Assistant Master

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. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.   

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.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.  Further information about the University can be found here

The Role and Department 
The Colleges and Student Experience Division includes the 15 Maintained Colleges, Experience Durham, the Student Support and Wellbeing Directorate, and the Wider Student Experience Operations Directorate.

The postholder will join the senior management team of Hatfield College as one of three College Officers. They will oversee the majority of the work for the College on student support and development, leading on individual student support cases and escalating complex cases as necessary, working with student support services in academic departments, and University specialist services. The postholder will also take a leading role in pro-active wellbeing and development initiatives within the College, in addition to conducting disciplinary interventions with students on the occasions this is necessary. They will work collaboratively with other College Officers, engaging with students and other members of the College as well as external stakeholders, contributing to broader College life. The postholder will be expected to contribute to an aspect(s) of the College’s student enrichment programme (sport, music, theatre, volunteering, intellectual curiosity), co-creating activities with students, and to have complementary skills and expertise to bring to the College team. They will be integral and visible members of the College community, working some evenings and weekends to support the delivery of College activities and initiatives, including participating in rota duties for the provision of out-of-hours Emergency Cover. This is an in person role, with standard hours 9am-5pm. 

Hatfield, which is Durham’s second oldest College, combines a thoroughly contemporary outlook with pride in its historical roots and traditions. Located very centrally in city, adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage Site between the Cathedral and the River Wear, the College comprises a diverse student community, both undergraduate and postgraduate, with wide-ranging interests, experiences and backgrounds, creating an enriching College life for all. Reflecting the College ethos, #AllOneHatfield, all students are encouraged and supported to take up opportunities, to participate, and to contribute to the wellbeing of a thriving community. Through alumni donations to the Hatfield Trust, the College provides Hatfield Bursaries and Scholarships for less advantaged students, as well as hardship funds. Additionally grants are awarded to support aspirational development opportunities, additional equipment and facilities, and career-development activities.

  The College has an active Senior Common Room, comprising members from both within and outside the University, and a thriving and supportive alumni community.
 
Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. 

Please note: Interviews are expected to take place on Wednesday 17th April 2024
 

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:  
 
•    30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.   
•    The University closes between Christmas and New Year 
•    We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled  into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).  
•    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. 
•    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.  
•    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). 
•    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.  
•    A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.  
•    If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. 

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 indicating clearly how your  skills/experience would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.  Where a criterion 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.    Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
2.    Professional practitioner with knowledge and expertise in the delivery and development of student support and wellbeing within an organisation.*
3.    Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting change and service improvements. 
4.    Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
5.    Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and to positively influence the University’s reputation.
6.    Experience of managing and developing a team or teams and/or line management qualification. 

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
7.    Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
8.    Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems.
9.    Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
10.    Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
11.    Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

Desirable Criteria

12.   Previous experience working in a higher education setting.

13    Educated to postgraduate degree level.

14.   Ability to contribute to student enrichment activities.

How to Apply
 To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential and desirable criteria required for the role in the person specification above, indicating how this is relevant to the present role. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  Please don’t forget to check if there are 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 throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. 
   
What you need to submit    

• • A CV
  • A  covering letter which outlines the reasons for your interest in the role
  •  An outline of your skills and experience against each of the essential and desirable criteria.       

Please note, applications will not be considered if all of the above documents are not submitted.

Contact details    
   
For further information please contact Professor Ann MacLarnon, Master of Hatfield College (Email: [email protected])
 

TYPICAL ROLE REQUIREMENTS

Service Delivery/Development

• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the values of Hatfield College and the University.
• Review and look for ways to improve systems and procedures that are relevant to your area of work in line with the University's frameworks and Regulations.
• As part of the Hatfield College Officer team, manage the delivery of student support and wellbeing across the College to a high standard.
• Contribute to aspects of student enrichment activities in the College
• Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from staff, students and others who you work with and contribute to ideas and service improvements.
• Work with your team to look for ways to improve processes, techniques and outputs/results across all areas of your work.
  

Planning and Organisation
•    Manage the delivery of operational activities carried out by the Student Support Team within College.
•   Contribute to progessing the strategic and operational priorities of Hatfield College.

•   Review data on the level of service provided by your area to recommend areas for future improvement.
•    Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services.

Team Development
•    Manage and monitor the performance, workload and expected outcomes of the Student Support Team and take action to respond anything that impacts on the service level provided.

• Ensure that your team can deliver the required services by devolving and delegating responsibilities to appropriate team members.
•    Carry out regular performance reviews to provide feedback on team and individual objectives and expectations and identify any development needs.
•    Ensure that your team continues to develop by coaching and mentoring team members and delivering any training needs. 
•    Support the welfare and wellbeing of your team referring more complex issues to specialist services.

Communication/Liaison
•    Provide advice and share guidance with your stakeholders to ensure that the University's policies, procedures and regulations are complied with.

•  Use your operational expertise to participate in business meetings, working groups and committees.

•  Coordinate and oversee business meetings and working groups and deal with any related complaints.

•  Update policies and procedures in response to any internal or external changes.

•   Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers.

•    Any other reasonable duties.

SPECIFIC ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Being an integral and visible member of the College community and working some evenings and weekends to support the delivery of College activities and initiatives as appropriate.
• Participating in rota duties for the provision of out-of-hours student welfare throughout the year.

   
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.