Main Purpose of Job:

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSC) provides the UK’s contribution to the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan and provides the main UK government scholarship scheme led by international development objectives. 

Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships in the UK have to date supported over 31,000 individuals by extending life-transforming higher education opportunities, rewarding merit, and promoting equity and inclusion, especially among people from underrepresented groups.

The CSC is an arm’s length body of the FCDO.  The administration of the programme is carried out on behalf of the Commission by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission Secretariat, which is hosted within the Association of Commonwealth Universities. 

Scholarships Officers at Post are responsible for delivery of the programme in-country, working closely with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission Secretariat.  The duties and responsibilities set out below cover the work required to run the Commonwealth programme effectively at Post.  The structure for this delivery will vary based on the size of the programme in each country.

What the Jobholder will be Expected to Achieve:

Scholar and Fellow Recruitment (30%) 

• Liaison with the Secretariat and promotion of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Application processes. 
• Develop a detailed understanding of each of the Commonwealth’s schemes in detail.
• Support the Secretariat in liaising with the national and other nominating agencies in-country to promote Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships raising/signposting issues or opportunities to the Secretariat. 

Programme Outreach and Marketing (20%) 

• Contribute to designing written and visual content for social and traditional media, and other ways to promote Commonwealth Scholarships, including working with alumni to host information sessions, workshops, attendance at university fairs and other outreach events.
• Monitor the Commonwealth Scholarships marketing budget, keeping records of promotional material, contacting suppliers for quotations and ensuring assets are produced according to the Commonwealth Scholarships branding guidelines.
• Request and make use of marketing materials from the Secretariat.
• Share information about Commonwealth Scholarships to colleagues in the High Commission to foster High Commission-wide engagement with the scholarship. 

Programme Administration (15%) 

• Respond to deadlines and requests set by the Secretariat, such as submitting annual programme, marketing and alumni engagement plans, and country briefings.
• Carry out administration of the programme in line with Commission policy
• Respond to enquiries regarding the scheme and acting as point of contact with the High Commission team on Scholarships-related marketing activities, application process and alumni events
• Respond to requests for information or insight from the Secretariat and the FCDO Scholarships Unit.
• Provide positive customer service to applicants and award recipients before, during and after their awards.
• Represent BHC at Chevening & Commonwealth bi-monthly calls. 

 Alumni Engagement (15%) 

• Update and maintain the database of Commonwealth Alumni, using national level alumni data to engage alumni in relevant activities and opportunities, and report updates to the Secretariat.
• Contribute to establishing and developing an effective and engaged national Commonwealth Alumni network, organising a series of alumni events from concept to delivery, including a pre-departure/farewell event and an annual welcome-home event, where relevant.
• Maintain contact with the CSC Alumni Association in-country, where it exists, and where possible support association activities, such as providing meeting space for Annual General Meetings, inviting association leaders to pre-departure and welcome home events, Commonwealth Day celebrations, and other events as appropriate.
• Participate in bidding for alumni engagement funding opportunities and manage budgets associated with these.
• Keep the Secretariat and FCDO Scholarships Unit up to date with alumni engagement work in country on a quarterly basis. 

Partnerships (15%) 

• Work with Post colleagues to seek new local partnerships and account-manage existing partnerships including outreach, engagement and data management.
• Work with wider Post to get their input and support to develop partnerships.
• Work with the Secretariat to ensure any existing partnerships are managed effectively. 

Finance (5%) 

• Ensure all financial issues are dealt with effectively and in line with policy, including ensuring costs are charged to the correct budget and meeting policy guidelines.
• Engage with the relevant policy teams at Post to ensure that maximum value is gained from the programme. 

Resources Managed (staff and expenditure):

• No staff management
• Responsibility for expenditure forecasting and monitoring for duty travel to Solomon Islands 

• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working in an international environment
• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, International Relations, Social Sciences, or related field
• Experience in programme administration, stakeholder coordination, or outreach
• Strong communication skills, with ability to produce written and visual content for marketing and social media
• Proven ability to plan and deliver events and manage alumni or stakeholder networks
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic social media/digital content tools

Language requirements: English and Tok Pisin

Level of Language Required: Proficient