JOB DESCRIPTION 1. ROLE TITLE: Widening Participation Officer 2. HRMS REFERENCE CODE: HRMS/13079 3. ROLE CODE: WAPOMRA 4. DEPARTMENT: Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions 5. ORGANISATION CHART: Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions Director Departmental Administrator Deputy Director Market Research Officer Market Research Asst Snr Asst Registrar Snr Asstt Registrar Marketing Manager Nursing Admissions Ugrad Admissions Outreach Manager Co-ordinator Co-ordinator Ugrad Admissions (1) 0.7 Nursing & Midwifery Co-ordinator Ugrad Admissions (2) Postgraduate Admissions Marketing & Rec Co-ordinator Chester Admin Assistant Admin Assistant Ugrad Admissions OS4 Ugrad Admissions OS5 Widening Participation Admin Assistant Admin Assistant 1 Clerical Assistantt Officer (0.6) Schools Liaison Nursing & Midwifery Ugrad Admissions Admissions WP Diversity Officer Marketing Assistant Chester Deputy Director Marketing Communications Manager Multimedia Assistant Web Manager Digital marketing Officer Graphic Designer (1) Co-ordinator Graphic Designer (2) Warrington Content Co-ordinator Web Designer Marketing Asst Warrington Marketing Assistant Chester Web Assistant Clerical Assistant Admin Asst 1 Admin Assistant 3 Widening Participation Widening Participation Post Reg Nursing 0.6 Post Reg Nursing Officer (Chstr) Officer (Chstr) Admin Assistant 2 Post Reg Nursing 0.6 Clerical Assistant Nursing & Midwifery Widening Participation Widening Participation Officer (Warr) Officer (Primary) Admi Assistant WP 6. ROLE PURPOSE: The post holder is responsible for the Widening Participation (WP) activity within the Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions Service, along with the existing WP Officers. This involves organising schools, colleges, and community liaison activities relating to progression in learning, returning to learning and raising aspirations, including on and off campus events, seminars and workshops. The post holder will also work closely with the department s Director and Deputy Director on the development of new strategies to widen participation in higher education for young people and adults.
7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Widening participation is about encouraging and supporting those groups that are currently under-represented in higher education, and to ensure that those who have the ability to benefit from higher education have the opportunity to do so. In recent years, Widening Participation has become a main concern to both the higher and further education sectors, and it is now one of the key strategic objectives of the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE). The University s Widening Participation Officers will work with members of the University community, local community, schools and colleges to inspire young people and adults to progress to higher education, coordinating a range of events, activities and projects. The post will also provide admissions advice and support in relation to widening participation. The Widening Participation Officer post is based within the Outreach Office of the Department of Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions, which is a central administrative department that services the whole University in support of the recruitment and admission of students to all programmes of study. The department maintains all aspects of the University s marketing and recruitment strategy, from marketing courses, to initial contact and prospectus request, through admission and registration. MRA is the focal point for the University s widening access and progression activities. This post will be based at the University s Chester campus and the post holder will be required to undertake a successful enhanced level DBS check. 8. WORK PERFORMED AND/OR KEY RESULT AREAS: 8.1 Communicating Effectively Considerable contact with clients by letter, telephone, email and in person to offer information, advice and guidance on higher education and progression routes into higher education. Clients include University and departmental colleagues, current and prospective students, HE advisers, parents/guardians, headteachers, event organisers, and the general public. Provides an advisory service to all potential students requesting guidance, with particular emphasis on adult learners and young people, including those in care, students with disabilities, vocational Level 3 learners, and those from low participation neighbourhoods. Supports colleagues in other departments by disseminating information to help them develop an understanding of Government and institutional WP policies. Writes and disseminates WP reports as and when required. Delivers presentations and talks on University and higher education to a range of audiences. 8.2 Leadership and Working Collaboratively Works closely with the University s Director of Widening Participation on the University s WP activities. Works closely with colleagues across the University involved in the Widening Participation Strategy, including Student Support and Guidance and the Finance department. Works closely with Admissions colleagues throughout the undergraduate admissions cycle in order to identify WP applicants/cohorts that they have been working with, including students studying at the one of the University s Associate Colleges, or with whom the University has a Progression Agreement.
Liaises with the Schools and Colleges Liaison team to ensure that all school/college and partner institution contacts are co-ordinated. Works with Marketing and Recruitment colleagues to support the effective development of University marketing and communication operations in support of WP and student recruitment objectives. Co-ordinates and supervises all work participated in by colleagues/student ambassadors at on-campus events and activities. 8.3 Liaison and Networking Develops and manages working relationships with key contacts in local schools, colleges, community groups and adult education providers; identifying progression routes from these providers to the University. Negotiates progression (admissions) agreements with specific WP schools and colleges for progression from vocational Level 3 courses to University of Chester programmes of study. Maintains links with partner institutions in order to fulfil the University s widening participation strategy. Maintaining networks of contacts is integral to the role. Attends workshops and conferences relating to guidance and developments in higher education, and keeps colleagues up to date with changes in the 14-19 curriculum as they impact upon the WP mission of the University. Liaises with internal contacts such as academic and non-academic staff, senior managers, admissions tutors, programme leaders, heads of subject, and admissions and recruitment colleagues. Liaises with external contacts such as members of the public, school and college tutors and advisers, LEA staff and careers officers, as well as continuously forming new links and memberships with local strategy groups within the confines of widening participation. 8.4 Delivering a High Quality Standard of Service Provides a comprehensive advisory service for potential applicants to all programmes of study offered at the University of Chester, with particular emphasis on applicants from groups currently under-represented in higher education. Manages on and off campus based events and activities for students from local FE Colleges to increase opportunities to higher education. Organises and promotes specific WP events and activities for young people on and around the University campuses (Chester and Warrington), liaising as appropriate with colleagues across the University. Manages schools, colleges, and community liaison activities relating to progression in learning and raising aspirations, including on and off campus events, seminars and workshops. Arranges and conducts guidance interviews for young people and adults, recommending appropriate pre-he programmes and making appropriate referrals. Advises partner institutions and individuals about the University s new bursary and scholarship schemes. 8.5 Effective Decision Making Reports directly to the Outreach Manager, and has considerable freedom to develop the role as well as the activities of the post; daily work is unsupervised, as are liaising and networking activities. Takes independent decisions when responding to queries, and will be able to identify the most appropriate person for queries to be directed to. Will also make
collaborative decisions with the Outreach Manager on issues affecting strategy and delivery. Responsible for maintaining and developing links with schools, colleges and other education providers in order to fulfil the University s widening participation strategy, and has a great deal of autonomy in this area of work. Must be able to recognise when a problem should be referred to others, and then should be able to seek advice and act upon it. Individual initiative is central to the role, particularly in terms of customer relations activities, where decisions must be made on the spot, including the immediate solving of issues raised by individual students and partner organisations. 8.6 Planning and Organising Self and Others Devises and manages recruitment and admissions-based WP activities, events, seminars and workshops for external audiences i.e. students, teachers, parents, Careers/HE advisers etc. Considerable freedom of action is devolved to the post holder in the planning and organising of their own workload. Plans and delivers a programme of information, advice and guidance (IAG) opportunities for adults and young people in the local community. The post holder is not a budget holder, but is required to monitor and provide costings on WP activities and events to the Deputy Director of Marketing, Recruitment & Admissions. Personal responsibility for equipment including hardware and software for internal use, as well as for equipment and materials for external use. 8.7 Innovation and Improvement (Effective Problem Solving) Responsible for targeting schools, colleges and other educational providers (with low HE participation rates or large proportions of disadvantaged students) with the intention of raising awareness of and aspirations to higher education. Required to use their initiative and creativity to resolve problems where the optimum solution may not be immediately apparent but has to be assessed by a process of reasoning, weighing up the pros and cons of different approaches e.g. availability and quality of facilities and resources for on-campus WP events, staffing requirements for events, communication issues etc. Arranges and conducts guidance interviews for non-he students, signposting the appropriate pre-he programmes and making appropriate referrals. Delivers impartial information, advice, and guidance to prospective students whilst always ensuring the integrity of its delivery as a staff member at the University of Chester. Must be fully equipped to answer questions on external organisations other than the University of Chester whilst ensuring an appropriate level of professionalism is always maintained, e.g., have an awareness of the courses provided by other Universities. 8.8 Analysis and Research Researches and targets specific schools and colleges with a strong WP student cohort (i.e. low participation neighbourhood, students with no family or peer experiences of higher education, and those facing specific barriers to progression). Maintains an up-to-date understanding of government policy and changes in the 14-19 curriculum, insofar as they affect progression routes; mentors and advises colleagues involved in admissions and recruitment of these issues.
Monitors the range of subject department engagement in WP activities. Monitors the numbers of students engaging in WP activities and events, including subsequent applications and enrolments to the University. Monitors and analyses questionnaires and statistics to underscore and implement future widening participation strategies. 8.9 Sensory and Physical Demands Physical effort is as expected for administrative work. Significant amounts of travelling, off campus work and some out-of-hours work is required. Hazards are as expected for work within an office environment. 8.10 Work Environment The post holder works at an individual workstation in a shared office with diverse tasks and functions, and regularly participates at on and off campus events. Considerable off-campus work as well as some travelling is required. 8.11 Pastoral Care and Welfare Must be aware of the support services available within the University; giving supportive advice and guidance to staff/students where appropriate. Provides admissions support to young people and non-standard learners. 8.12 Team Development Assists in inducting new members of the Outreach team, and wider departmental teams, if required. Attends workshops and conferences relating to guidance and developments in higher education, and keeps colleagues up to date with changes in the 14-19 curriculum as they impact upon the WP mission of the University. 8.13 Teaching and Learning Support Delivers talks to groups of students on issues related to higher education (e.g. admissions, student finance etc). Advises internal colleagues, including academic and administrative staff, of changes to the 14-19 curriculum. Delivers talks to academic staff on issues related to higher education (e.g. widening participation, student finance etc). 8.14 Knowledge and Experience Please refer to the person specification 8.15 General To undertake any other duties commensurate with your grade, and/or hours of work, as may reasonably be required of you. To take responsibility for upholding and complying with the University s Equality and Diversity policies and for behaving in ways that are consistent with fair and equal treatment for all. To comply with all University Health and Safety policies.
PERSON SPECIFICATION Post Title & Department: Widening Participation Officer Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions Criteria Qualifications: A degree or equivalent qualification. Advanced ECDL or equivalent qualification. Full, clean driving licence and a willingness to travel. Proven Experience: Considerable experience of working in an education-related field or institution. Experience of widening participation and of working with young people. Experience of planning and organising events and activities. Excellent IT skills, including word processing, spreadsheets and databases. / Desirable Desirable Method of identification Application Form/Certificates Application Form/Certificates Application Form /Interview/Certificates Application Form/Interview/Test Delivering academic and service excellence: Understanding of the 14-19 curriculum and specific knowledge of post-16 qualifications. Attention to detail. Ability to present to a wide range of audiences. Interview Managing self and inspiring others: Ability to work under pressure, plan and prioritise own workload to meet tight deadlines. Highly motivated and able to work with little supervision. Interview Working together: Excellent communication skills. Ability to work effectively as part of a team. Organisational and stakeholder awareness: Good organisational skills. Tact and diplomacy. Requirements are those, without which, a candidate would not be able to do the job. Applicants who have not clearly demonstrated in their application that they possess the essential requirements will normally be rejected at short listing stage. Desirable Requirements are those that would be useful for the post holder to possess and will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential requirements. Method of identification is where the selection panel will match the candidate s skills and abilities to the required criteria outlined (i.e. application form, interview, test).
UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER TERMS & CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT MARKETING, RECRUITMENT AND ADMISSIONS WIDENING PARTICIPATION OFFICER SALARY SCALE University Scale OS7, points 23-26, 25,013-27,318 per annum payable monthly in arrears. RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT It is a requirement of this post that within 12 months of appointment, the post-holder should live within a 30 mile radius or within a one hour travelling time by public transport from the University. HOURS OF WORK Monday to Thursday 9.00am - 5.30pm Friday 9.00am - 4.30pm (less one hour lunch break each day) A flexible approach to work will be required as there may be occasions when it would be necessary for you to work additional hours as dictated by the workload. HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENT 22 days per annum (pro-rata during the commencement and cessation years), rising to 27 days after five years' continuous service. Two extra statutory days per annum during the Christmas period. DISCLOSURE & BARRING SERVICE CHECKS The successful applicant will have to undergo a DBS check before an appointment can be made. MEDICAL EXAMINATION Successful candidates will be required to complete an Occupational Health questionnaire, and may be required to undergo a medical examination. ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATES Short-listed candidates will be asked to bring to interview, proof of qualifications as outlined on the Job Description and Person Specification provided. Upon appointment, copies of essential certificates will be required by HRM Services. PENSION SCHEME The University operates two pension schemes for support staff: The default scheme is the Higher Education Defined Contribution Scheme (HEDCS), which is administered by Friends Life. The Cheshire Local Government Pension Scheme, to which the University is an admitted body. All support staff are entitled to participate in one of these schemes. Some staff will be automatically enrolled into a scheme, depending on their age and earnings, but if they do not wish to remain a member of the scheme, they will be entitled to opt out after enrolment. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES The University has a policy of equal opportunity aimed at treating all applicants for employment fairly. SMOKING POLICY The University operates a No-Smoking policy.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD A nine months' probationary period applies to all University posts. CLOSING DATE Candidates may download further information and apply via our online recruitment website by following the links on our website at www.chester.ac.uk/jobs/. Completed applications should be submitted no later than 17 th January 2014 quoting reference number HRMS/13079.