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.  

This job is being advertised on a short-term basis, as this is a trial of a new approach to managing Commonwealth Scholarships. Subject to funding availability and successful performance, we hope there may be opportunities for extension. 

Roles and Responsibilities

Scholar and Fellow Recruitment 

• Liaison with the Commonwealth Scholarships Secretariat and promotion of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Application processes. Collaborate with Chevening Officer/Lead on other UK Alumni activities and outreach.
• Develop an understanding of each of the Commonwealth’s schemes in detail.
• Support the Commonwealth Scholarships 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 Commonwealth Scholarships Secretariat. 

Programme Outreach and Marketing 

• Contribute to written and visual content for social and traditional media. 
• Contribute to designing other ways to promote Commonwealth Scholarships, including working with alumni to host information sessions, workshops, attendance at university fairs and other outreach events. Collaborate with the Chevening Officer/ Lead on other UK Alumni activities and outreach. 
• 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 Commonwealth Scholarships Secretariat. 
• Share information about Commonwealth Scholarships to colleagues in the High Commission to foster High Commission-wide engagement with the scholarship. 

Programme Administration 

• Respond to deadlines and requests set by the Commonwealth Scholarships 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 Commonwealth Scholarships 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 

• 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 Commonwealth Scholarships Secretariat. 
• Contribute to establishing and developing an effective and engaged national Commonwealth Alumni network, organising a series of events from concept to delivery for Commonwealth Alumni and Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholars (where relevant). Where appropriate, liaise with the Chevening Officer/Lead on Chevening alumni activities and data management to deliver alumni events open for recipients of both the Commonwealth and Chevening programme.  
• Liaise with Chevening Officer/Lead on Chevening alumni activities and data management. Work with them to ensure the delivery of a joint pre-departure/farewell event and an annual welcome-home event.  
• 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 Commonwealth Scholarships Secretariat and FCDO Scholarships Unit up to date with alumni engagement work in country on a quarterly basis. 

Partnerships 

• 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 Commonwealth Scholarships Secretariat/ FCDO Scholarships Unit’s Partnerships Team to ensure any existing partnerships are managed effectively and in line with policy. 

 Finance 

• 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. 

General 

• When required working across the FCDO’s scholarship schemes on cross-cutting areas. Ability to adapt and flex to support changing priorities – including supporting colleagues at times of pressure. 
• Other ad hoc and corporate tasks as required.  

Reporting Structure

Scholarships Officers are line managed within the High Commission structure, however, they will seek feedback from the Secretariat and, where relevant FCDO Scholarships Unit, for their performance management. The Secretariat may also, as required, provide feedback to countersigning officers at Post and FCDO Scholarships Unit throughout the year.
Each Scholarships team at Post will also have a dotted line into FCDO Scholarships Unit who have oversight of overall delivery and the performance of Scholarships Officers.

Previous use of budget management systems. 

Ability to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders, verbally and in writing. 

Precision in implementing tasks; good attention to detail. 

Bachelor’s degree