Post Number: /
Job Description
School/Department: / Student and Academic Administration
Post Title: / Learn with US Transition Officer
Please enter Level under appropriate Career Pathway / ERE / TAE / MSA / CAO / R.Nurse / Clinical
4
ERE Category / Academic Posts / Non-Academic Posts
Academic
(mixed) / Research
only / Teaching
only / Enterprise / Education Development
Posts Responsible to (and Level): / UK Student Recruitment Manager (Level 5)
Posts Responsible for (and Level): / Indirect:
The work of all staff in academic disciplines and Student Ambassadors contributing to the development of the Learn with US HE transition programme.
The main focus of this post is to contribute to the expansion of the University’s highly successful and innovative Learn with US FE to HE transition programme
Job Purpose:
· To deploy a detailed understanding of higher education policies and current issues, along with own professional knowledge and expertise, to contribute to the expansion and further development of the University’s flagship ‘Learn with US’ HE transition programme. The programme is designed to aid the transition from FE to HE, by working in partnership with sixth forms to help students develop key skills required for HE study, such as note taking, critical thinking and research skills before applying to university.
· To proactively promote and support the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), both internally and externally,
Key Accountabilities/Primary Responsibilities:
· To deliver, and contribute to the development and expansion of, the University of Southampton’s Learn with US FE to HE transition programme. This to include developing and delivering outreach lectures based upon current research which illustrate and promote the process of undertaking academic research. Lectures should be suitable for gifted and talented sixth form students from a range of subject backgrounds
· To proactively promote the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) both internally and externally through a variety of means, including developing effective working partnerships with EPQ supervisors and Gifted and Talented Coordinators in schools and colleges and Examination Boards, delivering presentations and contributing to the development of online EPQ teaching materials such as podcasts and lesson plans
· To develop and deliver HE skills workshops for students, with a particular focus on skills linked to the Extended Project Qualification and transition to Higher Education
· To develop and run a Research-Based Learning Project, based upon an area of own research, for Year 12/13 students. This should be an activity that will run for a full day, and could be delivered on or off campus with minimal additional support for up to 40 students
· To recruit, train and co-ordinate a pool of postgraduate research students (PGRs), Early Career Researchers (ECRs) and e-mentors to assist with the delivery of the Learn with US FE to HE transition activities
· To develop and deliver INSET for staff in schools and colleges which seeks to support the delivery and enhance the effectiveness of the Learn with US transition activities
· To maintain and update the Learn with US transition website, Facebook page, YouTube channel and Twitter feed
· To undertake all activity ensuring the best and most effective use of resources at all times
· Any other duties that fall within the scope of the post as allocated by the line manager following consultation with the postholder. / % Time
30
50
10
5
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5
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Internal & External Relationships:
· Academic and MSA staff and students in faculties who are involved in activities relating to student recruitment
· Staff in external schools, colleges and other organisations
· Potential students and parents/advisors
Special Requirements:
· A willingness to travel within the UK with the occasional overnight stay
· Capacity to work such hours as are required during peak times to complete the job satisfactorily
· Flexibility to take leave outside peak periods
· Required to undertake an enhanced level Criminal Records Bureau disclosure.
Person Specification
Criteria / Essential / Desirable / How to be assessed
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:
HND, First degree, NVQ4 or equivalent qualification and work experience
Postgraduate qualification
Qualified Teacher
Experience of, or currently engaged in, academic research
Significant experience of working in the FE or HE sector, preferably in a public-facing role with experience of promoting the institution to potential students, their parents and advisors in schools and colleges
Comprehensive knowledge of the secondary school and/or sixth form sector
Substantial experience in making presentations to a variety of audiences in an educational setting, including potential students, their parents and advisors / X
X
X
X
X / X
X / Application, interview and presentation.
Planning and Organising:
Proven experience in organising and scheduling large scale activities, resources and events. Capacity to set aims and objectives, plan and monitor own workload and establish time-lines and consistently review delivery against objectives / X / Application, interview and references.
Problem Solving and Initiative:
Proven ability to analyse issues and break them down into component parts. Make systematic and rational judgements based on relevant information.
Demonstrate an understanding of both institutional policy and higher education policy in general; engage in developing new initiatives that support the development of activity.
Ability to seek and collate feedback and data from activities, analyse key findings and summarise recommendations for senior staff. / X
X
X / Application, interview and references.
Management and Teamwork:
Ability to understand and proactively develop the one team approach to a shared service delivery across the SAA work-stream with staff in SAAD and faculties
Proven experience in setting clear objectives both in terms of own workload and for any staff under the post holder’s supervision; to provide a positive environment in which to learn and embed best practice. / X
X / Application, interview and references.
Communicating and Influencing:
Effective partnership working and interpersonal skills are essential including:
Proven ability to draft written reports in a clear way that addresses key issues in a succinct manner
Ability to convey accurate information to stakeholder groups in an appropriate, professional and concise manner
Capacity to speak fluently with individuals/groups and adopt a persuasive and constructive style at all times, using empathy to understand the stakeholders’ differing needs.
Demonstrate adequate preparation so that presentations are focussed, accurate and meet the needs of the stakeholder group. / X
X
X
X
X / Application, interview and references.
Resource Management
Demonstrate ability to set objectives within own project areas; allocate staff time accordingly, monitor progress against mile-stones and re-prioritise according to the changing needs of the Department and work-stream. / X / Application, interview and references.
Service Delivery
Evidence of a commitment to the continuous enhancement of the quality standards of the Team’s outputs and development of a service ethic that adds value to the experience of potential students.
Pro-active approach to the setting of standards for staff to follow and the collection of feedback; engagement in finding appropriate tools and methods.
A capacity for patience and tolerance with large numbers of staff, always maintaining sensitivity to their needs, particularly at times of peak working under pressure.
Respect for cultural differences and awareness of how institutional ways of working need to adapt to suit the increasing diversity of student and staff groups. / X
X
X
X / Application, interview and references.
Information Technology Skills
Capacity to engage with staff in iSolutions in the design and testing of business processes and the IT soft ware and web based systems that support the Student Recruitment Team’s functions.
Be fully proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office suite of products. / X
X / Application, interview and references.
Special Requirements:
Full UK Driving Licence / X / Application, interview and references.
Job Hazard Analysis Form - Appendix to Job and Person Specification
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