.

Education

• Degree or equivalent work experience.

Professional Qualification and Certification

• Project Management certification

Desirable:

• Relevant professional qualification eg ICA, ACA, ACCA, CIA, IRM, ACFS, ACFE.

Requirements:

Please note that candidates must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in the listed locations at the time of application.

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

British Council supports working in new ways such as hybrid working, subject to full approval by line management and conditional upon our ability to provide the appropriate level of service. This may not be appropriate for all roles but can be explored at interview.

#LI-Hybrid

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