Schools Outreach and Widening Participation Assistant Manager (Uni Connect)

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.  Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.  Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.

The Role and the Department

The Schools Outreach and Widening Participation (SOWP) Team supports the higher education choices of young people who are traditionally underrepresented at university and encourages anyone with academic ability to consider applying to Durham, regardless of background.

A post has arisen within the SOWP team as part of the Uni Connect Programme, an Office for Students (OfS) funded project. The North East Uni Connect Programme (NEUCP) involves all colleges and universities in the North East region working together to support raising young people’s attainment and promote higher education opportunities through a sustained programme of interventions. You can find more information about Uni Connect here.

Based within Durham University, but working across the region, the post holder will lead/project manage projects within a sustained and progressive student engagement programme of higher education outreach activities in targeted schools/sixth forms called FutureMe.

The post holder will be directly responsible for the supervision of the Higher Education Ambassador based at Durham University.

This post is part of a dispersed team across the region, hosted at Durham University with functional line management support provided by an Outreach Delivery Manager based at Teesside University and Head of Programme Delivery based at Newcastle University

The post holder will be required to work autonomously to lead relationships with senior leaders in schools to deliver a programme of activity on behalf of the Partnership. This will include responsibility for the delivery of higher education outreach sessions delivered by staff and undergraduate Partnership Associates alongside the project management of new activity as directed by the Outreach Delivery Manager(s). 

The post holder will be required to work from, and support colleagues at, other partner institutions across the region for which travel expenses will be provided. They will also be expected to attend and contribute to regional meetings in support of the delivery of the programme.

Working hours are usually 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday as is standard in Student Recruitment and Admissions. However, due to the nature of the role, the role is frequently required to adjust these hours and is occasionally required to work on evenings or weekends.  The role will nominally be based at Durham and will be expected to attend the offices at Durham on a regular basis (typically 2 days a week). However, in addition, the post holder may also work from home or choose to base themselves at one of the other North East universities. If appointed to the post, your line-manager will discuss the specific arrangements with you.

Please note that this post is fixed term until 31 July 2027.

Working at Durham  

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

•    You’ll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.

•    We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).

•    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.

•    We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.

•    We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.

•    Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.

•    Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).

•    We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.

•    You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.

•  Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.

• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality,  diversity and inclusion 

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. 

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. 

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification  
  
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.  Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.    
  
Your application should cover the following criteria:  

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1.      Five GCSE’s at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or a Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience.

2.      Degree or equivalent qualification and direct experience of the UK school and HE system

3.      Experience of working with young people and enthusing them about higher education.

4.      Experience of working on complex logistical activities and events with young people, preferably in a higher education setting.

5.      Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.   

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

6.      Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally and to deliver presentations to a range of audiences.

7.   Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including use of Microsoft Office.

8.   Committed to continuing professional development.

9.   The ability to research and develop new in-person and virtual outreach activity in support of progression to further and higher education.

10.   Ability to use initiative to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

11.   Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information.

12.   An understanding and interest in Widening Participation and of issues relating to progression, recruitment and admissions of students into further and higher education especially from under-represented groups.

13.   Flexible and positive approach to tasks, activities, and situations with the ability to handle difficult conversations.

Desirable Criteria

14.   Experience of implementing policies and procedures.

15.   Experience of supervising/managing a team and/or a line management qualification

16.   An understanding of educational issues as they affect young people particularly in the North East.

17.   An understanding of data protection, child safeguarding and internet safety issues.

18.   Experience of extracting, manipulating and analysing data and preparing summary reports.

Other specific role requirements

• DBS Check
• Ability to travel independently e.g. between remote locations and transport promotional materials and equipment such as display stands, is essential. Due to the remote location of some schools and colleges, a full UK Driving Licence is advantageous, as is having access to your own vehicle.

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above.  Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.  

Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online.  We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails 
 
What you are required to submit:
•    A CV 
•    A covering letter or statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification  

Contact details 
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, John Roxborough (john.roxborough@durham.ac.uk) would be happy to speak to you. 

Typical Role Requirements  

Service Delivery

·         Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

·        Ensure that any procedures and expectations that apply throughout the University are reflected in all aspects of the service provided by the team and adapt ways of working where this is not evident.

·        Provide specialist advice and resolve problems relating to the North East Uni Connect programme, specifically regarding the planning and development of the school tutoring programme, ensuring it effectively meets programme aims and the needs and priorities of OfS and schools/sixth forms and students. 

·        Take lead responsibility for engagement with senior staff within targeted schools/sixth forms across the region to plan, develop, deliver and monitor a structured programme of in-person and virtual outreach activity and tutoring to support raising attainment aligned to our North East Regional Progression Framework.

·        Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role and make recommendations based on your findings.

·        Manage, maintain and monitor designated equipment, facilities and systems to ensure safety, security and compliance, for example by ensuring compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.

·        Provide the best possible service of outreach, internal and external activities that support NEUCP, including reviewing and making suggestions to improve the service.

·        Collect and record data and information accurately and provide reports to senior colleagues, including leading on the collection and recording of data relating to activity and student participation to track, monitor and evaluate participation in, and impact of, outreach activities. This includes using the Higher Education Access Tracker (HEAT).

Planning and Organisation

·        Plan, manage and organise operational activities relating to NEUCP, including coordinating and delivering workshops, activities and presentations to potential applicants on a range of topics relating to higher education.

·        Manage an agreed budget and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services and provide related advice and guidance to other staff, including keeping accurate records and completing financial reports as required by the NEUCP Project Manager (Schools.)

Team Development

·        Supervise and coordinate support for a Higher Education Ambassador and provide an initial response to any related HR issues.

·        Explain systems and procedures to induct new starters into the team and provide specialist advice and guidance including any training.

·        Contribute to performance review processes by providing feedback on individual and team objectives and expectations and considering any development needs.

·        Lead the recruitment and supervision of a team of undergraduate tutors to deliver a structured tutoring programme for students in schools, including delivery of tutor training, planning and coordinating deployment into schools, supervision, reviewing tutor attendance and performance, and monitoring in-school support.

 Communication/Liaison

·        Develop and improve services by taking part in meetings, working groups and committees.

·        Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks which allow you to increase your knowledge and skills, while swapping information with peers.

·        Build relationships with both senior staff within target schools/sixth forms and a range of senior key stakeholders across the Partnership to ensure the effective delivery of the project.

·        Coordinate and administer a schedule of communications for students, parents/carers and staff in identified schools/sixth forms to ensure that they are regularly informed and updated about the programme, liaising closely with the wider NEUCP team with regard to relevant and useful content.

·        Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Privacy Notice which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.  

Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.

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