View Vacancy - KL - Education Policy & Programme Manager, Bilateral Diplomacy, HEO

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)

Main purpose of job:

The British High Commission in Malaysia maintains and develops the close relationship between the UK and Malaysia, promotes British interests, and coordinates the political, economic, environmental and commercial activities of the British government. 

Education is one of the most successful areas of the UK-Malaysia relationship.  The UK is the number one international destination for Malaysian students, who make up the third largest international cohort in the UK.  Five UK universities have campuses in Malaysia. 

This role will focus on developing the bilateral relationship on education, Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and skills; working closely with the regional Education and Skills Adviser and the Head of Bilateral Diplomacy in British High Commission Kuala Lumpur.

The jobholder’s key roles include:

  • Managing UK funded programmes to support education and skills development in Malaysia.
  • Engaging with education/TVET stakeholders to support the UK’s priorities in Malaysia, particularly on girl’s education, skills and the promotion of the UK education system. 
  • Coordinating the UK’s cross-government effort on education and skills, working with the British Council and the Department of International Trade.

This is an exciting opportunity to play an influential role in a priority sector for the UK, as well as promoting world-leading UK education institutions and best practises. The jobholder will manage  high-profile and strategic British development initiatives in Malaysia and ASEAN, which aim to have a positive impact on girls’ education, contributing to better skills and employability, as well as supporting youth, women and vulnerable communities. 

A portion of the jobholder’s time will also be working on ASEAN-wide education programming priorities, in support of the Regional UK Education Hub based in British High Commission Kuala Lumpur,  working with colleagues in London and across the ASEAN region. The jobholder is also expected to visit project sites in Malaysian states and possibly certain ASEAN countries where necessary.

The jobholder will contribute to the delivery of results in line with the High Commission’s Country Business Plan; the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Integrated Review and International Development Strategy objectives in the Indo-Pacific; and the UK-ASEAN Dialogue Partnership Plan of Action.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

Policy

  • Monitoring, analysing and reporting of education/TVET policy priorities in UK, Malaysia and ASEAN, including from government agencies and multilateral organisations. The focus will be on girls’ education and TVET/Skills.
  • Understand gender equality and social inclusion policies for education.
  • Identifying opportunities for productive collaboration between UK and Malaysia on education policy, and facilitating bilateral engagement. 

Regional Support

  • Support the SEO/C5(L) Regional Education and Skills Adviser in setting up of the UK Education Hub for ASEAN, based in British High Commission Kuala Lumpur.
  • Work with education advisers and leads across High Commissions and Embassies across ASEAN to design programmes/projects, in line with UK Programme Operating Framework and guidelines. Research, scope and spot opportunities for project or policy interventions as part of new multi-year Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme. 
  • Develop links for key outcomes of UK education programmes (such as Skills for Prosperity) with new UK education programming in Malaysia and ASEAN.

Programme Management – Skills for Prosperity programme and future UK education/skills programmes in Malaysia

  • Lead programme management for the last phase of the ODA Skills for Prosperity programme in Malaysia; working together with programme managers in other ASEAN and reporting to the Regional Education and Skills Adviser. 
  • Collaborating with the delivery partner (International Labour Organization), the UK Skills Hub and Malaysian partners at national and state level to deliver 
  • Monitoring of programme progress in Malaysia; risk management; ensuring financial and quarterly reporting is on time; and documenting evaluation of programme for learning purposes.
  • Tracking progress against the results framework and budget, collating partner feedback, capturing lessons learned, performance data and impact evidence.
  • Work closely with regional/global programme or policy networks to report outcomes from the programmes/projects and manage enquiries from the network.
  • Assist in designing, implementing and managing any new projects and policy engagement on skills and education in Malaysia from 2023 onwards.

Corporate

  • Take on corporate objectives, such as supporting events, in crisis preparedness and inward/outward visits. 

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 


Policy analysis for new Education programmes in Malaysia and ASEAN; support for UK ASEAN Education Hub; leading on the Skills for Prosperity programme in Malaysia, including budget management of £1 million.

  • At least five years’ worth of experience in policy-based work or consultancy, and programme/project management. Some experience required with managing project budget and finances;
  • Graduate with university degree OR certificate/credentials relevant to the job (ideally but not limited to education studies, policy, political science and international relations);
  • Fluent written and spoken English and Bahasa Malaysia for stakeholder engagement purposes.
  • Evidence of good research, analysis and report writing skills in English. Confidence to express ideas clearly and concisely;
  • Strong knowledge in IT applications and Microsoft Office, including spreadsheets, graphs, and use of infographics for reporting;
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to negotiate and influence;
  • Evidence of self-motivation, professionalism and the ability to work under minimal supervision;
  • Evidence of adaptability and ability to prioritise against competing and challenging tasking; good multi-tasking skills/aptitude.

Language requirements: 

Language:  English, Bahasa Malaysia

Level of language required: Fluent written and spoken 

  • Knowledge and understanding of education policies in Malaysia and some understanding of education policies in the UK and ASEAN. Any experience on gender equality and social inclusion in education will be an advantage.
  • Working experience with international projects/programmes; experience with corporate consultants or multilateral organisations will be an advantage.
  • Knowledge of working with government in Malaysia.
  • Experience of working in an international context.
  • Basic understanding of the UK, British Government, particularly the FCDO, and the British High Commission. Understanding of UK ODA objectives will be an advantage.
  • Prior experience working on education programmes.
Seeing the Big Picture, Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
13 December 2022
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
36.25
24 months
Asia Pacific
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur
British High Commission
1
MYR
MYR 9,670
13 February 2023
5 February 2025

The British High Commission offers a competitive remuneration package, benefits, leave entitlement of 20 days per annum (calculated on pro rata basis) and a range of learning and development opportunities including courses, access to significant on line training materials and on the job learning and development opportunities.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is committed to developing its staff, working hard to provide a comprehensive learning and development offer. Staff have access to a wide variety of online resources through the Diplomatic Academy and Civil Service Learning. Staff are strongly encouraged to take advantage of all the available opportunities.

The job-holder will be required to take some specific training courses related to their role. All new staff undertake a workplace induction and there are a number of mandatory e-learning courses covering areas such as diversity, health and safety, and information management.

In addition to formal training, collaboration with a wide range of colleagues will deliver on-the-job learning experiences, including

  • Working in a diplomatic mission;
  • Understanding how UK international development assistance is managed / implemented;
  • Understanding effective programme management (including Monitoring, Reporting, Evaluation, and Learning).

Working patterns:

The British High Commission supports flexible working. This includes flexi-hours and up to two days working from home, in agreement with a jobholder’s line manager.

Some evening and weekend work is required on occasions. British High Commission Malaysia Standard Terms and Conditions apply and these provide for time worked outside of working hours to be compensated through Time Off In Lieu.

Please note that your application must be submitted before 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen. 

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core competencies listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. 

Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.

Kindly check your application centre or email regularly for any update on the status of your application.

To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.