We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.
We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.
Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021–22 we reached 650 million people.
Important Information on the Role:
Contract Length - Indefinite
Location- UK Wide (London, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburg, Belfast)
Posting – Internal & External
Pay Band - 8
Salary - £38,820 plus £3,300 London allowance if based in London.
Benefits
32 days of annual leave plus 3 days of volunteering leave Attractive civil service pension scheme
Application closing deadline – 28th July,2024
Requirements - No relocation support provided . Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK indefinitely.
The Team :
British Council English Language Research (ELR) sits within the wider English and Exams Strategic Business Unit (E&E SBU). ELR works with teams across the British Council, including the E&E SBU and English Programmes, coordinating and overseeing an active thought-leadership agenda, including publishing, and presenting as experts in the field, providing editorial direction on specialised publications and research reports, and convening conferences and events that bring together international experts on language assessment, learning and policy.
This position is a key role within the Future of English (FoE) programme which sits within the ELR. Other activity hubs in ELR include Assessment Research (AR), RED (Research, Engagement and Dissemination), Data Science & Insights (DSI), and the Teaching and Learning (T&L) hubs. The position holder will work directly with the Head of Research, Future of English. Activities carried out in these hubs include innovative language product design and development, Language Assessment Literacy engagement aimed at teachers, policy makers, and other stakeholders, and research and expert advisory work supporting assessment and language education reform projects in education systems.
The Future of English (FoE) is a major British Council programme of research and global engagement initiated by the British Council in 2021. The programme’s research agenda aims to explore the trends driving the use of English as a global language and provide data to inform policy makers, educators, researchers, and all people interested in this important topic. The FoE core team work with internal and external stakeholders on national, regional and global levels to undertake and disseminate research to support the outcomes of the ELR and the British Council.
The Role :
The main purpose of the role is to help strengthen the British Council’s research and development potential by adding to our existing and emerging high-level expertise in English language teaching, learning and assessment (TLA) agenda, specifically focussing on the Future of English (FoE) programme. The FoE programme focusses on multiple themes simultaneously though there are commonalities among the themes, one of them being policymaking and policy implementation.
The role holder will contribute to the British Council’s thought leadership agenda in TLA through conducting, commissioning, presenting, and publishing research on strategic FoE themes to support the overall strategy of British Council English Language Research (ELR). This role is intended to add significantly to the British Council’s profile and status in English language teaching, learning and assessment by focussing on TLA policymaking and implementation.
The role is designed for an experienced academic researcher with a strong background in managing and leading multidisciplinary research projects involving dispersed teams across different time zones.
Main Responsibilities:
Subject/Sector Expertise
Maintains an up-to-date knowledge of relevant sector research and events. Demonstrates extensive knowledge of TLA through application, engagement in related events and research in the field. Contributes theoretically and operationally to the development of the FoE strategy by providing expertise in multidisciplinary research approaches and models within the field of TLA. Designs, facilitates and undertakes relevant research that contributes to the FoE programme in agreement with the Head of Research, Future of English. Develops a body of work that contributes to the British Council’s “World authority” status in ELT and the FoE and ELR thought-leadership agenda by generating research reports and publications to be disseminated internally and externally through various channels. Demonstrates an ability to manage research project design and implementation. Represents the British Council externally, including at academic conferences and seminars, to enhance its reputation as a leading authority in English language teaching, learning and assessment. Supports British Council learning, teaching and assessment research initiatives through presentations to both internal and relevant external UK stakeholders.
Product or programme/management or development
Ensures research projects and related events or interventions are aligned with FoE and British Council strategic direction. Identifies and implements appropriate research models to support FoE within ELR. Offers timely Quality Assurance, feedback and updates on research projects initiated under FoE as requested by Head of Research, Future of English. Supports on the integration of Open Science best practice across the ELR to support access and inclusivity. Together with FoE Programme Manager: Liaises with ELR JEDI (Justice, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion) lead(s) to ensure all FoE research is JEDI compliant. Liaises with ELR Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) lead to ensure M&E systems and processes are integrated into FoE work and follow ELR processes. Leads on agreed FoE research projects to ensure smooth, impactful and timely completion.
Relationship and stakeholder management
Builds relationships and works with colleagues in the other hubs in ELR, wider Exams divisions as well as other relevant departments such as English, Marketing and Communications, English Programmes, Research & Insight etc. Works strategically with key stakeholders in the UK and overseas to strengthen relationships and the status of the British Council as a recognised world authority in language TLA. Seeks to build new relationships to support the FoE research agenda and raise the recognition and profile of the programme and the British Council. The role may involve line management.
Minimum Essential Criteria:
PhD in a relevant field (complete or in progress) Experience of working on multidisciplinary research projects. Experience of working on projects to do with policymaking and implementation. Experience overseeing programmes and/or managing projects. Experience of communicating research and/or theory in international forums with external specialist audiences in both written and spoken modes
A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.
Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement
