The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences – is seeking an International Programmes Assistant to join our International Team. You will work closely with the Head and Deputy Heads of International to support the delivery of a range of programmes and activities being undertaken by the Team and will also act as a first point of contact for award holders, applicants, and participants.

You can find out more about the British Academy here, including our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement.

ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW

The British Academy’s International Team promotes and supports international collaboration and mobility, develops and maintains links with sister academies, international organisations and other partners overseas, and leverages the expertise of Fellows and award holders to further the Academy’s reach, impact and influence internationally.

The current work programme includes a broad portfolio of topics such as: Europe’s Futures; Conflict, Stability & Security; Justice, Rights & Equality; Urban Futures; and Knowledge Frontiers.

The Academy’s international programmes are multi-year endeavours which entail a wide array of activities: from providing research funding to talented individuals in the UK and overseas; to informing international policy and public debates; to using the Academy’s convening power to showcase the value of international and interdisciplinary collaborations for addressing today’s global challenges and ensuring that the UK maintains its place as a world-leader in the social sciences and humanities.

The International Team is a friendly, engaging team, part of the Academy’s wider Research Directorate, which comprises the International Team, Early Careers Researcher Network and Research Funding teams.

The International Assistant will report to the Deputy Head of International Programmes but will work closely across the Team to help deliver the Team’s overall objectives and ensure there is continuous communication, with every opportunity for join-up and synergy maximised. You will be an effective communicator, able to collaborate with both external and internal stakeholders, and you will have excellent planning, organisational, and time management skills.

For further information about the International activities of the British Academy, see: https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/international.

OFFICE LOCATION - 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1Y 5AH

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme Administration and Delivery

• Act as first point of contact for award holders, applicants and participants and support the timely delivery of peer review responsibilities as well as monitoring and reporting of award outcomes.

• Be responsible for delivering specific international programmes and activities, such as International Writing Workshops and Knowledge Frontiers Symposia.

• Work closely with the Foreign Secretary and colleagues in the wider International Team to organise and manage an ongoing series of monthly seminars for the Academy’s international award holders, including scoping out and approaching potential speakers, inviting participants, briefing the chair, and administering the running of the seminars.

International Team Support

• Support the organisation and running of meetings and events, through tasks such as booking participants’ flights and hotel accommodation; arranging visas and airport transfers; liaising with hospitality contact points in relation to venues, catering and other event arrangements; managing invitation and RSVP lists; contributing to the development and dissemination of publicity and other event-related materials; supporting registration; and ensuring the smooth running of events.

• Be responsible for keeping the content management of the Academy website up to date, including regularly uploading information about international projects, events and publications.

• Support the preparation of outputs emanating from British Academy-funded research and engagement activities, such as: the proof reading and preparation of content for the Journal of the British Academy and policy briefings.

Budgeting, Financial Processes and Monitoring

• Assist with specific budget-related activities, including invoicing, payments, refunds, and financial monitoring.

• Support the delivery of the International Team’s programmes and engagement work, including monitoring and reporting of outcomes, and producing statistics and summary reports as required.

Support for the Head and Deputy Heads of International

•  Work closely with the Head and Deputy Heads of International to help deliver the Team’s overall objectives and help ensure there is continuous communication through the Team and every opportunity for join-up and synergy is maximised.

• Be proactive in identifying tasks to be undertaken within the scope of the post-holder’s responsibility and to seek to improve and implement processes to enable operational delivery, working within agreed parameters, policies and procedures.

• Proactively work with colleagues across the Academy as a whole and provide support for other Academy activities as requested from time to time.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

Internal

• International Team including managers and those with delegated responsibility

• British Academy Foreign Secretary

• Colleagues in the Digital and Communications Teams

• Colleagues in the Finance Team

• Colleagues in the Publishing Team

• Front of House colleagues

External

• Applicants and award holders

• Other external event participants

• External venue/bookings points of contact

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Works and communicates effectively.

• Commitment to working within a team, with an ability to work independently and show initiative and exercise sound judgment

• Communicates effectively with staff across departments

• A professional approach when dealing with a variety of people

• Is proactive in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with others internally and externally

• Demonstrates a positive attitude towards helping others by providing appropriate support, using initiative, and not waiting to be asked

• Commitment to working within a team, with an ability to work independently and show initiative and exercise sound judgment

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills.

• Experience of office practices and administrative processes

• Good literacy and numeracy skills

• IT skills and confidence in using key Microsoft packages including Office 365, Excel, Word and PowerPoint

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

• Ability to perform the role effectively under pressure, accurately and with attention to detail, often balancing conflicting priorities to meet agreed deadlines

• Ability to use tact and diplomacy and to handle confidential information

• Ability to organise meetings and produce accurate minutes

• Demonstrable knowledge of UK higher education system

• Shares knowledge and skills with others

PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING

Manages time and resources effectively in order to achieve own and organisational objectives.

• Excellent planning, organisational and time management skills

• Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach

• Ability to plan and deliver role-specific tasks and be an effective team worker with strong interpersonal skills to deal with multiple tasks in parallel 

• Prioritises tasks to meet deadlines

• Displays resilience in coping with workload

• Keeps relevant colleagues informed and seeks input

• Takes ownership of tasks

• Seeks and uses opportunities to learn and develop, and is quick in picking up new tasks

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach.

• Results-focused attitude

• Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach

• Focuses on solutions and manages pressure

• Is receptive to new ideas and change, adapting own ways of working as appropriate

• Sets the right balance between referring decisions to the appropriate level and taking things forward without referral

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must have the right to work in the UK.

• Evidenced commitment to equality and diversity

• Takes a flexible approach to their work, happy to take on different responsibilities in the interests of the Academy

• Willing to travel on British Academy business

• Able to be flexible about working hours on occasion

BRITISH ACADEMY WORKPLACE VALUES

The Academy’s workplace values and supporting text are set out below. We share these core values with each other. They guide how we work together and with others. We demonstrate them through our behaviours.

COLLABORATION- We consistently work together to a common purpose, supporting each other, communicating openly and sharing knowledge. We are flexible and adaptable, receiving feedback constructively

CREATIVITY - We bring imagination and curiosity to our work, valuing learning, diverse thinking, and innovation. We are open-minded, receptive, and responsive, taking account of alternative perspectives

EMPATHY-We are understanding, sensitive, compassionate, and considerate, mindful of our own wellbeing alongside that of others

EXCELLENCE - We always do our best, without striving to be perfect, applying our expertise and experience to develop and grow

INTEGRITY - We are open and honest with each other, accepting personal responsibility and demonstrating loyalty. We are reliable and dependable, having belief that we will be transparent and clear

RESILIENCE - We are confident, bold, and tenacious, knowing when to listen as well as when to speak up. We respond positively to challenges and overcome problems

RESPECT - We are inclusive in our regard for each other, showing courtesy and appreciation. We treat people fairly and equally, welcoming everyone’s contribution and difference

APPLICATION PROCESS

We have a two-step approach to hiring, beginning with submitting an application through the Applied platform. This will be followed by a panel interview, and may incorporate a skills test.

Please note that you may be asked to reference any literature that you may refer to, as applications that are highly plagiarised and not your own work. e.g. ChatGPT, will be declined.