Management Information Officer

Interviews expected to be held on Thursday 2nd May 2024

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 Student and Academic Services Directorate provides a professional administrative support service to staff, students and potential students of Durham University.

The Academic Registrar is the head of the directorate and is responsible to the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) for its management.  The following services fall under the remit of the Student and Academic Services Directorate:

·        Academic Registrar’s Office

·        Curriculum, Learning and Assessment

·        Student Immigration and Funding

·        Student Recruitment and Admissions

·        Student Registry

All of the services are based on the Mountjoy site in Durham City.

The Student and Academic Services Directorate operate a hybrid working model with the opportunity to split working at home and in the office, which is in the Palatine Centre, South Road, Durham.

Student Registry deliver student focused services and business processes, such as enrolment and registration, timetabling, examinations and assessment outcomes, statutory body data returns and provision of student management information, degree certificates and academic transcripts, student letters and other documentation and degree verification.

The Management Information Officer is part of the Management Information Team which provides student data and management information to University stakeholders, both internal and external.

The main duties of the Management Information Officer include:

·        Ongoing development of Power BI reports and dashboards to inform University planning and monitoring of student numbers.

·        Providing student-related management information via Power BI, Excel and Access.

·        Responsibility for the provision of student-related Freedom of Information requests.

·        Assist with the development and implementation of student data related change.

·        Assist with the University’s statistical returns to statutory bodies such as OFS/UKRI and HESA and other OFS/UKRI/HESA initiatives associated with funding and student numbers

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. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience)

3.    Experience and expertise in the development and delivery of management information and/or Freedom of Information request responses services.

4.    Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.  

5.    Experience of implementing policies and procedures, particularly relating to the production and presentation of data. 

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
6.    Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.

7.    Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including SharePoint, Microsoft 365 applications and records-related management information systems.

8. Advanced IT skills, including the ability to manipulate large datasets using Excel, Access and /or Power BI**

9.    Committed to continuing professional development.

10.    Time management skills with the ability to work to deadlines to deliver under pressure.**

11.    Excellent analytical and problem solving skills.**

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

13. Excellent attention to detail and an ability to maintain accuracy whilst working under pressure.**

Desirable Criteria

14. Working knowledge of a corporate IT records system such as Banner Student Records system.

15. Experience of working in Higher Education.

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 (marked with ** 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 detailed 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, Matthew Clark would be happy to speak to you. [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 provided 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 (for example, student data and related business processes, statutory returns to HESA/OfS).
•    Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role such as data anomalies and make recommendations based on your findings.
•    Manage, maintain and monitor designated reports, dashboards and data sets to ensure safety, security and compliance.
•    Provide the best possible service to staff and students by reviewing and making suggestions to improve the service.
•    Collect and record data and information accurately.
•    Organise and analyse data and statistics to ensure it is accurate and provide reports to senior colleagues.
•    Implement any changes or processes to ensure the accuracy and integrity of data and information.

Planning and Organising
•    Plan and organise own workload to deliver the role.
•    Plan, manage and deliver assigned projects and activities (e.g. reports and data returns to statutory bodies) in accordance with agreed objectives.
•    Supervise the work of staff and teams involved in delivering accurate student data to ensure accurate and informative reporting.
•    Seek feedback from staff in departments, colleges and other professional support services to ensure that the service is updated to meet customer expectations.

Communication/Liaison
•    Develop and improve services by taking part in meetings, working groups and committees.
•    Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks which allow you to increase your knowledge and skills, while swapping information with peers.
•    Build relationships with the Power BI community to share good practice, exchange information and work together on joint initiatives.

•    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.  

SECONDMENT
The post is full time, fixed term to December 2025 and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager.

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.