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- Tasks: Join us to regulate higher education and ensure quality for all students.
- Company: The Office for Students is the independent regulator of higher education in England.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days of leave, a generous pension, and comprehensive learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting mission to improve access and standards in higher education.
- Qualifications: No prior regulatory experience needed; we value commitment and a willingness to learn.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements available, including job shares and part-time options.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 46000 £ per year.
Senior Officer – Higher Education Regulation
Location: Bristol
Salary: £44,102 – £46,359
Plus generous civil service defined benefit pension
Who we are
The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of higher education in England – we regulate higher education on behalf of all students. Our mission is to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers.
These roles are based in the Regulation directorate. Information about our Regulation directorate can be found here .
We’re looking for skilled, committed people to deliver our work to ensure higher education providers meet our minimum regulatory expectations and to influence and incentivise even better performance, in order to achieve our objectives.
As we embark on our ambitious new strategy , focusing on quality and standards, and equality of opportunity, this is an exciting time to join the OfS. We are looking for aspiring regulators who want to use their skills to support the next phase of regulation in these areas.
What you’ll do
The primary function of the Regulation directorate is to develop and implement the OfS’s regulatory framework. We design and deliver high quality services for market entry, degree awarding powers and university title, and are responsible for the ongoing monitoring of registered providers. We also implement the OfS’s new approach to regulating quality and standards, including the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF).
In addition, we work to promote fair access to, and participation in, English higher education for students, no matter what their background. We regulate access and participation plans and deliver funded programmes such as Uni Connect.
Once appointed, you’ll be expected to initially work on the external quality assurance of end-point assessment for integrated higher and degree apprenticeships. This may change over time and you could be involved in:
- Registering new higher education providers wanting to enter the sector
- Assessing providers’ plans to improve access and participation among underrepresented groups
- Delivering funded programmes such as Uni Connect
- Investigating and assessing compliance with our conditions of registration and intervening in the interest of students
- Developing and implementing policy reforms to improve quality and standards and equality of opportunity
- Improving the systems within the OfS that deliver services to providers
We’ll take your preferences, skills and experience into account when determining which areas of work you are allocated to, but over time you’ll gain experience across a range of directorate work areas.
What you’ll need – person specification
While previous regulatory experience would be welcome, it is not essential as comprehensive training is available. Our team members have joined the OfS with previous experience of working in regulators and higher education providers, as well as in the civil service, broader education roles, and other public sector organisations. Above all, we’re looking for people who share our commitment to working rigorously to protect students’ interests.
These are the areas we think are really important in being able to do this role well, and we will ask you to demonstrate these in your application:
- You can maintain a comprehensive knowledge of the regulatory context for the OfS’s work, including the OfS’s current goals around quality & standards and equality of opportunity
- You can demonstrate an understanding of regulatory decision-making processes which enable credible, evidence-based decisions to be reached
- You can write complex strategic and operational details in a clear and concise manner, using appropriate grammar, style and language
- You can plan and manage your own workload, resolving competing demands and coping with changing priorities in a flexible and proactive way
- You can demonstrate a confident and co-operative style and deal credibly with people at all levels, including with external stakeholders, to build positive working relationships
Career Opportunities
Our flexible resourcing model enables us to be responsive and agile in how we resource our work, allocating people to priorities. You will have the flexibility to move between areas of responsibility as you develop your regulatory knowledge, experience, and expertise.
Benefits
Our Total Reward Framework offers a range of benefits to suit your way of life:
- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
- Comprehensive learning and development – we’re invested in your future
- Generous Civil Service pension scheme
- Health benefits
Diversity and inclusion
We value diversity and the wealth of perspectives, experience, and ideas that it brings to our work, and we strive to embed equality of opportunity in everything we do. We recruit based on fair and open competition and welcome applications from candidates regardless of age, disability, race and ethnicity, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, and socio-economic background.
Working arrangements
We love working flexibly because we know that it helps us all to do our best work. We’ve created a set of principles to shape our approach to flexible and hybrid working, which our teams then use as guidance on how they deliver their business goals. This would usually mean working from the office for two or three days in a typical week.
To attract the widest possible field of qualified applicants, flexible working, for example job share and part-time working, applies to these roles.
Next steps
If you are shortlisted for the role, we’ll ask you to complete pre-interview tasks.
At interview, we will be looking for you to demonstrate:
- Your understanding of the operation of regulatory processes
- You can reach reliable judgements on the basis of complex evidence
- You have experience in delivering projects
- You can communicate complex regulatory information effectively, orally and in writing
- Your experience in implementing and improving systems and processes
- You are resilient and able to work effectively as part of a team
Closing date for applications: 12 noon on Monday 3 March 2025
Interviews from 31 March 2025
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Senior Officer - Higher Education Regulation employer: Office for Students
Contact Detail:
Office for Students Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Officer - Higher Education Regulation
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the current regulatory landscape in higher education, especially the OfS's goals around quality and standards. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the higher education sector or those who have experience in regulatory roles. Attend relevant events or webinars to gain insights and make connections that could be beneficial when applying for this position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've managed competing demands and adapted to changing priorities in your previous roles. This will showcase your ability to handle the dynamic nature of the work at OfS.
✨Tip Number 4
Practice articulating complex regulatory concepts in a clear and concise manner. This skill is crucial for the role, and being able to communicate effectively will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Officer - Higher Education Regulation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing your application, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Senior Officer position at the Office for Students. Familiarize yourself with their mission and how your skills align with their goals.
Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to highlight relevant experience in regulatory processes, higher education, or public sector roles. Emphasize your ability to write complex information clearly and your experience in managing workloads effectively.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, demonstrate your understanding of the regulatory context and the importance of quality and standards in higher education. Use specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your skills and commitment to protecting students' interests.
Proofread Your Application: Ensure that your application is free from grammatical errors and is written in a clear and concise manner. This reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Office for Students
✨Understand the Regulatory Context
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the regulatory landscape that the Office for Students operates within. Familiarize yourself with their current goals around quality, standards, and equality of opportunity, as this will be crucial in demonstrating your commitment to protecting students' interests.
✨Showcase Your Decision-Making Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you approach regulatory decision-making processes. Highlight any experiences where you made credible, evidence-based decisions, as this will show your ability to navigate complex situations effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly and Concisely
Practice articulating complex information in a clear and concise manner. During the interview, focus on using appropriate grammar and style, as effective communication is key in this role, especially when dealing with external stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Teamwork
Prepare examples that showcase your ability to manage competing demands and adapt to changing priorities. Emphasize your experience working collaboratively within a team, as well as your resilience in overcoming challenges.
