University Offices Teaching Excellence Framework & Quality Assurance Administrator Academic Division (Educational and Student Policy) 1 Educational and Student Policy Educational and Student Policy (ESP) is part of the Academic Division of the Unified Administrative Service (UAS). The section is charged with development and implementation, subject to the General Board s oversight, of educational and studentrelated policies as they apply to all of the University s 18,000 students (undergraduate, postgraduate and part-time). In addition to this post, ESP comprises one Assistant Director (the Head of ESP), an Assistant Registrary (Deputy Head), five grade A7 Administrative Officers (or equivalent) and two support staff. In addition, research associates or assistants engaged on projects overseen by ESP may be managed from within the section. Under the Head of ESP, the section is responsible for educational policy and business, quality assurance, and intercollegiate liaison on student matters. ESP is also charged with developing and implementing accessible and coherent student services by facilitating collaboration between the University and the Colleges, and working with units offering student-related support and facilities. ESP provides the secretariat for a number of committees dealing with student-related matters, including the General Board s Education Committee (GBEC) and its sub-committees, the Steering Committee for the Centre for Teaching & Learning (SCCTL), the Health and Wellbeing Committee, and the Senior Tutors Committee and its Standing Committees. Each administrator in ESP acts as liaison officer for a number of Faculties and Departments, and has responsibility for specific procedures and areas of policy. They each have input into, and advise on, the decisions made by their Faculties and Departments where their particular expertise and experience is called for. 2 Duties of the post The post holder contributes towards the smooth running of the business of ESP and is responsible for teaching enhancement activities. Key aspects are administration of the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), which is the University s focus for teaching enhancement activities, and management of the production of the Collegiate University s submission to the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). The post holder will also be the key contact between ESP and the Faculty of Education, the School of Clinical Medicine and the Department of Veterinary Medicine. Page 1 of 6
Key duties and responsibilities a) Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) The post holder is responsible for management of the production of the University s submission to the TEF. In support of this activity, key duties will include: i) co-ordinating the analysis of Cambridge s metrics as reported by HESA to identify and understand areas of strength and weakness; ii) under the oversight of the Centre of Teaching and Learning, undertaking, reviewing and commissioning research on teaching and learning in Cambridge; iii) analysing output data, including student feedback; and iv) under the oversight of the GBEC, and in collaboration with others in ESP, drafting the institutional submission to the TEF. The process of drawing up the response will include seeking input from stakeholders across the Collegiate University. In this work, the post holder is expected to work closely with colleagues in the Cambridge Admissions Office, the Student Statistics Office and Careers Service as well as other members of the ESP team. It will also require seeking input and engagement from stakeholders from across the Collegiate University. b) Centre for Teaching and Learning The post holder supports the Secretary of the SCCTL, which provides a forum for identification and discussion of issues relating to teaching and learning, curriculum and assessment design. The work of the CTL will contribute directly to the preparation of the narrative component of the TEF submission. In addition, the CTL has an important role in demonstrating the University s commitment to teaching and learning, to their enhancement, and to providing an excellent learning environment for all its students. Key duties will include: i) collecting and disseminating information on best practice in teaching and learning in the Cambridge context; ii) organising teaching fora, such as a teaching conference, and supporting institutions within Collegiate Cambridge in developing their own initiatives; iii) developing networks to encourage the sharing and development of good practice; iv) administering the Pilkington Teaching Prize awards and annual ceremony; v) engaging, where appropriate, with other institutions and organisations on matters of teaching and learning; and vi) supporting the Steering Committee in the development of a strategy for the sustainability of educational enhancement at the Collegiate University. In this work the post holder is expected to: act autonomously in the scoping and definition of projects; identify, produce and analyse relevant data; undertake or co-ordinate consultation exercises with relevant bodies of the University and produce appropriate summaries and analyses; Page 2 of 6
take into account national and international developments and priorities; and brief the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) and other senior officers on areas of policy and management of learning and teaching activities with the role-holder s remit. c) Departmental Liaison The post holder liaises with the Faculty of Education, the School of Clinical Medicine and the Department of Veterinary Medicine, and as its key contact in ESP, provides advice and guidance about its internal quality assurance arrangements for teaching, learning and assessment; its means of addressing University policies and guidance; and other matters which come under ESP s remit. This includes the provision of general and specific advice to academic and administrative staff at all levels, to ensure the effective transmission of business (including changes to regulations) through the central committees, and preparation of regulation changes for Triposes and Master s programmes provided by the relevant Faculties and Departments. The post holder reviews the reports of External Examiners for the faculties and the appropriateness of the responses to those reports, highlighting good practice identified therein and advising the GBEC of any issues or concerns. d) Other The post holder undertakes regular and occasional tasks relating to other activities of the ESP and the Academic Division, in particular: servicing the GBEC, in conjunction with other officers; acting as secretary to General Board Learning and Teaching Review Committees; serving on Steering Committees and Working Groups on behalf of ESP or the Academic Division as required; and representing the University at external meetings and feeding back to internal personnel as appropriate. 3 Requirements for the post Education & qualifications i) Educated to first-degree level or with equivalent experience Specialist knowledge & skills ii) Knowledge of learning and teaching issues in a university context iii) Expert and up-to-date knowledge of national developments in the Higher Education sector iv) A strong and enthusiastic commitment to supporting the learning and teaching objectives of the Collegiate University and to playing a part in the assurance of the quality and standards of learning and teaching, and enhancement of the student experience v) A high level of computer literacy using Microsoft Office applications vi) Data analysis skills Page 3 of 6
Interpersonal & communication skills vii) Ability to understand and distil complex information, including official documents, and to confidently interpret guidance and communicate information in both written and oral forms to a wide audience, including non-specialists viii) Ability to interact diplomatically with colleagues in a collegial and consensual manner ix) A flexible and co-operative approach to work; able to work both independently and as part of a team Relevant experience x) Relevant administrative experience, ideally in an HE environment Additional requirements xi) A flexible approach to problem solving, with a can-do attitude xii) Ability to prioritise work, to use own initiative and judgement and to be proactive xiii) High level of accuracy and attention to detail xiv) Ability to manage a wide and complex range of projects and procedures xv) Ability to resolve issues and problems in a timely and flexible manner 4 The Academic Division The office is within the Academic Division of the University Offices, the staff of which form a unified central administrative service. The Division is responsible for supporting the General Board of the Faculties and for the academic administration of the University, including maintaining the excellence of its teaching and research. The Division is headed by the Academic Secretary and consists at present of some 300 staff, responsible for admissions, examinations, student services, education policy and quality assurance, international matters, planning and resource allocation, research administration and School, Faculty and Departmental administration. Further details about the Division can be found at: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/academic/ 5 Terms and Conditions The post is full time and will be subject to the satisfactory completion of a probationary period of three months. The salary scale is 28,892 37,768pa (grade 7), the starting salary normally at the first point on the scale. The person appointed will be eligible to become a member of the Universities Superannuation Scheme. There is a holiday entitlement of 33 days per annum, plus public holidays, normally to be taken outside the three teaching blocks, each of eight weeks, which comprise the University s Full Terms. Funding is available for one year in the first instance. Page 4 of 6
6 Application and appointment procedure Applications should be made online via the advert published on the University's Job Opportunities pages. If you are unable to apply online, please contact the Academic Division s recruitment team (email acd.jobs@admin.cam.ac.uk). Applications should be received by 27 July 2016. Interviews will be held on 3 August 2016. Informal enquiries about the post may be directed to Holly Tilbrook, Deputy Head of Educational and Student Policy, by email to holly.tilbrook@admin.cam.ac.uk or by phone on (01223) 332276 or (01223) 764855. Applications are welcomed from internal candidates wishing to take up this post on a secondment basis 7 Pre-Employment Checks The University has a legal responsibility to ensure that all their employees have the right to work in the UK before they take up their post. Any offer of employment made to an individual without the right to work in the UK will be conditional upon the right to work being obtained. Further information is available on the Right to Work page within the Applying for a job section of the University s Job Opportunities pages (http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/right/have/) 8 Family friendly policies and benefits The University has a range of family friendly policies to aid employees work-life balance including maternity, paternity and parental leave, flexible working and career break schemes. In addition, childcare vouchers, access to two nurseries and a holiday play scheme are available through the Childcare Office to help support University employees with childcare responsibilities. Further information can be found at: http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/hr/staff/benefits/family.html 9 Equal Opportunities Information The University of Cambridge appoints solely on merit. No applicant for an appointment in the University, or member of staff once appointed, will be treated less favourably than another on the grounds of sex (including gender reassignment), marital or parental status, race, ethnic or national origin, colour, disability (including HIV status), sexual orientation, religion, age or socio-economic factors. 10 Information if you have a Disability The University welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities. Our recruitment and selection procedures follow best practice and comply with disability legislation. Page 5 of 6
The University is committed to ensuring that applicants with disabilities receive fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. Adjustments will be made, wherever reasonable to do so, to enable applicants to compete to the best of their ability and, if successful, to assist them during their employment. We encourage applicants to declare their disabilities in order that any reasonable adjustments, particularly for the selection process, can be accommodated. Applicants or employees can declare a disability at any time. Applicants wishing to discuss with or inform the University of any reasonable adjustments arrangements connected with their disability can, at any point in the recruitment process, contact, Deborah Jones, who is responsible for recruitment to this position, by e-mail on deborah.jones@admin.cam.ac.uk Page 6 of 6