Administrator - Student Success

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. 
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. 
We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.  Further information about the University can be found here  

The Role and the Department

The Durham Centre for Academic Development (DCAD) provides sector-leading programmes in teaching and learning and helps to deliver on a key objective of the University Strategy: to provide an education that is challenging, enabling, research-led and transformative.

DCAD covers a variety of areas, including running taught programmes (such as pre-sessional and in-sessional student language support, Foundation programmes and an MA programme), coordinating digital learning support across the University, and running researcher and academic development programmes for all PGR and academic staff.

The post holder will be primarily responsible for providing targeted administrative support on the MA and Foundation Programmes within the Student Success Team.  The role will focus on responsibilities around:

• Creating individual student departmental records, and continuously and consistently keeping these updated with relevant information
• Monitoring student attendance and engagement, flagging consistent absences to the SSO and relevant programme staff
• Receiving and cascading Disability Support Plans (DSPs) to programme staff
• Progressing Academic Progression Notices (APNs) in conjunction with the Student Support Officer (SSO) and Programme Director
• Supporting the SSO, Chair of the Board of Examiners and Secretary of the Board of Examiners in preparing for the Exam Board, recording outcomes, following up with Resit and Out of Residence students and responding to student appeals
• Working with the other members of the Student Success Team to ensure examination concessions are flagged, actioned and communicated between team members effectively, and arrangements put in place at the relevant points.
• Working closely with other members of the Student Success administrative team to ensure student communications are timely, consistent, accurate and informative.

The Student Success team is a large, busy and friendly team, who work together across areas, grades and roles to support each other as well as our students. 

The Administrator- Student Success will be joining 3 other full time Administrators and a Co-Ordinator as an integral part of the Student Success administrative team, but will also work closely with the DCAD Student Support Officer to ensure students receive consistent, equitable and relevant support throughout their Foundation and MA Programmes. 

This role is perfectly suited to someone who is passionate about working with students, is able to manage and present data, has proven skills in developing relationships, and is an excellent communicator.

Working at Durham  

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: 

•    27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year.  The University closes between Christmas and New Year 
•    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
•    Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
•    On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays. 
•    Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
•    There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. 
•    The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
•    Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. 
•    We offer generous pension schemes. 

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  
As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. 
 

What you need to demonstrate when you apply 

To be considered for this role, here are the skills/experience we’re looking for:

Qualifications/Experience 

1.              Five GCSE’s at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or equivalent experience. 

2.              Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience.

2.              Experience of working in a busy office environment delivering front line administrative services or having relevant qualifications for the role. 

3.              Experience of managing time to meet deadlines and working under pressure without compromising on quality. 

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 

4.              Good spoken and written communication skills. 

5.              Good digital skills including experience in using digital devices and apps including the internet, email, digital communication tools and Microsoft 365 applications. 

6.              Committed to continuing professional development. 

7.              Ability to solve problems and resolve straightforward issues yourself and as part of a team. 

8.              Ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of colleagues and customers. 

9.              Ability to accurately record, manage and present data.

10.           Proven ability to build effective and resilient working relationships and networks.

Desirable

11.   Knowledge of administrative procedures in a Higher Education setting.

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above.  Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.  

Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online.  We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails 
 
What you are required to submit:
•    A CV 
•    A separate document (in table format) which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification (maximum 200 words per criterion)

Contact details 
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Clare Brady would be happy to speak to you. Clare can be contacted via Teams or email ([email protected])

Typical Role Requirements   

Here are the kind of activities that you’ll be asked to undertake and ways in which you’ll be expected to operate. 

Service Delivery 

·                Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values. 

·                Provide an excellent and timely service to our students, programme staff, student support partners and other interested parties. 

·                Use your experience and problem-solving skills to resolve routine issues with things relevant to your role such as [student absences, assessment issues and support concerns and provide information and updates to help your team find solutions. 

·                Collect, organise and record data and information accurately and provide reports as required. 

·                Promote positive wellbeing arrangements which benefit you and your team. 

·                When carrying out your role, use and apply relevant professional and regulatory standards e.g. data protectionwhen managing data. 

·                Use standard office-based devices and applications such as word, excel and power point to deliver services. 

·                Update guidance on standard operating procedures followed by the team. 

·                Arrange  support meetings, data sharing meetings and information cascades for other team members. 

Teamwork 

·                Resolve queries and respond to requests for information and advice and bring any complex issues to the attention of more experienced team members. 

·                Help your team organise and provide administrative services that support key activities undertaken within your service and contribute to team planning activities. 

·                Help your team ensure that products and services are adapted in response to feedback and to meet changing demands. 

Communication/Liaison 

·                Seek feedback from [students, staff and anyone else that you come across as part of your role] on their requirements from your service to ensure that their reasonable expectations are being met. 

·                Record information  relevant to the support elements of the role and respond to queries which you receive. 

·                Liaise with staff in other departments and colleges to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way. 

·                Provide support for meetings, working groups and committees, such preparing and sending documents for meetings, drafting reports and taking minutes. 

·                Any other reasonable duties. 

  
Useful links
If you would like further information you may find the following will help

Durham Centre for Academic Development - Durham University
 
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University  which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. 

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.