Job title:SLN:COP NetworkManager

Post number:TBC

Reports to:Director, Sussex Learning Network

Department:Research Enterprise and Social Partnerships

Location:Hollingbury, Brighton

Grade:5

Purpose of the role:

The Sussex Learning Network (SLN), a consortium of 3 Higher Education, 8 Further Education Colleges, 3 Local Authorities, a LEP and a council of training providers in Sussex, secured £3.9M funding over two years from the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) to deliver the National Collaborative Outreach Programme (NCOP) in Sussex.

The Sussex Learning Network–Collaborative Outreach Programme (SLN:COP) project aims to identify and address issues around progression to higher education for young people living in areas where progression is low overall, and particularly low when GCSE attainment is taken into account. The overall objective is to boost the take-up of higher education ensuring that the project’s targets for improved accessinto higher education are met within the identified areas and timescales. Activity started in January 2017 with young people (in Years 9-13), key influencers (parents, carers, guardians and teachers) and community groups.

This role will be responsible for setting up and managing the Community Innovations Programme – a portfolio of 9 discrete projects with an overall budget of £60k. This is a key element of the wider SLN:COP has been co-developed with University of Brighton Community University Partnership Programme, it aims to establish new community/education driven projects which challenge the barriers facing young people entering into Higher Education in innovative ways. The role will also provide project management expertise to the wider SLN:COP, including financial monitoring of the £3.9m Programme budget.

Main areas of responsibility:

  • To manage the contribution being made through the Community Innovations Programme to the wider SLN:COP objectives.
  • To manage and deliver Community Innovations Programme, including the allocated budget of £60k.
  • To develop capacity for shared learning for the SLN:COP Innovations programme across the portfolio of projects and into the wider SLN partnership.
  • To represent the SLN:COP Innovations programme internally and externally.
  • To explore how the SLN:COP Innovations programme might evolve and develop opportunities for new funding.
  • To assist the Director with the preparation and implementation of project management methodology, and the maintenance and monitoring of the NCOPproject plan. Produce regular reports identifying progress against tasks, deliverables and milestones.
  • To arrange and attend project and stakeholder meetings, workshops and external events.
  • Prepare and distribute a range of written work, recording and circulating minutes of meetings held with internal and external stakeholders.
  • To monitor and report the SLN:COP Programme budget – income and expenditure; payment of invoices and expenses; maintaining appropriate levels for funding project activity; cross-charging. Produce financial reports as required.
  • To work with the Programme Managers to ensure that NCOP activity is effectively communicated across the stakeholder network through appropriate media channels.
  • Work cooperatively with the team to ensure that the required outcomes of the project are delivered.

General responsibilities:

These are standard to all University of Brighton job descriptions.

  • To undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and character of work as may be reasonably required, including specific duties of a similar or lesser grade.
  • To adhere to the University’s Equality and Diversity Policy in all activities, and to actively promote equality of opportunity wherever possible.
  • To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
  • To work in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

The person specification focuses on the knowledge, qualifications, experience and skills (both general and technical) required to undertake the role effectively. Please ensure that your application demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria. You will be assessed by your completed application form (A), at interview (I) and in some instances through an exercise (E).

Essential criteria / A, I, E
Knowledge /
  • Understanding of the community and voluntary sector including social enterprise; understanding of the public sector; understanding of the education sector
  • Competence in the development and management of partnership projects–negotiation skills to develop beneficial partnership arrangements; competence in establishing and monitoring levels of contribution agreed with partners and ability to develop and
  • Concise, accurate written and oral communication with particular ability to explain complex processes and procedures; able to write effective, clear and concise reports; produce and deliver professional presentations. Ability to handle sensitive communications with people from very different sectors, different universities and levels of seniority; creation and maintenance of partner relationships; ability to facilitate the development of a ‘learning community’
  • Clear, concise, timely and appropriate oral and written communication; able to write effective, clear and concise correspondence, resources and reports
  • Confident and professional manner, and tactful, diplomatic, empathetic and calm under pressure
/ A, I
A, I, E
A, I
A, I, E
A, I, E
Experience /
  • Providing an effective project management service, including monitoring and reporting
  • Event planning and administration
  • Adaptive to change and uses initiative to identify problems and devise solutions
/ A, I
A, I
A, I
Technical/work based skills /
  • Computer literate and familiar with Microsoft Office
  • Financial planning, monitoring and reporting
/ A, I
A, I, E
  • Any appointment is generally made at the bottom of the salary range for the grade dependent upon experience and previous salary.
  • This is a full-time post and is fixed-termto 31 December 2018.
  • Annual leave entitlements are shown in the table below and increase after 5 years’ service. In addition, to the eight Bank Holidays, there are university discretionary days between Christmas and New Year. All leave, including bank holidays and discretionary days, is pro-rated for part time employees.

Grades / Basic entitlement per year / Grades / After 5 years’ service
1-3 / 23 days / 1-3 / 28 days
4-7 / 25 days / 4-7 / 30 days
8-9 / 27 days / 8-9 / 30 days
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Date: March 2018