Guidelines /
- Purpose of the Awards
The purpose of the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence is to recognise and reward exceptional performance that supports theTransforming Lives and Enhancing Communities - Strategic Plan 2018 – 2022 (pdf, 3.99mb)including the Reconciliation Action Plan. In addition, the awards serve to encourage loyalty, commitment and the productivity of all employees at the University.
- Eligibility
Academic, teaching and general/professional staff employed in their current position for a minimum of six months either on a continuing basis, or a fixed-term appointment that extends for at least one year following the closing date for the Awards, are eligible to be nominated for an award. Teams are also eligible to be nominated for an award. An individual team member who does not meet the minimum six months on a continuing or fixed-term appointment extending at least one year following the closing date for the Awards, but has significantly contributed to the team’s performance, may be included. However, this member’s contribution will be formally recognised with an award certificate, they may not receive the monetary award or professional development.
A recipient of an award in a particular category is not eligible for a nomination in the same or similar category the following year.
A staff member may only be nominated in one category per year.
- Awards
There will be one award per category each year.
The Vice-Chancellor will determine the monetary amount for each award category at the start of the financial year. The amount will be $3,000 per category unless the Vice-Chancellor determines otherwise.
The recipient/s will have an option of receiving the funds for personal use or work-related business purposes, which can include professional development. Where a team receives an award, the team can determine how the funds will be distributed and expended.
If the funds are to be utilised for personal use, the recipient/s will be allocated the amount through the payroll process where it will be treated as a ‘bonus’ and therefore taxed at the individual’s appropriate tax rate.
If the funds are to be utilised for work-related business purposes, the amount will be transferred to a nominated cost centre where it can be used for approved work-related business purposes.
Each recipient will receive a framed award citation that will be presented by the Vice-Chancellor at the Vice-Chancellor’s annual ‘end of year’ event held at various campuses.
Recipients of Awards will be required to complete the Application for Award Funds form in order to access award funds. Where a team receives an award, the team member nominated as the team leader (or the more senior team member) can complete the form on behalf of the team.
Warning: uncontrolled when printed.Authorised by: / Director, Human Resources / Original Issue: / 04/05/2011
Document owner: / Manager, HR Business Partnering / Current Version: / 19/09/2018
- Categories and selection criteria
There are eight categories for awards. The purpose and selection criteria of each category are as follows:
4.1.Leadership
(i)Purpose and definition
To recognise and reward supervisors and managers who clearly communicate and actively work and motivate their teams to achieve the strategic priorities of Federation University Australiaand/or the School/Directorate while demonstrating University values.
(ii)Selection criteria
•Demonstrated commitment to the Federation University Australia’s principles;
•Demonstrated commitment to the Federation University Australia’s strategic priorities;
•Demonstrated commitment to the Performance Review and Development Program including facilitating learning and development opportunities;
•Manage and lead change initiatives effectively; and
•Commitment to OH&S practices.
Nominees should have achieved excellence in at least four of the five criteria.
4.2.Entrepreneurship
(i)Purpose and definition
To recognise and reward staff members who proactively and effectively identify opportunities and implement innovative ideas and solutions with the potential of generating revenue for Federation University Australia.
(ii)Selection criteria
•Implementation of successful strategies that significantly increased Federation University Australia’s international and national profile.
•Establishment of strategic partnerships with other institutions, organisations or community agencies to broaden the Federation University Australia’s service delivery.
•Commercialisation of a product or service resulting in revenue and/or return on investment for the Federation University Australia.
Nominees should have achieved excellence in one or more criteria.
4.3.Innovation (including process improvement)
(i)Purpose and definition
To recognise and reward staff members who proactively identify and successfully implement new ways or methods of working more efficiently and effectively.
(ii)Selection criteria
•Significant contribution to the implementation of processes to improve cross-unit cooperation and communication.
•Significant improvement in systems, procedures or practices resulting in process efficiencies and/or cost containment.
•Development of efficient and effective work practices which facilitate the achievement of the Federation University Australia Charter and strategic priorities.
•Effective and efficient use of available technology.
•Development and implementation of new concepts, products and/or services that significantly improved student learning.
Nominees should have achieved excellence in at least four of the five criteria.
4.4.Service
(i)Purpose and definition
To recognise and reward staff members who consistently and continuously exceed the expectations of internal and external clients.
(ii)Selection criteria
•Consistent delivery of exceptional service to clients.
•Consistent demonstration of professional behaviour in relationships with colleagues, staff, students and the community.
•Active encouragement of others to deliver services and products of a high standard and quality.
•Development and implementation of processes to improve client service and satisfaction.
•Significant contribution in building the professional standing and reputation of the Federation University Australia in the community.
Nominees should have achieved excellence in at least four of the five criteria.
4.5.Reconciliation
(i)Purpose and definition
To recognise and reward staff members who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in promoting reconciliation by advancing the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the University community.
(ii)Selection criteria
•Significantly improving the education, training or research opportunities for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people.
•Consistently increasing the visibility and status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, knowledge or studies.
•Consistently contributing to supporting employment, retention and/or career development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the University.
•Actively and effectively promoting and increasing the involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students or staff in governance and decision-making of the University.
Nominees should have achieved excellence in at least two of the four criteria.
4.6.Research Excellence
(i)Purpose and definition
To recognise and reward staff members who have demonstrated exceptional and sustained research contributions in advancing knowledge and research outcomes.
(ii)Selection criteria
•Demonstrated research excellence through consistent and exceptional research performance.
4.7.Research Impact
(i)Purpose and definition
To recognise and reward staff members who have demonstrated research leading to exceptional research impact to the economy, society, culture, national security, public policy or services, health, the environment, or quality of life beyond contributions to academia.
(ii)Selection criteria
Demonstrated impact arising from research beyond contributions to academia.
4.8.Research - Early Career Researcher
(i)Purpose and definition
To recognise and reward Early Career Research staff members (i.e. having completed a PhD within 5 years of the closing date for award nominations) who have demonstrated exceptional research performance.
(ii)Selection criteria
•Demonstrated research excellence through exceptional research performance.
•Demonstrated research impact through exceptional impact and benefits of research and evidence of local, regional and/or national recognition.
Nominees should have achieved excellence in at least one of the two criteria.
- Nominations
The Vice-Chancellor will call for nominations each year.
Deputy Vice-Chancellors and the Chief Operating Officer should encourage staff in their Portfolios to participate in nominating staff to ensure that at least one nomination per Schoolor Directorate is received.
Staff members who are employed on continuing or fixed-term appointments may nominate other staff members. Self-nomination is not permitted.
Nominations must use the appropriate nomination form and be signed off by at least two nominators. The nominee/s is/are responsible for preparing an outline of the excellence achieved and providing supporting evidence.
The relevant Dean/Director must endorse the nomination/s for the entrepreneurship, innovation, reconciliation and service categories. The relevant Deputy Vice-Chancellor must endorse the nomination/s for the leadership category. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) must endorse the nominations for the two research categories.
In instances whereDeans and/or Directors are nominated, the relevant Deputy Vice-Chancellor must endorse the nominations.
Completed nominations are to be marked ‘Private and Confidential’ and addressed to the “Chief Operating Officer – Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence” and forwarded to the Director, Human Resources by the closing date.
- Selection
- Selection panel
The Vice-Chancellor will appoint a selection panel that will be chaired by the Chief Operating Officer.
6.2.Evaluation of nominees and selection of recipients
The selection panel will evaluate all nominees per category against the selection criteria based on the completed nomination form as well as any supporting evidence. It is the selection panel’s prerogative to seek further information to clarify nominations. However, the panel may also decide to solely base the evaluation and decision on the information provided.
In addition to the selection criteria per category, the panel will also evaluate and assess nominations against the following:
•Degree of excellence, i.e. the importance, value and worth of the achievement. This is weighted the highest.
•Citing of specific and detailed examples.
•Breadth of support, i.e. the extent of recognition and support for the nomination.
The selection panel will provide the Vice-Chancellor with its recommendations within ten working days after it has concluded its evaluation.
- Notification of selection panel outcomes
Within 10 working days from receiving the Vice-Chancellor’s endorsement on the recommendations for recipients of the Awards, the Chair of the panel will inform all Award recipients and unsuccessful nominees in writing. Award recipients will also be announced on FedNews and be presented with their award by the Vice-Chancellor at the Vice-Chancellor’s annual ‘end of year’ event held at various campuses.
- Timetable
The following annual timetable for the awards is applicable:
Process/task / Responsible / TimeCall for nominations via FedNews / Vice-Chancellor / September
Preparation of nominations / Nominators and nominees / September
Appoint selection panel / Vice-Chancellor / September
Reminders via “FedNews” and email Deans/Directors / Chief Operating Officer / September and October
Nominations close / Chief Operating Officer / October
Nominations evaluated / Selection panel / October and November
Recommendations to Vice-Chancellor / Selection panel Chair / within 10 working days of panel evaluation
Inform all unsuccessful nominees and award recipients in writing / Chief Operating Officer / within 10 working days following the Vice-Chancellor’s approval of recommendations
Awards presented at Vice-Chancellor’s ‘end of year’ event / Chief Operating Officer / November/December
- Review of award and award categories
Federation University Australiawill review the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence guidelines and award categories as and when necessary to ensure that it aligns with the desired culture and strategic objectives of the University.
CRICOS Provider No. 00103D | RTO Number 4909Page 1 of 6