February 2016
Dear Applicant,
Programme Administrator, School of Humanities (Fixed-term)
Thank you for your enquiry.
Please find enclosed a job description, including pay and benefits, relating to the post of ProgrammeAdministrator, School of Humanities. An application form and equal opportunities monitoring form should be returned to me by 21 February 2016(either through the post or via email.) Both forms are available to download from the website on the ‘Work at the RCA’ page.
Please note it is vital that all sections of this form are completed. The ‘Additional Information’ section is particularly important to the selection process; you should use this to outline the skills, knowledge and experience that you have which specifically relate to the job description and person specification for the post. You may continue on separate sheets if necessary.
If you are disabled and require help completing your application form, or if you will require help or special facilities should you be shortlisted for interview, please telephone me, in confidence, on 020 7590 4133 or e-mail me on .
Completed application forms should be sent to or HR Assistant, Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2EU.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Yours sincerely
RAYMOND LEE
HR Assistant
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post:ProgrammeAdministrator, School of Humanities
Programme:History of Design
School: Humanities
Grade:6
Tenure: Fixed term for 6 months (with possibility of extension)
Responsible to: Head of Programme/Dean of School
Background:
The Royal College of Art is the only entirely postgraduate institution of university status devoted to research and knowledge exchange, teaching and practice in art, design, communication and humanities. In 2015/16 the College has 1550 students registered for MA, MPhil and PhD degrees. There are more than 400 permanent academic, technical and administrative staff, with around 800 visiting lecturers.
The History of Design Programme is a Masters and Research Programme run jointly with the Victoria and Albert Museum. The School of Humanities currently supports 3 Masters’ programmes, a school-wide research programme and a college-wide programme in Critical and Historical Studies, with plans to increase the number of programmes its offers.
Purpose of the post:
The primary purpose of the post is to provide administrative support to the Head of Programme, and its academic staff, and be the first administrative point of contact for students. The secondary purpose is to contribute to school-wide administration by working with the School Administrator and Dean of school.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The postholder will provide administrative support to both School and Programme. The postholder will work as part of the School administration team, led by the School Administrator. The exact nature of local responsibilities will be determined by the Dean of School, in consultation with the Head of Programme.
Programme Administration
- To be responsible for the day to day administration of Programme /student enquiries, dealing with prospective applicants and external agents (e.g. industry/sponsors) in an informed and knowledgeable way
- To be the first administrative point of contact for the students within the Programme and to provide timely support and advice
- To provide all other necessary administrative support to the Programme, including course handbook, student records, publications, shows, visiting lecturers, travel and local finance (transfers, expenses and petty cash) to ensure the smooth running of the Programme
- To co-ordinate and maintain Programme teaching timetables, online and in hard copy, and make arrangements for tutorials, lectures and seminars
- To assist the School Administrator in the coordination of school wide timetables, including liaison with the college timetable officer
- To coordinate the admissions period including applications, interviews and EAP testing
- To fulfil administrative and secretarial requirements for the Programme to include: database, spreadsheets, word processing, photocopying, enquiries, maintaining an efficient filing system, diaries, notice boards etc.
- To maintain efficient communication with the V&A administrator for the programme
- Any other duties as reasonably required by the Dean of School / Head of Programme
Person Specification:
It is essential that the post holder has:
- A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office programmes, including Word, Excel and databases, email and web browsers
- Basic bookkeeping skills and aptitude to use finance systems such as Agresso
- Good keyboarding skills
- Excellent organisational skills
- Excellent communicationskills with people at all levels
- The ability to use initiative, multi-task and work as part of a team
It is desirable that the post holder has:
- Experience of working in Higher Education
- Minute-taking skills
- Diary management skills, including electronic calendars
- An interest and enthusiasm for art, design and culture,
- Experience or knowledge of a relationship database, such as Raiser’s Edge
Additional Information:
- Salary: £29,912– £34,240per annum (pro rata) inclusive of London allowance.
- This is a fixed term position for 6 months with a possibility of extension.
- Normal hours total 35 per week, 9.30am to 5.30pm with an hour for lunch.
- 25 days annual leave plus extended breaks at Christmas and Easter.
- A contributory defined benefit pension scheme and interest free season ticket loan are available.
February 2016
PAY & BENEFITS
Pay Structures
Staff at the Royal College of Art are paid within one of ten grades on the national 51 point pay spine.
The salary quoted in the job description is a range because it shows the entire grade assigned to the job. The salary offered to the successful candidate depends upon their experience and previous salary. Once appointed, staff (if in post by 31 March) will move to the next point on the salary scale each year on 1 August until they reach the maximum of the scale. In addition to these increments, a percentage rise will be negotiated nationally with the unions each year, and will also be awarded from 1 August each year.
Pension Scheme
The College operates the Superannuation Scheme of the University of London (SAUL) Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) pension scheme. The College will contribute a sum equal to 13% of your salary while you pay 6%.
Enhanced sick pay
Occupational sick pay is offered after six months’ service of three months’ full pay followed by three months’ half pay.
Enhanced maternity and adoption pay
Qualifying employees are entitled to enhanced maternity/adoption pay: 26 weeks’ full pay, 13 weeks Statutory Maternity/Adoption Pay. This compares to the statutory provision of 90% of average pay for 6 weeks followed by Statutory Maternity/Adoption Pay for 33 weeks.
Enhanced paternity pay
Qualifying employees are entitled to two weeks’ paternity leave entitlement at full pay. This compares to the statutory provision of two weeks’ pay at the statutory rate.
Compassionate and Parental Leave
The College will give sympathetic consideration to requests for compassionate leave, dependent upon individual circumstances.
Occupational Health
Occupational Health support for the College is provided by Imperial College’sOccupational Health Service at their South Kensington Campus.
24/7 confidential support Staff and their household members have access to a free, external confidential support service for work, financial, legal, family and personal problems 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Staff Development
The College’s commitment to staff development is expressed through the Staff Development Policy, which includes the following statement:
“The Royal College of Art is committed to the support and promotion of relevant staff development and training. Staff Development is defined as policies, procedures and practices designed to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes of staff and, by so doing, to improve the effectiveness and efficiency both of the individual and the College.
The Royal College of Art is committed to the development of all categories of its staff and recognises that the efficient and effective functioning of the College depends on its support and provision of staff development activities for academic and non-academic staff alike at all levels.”
A full copy of the policy is available upon request.
Season Ticket Loans
Interest-free pay advances are available for staff to purchase annual season tickets.
Holiday
5 weeks (25 days) paid leave per annum plus Bank and Public holidays normally observed in England and Wales. In addition, the College is normally closed for six days a year one day either side of Easter and the remainder between Christmas and New Year. Part-time staff will be entitled to the pro-rata equivalent.
Cycle to Work Scheme
The Royal College of Art has signed up to the Cycle to Work Scheme – part of the government's Green Transport Initiative – which allows employees to make significant savings on new bikes and/or safety equipment.
Childcare Vouchers
The Royal College of Art enables staff to purchase childcare vouchers, through its partner Edenred, as a salary sacrifice scheme. Childcare vouchers can enable parents to pay for childcare from pre-tax and national insurance income.
Computing Services
The RCA’s licensing arrangements allow staff to access software and services at home while employed at the College. Software available includes Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesignetc) and Kaspersky Antivirus software. The College offers free online training tutorials for over 300 software titles for use on both Macs and PCs.
Staff can also access their RCA email accounts and the College Intranet services from homeand full remote access using VPN. Free Wireless Internet can also be used at any institution offering Eduroam.
Student Restaurant and Senior Common Room
Staff are entitled to use the Student Restaurant, Snackbar and RCafé, which provides reasonably priced hot food and snacks through the day.
The Senior Common Room serves a more formal menu every lunchtime during term time.
Drawing Classes
The Drawing Studio runs weekly drawing classes during term-time which are free for staff to attend.
Library
All staff are welcome to join the College Library.
Events
All staff are welcome to attend exhibitions, lectures and private views held by academic schools and programmes.