Bursary and Student Support Administrator

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.  Further information about the University can be found here  

The Role and the Department

The Student Immigration and Funding Service (SIFS) works with internal colleagues and external bodies to provide high quality advice and support relating to immigration legislation and financial support for both undergraduate and postgraduate students and applicants. 

The Service is part of the Student & Academic Services Directorate (SASD), which provides a professional administrative support service to staff, students and potential students of Durham University.

The Academic Registrar is the head of the department and is responsible to the PVC Education for its management.  The following services fall under the remit of the Student and Academic Support Directorate:

·         Widening Access & Participation

·         Academic Quality Service

·         Recruitment and Admissions

·         Student Immigration and Funding Services

·         Student Registry

All the services are based at the Palatine Centre in Durham City.

The post holder will be part of the Student Financial Support Team within Student Immigration & Financial Services.  The team administers the Durham Grant Scheme, which makes around 3,500 awards per year, the smaller Supported Progression Bursary Scheme (collectively known as “bursaries”) and the Student Support Fund, which has just been refocussed and which has made over 250 awards so far this academic year.  They will play a key part in supporting a customer-focused, empathic, efficient and professional service working with students, support staff in College and Departments and other key staff within the University. 

The post holder will be required to work 4 days each week, each day being 5.25 hours duration

You must be a flexible team-worker able to take responsibility for managing a varied workload to a high standard.  You must be able to deal with students experiencing financial hardship with empathy, sensitivity and warmth.  A high level of accuracy, sometimes under pressure, is essential. You will be dealing with highly confidential, and potentially sensitive, information and must ensure that it is kept in accordance with the principles of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and in the strictest confidence.

SASD operates a hybrid working policy which allows a level of flexibility within the working week.

Working at Durham  

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

•    27 Days annual leave per year (pro rata) 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 access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16 throughout the year. 
•    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. 
•    We offer generous pension schemes. 

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. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force 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.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. 
 

What you need to demonstrate when you apply

To be considered for this role, here are the skills/experience we’re looking for:

Qualifications/Experience

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

4. Good spoken and written communication skills.

5. Good digital skills including experience in using digital devices and apps including the internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking systems, Terminal Four etc

6. Committed to continuing professional development

7. Ability to solve problems and resolve straightforward issues yourself and as part of a team, to resolve issues and plan solutions, and to make pragmatic decisions.

8. Ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of colleagues and customers.

9. Knowledge of working in an administrative setting, in a Higher Education environment.

10. Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information.

Desirable Criteria

 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.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.  

Submitting your application 

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. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails 
 
What you are required to submit:
•    A CV 
•    A covering letter which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification  

Contact details 
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, please contact Elizabeth Glossop, Bursary and Student Financial Support Manager, at elizabeth.l,[email protected] in the first instance.

Typical Role Requirements

Here are the kind of activities that you’ll be asked to undertake and ways in which you’ll be expected to operate.

Service Delivery

·         Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

·         Provide an excellent and timely service to our students and staff.

·         Use your experience to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role i.e. advising students, staff and other colleagues of bursary and Student Support Fund eligibility criteria. 

·         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 [e.g. data protection] when managing data.

·         Use standard office-based devices and applications such as word, excel, power point and databases to deliver services.

·         Update guidance on standard operating procedures followed by the team.

·         Monitor and analyse data to ensure that deadlines are met and report issues to senior colleagues in a timely fashion.

·         Contribute to maintaining webpages and Sharepoint sites pertaining to bursaries and to the Student Support Fund.

·         Arrange meetings and events for other team members.

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 undertaken within your service 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.

Communication/Liaison

·         Seek feedback from students and staff on their experience of your service to ensure that their reasonable expectations are being met.

·         Record information relating to the Durham Grant Scheme and the Student Support Fund and respond to queries which you receive.

·         Liaise with staff in other areas, professional organisations and agencies to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way.

·         Liaise with external parties, as directed by your line manager, to plan the delivery of services and events.

·         Provide support for meetings, working groups and committees, such preparing and sending documents for meetings, drafting reports and taking minutes.

·         Any other reasonable duties.

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 Privacy Notices – Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. 

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.