Head of Arts Kenya

Purpose of job

To be the entrepreneurial and management lead for the British Council’s arts programme in Kenya and East Africa, to initiate, develop, to be accountable for relationships with cultural partners and key stakeholders, to increase the profile and impact of the programme across the East Africa Region, but particularly in Kenya, and to develop and lead on a funding strategy that steadily increases partnership income and the impact of the programme.

Context and environment

Kenya is one of the UK’s top priority countries for international engagement and is key to our programme of arts work in Sub-Saharan Africa. In recognition of the importance of the relationship with Kenya we wish to develop a renewed programme of engagement through the arts. The head of arts will be primarily responsible for the development and delivery of a compelling arts programme in Kenya. In addition, part of the role will also be to oversee the development of the arts programme in Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Rwanda. 

The British Council works in three strategic business areas; Arts, English, Education and Society. Reporting to Director Kenya, the post-holder will be responsible for leading a dynamic arts programme that is in line with our strategy in East Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa region and achieves impact across the country and beyond.

Accountabilities, responsibilities and main duties

• Lead the British Council’s arts programme in Kenya, extending its impact across our target audiences and strengthening its position as the key organisation for international collaboration between Kenya and UK
• 20% of the post is allocated to oversight, advice and leadership of the arts programmes in Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. Where appropriate identifying synergies and cross-country working.

·        

Ensure that the annual arts plan is created and implemented in line with regional/country strategy and as agreed with the country director and the regional director arts

·        

Lead, inspire and develop the Kenyan arts team in the design and delivery of a high quality, high profile programme which reaches a wide audience and achieves national impact   

·        

To work with the Business Development Manager and Head of Programmes to set and achieve stretching targets to increase the impact and scale of our arts work through partnership funding (inc in-kind contribution)

·        

Develop, implement and be accountable for a fundraising strategy for the programme - developing innovative projects and new approaches that will attract individual and institutional donors and partners

·        

Work closely with the communications team to ensure maximum profile and impact for the programme, particularly with online audiences

·        

Be a champion for UK culture and position the British Council as cultural partner of choice, leading on the development and cultivation of relationships with individuals and organisations in Kenya, East Africa and the UK

·        

Ensure that all aspects of the programme and relationships with stakeholders reflect British Council values and adhere to its equal opportunity and diversity principles

·        

Manage the Kenya arts programme budget

·        

Report and escalate any risk inherent in programme delivery

·        

Be responsible for team cohesion and development

Key relationships

·        

Leaders and influencers in Kenya’s arts institutions

·        

UK leading arts institutions and individuals

·        

Key individuals in the government ministries

·        

Relevant arts media/journalists/communicators

·        

Colleagues in the British Council’s UK arts group

·        

Regional Director Arts

·        

Arts managers throughout the global network, but especially in Sub-Saharan Africa

·        

Colleagues in British Council Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda

Other important features or requirements of the job

·        

Frequent national and regional travel

·        

Infrequent overseas travel

·        

Regular attendance at evening and weekend events.

·        

Fluent spoken and written English 

Click on the on the following link to apply : Head of Arts Kenya