Widening Participation Facilitator

This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location. We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better. The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes. Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

The External Relations team is responsible for promoting and raising awareness of our University’s brand in the UK and overseas. From creating all messaging and content for external campaigns and our website, to social media, and managing events – ours is a highly complex and expert marketing, PR and Internal Comms environment, key to making the University shine.

The Schools and Colleges Liaison team works closely with schools and colleges to provide a direct link to the University of Derby. We offer an exciting and inspirational programme of activities designed to showcase the wide range of options available to students at the University.

This role will support the development, delivery and evaluation of the University’s widening participation outreach work and other associated activities to achieve our social mobility ambitions as set out in the University’s Strategic Framework, Access and Participation Plan, Civic University Agreement, and Widening Participation Strategic Plan.

You will support the development and delivery of complex long-term outreach programmes and undertake a wide range of activities to raise the awareness and attainment, and support the realisation of aspirations, of groups of learners currently identified as disadvantaged and under-represented in Higher Education and at the University of Derby.

We are seeking a motivated individual who is passionate about higher education and supporting the progression of prospective students. Strong communication skills, experience of customer service and the ability to engage creatively with prospective students using effective interpersonal and presentation skills are essential.

In this busy and fast-paced role, the successful post-holder will demonstrate excellent organisation skills and reliability, alongside a flexible and adaptive approach due to the requirement for some evening and weekend work as well as travel across the UK.

• Support the Schools and College Regional Leads and Head of Schools and Colleges Engagement to prepare, coordinate and deliver high quality, innovative specialist outreach activities, in line with the ambitions of the University’s Strategic Framework, Access and Participation Plan, Civic University Agreement, and Widening Participation Strategic Plan.
• Lead on the delivery of a wide range of on campus, in school and online activity, liaising appropriately with staff, students and parents in a variety of settings.
• Be an outstanding, professional representative of the University and provide up-to-date expert information and advice on higher education, including UoD specific, funding, progression routes and courses, and university life to widening participation target groups and their key influencers.
• Support the development and delivery of mentoring and other attainment raising programmes delivered by UoD students in schools, including organising the logistics associated with placing students into schools, processing timesheets and other associated administrative tasks.
• Produce, and regularly update, a range of high quality, innovative and creative materials and resources, including digital resources, for widening participation target groups, parents/carers, teachers and careers advisors.
• As directed, liaise with internal and external staff to ensure the smooth running of events and the delivery of the highest levels of customer service.
• Cultivate positive working relationships and work collaboratively with key University departments and teams.
• Record all activity promptly and as required using data packages such as Excel, Dynamics and the HEAT database.
• Using data generated through evaluation: analyse results; produce written evaluation reports; and make and/or recommend changes to practice as required in response to those findings.
• Be a pro-active member of the External Relations department and engage in cross-University activities to support colleagues to deliver University activity such as Open Days, Welcome, and Clearing activity; and raise the internal profile of widening participation.
• Supervise and provide guidance to student employees and support their development and training in regard to the needs of the Schools and Colleges Engagement Team.
• Manage and update Widening Participation webpages and social media as required and support the delivery of the team’s marketing and communications plans.
• Actively engage in reflective practice, continuing professional development and lifelong learning activities.
• Provide general administrative support to the team, such as recording team meeting actions/minutes or undertaking desk-based research projects to support Schools and Colleges Engagement Team aims.
• Understand and display UoD values and behaviours appropriate to the level of post.
• Carry out duties in a safe and proper manner to comply with the University’s Health & Safety Policy and Equal Opportunities Policy.

A levels or equivalent qualification, or comparable knowledge gained through professional experience.

Experience:

• Demonstrable experience of delivering complex information in a creative and engaging way.
• Demonstrable experience of working with groups of learners progressing to Higher Education (HE).
• Demonstrable experience of inputting, evaluating and analysing data for continuous improvement.

Skills, knowledge & abilities:

• Up-to-date knowledge of current issues affecting progression to HE.
• Understanding of and commitment to widening participation/social justice.
• Up-to-date knowledge of HE student funding, recruitment and qualifications.
• Evidence of excellent written and report writing skills.
• Evidence of excellent interpersonal skills.
• Evidence of excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Evidence of good IT skills, including use of social media platforms, Excel and CRM packages.
• Proven ability to work using your own initiative and as part of a team.
• Proven ability to manage complex and conflicting demands.
• Proven ability to follow processes and procedures.
• Demonstrate a commitment to an excellent standard of customer service.
• Innovative and creative thinker.
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work.
• Consistent and reliable.

Business requirements:

• Enhanced DBS disclosure.
• Willingness to work flexibly, with prior notice, including evening, and occasional weekend and overnight working will be required.
• Extensive local and some regional and UK travel.
• Willingness and flexibility to travel and work between University and external sites such as schools in a cost effective and timely manner.
• Ability to work outside of normal working hours (including some evenings and weekends), to support the business during key University events, such as Graduation, Clearing and Open Days and at key student admissions points.

Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata). Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme. Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers. Discounted onsite gym. Cycle to Work scheme. A flexible working environment. A commitment to personal and professional development.

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Liam Dowson, Head of Schools and Colleges Engagement via l.dowson@derby.ac.uk.

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk. The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post. To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation. We are Disability Confident Employers, demonstrating our commitment to disability inclusion, and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes.

Further, we are committed to ensuring an environment which is trans and non-binary-inclusive for all our staff, students, partners, and visitors, and continuously review our policies, guidance and training. When applying to join the University, you can choose your preferred title, including the gender-neutral title 'Mx'. We also ask our candidates if they would like to share their preferred pronouns. This is voluntary but demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity for trans and non-binary candidates. Once employed, you can add pronouns and preferred names onto our system.

The University of Derby undertakes anonymised shortlisting during the staff recruitment process. This means that, when shortlisting, panel members will not be able to see an applicant’s name and will see an applicant number instead. This demonstrates the practical steps we are taking to remove barriers to recruitment by minimising the possible impact of our unconscious bias. However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University’s objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

Be part of something extraordinary, apply now.

You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application. The University reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@derby.ac.uk. Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy. The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.