International Officer (Africa)

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 International Office at Durham University is a friendly, high performing team of professionals with a passion for international education. We have grown significantly over the last 5 years, and now have team members based in the UK, USA, Malaysia, India, Singapore and China.

At Durham University the International Office is responsible for

• The recruitment of international students to all areas of the University to meet institutional targets
• Supporting and managing the developing of international partnerships to raise the University’s global profile and to support academic colleagues in developing international links and collaborations
• Managing the university’s student mobility programmes (Erasmus+ and other exchange partnerships) to meet the University’s student mobility targets

This role will support all aspects of the delivery of the University’s Global Strategy, with particular responsibility for the achievement of international student recruitment targets across the region, working closely with the Regional Manager.

With support from their line manager and colleagues, the post holder will be able to develop their knowledge of Durham University and the wider international higher education sector, and acquire expertise in promoting a Russell Group institution. They will use their networking skills to assist the University’s relationship management in market, to ensure we provide excellent service to school counsellors, education agents, and prospective students. 

The role will require travel to key recruitment markets including South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya, although market responsibilities may change over time in line with the external student recruitment landscape and the priorities of Durham University. Recruitment trips can be up to 2 weeks long and involve evening and weekend working. 

We have adopted hybrid working with team members currently working a minimum of 2 days per week on campus in Durham. We encourage all team members to be on campus on a Wednesday so the team can connect, other on campus days are flexible and based on business need.

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.  
•    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/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.    Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
2.    Experience and expertise in the development and delivery of customer services. 
3.    Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.   
4.    Experience of implementing policies and procedures.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
5.    Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.*
6.    Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including [Microsoft 365 applications, digital communication platforms (e.g. Teams, Zoom, WhatsApp, Social Media), business systems (e.g. Banner, CRM).
7.    Committed to continuing professional development.
8.    Ability to plan and organise events and activities involving the service.
9.    Ability to solve problems as part of a team and decide on 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. Significant experience of working, studying, or living overseas, or of independent travel outside of Europe.*

Desirable Criteria

13. A good understanding of the global higher education environment. Knowledge of a range of recruitment and admissions issues affecting the Higher Education sector.

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 covering letter or 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, Dr Liadi Mudashiru would be happy to speak to you. Please email: [email protected] 
 

Typical Role Requirements  

Service Delivery
•    Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
•    Ensure that the University’s procedures and values are always reflected in all aspects of the service and adapt ways of working where this is not evident.
•    Provide specialist advice and make decisions to resolve problems relating to the services you are responsible [E.g. provide information to prospective students about Durham's programmes and to advise on the candidates suitability based on their qualifications and experience).
•    Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role such as identifying barriers to student recruitment and make recommendations based on your findings. (For example, you may identify changes which need to be made to our entrance requirements, or opportunities to attract more student through additional scholarships).
•    Manage, maintain and monitor designated equipment and systems to ensure safety, security and compliance.
•    Provide the best possible service to staff, students and others who you work with by reviewing and make suggestions to improve the service.
•    Collect and record data and information accurately.
•    Organise and analyse data and information to ensure it is accurate and provide reports to senior colleagues on patterns and trends.
•    Ensure that public areas are safe and secure and respond to and report any incidents.
•    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.
•    Manage the delivery of frontline services in a variety of different outlets and buildings across the University.
•    Plan, manage and deliver assigned projects, activities and events [e.g. overseas recruitment visits, online webinars, agent training] in accordance with agreed objectives.
•    Supervise the work of staff and teams involved in delivering events, project work or core operational service. (For example, supporting academic colleagues travelling to your markets, assigning student ambassadors to deliver campus tours, or leading colleagues on an internal project).
•    Seek feedback from staff, students, school counsellors, and agents to ensure that the service is updated to meet customer expectations.
•    Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services.

Communication/Liaison
•    Develop and improve services by taking part in meetings, working groups and committees.
•    Liaise with other service areas to ensure the most diverse and accessible delivery and promotion of projects, events and initiatives.
•    Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks which allow you to increase your knowledge and skills, while swapping information with peers.
•    Act as a key point of contact between the University and internal and external stakeholders, including donors and employers.
•    Build relationships with school counsellor, education agents, and colleagues across the sector to share good practice, exchange information and work together on joint initiatives.
•    Deliver internal and external presentations and public relations events promoting the Durham University reputation and encouraging participation and income generation.

•    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.