Adult Learner Support Officer

Job Purpose

As a Adult Learner Support Officer you will contribute to the development and delivery of the University’s WP&LLL Adult Learner Programmes, supporting the skills development, progression and success of students on these programmes. In particular, you will manage a large caseload and deliver comprehensive information, advice and guidance service for students on the University Access Programme. Furthermore, you will support the Head of WP&LLL, Head of the Adult Learner Team (ALT) and wider team in the delivery of WP&LLL activities to achieve team targets and performance indicators.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Support the development and delivery of the University’s adult leaner pre-entry programmes, including the University Access Programme, University HNC Articulation Programmes and partnership with the Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP). Provide information, guidance and support to students on these programmes in line with the WP&LLL strategy, attracting high quality students to the University via these routes and contributing to University WP&LLL KPIs.

2. Plan, develop and facilitate sessions and events, both on-campus and online, to support the induction, skills development and onward progression of students across our adult learner programmes, working with student mentors and University academic and support staff.

3. Develop and maintain the Access Essentials asynchronous Moodle module to support the academic skills development of students on the University Access Programme. Investigate opportunities to expand utilisation of this online resource for students on our other adult learner programmes (HNC Articulation and SWAP Access Programmes)

4. Provide advisory information and one-to-one guidance for students on the University Access Programme, supporting their development, progression, and successful transition into undergraduate study at the University of Glasgow.

5. Support the Access & Student Support Coordinator in the running of University of Glasgow Access as a UCAS Centre. Attend school and college events, e.g. HEI Information Days, UCAS Careers Fairs and deliver presentations on the University adult returner programmes, as required.

6. Work with the Access Disability Coordinators and the University Disability Service to ensure effective disability support and provision is in place for students on the University Access Programme and our HNC Articulation Programmes.

7. Respond to inquiries from and provide information, advice and guidance to, prospective students and their families relating to the University of Glasgow, our adult learner programmes, and opportunities for progression to HE study.

8. Work jointly with the wider Adult Learner Team and the WP&LLL Research and Evaluation Team to monitor the effectiveness, quality and impact of our adult learner programme provision, using student feedback and evaluation to deliver service improvement.

9. Working with the Head of WP&LLL and broader Adult Learner Team, develop close and productive collaborative relationships with academic and support service staff within the University to ensure appropriate guidance and support is in place for students progressing from our adult leaner programmes on to undergraduate study at the University of Glasgow.

10. Work with the Adult Learner Team and the wider WP&LLL team to develop and deliver a range of activities and initiatives that will assist the University in meeting its targets relating to the recruitment of students from SIMD20/40 postcodes and other WP&LLL criteria.

11. Contribute to the work of the Adult Learner Team, broader WP&LLL team and External Relations as required.

12. To contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, Glasgow 2020 – A Global Vision http://www.gla.ac.uk/media/media_180610_en.pdf

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Either: Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills through personal development and progression in a similar related role(s). Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 8 (Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4, Higher National Diploma) or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role.

A2 Up to date knowledge of UK Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning sector.

A3 Sound understanding of the learning skills required for study in Higher Education (HE).

A4 Knowledge of Scottish qualifications, funding and structures.

A5 Current knowledge of Higher Education environment, academic cycle, funding systems and UCAS application processes.

A6 Understanding of the common barriers faced by learners from WP backgrounds, in particular those returning to study as adults.

Desirable:

B1 Understanding of university equality and diversity policies and procedures relating to staff, students and visitors.

B2 Understanding of disability issues within Higher Education as they relate to the University’s responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.

B3 Understanding of government regulations relating to working with children and young adults.

B4 Possession of a full, clean driving licence.

Skills  

Essential:

C1 Effective interpersonal skills; ability to engage with learners of all ages, particularly adult learners, and build relationships with both learners and staff at all levels.

C2 Excellent administrative, organisational and time management skills.

C3 Effective I.T. skills and experience of relevant programmes e.g., Microsoft packages (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Access, Teams), Moodle, or similar.

C4 Excellent written and communication skills, including report writing and presentation skills.

C5 Ability to work as part of a team and use own initiative.

C6 Comfortable with accepting change and demonstrable ability to work flexibly, according to business needs.

C7 An ability to keep accurate and up-to-date records.

C8 Friendly and student-centred, with a willingness to be accessible to other team members.

C9 Enthusiasm for wider access and education.

Desirable:

D1 Ability to work in a dynamic and evolving environment whilst maintaining a high level of service delivery and achieving targets.

D2 Ability to project-manage.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Experience of providing advice and guidance to learners with a wide range of needs, taking into account relevant policy and legislative requirements.

E2 Experience of working in the HE, Widening Participation, Lifelong Learning or FE sectors.

E3 Experience of developing and delivering outreach activities/information sessions/training sessions/or equivalent.

E4 Experience of working with learners online and using Virtual Learning Environments (e.g. Moodle) or other online learning platforms.

E5 Experience of developing learning resources

Desirable:

F1 Experience of providing advice and guidance to mature students and those with non-traditional entry qualifications.

F2 Evidence of programme delivery and development, including event management.

F3 Experience of evaluating provision to produce service improvement.

F4 Evidence of community engagement, partner collaboration and positive outcome delivery.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £32,332 - £36,024 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open ended (permanent). Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

The post for which you are applying is considered “registered work” in terms of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Act. It requires the successful applicant to become a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme member prior to appointment. This check is necessary to ensure that the University of Glasgow fulfils its legal duties under the Act.

If you are successful in your application, the offer of employment will be subject to PVG Scheme membership. Further information is available at: https://www.mygov.scot/pvg-scheme/ It is the University of Glasgow’s mission to foster an inclusive climate, which ensures equality in our working, learning, research and teaching environment.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.