British Council
DUE: 27 FEB 2023
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.
Role Purpose
Would you like to be part of an all-star cast charged with embedding Risk and Compliance and integrity of the financial function across the great work we do at the British Council?
Through a hands-on learning program, we offer you the opportunity to get exciting insights into the financial function of a global organization creating people impact across 110 countries. The Finance function offers a unique and independent outlook from which to drive decision making and strategy across our operations. We pride ourselves on delivering excellence, being trusted business partners and driving continuous improvement and innovation.
You will work within the Risk and Compliance function and your role with us will see you supporting in ensuring the overall financial internal control environment is fit for purpose and effective in mitigating risks. Through a collaborative approach, the role will support in improving compliance levels across the organization as well as assisting in safeguarding assets through the development of appropriate governance and policies.
Duties and Responsibilities
The duties will include but not be limited to:
Support in monitoring adherence to the global minimum control standards (MCS) as defined by Financial Governance and escalate issues to the Regional Head of Risk and Compliance.
Support with implementation of remediation actions where countries are not achieving the required standards.
Support the implementation of processes and policies to assess and/or monitor the effectiveness of risk governance frameworks.
Support in fostering a culture of risk management supported by policies and guidance.
Support in investigating internal control issues.
Support in applying effective risk mitigation and control measures to specific risks.
Support in ensuring compliance with standard procedures, corporate policies, and regional policies.
Actively always support equality and diversity and work to the British Council’s EDI policy
Learning and development opportunities for the intern
You will get a deeper understanding of the British Council and the work that will do impacting lives across the globe. You will become familiar with working in an International Organization and in a multicultural environment.
Throughout your program, you will gain insight and hands-on experience on day-to-day accounting systems and procedures, get specialist knowledge and experience of finance based on our business needs. Your placement will give you the opportunity to learn and embed the core technical finance and systems knowledge you need to move forward. This opportunity will help you build on the technical skills gained and build your knowledge on our commercial business.
Your line manager will support and nurture your development and ensure you are given the chance to learn and practice the skills you will require as a leader in future roles.
Key interfaces
Financial Risk and Compliance Team
Country Directors
Country Operations Teams
SBU Teams
Shared Service Centre
Profile of Intern:
Essential:
Recent graduate with a degree in a finance-related field
Interest in Financial Control
Self-motivated, proactive and a good team player
Drive to succeed, with the ability to think both creatively and strategically
Questioning, analytical mind
Good interpersonal & communication skills: verbal and written
Ability to work with tight deadlines and maintain quality of output
Ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Packages, especially Excel, and adaptability to learning ERP software
Desirable:
Work experience in a Finance capacity would be beneficial
Duration: March 2023 – January 2024
Remuneration: Interns will receive a monthly stipend
Contract Type – Locally Engaged
Location – Harare, Zimbabwe
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.
Closing Date – 27 February 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.
Necessary adjustments will be made for staff with disability where necessary.
A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.
Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement
TO APPLY
Click here to apply
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.