The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking an International Programmes Officer to join our International Department, providing key support in the delivery of the Global Talent visa work programme, which provides an accelerated and less restrictive route for talented researchers from overseas to come to the UK.

ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW

The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences – is seeking an International Programmes Officer to join our International Team. You will work with colleagues responsible for delivering the Academy’s role as an ‘endorsing body’ for the Global Talent visa.

The British Academy’s International Team promotes and supports international collaboration and mobility. We are a friendly, engaging team, and a part of the Academy’s wider Policy Directorate, which comprises the Global Strategy, Policy & Engagement Team, Public Policy team and Higher Education and Research Policy team.

The International Programmes Officer (Mobility) will report to the International Programmes Manager (Mobility) and will help manage the everyday activities required to deliver the Global Talent visa work programme.

You will take ownership of processing applications, responding to internal and external queries, and managing and reporting on sensitive and confidential data.

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.

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 external and internal queries.

• Support the effective management of the inbox and information databases.

• Regularly liaise with the Home Office team, ensuring a streamlined flow of receiving and returning applications as required.

• Review applications and evidence and assess against set criteria, following agreed processes and meeting strict deadlines.

• Manage the processing of applications across various streams, ensuring appropriate eligibility checks are completed, facilitating peer review, and liaising with internal and external stakeholders as needed.

• Work closely with the Deputy Head of International, International Programmes Manager (Mobility) and relevant colleagues to deliver the Global Talent visa work programme with a high degree of precision, and exceeding service standards.

Reporting and Monitoring

• Be responsible for accurate record keeping and collection/retention of confidential and sensitive data.

• Support the monitoring and reporting of outcomes, producing statistics and summary reports as required.

Programme Improvement

• Support the improvement and usability of the Global Talent visa scheme.

• Take initiative to identify ways to improve internal operations and processes.

• Engage with colleagues and other stakeholders to inform recommendations for changes to guidance and Immigration Rules.

Relationship Management

• Liaise with internal stakeholders (including British Academy Fellows) to facilitate the application and endorsement review.

• Engage with other Academies and Endorsing Bodies to deliver a coherent and cohesive Global Talent visa.

• Manage relationships with the Home Office and UK universities and research institutes, serving as a point of contact for queries and support for the endorsement application processes.

Support the Senior International Policy Advisor and Deputy Head of International

• Contribute to advice, support, briefings, speeches, papers and reports.

• Occasionally represent the British Academy at appropriate meetings and events.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

Internal

• International Team

• Research Directorate

• Global Talent Visa Panel members and Chair

• British Academy Foreign Secretary

External

• Endorsing Bodies and Academies

• Home Office

• Higher Education Institutions

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• N/A

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.

• 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.

• Is sensitive to different working styles and views, adapting where appropriate.

• Is willing and able to compromise and negotiate, including to resolve possible conflicts.

• Ability to communicate effectively, with the ability to clearly articulate thought processes and opinions.

• Handles difficult situations with sensitivity & respect.

• Promotes a positive impression of the Academy both internally and externally.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Comfortable with year-round, routine responsibilities whilst maintaining focus, precision, and self-motivation.

• Confident in managing a complex and varied workload, with multiple deadlines.

• Adept at using Microsoft Office suite.

• Ability to learn new programs effectively and efficiently.

• Receptive to new ideas and change, adapting own ways of working as appropriate.

• Proactively makes suggestions for improving processes and policies.

• Is aware of own strengths, weaknesses and capabilities.

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

• Shares knowledge and skillset 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.

• Keen eye for detail, taking pride in high quality work, with the ability to pick up minor mistakes and discrepancies.

• Proactively keep relevant colleagues up to date with workload and tasks. Seeks input where needed.

• Prioritise tasks to meet deadlines and manage conflicting priorities.

• 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.

• Displays resilience in coping with a varied and ongoing workload.

• Takes ownership of tasks.

• Is happy to support other team members during busy periods, whilst not compromising your own workload.

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach

• Approaches tasks with a positive attitude and is not afraid to ask for help when needed.

• Identifies problems early on and proactively acts on them.

• Focuses on solutions and manages pressure.

• Anticipates conflict and thinks ahead to resolve them quickly.

• Problem solving skills including a pragmatic approach to risks and issues.

LEADERSHIP

Gives a clear sense of direction while inspiring others with vision and actions

• Creative, confident, open-minded, flexible and enthusiastic outlook.

• Outward facing, delivery-oriented and able to look to the medium- and long-term.

• A professional and confident approach driven by integrity and respect when dealing with a variety of people.

• Takes responsibility on behalf of a team and leads by example.

OTHER

• Takes a flexible approach to your 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.

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 involve a task component.

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.

The deadline for applications is 6 September 2024, however, we may close this role sooner if we receive a high volume of applications.  In these circumstances we will give those who have shown interest 24 hours notice of the change of deadline.

Interviews for this role are currently scheduled for 20 September 2024 but this may be subject to change.