Access and Articulation Officer

Job Summary

Robert Gordon University (RGU) – Aberdeen’s university of choice for thousands of staff and students - has a well-established reputation as an innovative and modern workplace, with multiple awards and recognition of our courses and Schools.

Working with colleges across Scotland, you will develop, oversee and coordinate a range of programmes and activities with partner colleges. You will support the Head of Access and Widening Participation to maintain and develop access and articulation routes. Additionally, you will lead on collaboration with colleagues from across the University on Degree Link and Degree Prep initiatives which aim to build strong partnerships with colleges and students joining Robert Gordon University through an articulation pathway. On occasion, there is also an expectation to support secondary school engagement activity where required.

The role will be particularly attractive to individuals who enjoy contributing to a variety of projects at any given time, having an opportunity to apply their creativity and ambition to ensure success.

In keeping with RGU's commitment to work/life balance we will consider applications on a full-time or part-time basis.  You will also have the opportunity to work from home for a portion of the working week and also benefit from a generous pension scheme, 46 days annual leave (including statutory days) an onsite nursery and sports centre, as well as a range of voluntary health and travel benefits. 

This post in subject to the individual being required to join the PVG scheme. For more information, visit: https://www.mygov.scot/pvg-scheme/

If you would like an informal conversation about this role or have any specific questions, please contact Dr Peter Tormey, Head of Access & Widening Participation by email (p.tormey@rgu.ac.uk) to arrange a suitable time.

To apply please submit your CV along with a cover letter detailing your suitability for the role against the requirements set out in the person specification.

Job Description

RESPOSIBLE TO: Head of Access & Widening Participation

RESPONSIBLE FOR: No supervisory responsibility

PURPOSE OF THE POST: To enable the University to advance its articulation partnerships with Scottish colleges and to coordinate a programme of transitional support activities for students joining RGU for college. 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

Promotion/Recruitment

• Facilitation of meetings with internal and external partners to agree the scope of projects and review progress.
• Deliver presentations and workshops to partner schools and colleges. This includes tailoring the presentation to meet the specific needs of the school or college.
• Organise and evaluate a range of University events which introduce prospective students, teachers, and other influencers to the University.
• Promotion of opportunities for study and engagement with the University, including routes such as Degree Link, Degree Prep, Additional Funded Places Scheme, and other wider access programmes.
• Represent the University at student recruitment events and careers fairs across Scotland.

Engagement

• Network with external organisations to raise awareness of Robert Gordon University and identify future collaborative practices.
• Co-ordination of orientation and support activities for wider access students, working with other staff members of the university to ensure these are delivered and evaluated successfully.
• Organise visits to the University by individuals or groups of prospective students and their influencers.
• Provide information and advice to prospective applicants and relevant stakeholders with the aim to enhance the student engagement experience.

Partnerships

• Support the development and maintenance of access and articulation agreements, respectively.
• Network with partner organisations to maintain and develop relationships, with a focus on ensuring good operational links across partners where this is required to successfully deliver projects.
• Pro-actively develop relationships with partner colleges across the North East and rest of Scotland.
• Communicate with staff within the Schools of the University to arrange workshops and talks in colleges by academic colleagues.

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

• First degree in any subject or equivalent working experience.

Knowledge

• A working knowledge of the higher education sector and the issues and complexities of student recruitment.
• An understanding of the current HE widening participation and recruitment environment and national policy issues and of SQA qualifications and entry routes into higher education.
• An understanding of the UCAS application process and the range of pre-university qualifications.
• Well-developed communication skills, excellent presentation skills and the ability to engage with a wide variety of audiences.

Experience

• Substantial experience in a relevant field, or equivalent.
• Experience of delivering higher education outreach and working colleges with content that is age and curriculum appropriate OR experience of dealing with partnership agreements to achieve college articulation routes.
• Experience of liaison or relationship management is required, as you will need to build and manage relationships with and college staff.
• Ability to get results through consensus across a wide range of stakeholders.
• A successful track record of developing and translating strategic plans and decisions into operational practice.
• The ability to think and act strategically and to work both consultatively and at pace.

Other

• Firm commitment to achieving the University’s vision and values, with a passion for transforming individuals.
• Commitment to deliver and promote equality, diversity, and inclusivity in the day-to-day work of the role.
• Travel will be required to discharge duties.

 

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

• Degree qualification gained through an articulation pathway.

Knowledge

• Cognisant of the challenges and strategic issues facing Scottish higher education.

Experience

• Experience of organising events.
• Teaching experience, community development experience, social work experience or equivalent.

Other

• Driving licence and access to vehicle.

Behaviours

Behaviour 1: Service Delivery - Experience of exploring and adapting a service to meet customers’ expectations and identifying ways of improving standards.

Behaviour 2: Communication - Ability to receive, understand and convey both straightforward information, and information requiring careful explanation, in a clear and accurate manner.

Behaviour 3: Liaison and Networking - Experience of circulating information in an accurate and timely manner, working across team boundaries to build and strengthen working relationships and leading and developing internal networks to pursue a shared interest.

Behaviour 4: Decision Making - Experience of using own judgement to make decisions, making collaborative decisions with others to reach conclusions and providing advice or information that will influence the decisions of others.