Learning and Teaching Administrator - Faculty Flexible Deployment

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role. If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us.

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.

The Role and the Department

The Faculty of Social Sciences is one of Durham University’s four Faculties, and is home to a diverse community of staff and students across eight academic departments and Schools: Anthropology, Archaeology, Education, Geography, Government and International Affairs, Law, Sociology and Sport and Exercise Sciences. The Faculty is also responsible for interdisciplinary programmes in Combined Social Sciences and Research Methods and is working towards developing a broader range of interdisciplinary programmes at postgraduate taught level. Our inclusive, creative, and innovative research environment provides our students with an inspiring learning experience and enables us to produce world-leading research within and across Departments, Research Centres and Institutes. The diverse nature of the activities that take place across the Faculty and the role of the Faculty Office in supporting the development and delivery of strategic objectives provides our staff with a stimulating and engaging work environment.

The Faculty of Social Sciences is looking to appoint a Learning and Teaching Administrator that will be flexibly deployed across the 8 departments of the faculty to align with fluctuations in resource and student numbers. In the medium term, this post will be deployed into Durham Law School.

The Learning and Teaching Administrator is responsible primarily for supporting with a wide range of education related processes and will be a crucial member of the team in supporting the annual cycle of delivery. You will work on areas such as student engagement monitoring, assessment related processes, timetabling and handle general student queries. You will work independently, taking day-to-day decisions and using your experience and initiative to decide on appropriate courses of action and resolve problems. You will work flexibly to ensure the team functions effectively in meeting priorities, working in accordance with University and Departmental policies and procedures, demonstrating a commitment to customer service excellence.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University, equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our workforce including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

• Qualifications/Experience
• Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or equivalent experience.
• Experience of working in a busy office environment delivering front line administrative services or having relevant qualifications for the role.
• Experience of managing time to meet deadlines and working under pressure without compromising on quality.
• Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
• Good spoken and written communication skills.
• Good digital skills including experience in using digital devices and apps including email, digital communication tools and Microsoft 365 applications such as Excel, Word, SharePoint and Teams.
• Committed to continuing professional development.
• Ability to solve problems and resolve straightforward issues yourself and as part of a team.
• Ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of colleagues and customers.

Contact details

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Bernie Taylor or Hayley Hewitson would be happy to speak to you. You can email us.

Typical Role Requirements

• Service Delivery
• Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
• Provide an excellent and timely service, focused on providing an excellent learning experience to the student community across the Faculty of Social Sciences.
• Use your experience and problem-solving skills to resolve routine issues with things relevant to your role such as teaching, learning and assessment queries, and provide information and updates to help your team find solutions.
• Collect, organise and record data and information accurately and provide reports as required.
• Promote positive wellbeing arrangements which benefit you and your team.
• When carrying out your role, use and apply relevant professional and regulatory standards, including immigration status of students, when managing data.
• Use standard office-based devices and applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint to deliver services, as well as specialist education systems such as Banner and Learn Ultra.
• Update guidance on standard operating procedures followed by the team.
• Teamwork
• Resolve queries and respond to requests for information and advice and bring any complex issues to the attention of more experienced team members.
• Help your team organise and provide administrative services that support key activities across the annual education cycle for undergraduate and postgraduate taught students, related to teaching and assessment, and contribute to team planning activities.
• Help your team ensure that products and services are adapted in response to feedback and to meet changing demands.
• Seek feedback from students and staff on their requirements from your service to ensure that their reasonable expectations are being met.
• Record information in relation to module choices, student attendance and engagement, and respond to queries which you receive.
• Liaise with staff in other areas such as Student Registry and the Academic Quality Standards team to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way.
• Provide support for meetings, working groups and committees, such as preparing and sending documents for meetings, drafting reports and taking minutes.

Useful links

If you would like further information you may find the following will help; Durham University. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.