Assistant Boathouse & Recruitment Officer

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 Department and role purpose  

The Student Enrichment Directorate is striving to play a pivotal role in developing, delivering and transforming a Wider Student Experience that is as impactful as anything in the world. We remain steadfast in our core commitment to accelerating the growth of far-reaching and market-leading programmes across performance , participation and community outreach and engagement, whilst fostering a culture that safeguards academic excellence . We are guided by the belief that an investment in the Wider Student Experience is ultimately an investment in the quality of graduates that the University produces and are motivated by the opportunity to engage and inspire the next generation of talent. In doing so, we feel confident that we are making a positive contribution to the development of rounded, global citizens.

Sport

Durham University is one of Europe’s leading sport universities and has been ranked in the top three team sport university’s since 2013. In 2019 the University completed the construction of a £32m Sports & Wellbeing Park, adding to a prior investment, on the same site, of £8m in 2012 making it the sporting facility in the north of England.  As a result of the amazing work that has been carried out across our performance, participation and community networks the University was awarded the Times and Sunday Times Sports University of the Year for 2022/23,

Rowing

Durham University Boat Club (DUBC) was established in 1877 and has a long and proud tradition of producing numerous GB U23, World and Olympic rowers, it also prides itself upon introducing new students to the sport of rowing through its novice and development programmes. Rowing is part of the University’s sporting DNA and is part of a larger rowing programme that incorporates 17 College boat clubs and a participation programme that introduces 300+ new rowers to the sport every year.  It is therefore imperative that the culture behaviours and values exhibited across the sport are of the highest levels.

The recruitment of high calibre student athletes remains key to the success of the club going forward as competition from other Universities and the pull of scholarships to US Universities is as fierce as it has ever been and therefore this is a pivotal role within the Boat Club. The successful candidate will be central to the success of the rowing programme going forward.

The post will be line managed by the Head of Rowing but will also have close links to the existing recruitment team and support them in their delivery.

Primarily this post will:

·        Develop alongside the recruitment team a plan for attracting the best UK junior rowers to Durham and ensuring that we are attractive for post graduate students who wish to combine furthering their study and their rowing journey;

·        build a network of contacts in rowing schools, clubs and high performance centres and with Heads of Sport and Coaches to ensure that Durham is promoted;

·        the postholder will also be responsible for the co-ordination and maintenance of the boathouse and the significant fleet of boats and associated equipment;

·        work alongside the recruitment team and support them in their work across sports.

 
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 access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16 throughout the year.
•    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/Person Specification  
  
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.  Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.    
  
Your application should cover the following criteria:  

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1. Five GCSE’s at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or a Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience.

2. Experience in a similar role or environment.  

3. Experience of working collaboratively with other team members to ensure the delivery of high-quality services.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

4. Excellent spoken and written communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.

5. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems.

6. Committed to continuing professional development.

7. Industry or professional knowledge relevant to the role supported by relevant courses or certification.

8. Committed to continuing professional development.  

9. Ability to solve problems yourself and as part of a team and plan appropriate solutions.

10. Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information. 

11. Ability to contribute to operational planning activities.

12. Must be able to demonstrate having rowed at a competitive / performance level in the past

13. Must be able to demonstrate a network of rowing partnerships across the school and club arena.

14. Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of stakeholders.   

15. Experience of implementing policies and procedures.

16. Experience of presenting to large groups of stakeholders, both internal and external

17. Experience and knowledge of BUCS and British Rowing competitions

Desirable Criteria

1.       Experience of producing promotional materials to support the recruitment process.

2.       Knowledge of the wider UK sporting landscape.

3.       Experience of boat maintenance and boathouse work.

4.       Having studied at Durham University.

5.       Have an understanding of the broader UK sporting landscape.

6.       Have a working knowledge of American University Sport (NCAA).

7.       RYA level 2 powerboat licence.

8.       Some experience of rowing coaching – minimum level 2 coaching qualification (or equivalent).

9.       UK drivers’ licence.

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 supporting statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification   

 Contact details  
 
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Rob Dauncey would be happy to speak to you. Email: [email protected]
 
Service Delivery

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

· Respond to queries and provide information/advice, while raising more specialist or complex queries with more experienced team members.

· Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role such as recruiting the best post graduate student rowers to Durham and make recommendations based on your findings.

· Enhance Durham University’s reputation by providing support to the running of internal and external outreach activities.

· Monitor and analyse the use of Durham University Boat Club equipment to ensure efficiency and report your findings to senior colleagues.

· Continually review what is required from staff, students and others who you work with to make sure the best possible service is provided.

· Monitor feedback on the services provided by you with reference to student recruitment and boathouse maintenance and identify changes that will improve the service level that is provided and compliance.

· Ensure that information used to analyse your work is accurate and provide reports and analysis of patterns and trends to senior colleagues.

· Prepare reports for consideration by senior managers.

· Support the welfare of our students and refer them to appropriate support services when necessary.

Planning and Organising

· Plan and organise own workload to deliver the role.

· Organise and schedule assigned resources, activities and events.

· Monitor processes and activities to ensure team priorities are met.

· Help manage and coordinate events, conferences and other activities.

Teamwork

· Provide specialist support and advice to team members on recruitment of high quality student rowers.

· Make changes to the services provided by your team in discussion with other team members.

· Identify opportunities and contribute to decisions on how to improve services being delivered by the team.

· Seek feedback from students, staff and anyone else that you come across as part of your role on their requirements from your service and recommend improvements to senior colleagues.

Communications/Liaison

· Update and apply changes to processes and procedures.

· Use your knowledge and expertise to provide advice and guidance to resolve problems and respond to a wide range of queries.

· Provide instruction and demonstrations to others within the Boat Club and Team Durham.

· Create good working relationships with other team members and anyone else that you come across as part of your role to work together on joint activities.

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

· Record information on the recruitment of students and share with internal partners.

· Contribute and engage with staff and students on informing Team Durham’s recruitment of talented student athletes.

· Create good working relationships with internal and external partners and suppliers to work together on joint initiatives.

· Build relationships with contacts and contribute to internal and external networks to share good practice and exchange information.

· Any other reasonable duties.

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.