Main purpose of job:
The Scholarships Officer (Commonwealth) is responsible for delivering the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship programme in-country, working closely with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) Secretariat. The role supports equitable access to UK government scholarship opportunities by promoting the programmes, coordinating recruitment, managing engagement of over 2,000 alumni across India, and ensuring effective delivery in line with CSC policy.
Note: The tenure of the role is up to 31 March 2027.
We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:
In this role you will also be responsible for:
Programme Recruitment & Selection:
- Promote Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship schemes and maintain detailed understanding of each programme. Plan and deliver an innovative marketing and promotion plan (in consultation with Head of Scholarships).
- Liaise with local and other nominating agencies to support high-quality recruitment.
- Participate in interview panels as required.
Programme Outreach & Marketing:
- Develop and deliver a communications strategy (in consultation with the Head of Scholarships).
- Produce written and visual content for outreach.
- Work with alumni to deliver information sessions and events.
- Manage marketing budget of approximately GBP 1000 and ensure branding compliance.
Programme Administration:
- Administer programme in line with CSC policy.
- Act as main point of contact for applicants and awardees.
- Maintain strong relationships with applicants and scholars.
Alumni Engagement:
- Maintain alumni database, of over 2,000 alumni across India
- Build active alumni network and deliver events.
- Support Alumni Associations.
- Bid for alumni funding and manage budgets.
Partnerships:
- Support the Head of Scholarships in developing and managing new partnerships and account-manage existing partnerships.
- Act as a backup for Head of Scholarships.
- Engage wider High Commission colleagues, including the trade Team
Other duties:
- Deliver ad hoc tasks as required.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure): Management of alumni engagement budgets
Language requirements:
Language: English, Hindi & any other local language (desirable)
Level of language required: Expert
Additional information - Specific local Post requirements, if any:
The role includes coordination with the CSC Secretariat and TSU. Some flexibility may be required due to event schedules.
Essential on arrival:
- Graduate with +8 years work experience
- Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
- Strong communication and drafting ability.
- Ability to maintain stakeholder relationships and represent HMG and the scholarship network at public events.
- Ability to manage budgets.
- Experience working across multi-organisation environments.
Desirable skills:
- Experience with scholarship or education programmes.
- Experience of public speaking.
- Alumni or community engagement experience.
- Ability to produce marketing content.
- Familiarity with UK government or CSC structures.
Application Submission Deadline: 30 March 2026 (23:55 hrs IST)
