Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education

Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education

Appointment of the Independent Adjudicator and Chief Executive

The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) is the designated operator of the student complaints scheme for higher education in England and Wales. Since its inception in 2004 it has reviewed more than 10,000 complaints, and has become a recognised authority in developing good practice in the handling of student complaints. We are now seeking to appoint a new Independent Adjudicator and Chief Executive to succeed Rob Behrens, under whose leadership the OIA has grown significantlyand earned the trust and respect of higher education providers, student organisations and Government.

Accountable to the Board of Directors through the Chair, the new Independent Adjudicator and Chief Executive will takeresponsibility for leading the OIA through an exciting period of major change, with a significant expansion and diversification of membership from September 2015, in an uncertain legislative environment. The appointee will be responsible for ensuring that the OIA continues to model exemplary judgment in case-handling, and to provide an effective service to complainants. They will lead work with the higher education sector to further develop and disseminate good practice in complaints handling, whilst continuing to strengthen thereputation of the OIA with students, higher education providers, sector stakeholders and on the wider stage, influencing policyand debate at a national level.

The successful candidate will possess exceptional judgment,fair-mindedness and integrity. They will have a strongtrack record of leadershipand change management withina large and complex system, with the ability to win the respect of diverse stakeholders in the sector and at Government level.They will demonstrate an appetite to engage constructively yet critically with the sector. Theywill be characterised by intellectual depth, empathy, steadfastness, and openness. They will be able to combine an analytical, objective approach to the principles of case resolution with an eye for the big picture, a strategic understanding of the role of regulation and a deep passion for higher education.

The Office of the Independent Adjudicator is based in Reading with a staff team of 70.

To download the appointment details for this role please visit quoting reference 1899. The deadline for applications is middayBSTon 20 July 2015.