Arts Intern at the British Council

About

The British Council is the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. Established in 1934, it works to build connections, promote mutual understanding, and strengthen trust between the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education, and the English language.

Operating in more than 100 countries, the organisation supports cultural exchange, educational development, and international collaboration. Its work creates opportunities for individuals and communities while strengthening relationships across borders.

Job Description

The British Council is inviting applications for the position of Arts Intern in Lagos, Nigeria. This 12-month, fixed-term internship is designed for recent graduates interested in gaining practical experience in arts administration, programme coordination, event management, communications, and stakeholder engagement.

Working alongside the Arts team, the successful candidate will support the planning and delivery of arts programmes, maintain application and participant records, assist with events, prepare documentation, and contribute to monitoring, reporting, and communications activities.

The internship offers structured professional development and exposure to the administrative processes involved in delivering arts and cultural programmes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Programme and Project Coordination

• Support the coordination of arts projects, programmes, and events.
• Maintain project schedules, trackers, action logs, and programme records.
• Assist with monitoring project activities and following up on outstanding tasks.

2. Application and Participant Administration

• Organise and update application records and participant information.
• Review records for accuracy, identify inconsistencies, and maintain orderly documentation.
• Prepare working lists and supporting documents for selection processes.
• Maintain document version control and support the accurate administration of selection activities.

3. Event Planning and Logistics

• Assist with planning and delivering events and programme activities.
• Coordinate venues, travel, accommodation, suppliers, materials, and guest arrangements.
• Support participant communications before, during, and after events.

4. Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

• Draft routine professional correspondence and follow up with relevant stakeholders.
• Communicate with colleagues, artists, applicants, participants, partners, and suppliers.
• Assist with preparing digital content, maintaining content calendars, and developing basic visual materials.
• Support post-event communications and related activities.

5. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Collect, organise, and validate programme information.
• Maintain supporting evidence and assist with monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.
• Help ensure that programme records are complete, accurate, and up to date.

6. Documentation and Administrative Support

• Maintain programme files and relevant organisational records.
• Assist with procurement documentation, supplier records, purchase requests, and approval tracking.
• Follow applicable data protection, safeguarding, and organisational procedures.
• Participate in team meetings, document action points, provide progress updates, and suggest improvements to administrative processes.
• Undertake other reasonable administrative duties related to the internship.

Qualifications & Requirements

Essential Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Possess a graduate-level qualification and have graduated within the last two years.
• Have experience supporting projects, programmes, events, or administrative activities.
• Be able to organise and maintain information using spreadsheets, databases, or tracking tools.
• Demonstrate excellent attention to detail and accuracy in record-keeping.
• Have good written and spoken English, including the ability to prepare professional correspondence.
• Be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, or comparable workplace tools.
• Possess strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Be able to manage competing priorities and follow up on outstanding tasks.
• Communicate professionally and collaborate effectively with colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Understand the importance of confidentiality, data protection, safeguarding, and appropriate escalation of compliance concerns.
• Have the legal right to live and undertake the internship in Nigeria for its entire duration.

Desirable Experience

The following would be an advantage:

• Exposure to arts, culture, film, creative industries, education, or international cultural relations.
• Experience supporting applications, assessments, selection processes, or participant administration.
• Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation, data collection, reporting, or digital analytics.
• Experience with event logistics, supplier coordination, procurement documentation, or contract administration.
• Knowledge of Canva or similar tools for creating basic visual materials and digital content.

Required Skills and Behaviours

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

• Effective planning, organisation, and time management.
• Clear communication and professional stakeholder engagement.
• Confidence in using digital tools and handling information accurately.
• Practical problem-solving skills and sound judgement.
• Willingness to seek guidance when necessary.
• Commitment to continuous learning, teamwork, and inclusive working practices.
• Genuine interest in arts and culture.

What the Internship Offers

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to:

• Gain practical experience in arts programme administration and delivery.
• Develop skills in organisation, communication, data management, and coordination.
• Learn about event management, stakeholder engagement, monitoring, and reporting.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues involved in arts and cultural relations in Nigeria.
• Build experience relevant to future careers in arts, culture, programme administration, and related fields.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should apply by clicking the APPLY NOW button.

Applicants should:

1. Locate the Arts Intern vacancy using job reference 50722.
2. Review the eligibility criteria and application instructions.
3. Prepare an updated CV highlighting relevant project coordination, administrative, event management, communications, data-handling, and digital skills.
4. Complete and submit the online application through the official recruitment system.

Applicants must ensure they have the legal right to live and undertake the internship in Nigeria for the full 12-month period.

Important Employment Conditions

• The position is a 12-month, fixed-term internship.
• It is not a permanent job or a guarantee of subsequent full-time employment.
• Completion of the internship does not guarantee an extension or future appointment.
• Any future employment opportunity would require a separate recruitment or engagement process.
• The successful candidate will be subject to the British Council’s applicable screening and background-check requirements.
• Visa or work-authorisation support should not be assumed.