Director Programmes

As a valued employee of the British Council, you already help us deliver our mission to 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. You are part of our organisation in over 200 countries and territories and where we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. We connect. We inspire. Role Purpose This role supports the pursuit, design, delivery and evaluation of projects and programmes within the British Council's Non-Formal Education (NFE) portfolio through high-quality technical input and advice, developing and sustaining a portfolio of internally and externally funded projects and programmes, and researching and analysing sector trends and opportunities. It contributes to the overall success of the NFE portfolio by leading a mixed portfolio of British Council and externally funded NFE projects in a high-priority geography, ensuring strategic alignment, high-quality delivery, and the achievement of financial and non-financial targets. This role leads on the design and delivery of the NFE strategy for Uganda, contributing to the success of the global NFE portfolio and leading a mixed-income portfolio of projects and programmes that contribute to NFE and Education strategic priorities. Role Accountabilities Strategy and Planning Supports delivery of the strategic ambition and framework for the non-formal education portfolio, spanning grant-funded Global Programme and global contracts business, ensuring alignment with wider British Council strategies and funder/partner demand. Leads the design and implementation of the NFE strategy for Uganda, ensuring alignment with the global NFE strategy and British Council and Cultural Engagement strategies and plans, including the CE business plan. Leadership and Management Provides operational management and leadership across the in-country NFE team, driving successful development, delivery, impact (including MEL) and financial sustainability of a mixed portfolio of Non-Formal Education partnerships, programmes and contracts. Provides technical direction of the NFE portfolio in Uganda, ensures resource planning responds to portfolio needs, and ensures high-quality, consistent monitoring, evaluation and learning across the portfolio, fostering coherent systems, shared practice and a strong culture of evidence-based delivery and learning. Supports internal capacity building, ensuring teams can access appropriate, cost-effective learning and development opportunities to grow their sector knowledge and skills. Business Development Leads business development for NFE in Uganda, maintaining a mixed, sustainable pipeline of high-quality, well-resourced opportunities. Leads and account-manages strategic client and partner relationships, identifying and securing new income-generating opportunities that contribute to agreed financial and impact targets, and owns and builds the country pipeline, leading, writing or quality assuring new proposals. Delivers financial and non-financial targets for Youth Connect in Uganda, fosters an outcome-focused, accountable culture aligned with British Council values and EDI, and leads the negotiation and structuring of local partnerships to protect the British Council's interests. Stakeholder Management and Market Positioning Contributes to the visibility, reputation and brand of the British Council and the UK with clients, partners and governments, developing opportunities for new business. Market Knowledge, Research and Insight Uses sector expertise to provide insight and content for corporate responses to public consultations, representing the British Council's perspective and demonstrating thought leadership in relevant external forums. Demonstrates expertise on behalf of the British Council and the UK in the sector, positioning the organisation with clients, partners, researchers and other technical experts, and supports internal capacity building by ensuring teams can access timely sector advice and cost-effective learning and development opportunities. Commercial and/or Financial Management Ensures effective financial management and compliance, managing and delivering to target on budgets, profitability, timelines and corporate quality standards. Within agreed corporate procedures and schedules of delegated authority, manages and reports on variances to plan, controlling the principal local levers affecting cost and service, such as people, processes, resources and suppliers. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Drives and embeds a culture of corporate compliance, ensuring policies and procedures — including HR, Finance, Legal, EDI, anti-racism, safeguarding, data privacy and cyber security — are implemented and maintained across non-formal education work globally, so organisational risks are managed effectively. Actively contributes to an inclusive and anti-racist organisational culture, being aware of personal bias and taking action to mitigate it, and supporting colleagues' wellbeing and mental health. Understands and applies the British Council's approach to EDI and anti-racism, making time for related learning and development. Knowledge & Experience Education Essential: * Master’s Degree or equivalent experience Desirable: * Project Management qualification (recognised PPM qualification) Experience Essential: * Deep technical knowledge of non-formal education and the ability to develop proposals in response to client/partner need * Strong programme and project management skills, including compliance Important Information * Location: Uganda * Contract Type: Indefinite (Internal /external) * Pay band: 8 * Department: Cultural Engagement * Right to Work Requirements: You must have the legal right to work in the location in which the role is based * Languages: Written and verbal proficiency in English is required Closing date for applications: 11.59 PM Indian Time (IST), 3rd September 2026 09.29 PM Uganda Time (EAT), 3rd September 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 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