Programme Coordinator and Examinations Lead

Oxford’s School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA) is one of the largest communities of Area Studies scholars anywhere in the world. This vibrant and dynamic University department has research and teaching programmes dedicated to Africa, China, Latin America, the Middle East, Japan, Russia and Eastern Europe, South Asia and Comparative Area Studies. The School welcomes students from all around the globe and offers seven MSc Degrees, six MPhil degrees, a DPhil in Area Studies, as well as the Oxford 1+1 MBA with Saïd Business School.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join OSGA as the Programme Coordinator and Examinations Lead on a part-time (0.8 FTE) and 3-year fixed-term contract basis, available immediately.

About the Role:

The Programme Coordinator and Examinations Lead is a crucial role in the Oxford School of Global Area Studies (OSGA)’s Education team managing the administrative and operational side of the School’s Examination Board’s activities and overseeing the administration of the School’s constituent programmes and graduate taught degrees.

Reporting to the Education Manager & Admissions Lead and working closely with the School’s Chair of Exams, Head of School (HoS) and Head of Administration and Finance (HAF), the post-holder will be responsible for line managing six Grade 6 Programme Administrators.

The Programme Coordinator and Examinations Lead will act as the primary administrative link between OSGA’s graduate taught programmes and will be tasked with developing consistent administrative processes to support the professional service delivery of the graduate programmes. Working with the Programme Administrative team, the post-holder will take the lead in managing and coordinating both internal and external communications relating to the School’s graduate programmes and other relevant activities.

The post-holder will be responsible for managing and administering the OSGA examinations process providing specialist advice to the Chair of OSGA’s Examinations Board and working closely with the Programme Administration team to ensure that the examination process is managed smoothly and effectively for all concerned.

About You:

The post is very varied and stimulating, hence it will suit an individual who enjoys being part of a busy team in an environment of competing priorities. Applications are welcome from candidates educated to first degree level and previous experience in academic administration, who can handle and prioritise a complex portfolio in a challenging environment, and to demonstrate equally high effectiveness in contributing to strategic thinking and in undertaking key operational tasks.

Essential for the role are excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills including an ability to communicate complex information and procedures effectively and persuasively at all levels; along with experience of line management or supervision involving a diverse workforce. Professional experience of servicing committees, events administration, and website content development and maintenance are desirable.

Application process: 

Applications are to be submitted via Oxford University’s website. When applying to this position, you will be required to upload a CV and a supporting statement of no more than two pages addressing how you meet each of the selection criteria, as listed in the job description. Further details regarding the selection criteria and details on how to apply can be found in the attached job description.

Informal enquiries are welcome: please email [email protected]. Any queries or matters that are not referred to in the job description/further particulars will be passed to the Education Manager & Admissions Lead. Please quote the vacancy reference 170377 in all your correspondence.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Thursday 29th February 2024. Applications received after the closing date cannot be considered.

The interviews will be held in-person as soon as possible after the closing date (likely week commencing 18th March 2024).

What We Offer:

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• Generous annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme and electric or ultra-low emission vehicle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

This role also offers the opportunity for hybrid working, with a current expectation of at least 50% on-site work. The OSGA Professional Services offices are located in Oxford city centre, surrounded by its unique architecture, history and culture.

The University of Oxford holds an institutional Silver Athena Swan award, acknowledging the progress made in addressing a number of gender gaps across the University. Applications are particularly welcome from men and black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in professional services in Oxford.