Learning and Teaching - Apprentice

The Department and role purpose:

Founded in 1952, the Department of Psychology is consistently ranked as one of the very best in the UK with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and student employability. The department is committed to creating and maintaining a research environment that spans the entire breadth of psychology. Currently the department’s research falls within three groupings: Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental Science, and Quantitative Social Psychology. There is a vibrant research culture with a weekly departmental research seminar series.

We offer a prestigious Psychology undergraduate programme (C800), a new undergraduate programme in Behavioural Science (C803), as well as a suite of masters programmes. Our single honours Psychology programme achieved 91% satisfaction with our students in the 2020 NSS and we are privileged to work with outstanding students who are attracted to Durham from across the globe.

The successful applicant will support the Learning and Teaching team who are responsible for provision of a professional, efficient administrative service, supporting a wide range of teaching, learning and assessment activities from the point of student enrolment through to graduation.  

Core responsibilities:

• Contribute input within a service team to provide a responsive service for stakeholders.

• Respond to straightforward requests for information from team members, other staff, students and visitors.
• Contribute to team effort with more straightforward tasks during peak work flows.
• Follow documented service procedures, referring to more experienced colleagues with less straightforward issues.
• Demonstrate some pre-employment familiarity with the techniques, and processes used in an administration environment. 
• Learn new skills and techniques on the job working alongside more experienced team members.
• Learn about the hazards and risks within own area of work and report incidents in accordance with recognised procedures and protocols. 
• Communicate with supervisor, team members, other staff, students and visitors in person or using electronic tools and applications.

Role responsibilities:

• Operate a range of standard office equipment to process, record and store data and information for a large part of the role according to procedures.
• Collate data and information into standard report formats/packs for team members, committees and/or service users.
• Update and maintain information lists for different purposes within the role.
• Carry out straightforward tasks and assist team members to collate and prepare resources for distribution.
• Archive information and documentation in accordance with security and statutory requirements.
• Provide advice to help signpost appropriate services for service users.
• Respond to first-line queries where necessary.
• Any other reasonable duties

Specific role requirements:

• In order to fulfil the terms and conditions of the apprenticeship, the post-holder will be required to complete training on a weekly basis towards the Advanced Apprentice Framework in Business Administration at Level 3.
• The post-holder will have the ability and potential to develop administrative skills. The post-holder will also undertake on the job training and a development plan will be created in conjunction with the successful candidate and will take into account their individual needs. Following successful completion of the first part of the necessary on the job training and development plan (one year) the post-holder will move to Grade 3.  Upon successful completion of the Business Administration Level 3 qualification and all on the job training the post-holder will move to a Grade 4 Learning and Teaching Administrator role.  This plan will be regularly reviewed and form the basis of the assessment to move to the Grade 4 role. The development plan may be extended if the University considers it necessary.
• If the post-holder is unable to meet the full requirements of the Grade 4 post at the end of the development process, subject to performance, they may be retained in the Grade 3 post. The post-holder will work within the Learning and Teaching team.

Working Arrangements

At Durham we recognise that our staff and students are our greatest asset and we want to support the health and wellbeing of all.  Hybrid working supports this ethos and provides many benefits to our colleagues, including empowering people, where their role allows, to work in a manner which is more suitable for them, whilst encouraging our commitment to environmental sustainability.

Depending on the needs of the business and the job role, Durham University is piloting hybrid working for all Professional Services colleagues in the academic year 2021/2022, which may include the opportunity to work both on and off campus and to flex working hours.  If appointed to the post, your line-manager will discuss the specific arrangements with you.  Any hybrid arrangements are non-contractual and may change within the pilot and when the pilot ends.

Reward and Benefits

To support the delivery of the University's People Strategy to attract, retain and reward the very best, we offer a fantastic range of rewards and benefits  to our staff, including:

• 27 days annual leave, plus 4 customary days and 8 bank holidays (pro-rata for part time) and the option to purchase additional leave;
• Automatic enrolment into a pension scheme;
• Corporate and local discounts;
• Wellbeing resources and discounted health benefits;
• Health discounts on sports and activities at Maiden Castle Health and Activity Centre;
• Reward and Recognition Schemes;
• Personal and career development;
• And SO much more, with further information available here

Recruiting to this post

In order to be considered for interview, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification. 

How to apply 

We prefer to receive applications online.

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.

Information if you have a disability

The University welcomes applications from disabled people. 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, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system, please get in touch with us on [email protected] .

What you are required to submit

1. A CV; 

2. A separate Word Document which gives examples of how you meet the criteria listed below in the Person Specification.

Please ensure that you submit all documentation listed above or your application cannot proceed to the next stage.

Contact details 

For an informal chat about the post, Carolyn would be happy to be contacted on [email protected] 

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email.  Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to [email protected]

We will notify you on the status of 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 ensure you receive all emails.

At Durham University, our aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  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.

As a University we foster a collegiate community of extraordinary people aligned to the University’s values .  Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  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, and in doing so, recruit the world’s best candidates from all backgrounds and identities. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

Person specification - skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience required

Essential Criteria

• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Good IT skills, including use of Microsoft Office.
• Five GCSE’s at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent experience).
• Experience of working in a team (work or lesiure related)
• Ability to manage time in order to meet deadlines
• Ability to follow instructions, written or oral, accurately