Terms of Reference

Please note that the position of Senior Programme Manager outlined below is for an anticipated multi-year project. The issuance and duration of the contract is contingent upon the formal agreement with the donor.

Position : Senior Programme Manager
Position Type : Long Term Consultant (daily rate basis)
Duration : Three years (anticipated)
Reports to : Team Leader
Location : Dhaka

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, education, and civil society. 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 the Royal Charter and a UK public body.
The British Council has been working in Bangladesh since 1952 and has operational centers in three cities (Dhaka, Sylhet, and Chittagong) with 150 staff. We engage with over 2.5 million people a year. We have three key areas of work - Education and Society, English, and the Arts. Through these areas, we engage with leaders and policymakers in Bangladesh, influencers, and opinion formers such as teachers and business leaders, and young people in education or just starting their careers.

About the Project

The anticipated multi-year project aims to support the Government of Bangladesh in addressing challenges related to promoting and ensuring e-governance. Building on the Government's proactive stance towards digital transformation, as evidenced by initiatives such as "Digital Bangladesh 2021" and "Smart Bangladesh 2041," the project seeks to further enhance and amplify these efforts. Despite the progress made, significant impediments remain to fully realising the potential of e-governance and digital public services. These challenges include gaps in connectivity, high prices of computer equipment and internet services, low levels of digital literacy, and fragmented inter-institutional structures. As the government continues its commitment to digitalisation, there is an opportunity to overcome these hurdles and unlock the full benefits of digitalisation, such as enhanced public service delivery, increased transparency, and reduced corruption. Additionally, while Bangladesh's performance in governance indicators may currently trail behind, the government's dedication to inclusive growth and sustainable development provides a strong foundation for collaborative efforts with international partners. Through strategic partnerships and strengthened policy and operational cooperation, the project aims to accelerate digital transformation for the benefit of all citizens, building on the positive momentum generated by the Government's initiatives.
The overall objective of the anticipated project is to improve the transparency, responsiveness, integrity, and accountability in public service delivery through enhanced use of e-government tools and processes based on a human-centric approach, further supported by the following three specific outcomes:

  • Outcome 1, improve digital interaction, coordination and communication between government ministries, agencies and departments.
  • Outcome 2, strengthen the capacities of public sector employees for improved organisational performance and public service delivery.
  • Outcome 3, improve the quality of public services and their delivery for all.

Purpose of this position

The project will be implemented through collaboration between Estonia's e-Governance Academy (eGA), responsible for Outcomes 1 and 2, and the British Council, tasked with achieving Outcome 3. This Senior Programme Manager role specifically targets Outcome 3.
The Senior Programme Manager is a critical role for the programme and sits as part of the Senior Management Team. S/he will oversee the delivery and management of the project through all stages of implementation, ensuring delivery meets donor and British Council standards. The Senior Programme Manager plays a pivotal role, providing direction and guidance to the project team in consultation with the Team Leader. S/he will ensure alignment with project objectives and strategies, overseeing all aspects of project management, from initial planning to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, with a focus on delivering project activities efficiently and effectively and reporting to the Team Leader on progress and any emerging issues.

The Senior Programme Manager will establish and foster a collaborative approach and efficient coordination between the British Council and the e-Governance Academy (eGA) and support the Senior Management Team and Project Board taking appropriate collaborative decisions. Additionally, the Senior Programme Manager assumes the role of Deputy Team Leader and provide leadership and guidance where necessary. Managing project resources, including human, financial, and assets, are one of the key priorities of the Senior Programme Manager and to ensure optimises performance.

Number of Position: 1

Position Overview: British Council is seeking to engage a qualified and experienced Senior Programme Manager to fill a long-term consultancy position. The consultant will be engaged on a daily rate basis for a maximum of 220 days per year, with the contract duration not exceeding three years. However, the contract duration may be extended based on project extension.

Accountabilities and responsibilities:
Under the direct leadership and guidance of the Team Leader, the Senior Programme Manager entrusted with the following responsibilities:

  • Ensuring compliance with British Council’s contractual obligations to the donor in areas such as due diligence, financial management, procurement and reporting requirements. This includes ensuring inputs from the project team are timely, quality assured and submission deadlines met, as well as advising other members of the Senior Management Team on compliance.
  • Leading on internal planning and reporting including risk and issue management, impact reporting and ensuring regional/global management information requests are met (for example reporting into BC’s Track Record Database, Monthly/Annual Compliance Check).
  • Managing and guiding programme management team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
  • Work with key consultants and technical advisers and develop appropriate work plan and schedules for programme activities and share with the Senior Management Team.  
  • Working with the Team Leader and provide necessary support to ensure the quality delivery of planned activities and engage in discussions with other short- and long-term consultants and technical advisers as seems appropriate.
  • Periodically conduct field visits to ensure that field activities and operations adhere to client contractual obligations and British Council standards. Address any issues that require attention from the Senior Management Team.
  •  Provide technical support to the Cabinet Division in the development of Technical Assistance Project Proposal (TAPP).
  • Develop, monitor, and implement Project Management Plan and Operations Guide to ensure a well-articulated project implementation strategy exists that support Senior Management Team decision making.
  • Capture and disseminate project knowledge and lessons learned; collaborate with the team leader to foster a culture among stakeholders and the project team that values continuous improvement and learning.
  • Collaborate with the Head of Finance and Regional British Council team and ensure a sound financial and information management system is in place that meets audit requirements. This includes overseeing value for money across programme delivery.
  • Regular liaison with the British Council and supporting collaboration and share lesson learning with other relevant programmes.
  • Ensuring the British Council’s relevant policy including safeguarding, social media policy, anti-fraud, anti-corruption policy is embedded into project systems and all short- and long-term consultants, technical advisers and project beneficiaries and key stakeholders are aware about these policies.
  • Together with the Team Leader, facilitate and attend regular client meetings and support a productive relationship.
  • Act as the Deputy Team Leader and represent the Team Leader in Team Leader’s absence, ensuring continuity of project leadership and decision-making where necessary.
  • Act as the liaison between the British Council and the e-Government Authority (eGA), ensuring effective communication and collaboration between both parties.
  • Manage human resources, including recruitment of long- and short-term consultants for the project, and ensure appropriate training and effective personnel management, including monthly timesheet management.

Profile/Requirements:

  • Educational Qualifications: Master’s degree in political science, Economics, Law, International Relations, or a related field (desirable but not essential).
  • Experience in Civil Society-based and/or governance projects, demonstrating successful operation within this context.
  • Proven track record of project managing large-scale, complex projects for international donors.
  • Experience in devising and/or implementing annual work plans to achieve project objectives.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in contract and client management for international donor agencies, such as the European Union.
  • Skilled in managing partners and subcontractors to deliver programme objectives and activities effectively.
  • Strong financial planning and budget management skills, particularly with regard to managing large, complex budgets.
  • Effective team management experience across various contexts.
  • Experience in managing a project office and implementing and overseeing management systems to ensure efficient project operations.
  • Understanding of business planning principles and processes to support project sustainability and growth.
  • Ability to identify and share lessons learned, areas of innovation, and best practices to foster continuous improvement within the project and wider internal teams.

Desired requirements:

  • Demonstrated proficiency in contract and client management for international donor agencies, such as the European Union.
  • Experience working or managing projects following PACA/PAGoDA modalities.
  • Experience working with Cabinet Division, government training institutions, ICT Division, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Ministry of Youth and Sports.
  • Experience and knowledge about Bangladesh local government functions.

How to apply:

To apply, please submit the following documents via email at recruitment.nfe@britishcouncil.org

  • A cover letter outlining the motivation and relevance of your skills and experience to the advertised position.
  • An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV).
Please ensure to mark the subject line as “Application for Senior Programme Manager”. Note: No hard copy applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the recruitment process.
Closing date: 6 June 2024