At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance social work learning across a dynamic partnership.
- Company: RGU, an innovative and inclusive university focused on impactful education.
- Benefits: 46 days annual leave, remote work options, generous pension, and health benefits.
- Other info: Exciting 12-month funded role with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in social work education and practice while collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with practice learning qualification and strong teamwork skills.
The predicted salary is between 37338 - 46000 £ per year.
RGU is an innovative, inclusive, and ambitious University, focused on the impact of its demand-led teaching and research, aiming to be the UK's leading work-integrated university by 2030. The Grampian Local Learning Partnership (GLLP) for Social Work is an innovative new partnership bringing together RGU, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Moray Council and Alcohol and Drugs Action Aberdeen. Funding has been secured through the partnership to support the creation of this exciting new role.
You will co-ordinate operational activity in relation to the enhancement of social work learning across the partnership and provide academic leadership to the membership, which will include leading on evaluation and contributing insights from practice to improve programme and CPD delivery. The role is suitable for a qualified, registered, and experienced social worker who has a practice learning qualification and a keen interest in learning activity for social work across the broad space of the GLLP. Applicants are welcome from any social work specialism. This funded project is expected to be completed in 12 months. Given the time limited nature of the role, secondments are welcome provided applicants have the approval of their own agency.
In keeping with RGU's commitment to work/life balance you will 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 is subject to a Disclosure Scotland check.
Job Description
RESPONSIBLE TO: Dean of School
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Research Assistant, Partnership Administrator
PURPOSE OF POST: This Scottish Government funded role will provide academic leadership in the formalisation, development and evaluation of the Grampian Social Work Learning Partnership (GLLP), coordinating stakeholders across partner organisations to enhance the quality, capacity and effectiveness of social work practice learning, curriculum and workforce development.
Support the partnership in building a strong foundation in the following components of the GLLP as outlined by the Scottish Government's vision for its funding, namely:
- Governance and accountability;
- Strategic planning and evaluation;
- Engagement and Collaboration;
- Commitment to quality learning provision;
- Workforce development and capacity building.
Overall objectives will be set by the GLLP Strategic Oversight Group and the post holder will lead the GLLP Operational Steering Group as they develop enhancements to social work learning provision in the region. As external Scottish Government funding for the role is time-limited to 12 months, in the first instance, the key intended outcome is to increase the provision of high-quality practice learning opportunities within the GLLP area.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES:
- Lead the pedagogic evaluation of social work practice learning provision across partnership organisations, in line with the funded Scottish Government project.
- Contribute to curriculum development by integrating practice insights into academic programmes, assessment design and evaluation of regulated programmes as required by SSSC.
- Lead on engagement with students, practice educators, people with lived experience of services and employers to co-create improvements in experiential, practice and work-based learning.
- Conduct and apply research and evaluation to inform partnership development, teaching practice and curriculum innovation.
- Teach and assess students on social work programmes and in work-based CPD as required by the partnership.
- Produce scholarly outputs and evaluative reports to inform sector practice learning and teaching enhancement.
Person Specification
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications and Professional Memberships: Professional social work qualification and Practice Learning Qualification; Live registration with SSSC.
Knowledge: Significant knowledge of social work practice; Knowledge of research methods and evaluation methodologies; Knowledge of learning and development methods within social work.
Experience: Substantial post graduate experience as a social worker; Significant experience of supporting student learning and supervising students; Demonstrable experience of working effectively across team boundaries and partnership working; Experience of conducting research or evaluation projects; Experience of leading and influencing others to improve outcomes; Project management; Report writing; Demonstrable commitment to ongoing professional development.
DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications and Professional Memberships: Relevant post graduate qualification.
Knowledge: Knowledge of higher education curriculum development and the social work educational landscape.
Experience: Experience of leading and/or chairing working groups or similar within professional practice; Experience of staff management.
Behaviours
- Communication: Ability to receive, understand and convey information requiring careful explanation and information of a complex or conceptual nature, in a clear and accurate manner.
- Liaison and Networking: Experience of circulating information in an accurate and timely manner, working across team boundaries to build and strengthen working relationships, leading and developing internal networks to pursue a shared interest and leading and building external networks to enhance the work of the organisation.
- Service Delivery: Experience of exploring and adapting a service to meet customers' expectations and also identifying ways of improving standards.
- 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.
- Team Development: Experience of providing advice or guidance to new starts, delivering training or instruction to others on specific tasks or activities and identifying the training and development needs of the team and carrying out performance appraisals.
- Planning and Organising Resources: Experience of planning, prioritising and organising the work of yourself and others (within own area) on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, whilst ensuring the effective use of resources.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Academic Co-ordinator (Fixed Term 12 Months) - Grampian Local Learning Partnership - RGU08003 in Aberdeen
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to RGU, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Academic Co-ordinator (Fixed Term 12 Months) - Grampian Local Learning Partnership - RGU08003 in Aberdeen
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of RGU. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at RGU. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at RGU
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with RGU.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Academic Co-ordinator (Fixed Term 12 Months) - Grampian Local Learning Partnership - RGU08003 role at RGU, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show RGU that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
