International Relations Coordinator

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 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+, Turing and other exchange partnerships) to meet the University’s student mobility targets.

As a member of the International Partnerships and Relations Team, the post holder supports the development of relationships with sponsor bodies, government ministries and scholarship agencies with responsibility for the underpinning administration. Reporting to the International Relations Manager, this new sub-team has been established to nurture existing relationships with scholarship bodies and sponsors in the UK and overseas. And to identify and develop new relationships with scholarship bodies, ministries and sponsors in order to diversify our student population by increasing the number of sponsored and scholarship students choosing to study at Durham.

The post holder is responsible for the administration of agreements and reporting requirements with sponsor and scholarship partners, the maintenance of accurate relationship management records, the provision of advice and support to scholarship applicants. Alongside other professional service colleagues, the postholder will develop appropriate marketing materials to advertise scholarships opportunities to target groups. This role requires significant joint working with teams within the International Office (International Partnerships and Recruitment) and across Durham including Student Immigration and Financial Support, Legal Services, Marketing and Communications, Development and Alumni Relations, Student Registry and Admissions as well and academic staff at a range of levels.

Applicants with experience of working in multi- cultural environments are particularly welcome.

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 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, inclusion and values

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 asterix* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered. 

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria   

Desirable Criteria

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 cover letter outlining how you meet all of the essential criteria within the Person Specification (above).

Contact details 

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Jemima Lloyd ([email protected] ) in the International Office, would be happy to speak to you.

Further information about the role:

Role Delivery

• Resolve queries and requests for information and advice from prospective students and scholarship body / ministry partners. Escalating more specialist and complex queries or issues as appropriate.
• Deliver support services to ensure the effective and efficient running of business processes and systems including the approval of new scholarship and sponsor relationships, the maintenance of accurate relationship records and reporting requirements
• Monitor and evaluate service delivery to ensure compliance with deliverables agreed with partner agencies
• Analyse data and statistics and provide reports for internal higher level decision makers and external partners
• Accurately record information and data and disseminate within internal networks including committees. 
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

Planning and Organising

• Plan and organise own workload with or without involvement with project work streams.
• Organise and schedule activities and events to promote and celebrate Durham’s diverse international scholarly community
• Identify priorities and monitor processes and activities to ensure success.

Teamwork

Support the capture of business requirements from users and work with colleagues to translate these into recommendations for future service provision.

• Collaborate with colleagues across professional, administrative and academic areas to ensure seamless service provision.
• Work collaboratively across the organisation and/or externally with colleagues and stakeholders to deliver an exceptional service.
• Provide guidance to Durham colleagues on the area of responsibility.
• Work with internal and external partners to deliver cross-functional services and activities.

Knowledge and Experience

• Apply theory and practice, from academic and professional development and previous knowledge within a service team.
• Provide more in-depth independent research and analysis activities within the role.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of policy and procedures within own area of working. 
• 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 https://www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.