Aimhigher Lead Programme Officer - External Relations - 56297 - Grade 7

Position Details

External Relations

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £31,406 to £40,927, with potential progression once in post to £43,434 

grade 7

Full Time

Fixed term contract until 31st October, 2022

Closing date: 1st November 2021

Job Purpose

The purpose of this post within the wider team is to ensure that the University commitment to the Aimhigher UCP programme is delivered. This means that targeted under-represented groups are encouraged to apply to Higher Education, through a range of activities, partnership working and action-based research.

This post will have responsibility for a wide range of activities / projects associated with the central management hub of Aimhigher. It will lead the development and implementation of a programme of wrap around interventions and will work with Outreach UCP Officers at the university spokes to ensure delivery. It will involve a high level of autonomy and responsibility for activity development and delivery and will require high level skills in partnership working. 

The post will involve extensive liaison with local partners through the Aimhigher framework and other potential partners as well as staff in schools and colleges.  This will require a considerable amount of tenacity, tact and sensitivity to the situation and existing commitments of staff in schools, colleges, and partner universities, as well as the imagination, initiative, enthusiasm+, and creativity to seize and develop opportunities for widening participation.

The post holder will be expected to use their own initiative to support the direction of their work. They will be required to support in the development of future operational approach of the partnership and its work commitments. 

Main Duties

To manage a range of projects and activities at the Aimhigher UCP Central Hub, based at the lead institution the University of Birmingham.    

To be responsible for and work with spoke Aimhigher Officers in 6 universities to coordinate, plan, develop and deliver a range of innovative WP activities for learners - The AHWM wrap around offer. The post holder will influence and gain support from 6 diverse partner universities to secure a consistent and coherent programme across the partnership, 

•    The post holder will take into account partnership diversity, allowing for local variation to meet need and ensuring a ‘win-win’ for all contributors.
•    This will require considerable liaison and coordination across the partnership combined with high level skills in tact and diplomacy
•    The post holder will also be the key contact for the Speakers Trust programme  
•    The post holder will also act as the key contact for Mytutor and provide support across the partnership in embedding the programme and reaching a good return on the investment. 
•    The post holder will be responsible for partnership wide large scale events e.g. Speak Out challenge 
To lead on and provide operational project support for wider Aimhigher projects including Aimhigher Mentoring, Explore your Future and Aimhigher UniFest. 

•    This will include facilitating project boards, associated actions and providing updates to AHWM Manager.   

To work with and support FE AHWM UCP partners in their continued involvement in the programme 

•    The post holder will facilitate and support the Urban FE forum 
•    Investigate ways to develop cross partnership working 
•    Support the establishment of the Urban FE managers group    

Work with the AHWM manager to further develop the UCP outreach hub offer 

•    This included being responsible for the implementation of the offer across the partnership and geographical region. 
    
To lead the development, delivery and review of training programmes and resources for Aimhigher Progression Ambassadors and mentors. Working with Outreach Officers in the 6 universities ensuring consistency of message and delivery across the partnership. 

•    This will involve extensive liaison and partnership working with University Spoke partners.  
•    It will also require liaison with external organisations such as the Local Enterprise Partnership and Careers Enterprise Company to secure the input of local Labour Market expertise to training programmes.

To lead on the development of a CPD offer for WP practitioners across the partnership     

Lead on the dissemination of information through chairing monthly hub and spoke meetings. 

•    This includes engaging all spokes and developing a positive forum for discussion. 
•    Prepare information for, attend and support wider meetings/groups including the various theme working groups and regional meetings.     

Act as line manager for the Aimhigher Assistant officer and Aimhigher Assistant and providing support in the development of the marketing and communication plan. 

•    The post holder will also represent the Partnership at external meetings with OfS  other UCP partnerships and local stakeholder groups   

To work with University spokes to manage the engagement of schools and colleges in the programme as well as operational relationships, determining workflows and schedules to meet external OfS targets and milestones    

Contributing to other student recruitment and widening participation activities associated with the Office as and when necessary    

Person Specification

Level of knowledge and/or educational qualifications required:

•    Educated to degree level 
•    Detailed knowledge of the widening participation agenda and policies in Higher Education
•    Substantial experience in an educational partnership setting
•    Experience of managing projects
•    Experience of monitoring and evaluating projects
•    Experience of managing staff in order to deliver projects and associated targets
•    Experience of leading workshops and activities with young people aged 11-18
•    Computer-literate: able to use word processing, electronic communications, and the web; familiarity with databases and spreadsheets (or willingness to quickly acquire familiarity), and an interest in the use of IT in distributed learning. 
•    An understanding of the UCAS admissions system,  and progression pathways to HE
•    The post holder will need to be knowledgeable in discussing issues with academics and maintain knowledge of developments within the subject matter, education in general and the institutions involved in the network of contacts that they help to establish. 
•    The post holder should have experience of student-led activities such as mentoring
•    Valid UK Driving Licence
•    DBS Clearance

Skills/Attributes required:

•    Excellent interpersonal skills, whether dealing with students, academic staff, external organisations, or other members of the office team
•    Excellent problem solving skills and a willingness to seek solutions to apparently intractable problems
•    Ability to work independently and proactively in making and developing contacts with schools / colleges and to develop good working relationships
•    Ability to work with university colleagues in 6 partner universities to, develop good working relationships, and involve staff in the  network  in making contributions to the learning activities it generates
•    Ability to work as part of a team in the Student Recruitment and Outreach Office, sharing best practice and ideas, and liasing effectively with colleagues across the University and the Aimhigher Partnership
•    Attention to detail
•    Ability to work under pressure
•    Ability to understand partnership dynamics and form strong working relationships throughout 
•    High levels of tact and diplomacy 
•    Willingness to work under own initiative and act as an ambassador for Aimhigher West Midlands at all times  

Informal enquiries can be made to Baljinder Rana - [email protected]

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment

We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working