RWA: Africa Project 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 Department and role purpose:   

Durham University’s Department of Archaeology is one of the UK’s best Departments of Archaeology with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students. We are regularly ranked one of the top two Archaeology departments in the UK (e.g. Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, The Guardian University Guide 2023, Complete University Guide 2023) and one of the top ten globally (World University QS rankings 2023). Our expertise covers a broad chronological and geographical span, from the Palaeolithic to the present-day, and from South Asia to the Mediterranean, Europe and the British Isles. We have a range of cutting-edge laboratories, including well-developed facilities for DNA, isotopic and luminescence research, and are developing a range of lab-based commercial operations around our applied and scientific research expertise.  The Department of Archaeology has an extensive commercial infrastructure and a network of heritage-sector collaborators. For further information on our current projects, research and teaching see www.dur.ac.uk/archaeology .

The role of Project Coordinator will support the British Academy-funded ‘Rewriting World Archaeology: Africa’ writing workshop programme.

This 18-month programme is designed to equip a cohort of early career researchers from Africa with the knowledge and skills: to access and publish in international, peer-reviewed academic journals, to develop and lead bold research agendas, and to share their results with the public. It is intended that the programme will significantly advance the careers of these ECRs, strengthen their ability to rewrite the archaeology of Africa, and to use this heritage to help forge a more equitable world archaeology.

The programme is led by an international project team with members from Dar es Salaam, Durham and Pretoria Universities, and will be supported by other specialist mentors and contributors from Africa, Europe and North America. Guided by the project team, the Project Coordinator will work with the programme leader in Durham to: develop the workshop timetable and events; manage the call for applications; coordinate between mentors and early career researchers; assist with the creation of online learning materials and maintain VLE; support and facilitate online workshop sessions; organise travel arrangements and bookings for an in-person workshop at the British Institute in East Africa; monitor progress of ECRs and overall programme milestones; help manage the project budget; prepare social media content; provide general support for the successful completion of the project.

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.

Interviews are anticipated to take place in September 2023

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 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 criterion has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.    

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must provide evidence that each of the essential criteria required for the role specified above is met. Where there are desirable criteria, we urge you to provide any relevant evidence. 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 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:
1. A CV; 

2. A covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential in the requirements set out in the essential and desirable criteria;

3.  A Word document detailing how you meet each essential (and desirable) criterion. Please copy and paste the list of criteria and provide detailed examples to demonstrate your experience in relation to each one of these.  

Contact details 
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, please contact the programme leader, Dr Robert Witcher (r.e.witcher@durham.ac.uk).

Service Delivery

·         Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

·         Ensure that relevant regulatory and professional standards are being used within services being delivered by your team.

·         Help to develop and implement policies and procedures relating to your service area.

·         Respond to queries and provide information/advice, while raising more specialist or complex queries with more experienced team members.

·         Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role such as planning and scheduling meetings and events and make recommendations based on your findings.

·         Continually review what is required from colleagues in professional and administrative areas to make sure the best possible service is provided for the programme team and its partners.

·         Monitor and analyse the use of project finances to ensure efficiency and report your findings to senior colleagues.

·         Ensure that data are accurate and provide reports and analysis of patterns, such as the impact of social media activities, and trends to senior colleagues

·         Capture and share information and data that needs to be shared with relevant networks and committees.

·         Use digital media to update external contacts about the project, including the updating and management of websites, VLE, preparing social media communications, monitoring of enquiries and related social media feed.

·         Provide support for outputs such as publications and reports – through proofreading, the identification and sourcing of images, dealing with permissions/copyright issues

Planning and Organising

·         Plan and organise own workload to deliver the role.

·         Organise, schedule and facilitate assigned activities and events including online and in-person workshops and project travel.

·         Monitor processes and activities, such as the work of early career researchers and mentors – including record keeping, completion and management of agreements, to ensure programme priorities are met

·         Make decisions to resolve problems relating to the services you are responsible for.

Teamwork

·         Provide specialist support and advice to team members to deliver a consistently excellent level of administrative support for the activities of the programme.

·         Explain and provide instruction to early career researchers and mentors on programme and the relevant learning materials, and on how to correctly record and manage data.

·         Make changes to the services provided by your team in discussion with other team members.

·         Identify opportunities and contribute to decisions on how to improve services being delivered by the team.

·         Seek feedback from colleagues and stakeholders on their requirements from your service and recommend improvements to senior colleagues.

Communications/Liaison

·         Use your knowledge and expertise to provide advice and guidance to resolve problems and respond to a wide range of queries about the programme.

·         Create good working relationships with other team members and anyone else that you come across as part of your role to work together on joint activities.

·         Liaise with stakeholders to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way.

·         Create good working relationships with internal and external partners and suppliers to work together on joint activities.

·         Build relationships with contacts and contribute to internal and external networks to share good practice and exchange information.

·         Liaise with external suppliers, contractors, specialists and service providers to plan the delivery of services and events.

·         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 part time (0.2 FTE) and fixed term (15 months). 

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.

Person Specification - External

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

• *Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience.
• Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent experience). 
• *Experience of scholarly publishing (e.g. as author, copyeditor).
• *Experience of research or working in higher education or research environment.
• Experience of managing online content systems (e.g. VLE, websites).
• Evidence of personal development to maintain skills.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.

·         Good knowledge of archaeology or close cognate discipline

• Proven IT skills, including use of Microsoft Office.
• Relevant administrative experience in a busy office environment.
• Demonstrable ability to proactively work with team members to ensure the delivery of high-quality services.
• Experience of working on the front line with service delivery, and the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality.
• Demonstrable track record of fast, efficient working with strong attention to detail.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of arranging international travel and dealing with health and visa requirements.
• A background knowledge of or experience of working in Africa.
• Experience of collaborating with scholars in the Global South.
• Understanding of publishing ethics,