The Blavatnik School of Government is seeking to engage up to 3-4 Teaching Associates to support Professor Emily Jones and Professor Ciaran Martin in the preparation and delivery of a Public Leaders Programme for approximately 70 talented mid-career civil servants in Nigeria. The programme will run online in October 2026, with residential components in Nigeria in mid-November 2026 and March 2027. Participants are mainly from Nigeria, with a few joining from other African countries.
The programme provides participants with the opportunity to develop the skills they need to build transformative cultures of excellence, effectiveness and integrity throughout the public institutions they lead. The teaching on this programme will cover topics such as harnessing digital technology, leading in times of challenge and change, strengthening public organisations, negotiation, communication and narrative, and integrity in public life. It is particularly of interest to those keen to learn to build relationships with civil servants and policymakers in Africa as preparation for future work in policy, think tanks, or academia.
The role
This is an exciting short-term post which provides an opportunity for people with a mix of academic training and professional experience in public policy or public administration (or a closely related field) to deliver learning support on a stimulating programme, whilst developing their knowledge of best practice in public sector leadership.
The post holders will have responsibility for:
• The preparation and delivery of learning support to individuals and groups;
• ensuring that their teaching challenges thinking, fosters debate, and develops the ability of the participants to engage in critical analysis of practice;
• Reading and reviewing participants’ work, including discussion forum contributions, capstone project idea submissions, summaries and final reports, and providing clear and constructive comments and feedback;
• Using the online learning platform to maximise the participants’ learning experience throughout synchronous, asynchronous, and in-person modules;
• Acting as online learning facilitators and leading breakout group discussions;
• Monitoring participant engagement and progress, particularly during the asynchronous online learning weeks, and following up with participants where appropriate.
Selection criteria
Applicants will be judged against their ability to demonstrate the following:
Essential criteria:
• Hold a Master’s degree (or due to complete in 2026) in a relevant discipline, such as public policy, public administration, law, political science, political economy, or economics.
• Evidence of the ability to teach and facilitate group learning at University level or an equivalent professional setting, and demonstrable dedication to high quality policy-relevant teaching
• Evidence of a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport quickly, create enthusiasm for learning, and follow up with participants where appropriate.
• Ability to deliver work of a very high professional standard, with high level of motivation and self-discipline.
• Demonstrable interest in public sector leadership and public policy.
• Ability, commitment and willingness to travel to Nigeria to deliver the residential components of the programme.
Desirable criteria:
• Research at PhD level in a relevant discipline, such as public policy, public administration, law, political science, political economy, or economics.
• Experience of delivering online learning support.
• Experience working with civil servants or policymakers, ideally in Nigeria or another developing country context.
We are looking for the successful candidates to start in September 2026, and the casual teaching engagement will last until the end of March 2027. The key online and residential components of the programme will run from 28 September-2 October, 23-27 November 2026 and the week of 9 March 2027, and it is essential that applicants are available during those dates, and can travel during the latter two sets of dates.
The role can be carried out largely remotely, with occasional, but optional, visits to the Blavatnik School and an in-person presence at the two residential weeks in Nigeria.
You would normally be expected to be based and hold the right to work in the UK.
We estimate a minimum of 5 hours of work per week in the first instance. Hours will vary from week to week depending on project requirements, up to a maximum of 20 hours some weeks. During the two residential weeks, full-time hours of 37.5 hours will be required, and additional evening work may also be required (such as team debriefs, preparation for the following day, and attendance at programme dinners or events). Any additional hours worked beyond 37.5 hours during the residential weeks will be paid, subject to prior agreement.
Payment will be at the rate of £18.80 (Grade 6.1) per hour, plus rolled-up holiday pay of 12.07% for each hour worked.
The programme will cover all costs for travel to Nigeria, including flights, accommodation, meals, vaccines, travel insurance, and visa application (if applicable). Costs for travel to Oxford if working remotely cannot be covered.
How to apply
Please submit your application via this link:
https://oxfordblavatnik.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0dprUasP4dtDakK
Please include:
1. your CV (no more than 2 pages)
2. a brief cover letter addressing the selection criteria. Also include any constraints around availability (e.g. term dates, thesis deadlines, future commitments, etc.)
Please submit your CV and cover letter as one PDF document.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon (UK time) on Monday 22 June 2026. Interviews are likely to be held the following week.
For any queries, please contact recruit@bsg.ox.ac.uk.