Intern – Projects and Operations at British Council

The British Council builds connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language. We work in two ways – directly with individuals to transform their lives, and with governments and partners to make a bigger difference for the longer term, creating benefit for millions of people all over the world. We help young people to gain the skills, confidence and connections they are looking for to realise their potential and to participate in strong and inclusive communities. We support them to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications. Our work in arts and culture stimulates creative expression and exchange and nurtures creative enterprise. We connect the best of the UK with the world and the best of the world with the UK. These connections lead to an understanding of each other’s strengths and of the challenges and values that we share. This builds trust between people in the UK and other nations which endures even when official relations may be strained. We work on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2019-20 we connected with 80 million people directly and with 791 million overall, including online and through our broadcasts and publications.

Intern – Projects and Operations

Role Purpose 

To support the planning and delivery of British Council Malawi’s work in line with our strategic objectives. The role will serve to provide a highly motivated beginner/recent entrant to the workforce a learning experience that will help them build essential work skills in a dynamic organizational environment and cultivate a strong foundation for their professional life.

 

Main accountabilities but not limited to the following: 

 

The accountabilities focus on equipping the intern to grow knowledge, skills, and confidence and deliver tangible results performing the following specific functions working with and learning from more experienced colleagues.

 

Implementation of New initiatives

 

• Support planning and implementation of new initiatives -Youth engagement events, insights/research, and Equality Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) activities. The learning: Cultivating first-hand experience in Project management

 

Support operations and existing projects delivery

 

• Provide administrative support to existing projects, conduct customer surveys, develop stakeholder databases, and support problem-solving. The learning: What to focus on in a project-mid-project-implementation phase for success

 

Marketing and Communications (Marcomms)

 

• Support on social media and digital, contribute to communication activities and documents, impact stories, awareness raising, assist in drafting reports, etc. The learning: How marcomms contribute to achieving strategic objectives

 

Operations/Corporate services 

 

• Serve as Deputy Focal Point for Safeguarding and supporting Environmental Framework Tool (EFT) monitoring and reporting. The learning:  The vital role of support services for organizational health and performance.

 

All duties and responsibilities will be in line with our EDI policy, Safeguarding, and other corporate policies.

 

Learning and development opportunities for the intern 

 

The responsibilities given will enable the intern to gain the following:

Professional development  

 

• On-the-job coaching, mentoring, and constructive challenge to become high-performing
• Knowledge/skills in project management, operations, digital, and customer engagement
• Real workplace experience to help shape her/his way forward professionally
• Professional networks, connections, and contacts

 

Personal growth

 

• Skill and confidence to work independently  and as part of a team effectively
• Capability to work to high standards, expectations, and impact
• Understanding of how an organization works and how to function in it.

 

Role-specific knowledge and experience:

Essential Requirements: 

 

• Must be a new/recent entrant to the workforce (within the last 2 years)
• Evidence of being socio-economically disadvantaged
• Ability to work well with diverse groups of people
• Resourcefulness and attention to detail
• Constructive and results-driven approach to work
• Ability to organize, coordinate, and handle multiple tasks
• Ability to manage self,  work independently and as part of a team
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Computer and Digital skills- using social media platforms, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• A high degree of professionalism and integrity,

 

Desirable: 

 

• Interest in education, skills, youth empowerment Commitment to learning
• Strong motivation to make a difference
• Evidence of being adaptable, able to quickly build understanding in new areas

 

Further Information 

 

Duration: July 2023 – July 2024

Remuneration: Interns will receive a monthly stipend

Contract Type – Locally Engaged

Location – Lilongwe, Malawi

Requirements – All applicants should have a pre-existing legal status to live and work in the country of application.  The British Council will not facilitate/sponsor visa applications and work permits.

Background Checks  -Initial and continuing employment with the British Council is subject to an annual background check. The job undertaken defines the nature of the check(s) and the assessment applied.
Some out-of-hours work and travel (local and abroad) may be required.
Closing Date – 31 May 2023 (23:59 East Africa Time)

 

Note: 

This is a short-term intern position; intern roles are not a prelude to longer-term employment with the organization. If opportunities for further paid employment arise, these will be advertised and interns who apply will be considered against the same criteria as other applicants.

 

Disability Confident Employer

 

The British Council holds a badge of recognition and a certificate that qualifies our organization as a Disability Confident employer. This is one way we are trying to reflect our values and ensure all aspects of our work are open and inclusive for people with disabilities.

The British Council is committed to promoting inclusion of persons living with disabilities across our operations. We do not have adequate representation in Polio Survivors and People Living with Albinism at the moment and we would like to change this. We strongly welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates who meet the essential criteria within this group

A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.

Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement

The British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to make sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment.  We want to address under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability.  All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

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; these will include qualification checks, reference checks, identity & criminal record checks in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.

If you have any problems with your application please email askhr@britishcouncil.org

Please note: Applications to this role can only be considered when made through the Apply section of our careers website. Our ‘ASK HR’ email is only to be used in case of a technical issue encountered when applying through the careers website. Emails with supporting statements and CV/Resumes sent to this email address will not be reviewed and will be deleted.