DTP Coordinator in Newcastle upon Tyne

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.

About Durham University

Durham University is a globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, and a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.

About the Faculty of Social Sciences

The Faculty of Social Sciences is seeking to appoint a Coordinator to support the management and operations of the Northern Ireland and North East Doctoral Training Partnership (NINE DTP). This post will specifically involve engagement between postgraduate research students, universities and organisations beyond academia.

The NINE DTP has been running for over 7 years and has supported hundreds of doctoral students. At any time we support approximately 180 PhD students. The NINE DTP is a centre for postgraduate study in the social sciences. The partnership is a collaborative initiative with 6 other universities (Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland, Teesside, Queen’s Belfast and Ulster) and is funded and accredited by the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC). Subject to funding the DTP continues to run for a further 5 years from October 2024.

Research Areas

• Criminology, Prisons & Policing
• Education
• Human Geography
• Law

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with DTP staff at Durham University and across the wider partnership to deliver exceptional support and guidance to postgraduate award‑holders.
• Assist in processing applications for funding, organising and running training events and research activities, maintaining financial and student records, and co‑ordinating studentship competitions.
• Contribute to the development of promotional materials and communication tools, including the DTP website and social media content.
• Act as the first point of contact for enquiries and manage a wide range of internal and external enquiries from students, staff, partnerships and the consortia via email, telephone and face‑to‑face contact, taking an active decision‑making role and using judgement on a day‑to‑day basis.

Working at Durham

• 27 days annual leave + 8 public holidays + 4 customary days = 39 days.
• Parking across campus, cycle‑to‑work scheme, discounts with local bus and train companies.
• Exclusive discounts via the benefits portal (supermarkets, high‑street retailers, IT products, food, leisure).
• On‑site nursery rated Outstanding by Ofsted; access to holiday camps for children 5‑16.
• Health and wellbeing support: discounted membership for state‑of‑the‑art sport and gym facilities, 24‑7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Volunteering activities with the local community.
• Family‑friendly policies: generous maternity & adoption leave.
• Development: qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships.
• Generous pension schemes.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We actively work towards providing an environment where all staff and students can study, work and live in a supportive and inclusive community.

Person Specification – Essential Criteria

• Five GCSEs at least Grade C or Level 4 (or equivalent), including English Language and Mathematics or a Post‑16 qualification or equivalent experience.
• Experience of working in a busy office environment delivering front‑line administrative services to a high standard.
• Experience of managing time to meet deadlines and working under pressure without compromising on quality.
• Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.

Person Specification – Essential Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

• Excellent spoken and written communication skills, including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
• Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps, including digital communication tools and Microsoft 365 applications.
• Ability to solve problems yourself and as part of a team, and to resolve issues, plan solutions and make pragmatic decisions.
• Committed to continuing professional development.
• Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information.
• Experience of supporting and communicating with students.
• Experience of working collaboratively across different organisations.

How to Apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence.

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process via automated emails from our e‑recruitment system.

What you are required to submit:

• A CV
• A supporting statement or table showing examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification

Contact Details

Joanne Brayson – joanne.brayson@durham.ac.uk

Typical Role Requirements – Service Delivery

• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.
• Ensure that relevant regulatory and professional standards are being used within services being delivered by your team and across the consortium.
• Help to develop and implement policies and procedures relating to your service area.
• Respond to queries and provide information/advice, while raising more specialist or complex queries with more experienced team members.
• Use your experience and problem‑solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role such as funding queries or event planning and make recommendations based on your findings.
• Continually review what is required from staff and students across the consortium to make sure the best possible service is provided.
• Ensure that processes and business systems effectively support the services being delivered by the team across the DTP.
• Ensure that data is accurate and provide reports and analysis of patterns and trends to senior colleagues.
• Capture and share information and data that needs to be shared with relevant networks and committees.
• Use digital media (e.g., SharePoint, social media) to update team members, colleagues, students and external contacts.
• Prepare reports for senior managers.

Planning and Organising

• Plan and organise own workload to deliver the role.
• Organise and schedule assigned conferences, events and other opportunities available to DTP students.
• Monitor processes and activities to ensure team priorities are met.

Teamwork

• Provide specialist support and advice to team members on all aspects of DTP.
• Explain and provide instruction to other team members on how to correctly record and manage data.
• Make changes to the services provided by your team in discussion with other team members.
• Identify opportunities and contribute to decisions on how to improve services being delivered by the team.
• Seek feedback from students, staff and anyone else that you come across as part of your role on their requirements for your service and recommend improvements to senior colleagues.
• Use your knowledge and expertise to provide advice and guidance to resolve problems and respond to a wide range of queries.
• Provide instruction and demonstrations to others within the DTP, or external colleagues.
• Create good working relationships with other team members and anyone else that you come across as part of your role to work together on joint activities.
• Liaise with staff in other areas, professional organisations and agencies to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way.
• Create good working relationships with internal and external partners and suppliers to work together on joint activities.
• Build relationships with contacts and contribute to internal and external networks to share good practice and exchange information.
• Liaise with external suppliers, contractors, specialists and service providers to plan the delivery of services and events.

Any other reasonable duties.