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.

Programme Lead - Higher Education

Important Information:

Gross monthly salary: UAH 65 800

Location: Ukraine, Kyiv

Contract Type: Indefinite

Closing Date: 18 October 2026, 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.

The Role Purpose:

Lead on strategy, planning and delivery of the country Education/Tertiary Education portfolio including delivery of British Council global programmes - student mobility and internationalisation, tertiary education and science partnerships, and non-formal education - and client-funded programmes, ensuring they achieve impact targets. Support business development and income generation, contributing to successful delivery of country and global income targets, with support from Country Director and the global team. Manage stakeholder relationships and demonstrate expertise on behalf of the British Council and the UK in the sector, positioning the organisation favourably with government representatives, clients, partners, researchers and technical experts. Build market knowledge and insight about the local education context and share this internally and externally. Embed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) into all aspects of this work so that our people and partners experience a culture that promotes respect, inclusion and diversity, and benefits everyone.

Main accountabilities but not limited to the following:

Strategy and planning 

• Lead on development of the country Education/Tertiary Education strategy and annual plan, aligned with the global Education/Tertiary Education strategy and with the Cultural Engagement plan for the country.
• Ensure that country Education/Higher Education strategy meets the needs of local stakeholders and partners and aligns with the HMG country plan working with the Country Director and the local British Embassy/High Commission.
• Develop and nurture internal relationships across Cultural Engagement in-country and across the wider organisation to ensure that the Education/Tertiary Education strategy is aligned, understood and achieved.

Leadership and management

• Develop and own the country project/programme management plan for Education/Tertiary Education.
• Deliver the Education/Tertiary Education programme, ensuring compliance with British Council programme standards across delivery, planning, reporting, evaluation and EDI.
• Contribute technical expertise to the design of Education/Tertiary Education programmes and contracts, assuring quality and impact and managing issues and risks. 

Business development

• Contribute to business development and income generation, with support from Country Director and the global business development team.
• Use networking opportunities to develop contacts with potential funders, clients and partners in the country/multi-country/regional context.
• Identify specific business development opportunities aligned with the country and global business development plan.
• Apply due diligence requirements to potential partners.

Stakeholder management and market positioning

• Manage and build mutually beneficial relationships with a set of key stakeholders agreed with the Country Director, to understand the context better and explore partnerships.
• Demonstrate expertise on behalf of the British Council and the UK in the sector by networking effectively, speaking at events and publishing articles, positioning the organisation favourably with government representatives, clients, partners, researchers and technical experts.

Market knowledge, research and Insight

• Build market knowledge and insight about the local education context and share this internally and externally, to support the UK sector’s engagement with the country and with the region, where relevant
• Commission relevant new research to contribute to the British Council’s Tertiary Education research strategy.
• Use sector expertise to provide insight and content for corporate responses to public consultations, representing the British Council’s perspective and demonstrating our thought leadership in relevant external fora.

Commercial and/or financial management

• Produce business performance reports, including income, cost management, results and impact of portfolio.
• Manage the Income and Expenditure accounts for programmes/individual projects and contribute to business planning exercises

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

• Actively contribute to an inclusive and anti-racist organisational culture, being aware of their own biases, and taking action to mitigate against these. Ensure that people feel valued and are treated equitably, with support for people’s well-being and mental health.
• Understand the British Council’s approach to EDI and how it applies to their role, making time for learning and development relating to EDI and anti-racism.
• Embed good practice in EDI across all projects and programmes, ensuring design and delivery contribute positively to improved gender equality, disability and social inclusion.

Requirements of the role:

• Proficiency in English at C1 level and Ukrainian
• Experience of delivering externally funded projects or programmes.
• Direct experience of client-funded contract pursuit.
• Experience of overseeing monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) within projects and incorporating lessons learned from MEL into programmes and strategy.
• Experience of building mutually beneficial relationships with diverse stakeholders including multilateral agencies, donors, government officials, Education/Higher Education leaders, academics, researchers, alumni and students.
• Knowledge and experience of embedding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in programmes
• In-depth understanding of Education sectors of Ukraine and of the UK, and of bilateral priorities.

Desirable:

• Ability to analyse relevant equality issues and identify opportunities to address these in the portfolio.
• Knowledge of international mobility trends of Ukrainian students seeking tertiary educational opportunities.
• Knowledge of transnational educational trends in Ukraine, including academic and research partnerships of local public and private educational institutions.

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