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.

Project and Communications Manager, PEACEPLUS CONNECT
Location Ireland
Contract Type 29 months - Fixed-term contract
Pay Grade 6
Closing date 25th Aug 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 the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We create friendly knowledge and understanding between the people of the UK and other countries. We do this by making a positive contribution to the UK and the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust.

We work with over 100 countries across the world in the fields of arts and culture, English language and education. Each year we reach over 20 million people face-to-face and more than 500 million people online, via broadcasts and publications. Founded in 1934, we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body.

Role purpose – The job:

The Project Manager PEACEPLUS is responsible for the project delivery aspects and communications of the PEACEPLUS CONNECT project.

The purpose of the role is to ensure efficient project delivery and financial management as well as effective marketing and communications of the CONNECT PEACEPLUS project. This role is key to ensuring the project is effectively amplified and promoted whilst also ensuring the project is delivered effectively and efficiently within budget and financial parameters and SEUPB comms guidelines.

The successful post holder will be the key contact for all project marketing and communications and will also be responsible for managing project delivery and monitoring project finances, ensuring effective financial delivery of project activities in line with compliance processes and protocols. This role will involve working effectively and well with the British Council delivery team, partners and associated partners.

The overall aim of the CONNECT project is to create strong and positive relationships between communities across Northern Ireland (UK) and the border counties of Ireland (EU) and the successful candidate will have experience of working well with others and will be adept at building relationships with a variety of stakeholders and excel as a team player. Essential to this role are strong project management skills, financial awareness and commercial acumen, excellent written and verbal communication abilities, and a solid understanding of digital media tools. The successful candidate will also demonstrate the ability to design, deliver, and evaluate effective marketing and communications campaigns that support project objectives.

The Project Manager PEACEPLUS will work closely with the British Council project team and partners across Northern Ireland and Ireland and reporting to the Senior Project Manager PEACEPLUS for the project.

Main accountabilities:

Relationship & Stakeholder management

• Builds strong and productive relationships with project core team as well as the wider UK and EU British Council network.
• Supports the Senior Project Manager in their management of the relationship with the client. Builds strong and productive relationships with delivery partners and is able to support in the procurement of appropriate services and contracting with delivery partners.
• Manages contextual sensitivities effectively, building support for the project and strengthening confidence in both the project and its delivery. This includes fostering positive relationships with the British Council as lead partner, as well as with partner and associate partner organisations.
• Responsible for relevant, regular and timely flow of communication to internal and external stakeholders.

Project Management

• Engages in effective project delivery including event management, managing service delivery, operational requirements and all related procurement procedures for the strands of the project and all related event activities.
• Operates in line with British Council corporate standards, policies and systems, including project management methodologies, procurement and financial compliance, business assurance processes, risk management, and other organisational governance requirements, while actively contributing to knowledge sharing, continuous improvement, and best practice across the organisation. Engage with relevant corporate teams and communities of practice to ensure high-quality, compliant project delivery.
• Manages the development and delivery of strategic marketing and communications campaigns for the SEUPB-funded CONNECT programme, ensuring compliance with programme, brand, and corporate requirements, and leveraging digital media tools and content to maximise reach, engagement, and impact.
• Oversees the strategic planning and management of the project’s communications and digital presence, leading the creation, coordination, and monitoring of content across new media platforms while ensuring effective delivery and reporting of internal, client, partner, marketing and promotional activities.
• Drafts press releases, social media posts, website pages content, articles or brochures as required in line with SEUPB guidelines and British Council corporate comms guidelines.
• Oversees the monitoring, analysis, and reporting of digital communications data and performance indicators, ensuring robust data management, quality assurance, and the development of evidence-based reports that support funding, partner, and client requirements.

Financial management

• Ensures sound financial management, maintaining close oversight of project finances, cashflow and working to acquit project activities and events within budget.
• Engages in vendor creation, raising purchases orders, intercompany financial transfers, and financial transactions relating to the project.
• Keeps accurate and up to date financial records working to ensure strict compliance with British Council and SEUPB financial policies and procedures.
• Manages and maintains project finances, including correct expenditure, monitoring financial records, budgets and parameters.
• Works closely with Senior Project Manager and Project Manager in Northern Ireland to ensure financial records are up to date, informed and accurate.Requirements of the role:

Minimum/essential

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar role
• Experience of marketing and communications in a similar role
• Experience of digital media management and tools
• Experience of communicating projects delivered through partners and / or using outsourced providers – through client/partner funds
• Experience in content development – written and verbal through client and external partners
• Experience of working with and through other key stakeholders
• Experience of financial management and administration
• Ability to forecast and manage budgets and financial expenditure
• Experience of financial processes and tools
• Experience of data capture and data management providing support to non-financial managers to deliver against financial performance indicators
• Evidence of building and developing a network of strong professional relationships
• Evidence of multitasking in a project context and problem solving
• Excellent written and verbal communication with diverse audiences
• Demonstrable track record of planning, tracking and reporting
• Ability to cope with ambiguity and changing circumstances

Desirable

• Experience with community or non-formal education work
• Experience of managing challenging relations between stakeholders
• Familiarity in compliance with SEUPB or similar EU policies and procedures
• Knowledge of EU-funded projects operating in Northern Ireland and/or Ireland or promoting EU/UK relations
• Ability to interpret financial data and support non-financial managers to deliver against financial performance indicators
• Strong analytical skills and ability to make/recommend choices and trade offs
• Experience with managing projects according to British Council process and procedures
• Experience of Systems thinking- managing work and interdependencies

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