Practice Based Learning Assistant

The Open University UK is seeking a dedicated individual to manage and coordinate placement activities for its Professional Programmes. This role involves ensuring efficient systems for practice-based learning, supporting students, and liaising with various stakeholders. The successful candidate will possess excellent organisational and communication skills and be educated to degree level or equivalent. Flexible working arrangements may be available, with a hybrid working pattern encouraging both remote and office attendance.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification and/or demonstrable experience relevant to carrying out the role.
• Demonstrable experience of successful administrative work and developing administration systems.
• Excellent organisation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and coordinate placement activity for the School's Professional Programmes.
• Manage administrative processes related to practice-based learning experiences for students.
• Liaise with practice providers to evaluate and develop learning opportunities.

Skills

• Organisation
• Communication
• Data Analysis
• Interpersonal Skills
• Problem Solving

Education

• Degree or equivalent qualification

Tools

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Outlook

Job Location: Milton Keynes, Remote/Hybrid

Department: Regions & Nations (HWSC)

Weekly Working Hours: 18.5

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: 2 years from start date

Welsh Language: Not Applicable

About the Role

The role holder will develop, maintain and coordinate placement activity to facilitate the delivery of the School's Professional Programmes. They will ensure that efficient systems, processes, and procedures are in place to develop and support practice-based learning experiences for students. Working with colleagues from across the University, they will be responsible for administrative processes, data entry, validation and maintenance related to the practice-based learning experience of students.

Core duties

• To address non-academic service requests in respect of all professional practice programmes (PPPs) within the individual's agreed remit.
• To maintain a robust knowledge of the requirements of PPPs within the individual's agreed remit, using a variety of information technology hardware and software to support management and compliance with all such requirements.
• To line manage junior academic related staff as required.
• To contribute to the effective management of the PPPs within the individual's agreed remit, showing initiative regarding the provision of support, advice and guidance to students, sponsoring agencies, other academic institutions, and employers regarding these programmes.
• To undertake any other non-academic PPP duties within the University as required.
• To proactively liaise with relevant practice providers and commissioners involved in the PPPs within the individual's agreed remit in order to evaluate existing, and develop new, practice-based learning opportunities for students.
• To take part in Practice Learning Forums/Subgroups, as required.
• To work closely with agencies, including other academic institutions and sponsors.
• To maintain an accurate database of practice-based learning opportunities and audits for PPPs within the individual's agreed remit in accordance with OU and regulatory body requirements.
• In collaboration with university staff based in the location and at Milton Keynes, relevant professional bodies, employers, sponsors, and other stakeholders, ensure that specific requirements for the development of placement provision for the PPPs within the individual's agreed remit are met.
• To assist in the planning and implementation of recruitment and selection processes for student applications to PPPs within the individual's agreed remit, as requested.
• To support the provision and management of electronic student portfolios, as relevant.
• To work with Staff Tutors in reviewing and responding to student placement evaluations associated with PPPs within the individual's agreed remit.
• To assist in the planning and implementation of induction and orientation for students joining PPPs within the individual's agreed remit.
• To manage the acquisition and collation of data pertaining to briefings for various internal and external programme stakeholders.
• To participate in the employment processes of independent salaried staff required for the delivery of a programme within the individual's agreed remit, as requested.
• To assist in the organisation of activities associated with the quality assurance of practice-based AL work, as requested.
• To undertake formal administrative tasks associated with student absences from PPPs within the individual's agreed remit.

Post probation duties may include

• To act as a mentor for a newly appointed Practice Based Learning Assistant.
• To contribute to the induction and training of other OU staff.
• To act as a member of a recruitment and selection panel for applicants to a Practice Based Learning Assistant or other School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care post.
• To contribute to projects/task and finish groups associated with the Practice Based Learning Assistant role.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Educated to degree level or equivalent qualification and/or demonstrable experience relevant to carrying out the role.
• Demonstrable experience of successful administrative work and developing administration systems.
• Excellent organisation and communication skills with the ability to express ideas clearly both orally and in writing, to analyse and interpret numerical data and disseminate information effectively.
• Excellent information and communication technology skills, including the ability to use Microsoft applications including Word, Excel & Outlook, and experience of using databases, spreadsheets and templates.
• Experience of planning, organising, prioritising and scheduling tasks to cope with conflicting demands and deadlines, paying attention to detail and managing records effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with experience of building good relationships, using tact, discretion and own initiative.
• Good planning skills with the ability to work proactively with minimum supervision and ensuring delivery to quality standards and schedule.
• Experience of building good relationships and considering the needs of customers including students and employers.
• Experience of working with confidential information and awareness of the principles of data protection issues.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the OU mission, including equality and diversity issues.
• An understanding and empathy with working in a bilingual environment.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• An understanding of issues around student access, support needs, retention and success in the context of higher education.
• Knowledge of the local context of the post.
• Experience of working within a professional health or social care setting.
• Familiarity with distance learning and the teaching methodology of the OU.
• Able to communicate through the medium of Welsh.

As part of the application process, you will be expected to submit your CV and a Supporting Statement (maximum of 1000 words) that demonstrates how you meet the criteria listed above. We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it's a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what may work for you and the role.

Early closing date notification

We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where the successful candidate can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that some attendance in the office will be required when necessary and in response to business needs. We anticipate this being twice per year on average.

If you have any queries or questions about the recruitment process, or regarding your application, please contact: Careers@open.ac.uk.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.