BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY Faculty of Education, Law and Social Sciences Job Description Job Title: Programme Director Senior Academic in Forensic Psychology Department: School of Social Sciences Division: Psychology Contract: Permanent Reference: 092014-12 Salary: 50,002-57,123 per annum Location: City North Campus, Perry Barr Reporting to: Head of School 1. Purpose of Post: This is post related to the MSc in Forensic Psychology programme. The programme is accredited by the British Psychological Society and will accept the fifth cohort of students in autumn 2014. The post is located within the Division of Psychology, in the School of Social Sciences. The person appointed will take on the position of programme director of the MSc in Forensic Psychology and will be responsible for BPS matters such as re-accreditation. Contributions may also be made in the teaching of other psychology programmes, and supervising undergraduate and postgraduate student research dissertations. Possessing appropriate professional standing the appointee will preside over the continuing academic development of forensic psychology, with the programme leadership qualities that such a post entails. You will also play a role in research consultancy, and other professional practice in psychology, and act as a senior academic lead in your expert field in the faculty and wider University. 2. Main Duties and Responsibilities: Programme director of the MSc Forensic Psychology; To lead the programme to successful re-accreditation and validation when due; To contribute (teach and coordinate) to the specialist modules on that programme; To contribute (teach and coordinate) on other psychology routes; To set and mark coursework/exams in this context, advising students on their progress and participating in student pastoral care; To supervise Masters and Research Degree dissertations; To lead the process of ongoing curriculum development in forensic psychology; To pursue research, scholarship and/or knowledge transfer activities so as to further enhance the external reputation of the Division of Psychology; To contribute in other ways to the wider work of the Division, School and Faculty as required. 1/5
3. Supervisory Responsibility: The position involves leadership of the course team on the MSc in Forensic Psychology. 4. Supervision Received: Day-to-day operational supervision will be through the Head of the Psychology Division. Ultimate line management responsibility will be to the Head of the School of Social Sciences. 5. Contacts: Professional academic networks in the Forensic Psychology field and allied disciplines. B. REQUIREMENTS OF POSTHOLDER: 6. Work Experience/Formal Qualifications: You should possess full membership (or eligibility for membership) of the Division of Forensic Psychology of the BPS and registration (or eligibility for registrations) as a Forensic Psychologist with the Health Professions Council. The qualifications required are a Masters in Forensic Psychology (or equivalent), combined with a Doctorate in a related field. These requirements should be allied to exceptional recognized academic, teaching, professional and leadership experience in the field. A higher education teaching qualification is a requirement, or a willingness to work towards such a qualification (provided by BCU as part of the successful candidate s first year). 7. Skills/Abilities: Organisational, administrative and team-working skills; National or International standing and reputation in forensic psychology; The ability to encourage commitment to learn in others and to communicate complex information clearly; Relevant academic psychology expertise; An ability to supervise student dissertations at undergraduate and post graduate levels; Skill in facilitating psychology research; Research and scholarship in aspects of forensic psychology or closely related fields of a national / international standard. A commensurate impressive publication record in peer-reviewed journals and other formal dissemination of research findings in the above areas of expertise; A track record for successfully managing contract research work; Familiarity with good practice in learning and teaching in higher education; Analytical, interpersonal and ICT skills; An ability to articulate and pursue research, scholarship and/or knowledge transfer agendas in your specialist academic fields; Associated academic networking skills. 2/5
8. Personality/Disposition: Qualities associated with being an exceptionally proactive and creative programme leader; Exceptional leadership qualities in the field of forensic psychology; Flexibility and adaptability; Self-motivating and an ability to motivate students; Willingness to work as part of a cohesive academic department Commitment to furtherance of the wider Psychology discipline. 9. Other Requirements (including special items) An ability to thrive in a multi-disciplinary Social Science departmental context. Uphold and promote the University s core values of Excellence, People Focused, Partnership Working, Fairness and Integrity. These values define the principles of how we work together with our staff, students and partners. NB: 1. 1. The University reserves the right to vary the duties and responsibilities of staff under conditions prescribed in national agreements. The above duties may be altered to suit the future needs of services. 2. Staff are liable to serve at any of the University's places of employment as required. 3/5
PERSON SPECIFICATION Job Title: Senior Academic in Forensic Psychology Salary: 50,002-57,123 per annum Post Ref: 092014-12 School/Section: School of Social Sciences: Division of Psychology Faculty/Department: Education, Law and Social Sciences Reports to: Head of Psychology Division and Head of School of Social Sciences Essential Desirable How Identified 1. Physical N/A 2. Qualifications Masters in Forensic Psychology (or equivalent) Application Doctoral qualification in related field A higher education professional teaching qualification or willingness to work towards such a qualification. 3. Experience Demonstrated exceptional management and course leadership experience along with requisite extensive undergraduate / postgraduate teaching and dissertation supervision experience in higher education. Application and presentation Application and interview Successful involvement in managing external research and consultancy 4. Training Full membership (or eligibility for membership) of the Division of Forensic Psychology of the BPS Application and interview Registration (or eligibility for registration) with the Health Professions Council. 4/5
5. Special Knowledge National or international academic / professional reputation in forensic psychology and allied fields; Specialist academic interests in forensic psychology. An area of applied psychology to complement existing staff interests. Application, interview and presentation Application, interview and presentation 6. Circumstance s Willingness to be flexible and adaptable in working methods Interview 7. Personal Skills Organisational and motivational skills; Presentation and interview Team-working skills; Ability to encourage commitment to learn in others; Networking skills; Clear communication skills. 8. Practical and Intellectual Skills ICT, analytical and interpersonal communication and organisational skills; An ability to articulate and pursue high level research, scholarship and/or knowledge transfer Application, presentation and interview Application, and interview 9. Qualities Demonstrates a commitment to the University s core values of Excellence, People Focused, Partnership Working, Fairness and Integrity. Application, and interview 10. Legal Requirements N/A 11. Other Requirements N/A 5/5