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 Officer – International, Chevening & Marshall Scholarships

Location: UK - Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London or Manchester

Contract Type: 12 months, Fixed-term contract

Pay Grade: 6

Closing date: 18th Sep 2026 at 21:59 IST Time

Requirements: Candidates are expected to have researched whether they have the right to live and work in the country in which the role is based. We are unable to support with visa sponsorship and relocation.

Role Context - About The Team:

The British Council is contracted to provide the Secretariat services for the prestigious Chevening scholarship programme funded by the UK government via the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Every year, around 1,000 scholars are selected to study at post-graduate level in the UK from over 100 countries and territories worldwide. Scholars study a one year postgraduate course at universities across the UK before returning home.

The Secretariat is responsible for the administrative services required to deliver a successful scholarship programme. This includes promotion of the programme, the scholar selection process, supporting scholars with placement at their universities, and then supporting them while studying in the UK, as well as delivering alumni engagement programmes. The Secretariat coordinates closely with the FCDO Scholarships Unit and British Embassies and High Commissions overseas who also take a leading role in promotion, scholar selection, alumni engagement and partnership development.

Chevening is a prestigious and highly sought-after post-graduate programme, selecting scholars of high academic ability with the potential to become future leaders and influential figures in their home countries.

Role purpose – The job:

A Programme Officer plays an important role in ensuring the successful delivery of the Chevening scholarship programme.

Programme Officers support the smooth administration of a range of tasks and processes relating to scholarship management. The specific duties depend on the team that a Programme Officer is assigned to.

Programme Officers may hold a portfolio of scholars on award. They may support Embassies and High Commissions overseas (Posts) with the scholar selection and interview process. They may be assigned to support with alumni engagement, partnership development or support to fellows, as well as other occasional tasks and duties that are required across the team.

Programme Officers play a critical role in ensuring the key processes of the scholarship administration are carried out accurately and to time. They hold a clear set of responsibilities to deliver their role, often acting as the first point of contact for scholars and fellows, as well as Posts. Programme Officers ensure that scholars receive their correct stipend on time, they support the delivery of engagement events for scholars and escalate welfare or immigration queries. They ensure the smooth running of the selection processes and support Posts with shortlisting candidates, in addition to other key elements of the scholarship cycle. They support alumni engagement with the administration of funding programmes for alumni and the collection of examples of alumni impact. They coordinate with partner institutions (universities and other institutions) to maintain and secure partnership income.

Main accountabilities:

• Specific tasks for Programme Officers vary depending on the team within the Secretariat that a Programme Officer is assigned to.
• Act as the first point of contact for key stakeholders, whether these be scholars, fellows, Posts, universities or corporate partners. Monitor inboxes regularly and ensuring queries are responded to quickly and accurately with excellent customer service. Escalate issues and concerns to more senior members of the team as required. Programme Officers are typically responsible for a portfolio of stakeholders.
• Use the internal finance system to set up and confirm payments, ensuring timely and accurate payment of monthly stipends and other allowances to scholars,tuition fees to universities, grant funding to alumni projects as well as income from partners.
• Maintain and update system trackers to monitor payments, scholar travel details, requests from Posts, financial information. Update financial and information databases including Microsoft Office and our internal Scholarship Management System (ASAMS).
• Conduct visits to scholars and fellows across the UK to maintain connection and monitor well-being as well as compliance and understanding of Chevening terms and conditions.
• Support with the organisation and running and monitoring of events for scholars, fellows and partners as required, whether directly in the UK or delivered via Posts overseas.
• Support with the development and updating of information, briefing documents for scholars, fellows, Posts, Reading Committee assessors, partners and alumni. Support with the delivery of training sessions and communities of practice. Ensure content is accurate, up-to-date and aligned with programme policies.
• Work closely and effectively with other team members on all aspects of the programme.
• Provide stakeholders with a high-quality service including the provision of professional and timely responses to a wide variety of enquiries and correspondence through all mediums/channels.
• Other duties as may be reasonably required to support the administration and management of the scholarship programmes and to enable the Secretariat to respond with agility to changing circumstances and requirements.

Requirements of the role:

Minimum/essential

• Degree level education or equivalent experience
• An understanding of the experience and needs of international higher education students in the UK.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of post-graduate higher education in the UK
• Basic knowledge and understanding of international relations and geo-politics to be able to support international scholars and work with Posts around the world.
• Previous experience of working at pace in a busy team with the ability to work flexibly in response to changing priorities and deadlines.
• An understanding and commitment to ensuring the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion are incorporated into work plans and delivery

Desirable

• Previous experience working directly with international higher education students, a scholarship or mobility programme, or the university sector in the UK.

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