Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £34,980 to £44,263 with potential progression once in post to £46,974
Grade: 7
Full Time, Permanent
Closing date: 29th July 2024
Our offer to you
People are at the heart of what we are and do.
The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.
We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.
We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.
Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.
The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.
Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham
Background
Registry is a major division within Academic Services at the University of Birmingham, with responsibility for a key service at a leading global university. Registry is at the heart of academic activity at the University, leading solutions for a successful student journey. Registry acts as the definitive record keeper of student information and of programme and module details on behalf of the University. Its work underpins a student's academic career from post-registration through to graduation. It also supports academic and professional services staff in a number of areas, including academic and student related Regulations and Codes of Practice, and institutional and national quality matters. Other key functions include examinations results processing; review, approval and publication of programme and module information; student conduct, complaints and appeals; systems and processes for quality assurance and enhancement; collaborative partnerships and Apprenticeships; and development and support for academic and student IT systems.
Academic Services is at the heart of education and research endeavour at the University. Academic Services is responsible for providing support and advice to all staff and to students to enable them to undertake their responsibilities effectively and efficiently. It is also responsible for ensuring that the activities of the University are conducted in accordance with the University’s own procedures and regulations and in compliance with external legislative requirements.
Registry’s main role is to act as the definitive record keeper of students and of programmes and modules on behalf of the University. Its work underpins a student's academic career from post-registration through to graduation and supports academic and administrative staff in a number of areas including academic and student related Regulations and Codes of Practice and institutional and national quality matters.
Role Summary
The Apprenticeships and Partnerships Officer develops, supports and refines the processes and policies that govern the University’s collaborative provision arrangements with other institutions and organisations, both nationally and internationally, as well as maintaining a good understanding of regulatory compliance for apprenticeship provision.
The purpose of the role is to provide authoritative professional advice, guidance and support to colleagues across the University on the approval and review processes of collaborative arrangements and apprenticeship development, and to ensure that the policies and practices that underpin these processes are robust and effective. They will also take a leading role in drafting legal agreements, in conjunction with Legal Services.
The role holder will be responsible for developing, maintaining and advising on a range of operational and quality assurance processes and compliance with the requirements of external regulatory bodies, including Office for Students, Ofsted and the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). The role holder will also have responsibility for supporting institution-wide projects such as preparation for external audits and the introduction of new areas of provision.
The role holder will work closely with colleagues across Academic Services, Legal Services, Birmingham Global, Colleges and the wider University, to ensure, collectively, that all reporting, contractual and other operational and compliance requirements in relation to apprenticeships and collaborative provision are met.
If you are interested in the role, we would encourage you to apply even if you feel that you do not meet all of the criteria but can demonstrate transferrable skills.
Main Duties
To draft, review and amend a range of legal agreements between the University and collaborative organisations or employer partners for apprenticeship and collaborative provision. This may include drawing upon standard content frameworks, refreshing template agreements in line with external regulations and liaising with Legal Services, International Students Team and external partners where required.
To act as Secretary to, or member of, applicable University committees, as decided by the Head of Apprenticeships and Partnerships. This will include liaising with the Chair on agenda items for each meeting, ensuring that appropriate papers are written to a high standard with relevant notes for the Chair, and ensuring that there is timely and appropriate follow up to the action points.
To oversee the Annual Review process for both apprenticeships and collaborative provision and the Collaborative Provision Periodic Review process. This will include reviewing submissions and preparing a summary report for the Chair of the relevant Committee.
To promote equality and values diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
To support the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working.
Any other duties commensurate with the grade.
Collaborative Provision
In collaboration with the Head of Apprenticeships and Partnerships and relevant colleagues across the University, to support the design, development and refining of policies relating to quality assurance systems and processes for collaborative provision. This will include: - developing expert knowledge of, quality assurance mechanisms, internal programme regulations, policies and procedures and external regulatory requirements guidance (e.g. OfS in England); - assisting in the review of national legislation, guidance and information related to collaborative provision and transnational education, to ensure that national and University policies and ‘good practice’ in the sector are properly reflected in the systems and procedures for these arrangements; - monitoring the effectiveness of collaborative provision systems and procedures.
To provide authoritative specialist and professional guidance to colleagues across the University on all collaborative provision matters. This may include: - acting as the first point of contact within Registry for transnational education matters, in particular designing, developing and refining policy/practice in this area, identifying and adhering to internal and external best practice and regulatory frameworks in collaboration with Birmingham Global; - proactively managing and developing working relationships with collaborative organisations; - identifying risk arising from a range of quality assurance data (such as external examiner reports and annual review reports), and recommending and/or leading on mitigations and actions to address these in a timely and effective manner in liaison with relevant colleagues.
To oversee the processes related to the award of Recognised Lecturer and Recognised Supervisor.
To manage the arrangements for invoicing collaborative organisations for validation, accreditation and other fees, and to prepare details of annual ‘fee’ income where required.
Apprenticeships
To provide day-to-day professional services input into the management of apprenticeship programmes, working with a wide variety of internal stakeholders including Colleges of the University, Academic Services, HR, Finance, Business Engagement and Planning as well as academics across the institution and designated teams in partner organisations.
To work closely with relevant people and units to develop and maintain complex operational procedures, guidance and systems for the effective management, administration and quality assurance of apprenticeships across the University, providing expert advice and guidance to colleagues. This may include legal and contractual matters.
To maintain a good knowledge and understanding of the internal and external regulatory requirements relating to apprenticeships (e.g. Education Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), Ofsted and Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)), ensuring that changes are monitored, responded to and communicated to stakeholders.
To conduct informal periodic internal audits as part of the University’s annual quality audit review for apprenticeship provision.
To coordinate the completion of tender submissions with the support of the Head of Apprenticeships and Partnerships, including drafting high-quality content, liaising with College staff and informing the preparation of costings in consultation with Finance Business Partners, where required.
Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications) - where no equivalent qualification is held, extensive proven practical and technical experience in a similar role will be required.
Extensive experience of administration, preferably gained in a higher education institution.
Ability to develop, implement, review and interpret policies and processes that support the ongoing delivery of complex programmes, meet internal and external regulatory requirements, and anticipate and respond effectively to stakeholders’ needs.
A proven track record in developing and managing multiple projects and/or programmes at once, monitoring progress and ensuring delivery to deadlines.
Understanding of issues relating to quality assurance, apprenticeships, collaborative provision and transnational education.
Experience of translating regulations and procedures into operation, and sensitivity to the competing demands and viewpoints of stakeholders in this process.
Experience of successful engagement with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
Proven analytical skills, including the ability to effectively identify and assess risks, with excellent attention to detail.
Ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy, and the ability to deal discretely with confidential and sensitive matters.
Excellent interpersonal skills, experience of working collaboratively with the ability to establish good working relationships with colleagues at every level of an organisation.
A high degree of personal accountability and the ability to influence and win support for policy proposals from key senior decision makers through well-developed influencing and negotiating skills.
Proven ability to design and implement improvements to systems and processes that use existing best practice, and then refine those as necessary to ensure they remain fit for purpose.
Excellent organisational skills.
Demonstrable ability to pro-actively manage own workload, plan effectively, balance competing priorities and work to deadlines.
Adaptable and responsive to change.
Ability to contribute as part of a team in a busy environment.
Initiative, imagination, tenacity and self-confidence
Political awareness and the ability to understand and respond sensitively to the environment within the University and beyond, both generally and in specific situations.
Knowledge of the protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010 and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area of business that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.
We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyoneon our website.
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Management and Manufacturing
Industries
Higher Education
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