Overview
We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity. We connect. We inspire. The British Council is set to take on the role of National Agency for Erasmus+ and the UK is rejoining the Erasmus+ scheme in 2027.
Job Title: Erasmus+ Head of Compliance & Fraud
Pay Band: SMP (9) • Salary: £55,699 gross per annum plus £3,300 London Market Allowance per annum • Contract Duration: 2 Year Fixed Term Contract with possibility of extension • Location: London, United Kingdom
Right to Work Requirements: Current right to work in the UK. The British Council is not able to support or sponsor work visa applications. Closing Date: Applications will close on Tuesday, 21 July at 22:59 UK Time
Role Purpose: The Erasmus+ Head of Compliance & Fraud is responsible for safeguarding the integrity, accountability, and operational resilience of Erasmus+. The role ensures all areas of delivery and contractual requirements have the necessary fit-for-purpose frameworks developed & embedded so all those involved in Erasmus+ delivery know how to and can comply with their obligations. This position provides strategic leadership on compliance and controls – including fraud prevention, detection, and response. The role designs and maintains a robust control framework that mitigates risks across the full grant lifecycle from application and assessment through distribution, monitoring, to audit and closure. Working closely with delivery teams, senior programme leadership, contracts and internal audit, the Head of Compliance & Fraud ensures that the programme meets the highest standards of transparency, fairness, and financial stewardship. The role leads the development of a proactive compliance culture, oversees investigations, promotes best practice in ethical conduct, and ensures timely, accurate reporting to both internal and external stakeholders. Ultimately, the role exists to protect programme funds, uphold public trust, and enable the successful delivery of outcomes by ensuring that funds are used for their intended purpose and managed in line with legal, contractual, and regulatory expectations.
Responsibilities
- Leadership & Team Management
- Lead and develop the Compliance & Fraud function, ensuring the team has the capability, structure, and capacity to meet programme needs.
- Manage performance, set clear objectives, and ensure high professional standards.
- Compliance Framework & Governance
- Establish, maintain, and continuously improve the programme’s compliance framework, ensuring alignment with contractual requirements, legislation, client governance, and organisational policies.
- Oversee the design and implementation of internal controls across the full grant lifecycle, ensuring they are proportionate, effective, and well documented.
- Fraud Prevention, Detection & Response
- Develop and deliver the programme’s fraud risk strategy, including prevention, detection, investigation, and resolution activities.
- Manage the fraud risk register and ongoing assessment of fraud threats across delivery partners and internal processes.
- Assurance, Monitoring & Audit
- Lead the programme’s assurance activity, including first and second line monitoring, thematic reviews, coordination of third line internal audit activity, and client commissioned audits.
- Ensure findings are tracked, actions are completed, and risks are mitigated effectively.
- Risk Management
- Act as the programme’s senior subject-matter expert on compliance and fraud risk, advising the National Agency Director and senior leadership.
- Ensure alignment with organisational risk management frameworks and maintain a clear view of emerging regulatory or operational risks.
- Stakeholder & Client Engagement
- Serve as the key interface with the client on all compliance, fraud, and assurance matters.
- Build strong, proactive relationships across internal teams and delivery partners to promote a culture of transparency, accountability, and ethical behaviour.
- Policy Development & Implementation
- Lead the development and review of Erasmus+ policies and SOPs for compliance, fraud, due diligence, grant management controls, conflict of interest, and financial integrity.
- Ensure policies are communicated, understood, and consistently applied across the programme and partners.
- Capacity Building & Culture
- Champion a culture of strong governance, ethical conduct, and zero tolerance for fraud.
- Coordinate with relevant internal functions to develop and deliver training, guidance, and support for programme staff and delivery partners on compliance and fraud obligations.
Requirements of the role
Role Specific Skills
- Be an exemplar of integrity, honesty, discretion and professionalism for the National Agency
- Independently minded and willing to challenge existing business practice
Role Specific Knowledge and Experience
Minimum/essential
- Experience of working in internal control or compliance
- Fluency with Governance, Risk Compliance (GRC) tools
- Proven track record in relationship development with internal stakeholders at all levels of the organisation
- Experience of effective and efficient process design
- Skilled at synthesising information and presenting clear insights to senior stakeholders
Desirable
- Experience of leading internal control compliance functions
- Experience in working to counter fraud frameworks
- Experience of or certification in six sigma methodology or alternative approaches to effective process design
- Experience of fraud management processes and policies
Language & Education
- Language Requirements: The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal fluency in English is required.
- Education: Degree or equivalent work experience.
Professional Qualification & Certification
- Project Management certification
- Desirable: Relevant professional qualification e.g. ICA, ACA, ACCA, CIA, IRM, ACFS, ACFE.
Note: Please note that candidates must have pre-existing legal right to work in the listed locations at the time of application. Mobility/relocation/visa sponsorship support will not be provided. We support hybrid working subject to management approval.
Additional Information
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: The British Council is an Equal Opportunity employer and Disability Confident Employer. Safeguarding: The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults we work with. If you experience difficulties submitting your application, email askhr@britishcouncil.org
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