Student Advice Lead Jobs in London, Greater London
UWSU is looking for a new Director of Membership Services. This department covers four teams working on the frontline of student engagement at the University of Westminster. This role leads of all strategic development, direction and creating positive change for students. This role will line manage four direct reports, deliver on strategy, ensure high performance in student democracy, and ensuring members are empowered to make change.
If you are an excellent leader, strategic thinker, who can build particpation in student activities then we want you!
We are a people first employer who believe strongly in flexible working, and staff wellbeing.
Full recruitment pack available here! UWSU_Recruitment_Pack_DOMS.pdf (sums.su)
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About the Role
The US-UK Fulbright Commission is home to the UK’s EducationUSA team, which offers a wide variety of information and support to people in the UK about studying in the USA. We know how many people are interested in choosing to study a degree at a US university, but clear, unbiased and accurate information can be hard to find. Our free services aim to support anyone in the UK who is interested in studying in the USA make their dreams a reality.
As an EducationUSA manager, you will play a key role in designing and running informational services to help prospective students, teachers, advisors and parents navigate US university admissions for successful study in the USA. As an organisation, we are proud to help broaden prospective applicants’ horizons by showcasing all of the exciting opportunities at more than 4,000 US accredited universities and colleges.
As the successful candidate, you will work in a small team to promote US study, from attending university fairs to meet with prospective students, to holding one-to-one advising video calls with individual students, to answering questions from US universities looking to recruit in the UK. Alongside running a lively webinar and in person event schedule, which you will be involved in promoting, you’ll also be the lead member of staff working on our signature event, USA College Day, which is Europe’s largest US college fair.
You’ll bring excellent project management skills to the role, with a cool head under pressure. You’ll be experienced at event management, but also enjoy presenting and working directly with students too. You’ll bring passion for the opportunities presented by studying abroad, and be able to inspire students while also anticipating questions and concerns they might have about US study.
Being able to demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity will be key and you will be excited about the opportunity to support people from diverse backgrounds. You will have excellent interpersonal skills, need to be a strong team player and have the ability to deliver effective presentations to a range of audiences.
About Us
The US-UK Fulbright Commission is a not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to advance education, promote civic engagement and develop compassionate leaders through education exchange between the peoples of the US and the UK. With core support from the UK and US governments, the Commission offers prestigious Fulbright awards for postgraduate study and academic research in the US and the UK, as well as a number of other programmes and services for British citizens interested in studying in the UK. Please refer to the About Us section on our website for more details.
Since the UK programme began 75 years ago, more than 25,000 people have been given a Fulbright award through the Commission, and today the programme continues to foster mutual understanding and people-to-people connections. The Commission’s strategic priorities are widening participation in all programming and contributing to the solution of the global challenges of our time – from racial injustice and climate change to global health and disinformation.
The US-UK Fulbright Commission offers exceptional opportunities for people interested in international education and who are committed to our mission and vision and values. New staff join a small and friendly team who are highly motivated, entrepreneurial and passionate about cross-cultural exchange. Our staff benefits include 29 days holiday (including 3 US holidays and 3 Christmas closure days) plus bank holidays, pension scheme (employer contribution of 6%), employee assistance programme, flexible working and excellent learning and development opportunities.
Please note, you must have the prior legal right to work in the UK.
Location: Central London office at least 2 days a week, home working the rest of the time. No travel expenses will be paid.
Closing date: Tuesday 14 May 2024, 9am (BST)
Job Description
The Head of Advocacy and Policy will be responsible for developing an excellent Advice Service and Retention Team to support and advise students effectively to enable excellent student experience and satisfaction.
This role will lead on the development of effective insights, representation and support initiatives/campaigns for students, across our three campuses at Greenwich, Avery Hill and Medway.
This role will enhance work with the diverse student population of the University of Greenwich and lead a dynamic team to ensure students have consistent and accessible services that contribute to positive student experience.
This role sits within the wider Membership Services department, together with other key areas consisting of; Activities, Sport, Academic Communities, Representation and Democracy, we provide a high-quality service for students, that they can shape, steer and be at the heart of.
This postholder will be part of the GSU Senior Leadership Team and will be expected to contribute to department and organisation wide strategic development.
The post holder will:
- Have expert knowledge in areas of in relation to Advice and Retention and policies and legislation relating to such activity
- Support and develop strong student-led communities and campaigns in areas of: Advice, wellbeing and retention so that members can thrive
- Provide line management support to staff so that the team have up to date, specialist advice skills, knowledge and understanding of University regulations, policies and procedures that may affect the work of the Advice service and oversee engagement across Greenwich’s 3 campuses
- Undertake casework and provide expert advice for the team on all aspects of Advice
- Lead on the project management of wellbeing/health promotion campaigns and initiatives throughout the year, as well as any external bids through bodies such as OfS
- Oversee the Retention and Wellbeing Project work, and other relevant projects with external partners
- Lead on insights work relating to retention, wellbeing and support
- Lead on responses to external consultation and enquiry responses, including but not limited to OfS, Department for Education, OIA and Universities UK
- Support elected officers to deliver on campaigning priorities
- Ensure the Advice service has the skills and is equipped to support the diverse needs of students at Greenwich and Kent at Medway.
- Provide regular insights and reports on the GSU Membership to inform our strategy and service provision
- Work with other Heads to develop relevant and modern Front of House services for each GSU campus ensuring ease of access and consistency for all members.
Key Areas
- Be an engaged and active member of the Senior Leadership team, contributing regularly and working collaboratively with peers
- Provide leadership, strategic direction and day to day operational management to the Advocacy and Policy: recruiting and inducting members of staff, motivating, supporting and developing team members to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge for their roles as well as manage performance
- Develop a proactive results driven culture within the team, ensuring agreed objectives and targets are delivered, whilst promoting a collaborative approach to working with internal departments
- Develop succession plans and identify training and development opportunities within the team
- Be accountable for the quality of outputs of the team
- Provide support to the Officer team helping and equipping them, particularly in their roles as representatives and providing pastoral support and guidance.
- Ensure the whole organisation is aware of and understands the work of the Advocacy and Policy Team and its contribution to our strategic objectives
- To maintain expert and up-to-date knowledge on sector policies and regulations relating to advice, retention and student success, providing relevant guidance to officers and staff as required.
- Develop and promote a culture of continuous improvement across the team to ensure we can adapt to changing students’ needs and priorities, as well as building on successes and preparing for the future.
Strategic Development
- Contribute to the strategic objectives of GSU, with a particular focus on advice, support and wellbeing in relation to the student experience
- Develop and oversee a new and innovative approach to proactive health and wellbeing campaigns that empower students to look after themselves and each other, as well as seeking support
- Lead on Access and Participation Plan Engagement, acting as the key contact on this area with the University.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with relevant senior UoG staff and departments including Student Academic Services, Faculties and our partners at Kent Unio
- Develop and oversee the Advice service to support advocacy initiatives at multiple levels within the University, ensuring both students and University stakeholders view GSU as a credible and reliable source of information on the needs of students.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Develop and oversee a structured approach to gathering, analysing and reporting on data relating to engagement of students with our services and to student views on key issues relating to retention and success
- Develop and oversee processes of collecting quantitative and qualitative data from casework to analyse trends and inform feedback for the SU and university
- Ensure evaluation mechanism are embedded in the teams working practises and that findings are shared and used to implement learnings with the goal of improving services
- Support Officers by preparing information, statistics and trends about key services to be shared within the University committee cycle
- Be responsible for the implementation of service standards for the Advocacy and Policy Team and to monitor and report on adherence to these standards
- Prepare materials to apply for any relevant quality mark accreditations for the service.
Budget and Financial Management
- Manage a budget relating to Advocacy and Policy including any restricted funds.
- Be responsible for the teams resources, ensuring these are effectively allocated, managed and controlled
- Review and establish processes, systems, polices and where appropriate standard procedures to maximise efficiency ensure deadlines are met and a positive return on investment
- Review and provide narrative for scrutiny at monthly management meetings with the Finance Team
Stakeholder management
- Collaborate with GSU colleagues, particularly the Student Voice and Engagement Teams to ensure we have a consistent approach to how we work with and support students
- Work with students through our representative structures and forums to ensure we shape services students want and need, taking into consideration the varying campus priorities
- Maintain strong relationships with key university staff to develop, deliver and evaluate collaborative projects and interventions supporting advice and retention
- Attend meetings relating to Advocacy and Policy as well as associated areas at both GSU, the University and externally, included, but not limited to regional networks
- Identify opportunities to share best practice and represent the work of GSU and your team to the wider HE community, through conferences and publication.
Personal Specification
Essential Experience
- Line management experience
- Relevant experience working in the youth, education, students’ union or other membership or advisory organisation
- Experience of leading a multi-functional team
- Experience of mentoring coaching staff/elected officers
- Experience of developing operational policies and procedures
- Experience of budget management, project management, and operational management
- Experience of working with a range of stakeholders and partnership working or strategic networking
Essential Skills and Abilities
- Ability to work with and lead a high performing team
- Ability to troubleshoot difficult situations, and deal with them calmly, efficiently and effectively
- Ability to produce confident, clear written reports and be able to write succinct documents on complex areas
- IT skills at a level that supports membership CRM systems, Advice Pro and other platforms
- Excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to manage others to reach deadlines, within agreed budgets and to a consistently high standard
- Ability to write strategies and be able to effectively communicate vision and mission
- Ability to stay focused and efficient in the face on changing priorities
- Track record of successfully developing and implementing projects and operational change
- Able to draft policies and procures with an eye for detail and accuracy
Essential Knowledge
- Awareness of current issues within the higher education sector
- Knowledge of relevant external bodies and organisations including Advice UK, NUS, Citizens Advice, OIA, Ofs, Student Minds
- Knowledge of relevant health and safety legislation
- Knowledge of Safeguarding, advice legislation, risk assessments and GDPR
- Knowledge of providing 121 support
Education/Training
- No one specific qualification is required, but evidence of recent continuing professional development in a professional area relevant to the post is required. For example: ILM, City &Guilds etc.
Personal Attributes and other requirements
- Able to travel within the Borough and Region.
- Able to work some evenings and weekends and stay overnight where necessary.
- Works well in a team with a flexible approach to work
- Be eligible for a DBS check if needed
- A commitment to the principles and practices of equality and diversity
- An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.
- Commitment to the values and ethos of GSU.
Desirable other requirements
- Visionary, creative, and innovative strategist
- A positive, solution focused leader – able to make ‘tough’ decisions; determined and resilient in order to cope with the demands of the role
- Empowering, authentic leader with high levels of emotional intelligence
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
JOB DESCRIPTION
As we have launched our ambitious 5-year strategic plan this post will play a key role at Greenwich Students’ Union in supporting students to stay and succeed at university.
GSU Advocacy and Policy Team is leading an award-winning outreach project that seeks to support students to stay and succeed at Greenwich. A team of part-time student staff call 1000’s of students each term, supporting them to navigate University life, services and GSU. This role will support the award-winning team to deliver proactive supportive calls to students.
In this post you will :
- To supervise the retention calling project staff
- To support with escalations for students experiencing difficulties
- To spot trends in student issues and assist with reporting
We’re looking for an enthusiastic candidate who has an interest in supporting our students to become their best.
You don’t have to come from a higher education background, but you should have an interest in supporting students to succeed.
This role sits within the Advocacy and Policy Team and focus on making 1-1 timely interventions to support students to succeed as well as identifying broader trends in student behaviour to inform our strategic approach to services and support.
Duties and Key Responsibilities
This post holder will be part of the Advocacy and Policy Team and will be expected to contribute to the department’s wider objectives and planning.
Delivery of Outreach
- Coordinate the team to deliver outbound phone calls and taking inbound calls in a call centre model, including opening and closing
- Ensure that the quality of personal outreach delivery is consistent and in line with the agreed scripts and conversation structures to support students
- Ensure the team provide excellent customer service to students, at all times seeking to support students’ needs appropriately, clarifying information and providing appropriate solutions
- Support other retention and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year
Supervision
- Support with training and development of student-staff team
- Support with the scheduling of shifts, monitoring of attendance and submitting of payroll
- Undertake 1-1’s with student staff, identifying additional support
Signposting & Monitoring
- Keep accurate records of all calls and student outreach in line with provided data tools
- Support callers to identify potential concerns from students and signpost students to the most relevant support pathway
- Closely monitor for any safety or safeguarding concerns from students, and support with escalations
- Support with the analysis of issues and regular reporting as directed
Personal Learning and Responsibility
- Undertake all training and development as required within the role
- Take responsibility for personal learning and development
General Responsibilities
- Represent and be an ambassador for GSU.
- Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop, or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position.
- Maintain and improve competencies through continuous professional development.
- Abide by organisational policies, codes of conduct and practices.
- Support and promote liberation, diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace.
- Treat with confidentiality any personal, private, or sensitive
- information about individual organisations and/ or clients or staff and Project data.
- Actively seek better ways to assist GSU in its effort to become a more sustainable workplace.
- Any other duties commensurate with the accountabilities of the post.
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION
Experience
- Relevant experience working in a customer or support service-aligned role
- Experience of time management
- Experience of working well within a team to achieve targets
- Experience drafting reports with an eye for detail.
Knowledge
- Clear communication skills, particularly over the phone and by e-mail
- Ability to troubleshoot difficult situations, and deal with them calmly, efficiently, and effectively.
- Sensitivity and understanding for others, utilising active listening skills
- IT skills at a level that supports logging of data, email, internet, and database.
- Time management and organisational skills.
- Ability to engage with new people and build rapport quickly.
- Self-motivated with the confidence to work alone but can also work co-operatively and flexibly as part of a team.
- Ability to stay focused and efficient in the face of changing priorities.
Education/Training
- No specific qualification is required, but evidence of recent continuing professional development in a professional area relevant to the post is required
Essential Personal Attributes and other requirements
- A role model who promotes high standards of ethics, integrity and honesty.
- Able to travel between campuses on occasion. Mainly based at Avery Hill – free inter-campus bus service available.
- Works well in a team with a flexible approach to work.
- An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work. Commitment to the values and ethos of GSU
Visa Requirement
Please note that the successful candidate will need to have the right to work in the UK. GSU is unable to sponsor an employment visa for this role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
LMK (Let Me Know) Youth Leader (Freelance Educator / Youth Worker)
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Across London boroughs
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£200 per 2hour workshop
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Sessional
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Available for a minimum of one delivery per month, pending workshop demands
About LMK
Good relationships shape our health and happiness, yet we are taught so little about them. LMK is a registered education charity on a mission to change that. We run workshops educating young people about healthy and unhealthy behaviours, so that they can avoid abuse and thrive in relationships.
Using film and guided discussions, our workshop leaders support children and young people in honest conversations about relationships and leave them better equipped to spot the early warning signs of abuse and inspire them to enjoy healthy, fulfilling relationships. We explore the 10 signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships and include practical lessons young people want to learn about (like consent) and practice scenarios in a safe, supportive and non-judgmental environment.
LMK is a learning organisation and prides itself in supporting leaders to develop their skills. We offer training and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) opportunities, as well as peer-to-peer learning and reflective practice sessions.
Job Description
LMK is looking for passionate and organised educators (LMK Leaders) to run community workshops, aimed at young people aged between 11 and 24. Through engaging, relatable, workshops you will help young people identify signs of healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviours, provide strategies for them to recognise the early warning signs of abuse and give them tools to keep themselves and their friends safe.
The minimum hours required per workshop is 3 hrs. This includes arriving 30 minutes before delivery, 1.5 to 2 hrs delivery and then remaining back 10 minutes and being accessible to young people who would like further information or a one-to-one conversation, surrounding the subject of relationships.
There is also 30 minutes admin, which is usually completed off-site, such as inputting student surveys and a Leader survey.
Responsibilities
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Always adhere to LMK and partner safeguarding practices and procedures.
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Respond to comms (emails/WhatsApp) sent out by LMK core team members, in a timely manner, to support planning and organising of sessions.
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Meet with co-facilitators to carry out pre-session planning, minimum two working days before delivery.
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Plan and deliver interactive LMK workshops in educational, sports and community settings in line with LMK delivery style and ethos.
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Use your experience and knowledge of the issues affecting young people to tailor the workshops accordingly.
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Ensure all youth participants and the adults in school/community organisations who attend a LMK workshop complete the post session feedback surveys.
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Complete reflective post session Leader surveys to support practice and programme development, after each workshop.
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Debrief with LMK’s Programme Manager and provide ongoing feedback about your sessions, through LMK’s reflective practice processes.
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Undertake relevant training associated with LMK’s work including but not restricted to child protection, safeguarding, violence against women and girls (VAWG).
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Continue to learn about and develop your skills on the issues affecting young people’s relationships including domestic violence, abuse, adverse childhood experiences, trauma informed practice, gang culture and grooming, mental health, sexual exploitation, consent, sharing of nudes /sexting, bullying in person and online, tech and online safety, pornography.
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Provide feedback and co-design training and educational resources on issues affecting young people and their relationships, including opportunities to share your knowledge and expertise at peer-to-peer learning sessions.
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Attend termly virtual Leader huddles to remain connected to peers and organisational values, mission, and purpose.
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Contribute towards and keep up to date with LMK internal/external communications platforms, such as LMK Newsletters and social media.
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Engage with LMK’s Youth Advisory Board Members, if and when invited to do so.
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Lead by example and promote healthy relationship behaviours in your own lives/communities and within LMK (team player; acknowledging and working with diversity; being receptive to new ideas and developmental feedback, etc)
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Use your own networks to recruit new schools and youth groups into the programme.
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Drive forward our evaluation programme - collecting data, as well as providing on-going feedback to LMK.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
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Extensive experience of teaching or working with young people (9 to 24 yrs old) in an educational, sports or community setting.
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Minimum 2 years’ experience co-designing, delivering and evaluating group sessions, consisting of minimum, of 12 and maximum of 30 participants.
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Experience or co-designing session plans and co-facilitating with others; able to collaborate equally with others.
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A strong commitment to young people and knowledge and understanding of issues affecting their relationships.
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Excellent communication, interpersonal skills with the ability to create a safe and non-judgmental space, that allows young people to speak freely about their relationships and experience.
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Strong emotional intelligence and the ability to deliver sensitive information whilst treating young people’s concerns with respect.
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Capable of maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries with young people, peers, and professionals.
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Able to adapt and be flexible in workshops to get the best engagement from a range of participants.
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Skilled at facilitating virtual workshops and working with a selection of online portals.
Requirements
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Entitled to work in the UK.
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Hold a DBS certificate or be willing to let us undertake a check on your behalf.
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Have a recent safeguarding qualification from a recognised provider or be willing to undertake additional training in this area.
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Flexibility to work non-traditional, after-school and occasional weekend / holiday hours.
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Comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, confidentiality, data protection and reporting concerns to an appropriate person.
LMK strives to create a fair and healthy environment where all our colleagues feel valued and able to be their authentic selves at work. We understand that our people have commitments and personal interests outside of work and so we create a flexible working environment, in which people can perform at their best.
LMK values the differences that a diverse workforce brings and is committed to inclusivity. We welcome all applicants from any race, ethnicity, colour, religion, gender, age, sexuality, or any other protected characteristic.
We can make reasonable adjustments throughout the application process and on the job. Please let us know, by contacting us separately if you need any adjustments or changes to be made during the recruitment process because of a disability or long-term health condition.
You can learn more about how we handle your personal data and your rights by reviewing our privacy notice LMK Privacy Policy
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are seeking an interim Senior Manager to oversee our programmes and activities, engaging the engineering industry on diversity & inclusion, on a fixed term basis (up to 15 months).
The role
As interim Senior Manager, Diversity and Inclusion (D&I), you’ll join our dedicated team of diversity professionals at an exciting time, with the opportunity to build momentum across a broad portfolio of impactful diversity and inclusion programmes. Reporting to the Head of Diversity and Inclusion, you will provide oversight and support on the Academy’s work, engaging engineering companies and engineers in industry to increase diversity and embed inclusive cultures.
Leading a team of thee three Programme Managers, you will oversee the successful delivery of exciting, externally facing D&I initiatives, including:
- The Graduate Engineering Engagement Programme (GEEP): Supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds in engineering to transition into engineering employment.
- The Inclusive Leadership Programme (ILP): Empowering leaders at different career stages to embed inclusive practices within their organisations.
- The online EDI Platform Culture+: supporting small and medium engineering organisations to develop behaviours and processes which foster an inclusive culture.
- Our wider programme of industry engagement events raising awareness, building understanding and inspiring action to implement D&I good practice within engineering settings.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for talented people who want to make a difference, to join our team – is this you?
You’ll be an experienced diversity and inclusion professional with strong relationship management and strategic thinking skills who can contribute effectively to the Academy’s D&I initiatives.
You will need strong knowledge of project management methodologies and demonstrable experience of delivering large scale cultural change and/or organisation development programmes aimed at increasing diversity and inclusion. Experience of line management with the ability to provide support and empathy to your direct reports while empowering them to maximise their potential is also essential for this role.
Who are we?
Engineering matters. It shapes our everyday lives, from our ability to turn the lights on, have a hot shower and commute into work, to the mobile phones we rely on to keep connected. It also plays a vital role in addressing some of the biggest challenges facing society today, from climate change to global health pandemics and cyber threats.
The Royal Academy of Engineering is a charity that harnesses the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone. In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we’re growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation, and building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public. Together we’re working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age.
With a diverse workforce and an inclusive and supportive culture, we look to attract candidates from wide and different backgrounds who have a passion for the role engineering plays in society. Our aim is to make the Academy the best place to work for the staff we have and those we seek to attract.
Why work for the Royal Academy of Engineering?
We’re looking for people who are driven to make the world a better place. If you’re passionate about what you do and want to work collaboratively with talented colleagues to make change happen now and for future generations, we want you to get in touch.
This is the perfect time to join us. We have a dynamic, visionary CEO, a strong leadership team and an ambitious and exciting strategy. The value we bring as experts in our field and change agents is highly recognised and makes the Academy a motivating place to be. Our work today builds on a long, proud history with a focused and ambitious future which we’d love you to be part of.
Company Benefits
The Academy offers a fantastic package of additional benefits including:
- BUPA cash plan
- Private medical insurance
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme
- Independent Financial Advice
- Non-contributory pension scheme with 10% employer contribution
- Life Assurance, 4x annual salary
- Health and wellbeing programmes
- Generous holiday allowance
- Wellbeing days and office wide Christmas leave
- Significant investment into your personal and professional development
- Regular social activities
- Subsidised restaurant
Location
Our light, spacious head office is based in a fantastic location in central London with views over St James’s Park and close to the West End. We operate hybrid, flexible working practices with a baseline for office-based working of a mandatory weekly team day plus further days each week as required for the role and the Academy.
How to apply/Interview process
To find out more and to apply, please visit our website. As part of your application, you will be asked to upload a CV and a supporting statement explaining your interest in this role and how you fit the experience, knowledge, and skills profile.
Closing date: 25 April 2024.
Interview date: w/c 29 April 2024.
The Academy is committed to making reasonable adjustments to remove barriers that hinder applicants from applying or staff from working effectively and comfortably.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Description: Fellowship Programme Officer
Line Manager: Team Leader (New Fellows)
Objective: The Programme Officer provides individualised support to Fellows, facilitates placements and secures funding. The Programme Officer also contributes to project management activities.
Duration: For an initial period of 12 months, subject to review.
Start date: 1 May 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Hours: Full-time. Eight hours each day Monday – Friday, with flexible working by arrangement around core hours of 10am – 4pm.
Salary: £30,240 per annum
Number of posts: 2.
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Organisational Background
The Council for At-Risk Academics is a UK-registered charity founded in 1933 under the leadership of William Beveridge, to rescue academics suffering persecution under the rise of Nazism and facilitate their continued work in safety. Sixteen Cara Fellows from the 1930s and 1940s became Nobel Laureates, and many more innovators in their fields, including, Nikolaus Pevsner, Lise Meitner and Karl Popper. A number of Cara’s founders and Council members also personally provided places and/or funds to help individual academics; and Cara, known in the 1930s as the AAC, later the SPSL, was closely involved in the successful effort in 1933 to bring to London the Warburg Institute art library, which had been prohibited by the Nazis, and six of its staff. The Fellowship Programme is the continuation of the rescue mission operation started in 1933.
Cara has been a lifeline to academics at risk for just over 90 years, as and when world events have placed them in the line of fire: Hungarian Uprising, Cold War, Apartheid South Africa, Iran, Latin American Juntas, Vietnam, Kosovo, DRC, Rwanda, Sudan, Zimbabwe etc. and, more recently Iraq, Turkey, Yemen, Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine. Cara support is typically framed as temporary sanctuary offered at times of heightened risk.
Cara Objectives ‘To assist academics who have been, or are, or are at risk of being, subject to discrimination, persecution, suffering or violence on account of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, to relieve needs among them and their dependants and ensure that their specialist knowledge and abilities can continue to be used for the benefit of the public.’
‘To advance education by supporting academics and their educational institutions in countries where their continuing work is at risk or compromised, to ensure that such academics and institutions can continue to fulfil their critical role as educators for the public benefit.’
This is a critical time to join our dedicated and friendly Fellowship Programme team as we expand our capacity to support at-risk academics from the Middle East, Sudan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Russia and many other countries.
Fellowship Programme Officer Role & Responsibilities
Fellowships
- Lead on New Fellows Team cases and provide comprehensive support to Cara Fellows using trauma-informed practice.
- Secure fee waivers, bursaries & in-kind support from universities, research institutes and other funding bodies.
- Provide logistical support to Fellows prior to and after their arrival in the UK.
- Coordinate with regional exam centres to facilitate IELTS or equivalent fee waivers for Fellows.
- Collect and interpret regional intelligence to inform Fellowship Programme advice and guidance.
- Write and send official documents to Fellows.
- Develop relationships with universities and other partner organisations.
- Conduct due diligence on Fellows’ documents and risk.
- Assess Fellows’ suitability for academic placements and liaise with experts for their professional opinion.
- Assess Fellows’ English language abilities.
- Attend weekly meetings with the team.
- Support Fellowship Programme with ad hoc responsibilities.
Visa Advice & Guidance
- Liaise closely with Fellows and hosting universities on visa related issues (Student and Temporary Worker (GAE) visas).
- Liaise with independent legal advisors where necessary.
- Research and update visa guidance to reflect changes in complex immigration regulation.
Managerial Support
- Provide advice and guidance to Fellowship Programme Assistants
- Contribute to Fellowship Programme policy changes and decision-making.
Finance
- Make payments to Cara Fellows and non-Fellowship related payments.
- Document financial transaction records.
- Record all financial and in-kind support from universities and other partner institutions.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Assist new arrivals with handover to the Active Fellows’ Team.
- Record and report on the efficacy of IELTS or equivalent fee waivers to relevant bodies.
- Assist with compilation of reports to funders.
Administration
- Provide support for general enquiries.
- Present and collect data
- Ensure safekeeping of confidential information
- Maintain detailed records of correspondence, documents, and activities.
Project Management
- The Programme Officer will have the opportunity to contribute to the management of internal projects within the Programme.
Responsibilities also include related activities that might arise in relation to the Fellowship Programme as required by the Executive Director or Deputy Director/Fellowship Programme Manager.
Benefits of Role
· Challenging but rewarding work, always life-changing, sometimes life-saving
· Competitive salary
· Team and individual training opportunities
· Weekly case review meetings with line manager, plus quarterly 1-1 sessions with manager to discuss role and to plan individual professional development
· Hybrid working, home and office (usually 2 days each week in the office)
· Eight hours each day Monday – Friday, with flexible working by arrangement around core hours of 10am – 4pm
· 25 days plus Bank Holidays annual leave entitlement
· 8% employer pension contribution
· Convenient office location at Elephant and Castle, close to Tube (Bakerloo and Northern lines) and bus routes
Person Specification
Essential
· Bachelor's degree
- Fluent English (spoken and written).
· Proactive with a willingness to learn
- Confident and empathetic with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
· Keen team player who is ready to support and help colleagues
- Excellent record keeping and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and in a team
- Good time management with ability to prioritise and independently work to deadlines.
- Understanding of issues of confidentiality.
- Interest in and commitment to the work of Cara
- Confident use of Microsoft package
- Good knowledge of current global issues.
· Ability to have difficult conversations
Desirable
- Masters or equivalent experience
- Casework experience
- Arabic language skills are desirable. Other foreign languages (such as Farsi/Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian and Russian) will also be considered.
- Salesforce/CRM software experience
- Project Management experience.
- Experience in a supporting role with people with lived experience of forced migration
Cara provides help to academics in immediate danger, those forced into exile, and those who remain and work in their home countries despite the risks.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.