International Partnerships Officer – What the Role Entails and How to Apply

The International Partnerships Officer role is a dynamic and rewarding position within the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care (NMPC) at King’s College London. It plays a key part in fostering and supporting international collaborations across the faculty. The successful candidate will provide essential administrative and operational support to international project teams, working closely with academic and professional services staff to ensure these initiatives run smoothly and effectively. The role involves tasks such as managing day-to-day processes, maintaining established systems, and supporting faculty-wide international partnerships that contribute to King’s global academic impact.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys problem-solving, thrives in a collaborative international environment, and is passionate about creating cultural opportunities in higher education. The role demands strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities while adhering to processes. As a key contact, the officer will liaise with internal and external stakeholders, employing excellent communication skills to build relationships, maintain operations, and provide guidance to team members. Additionally, the post-holder will gain experience working across diverse cultural contexts, supporting initiatives that promote equality, diversity, and inclusion for staff and students.

The role is full-time (35 hours per week) and offered on a fixed-term contract for two years. It is suited for candidates who are interested in contributing to global academic partnerships and operational excellence within higher education.

Advice for Applicants – An International Education Perspective

When applying for the International Partnerships Officer role, here are some tips to stand out, especially from an international education perspective:

1. Highlight Your Global Outlook: As this job revolves around supporting international partnerships, showcasing your interest, knowledge, or experience in global education systems and cross-cultural collaboration will strengthen your application. If you’ve worked or studied in a different country or supported international projects in the past, emphasize this experience.

1. Demonstrate Your Administrative Expertise: The ability to manage competing priorities and maintain accuracy is crucial for this role. Highlight your experience with administrative processes and systems, particularly in complex organizational contexts. Familiarity with project management or managing operational systems across international teams is particularly relevant.

1. Showcase Your Communication Skills: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential for liaising with diverse stakeholders. Be sure to demonstrate how you can convey ideas clearly across cultural boundaries and foster collaboration. If possible, include examples from your previous roles where you communicated effectively or built relationships in culturally diverse settings.

1. Technical Competence: Familiarity with digital tools like Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, MS Forms) is essential. If you’ve used these tools in project management or administrative roles, explaining how they helped streamline processes or enhance efficiency could be advantageous.

1. Interest in Process Improvement: Highlight your interest in process optimization and how you assess and implement systematic changes to drive efficiency. This is particularly relevant in rapidly evolving international environments, where adaptability is key.

1. Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusion: The role demands alignment with the principles of equality, diversity, inclusion, and cultural change. Reflect on your commitment to these values, whether through professional experiences, volunteer work, or personal initiatives.

1. Emphasize Experience in Higher Education: If you have experience working in the university sector, whether in the UK or internationally, detail how this has prepared you for a role supporting international education, partnerships, or operations. Familiarity with the professional services structure within universities will be an added advantage.

1. Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: For international applicants, tailor your application to highlight transferable skills that match the essential and desirable criteria. If you have non-UK university sector experience, explain its relevance and draw parallels with UK higher education processes.

Final Tip
When preparing your application, think about how your personal and professional journey aligns with a role that contributes to global academic collaborations. In your cover letter, share your enthusiasm for creating impactful international partnerships and explain how your skills, experience, and global outlook make you the ideal fit for this exciting position