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International Partnerships Officer

Employer
DURHAM UNIVERSITY
Location
Durham, United Kingdom
Salary
£26,715 - £32,817
Closing date
12 Mar 2020

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International Office
Grade 6: - £26,715 - £32,817
Fixed Term - Full Time
Contract Duration: 2 years
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date : 12-Mar-2020, 7:59:00 AM 

Durham University

Durham University is one of the world's top universities with strengths across the Arts and Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences. We are home to some of the most talented scholars and researchers from around the world who are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives. 

The University sits in a beautiful historic city where it shares ownership of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Durham Cathedral, the greatest Romanesque building in Western Europe. A collegiate University, Durham recruits outstanding students from across the world and offers an unmatched wider student experience.

Durham University seeks to promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment for work and study that assists all members of our University community to reach their full potential. Diversity brings strength and we welcome applications from across the international, national and regional communities that we work with and serve.

It is expected that all staff within the University:

  • Contribute to our learning culture by engaging in mentoring, training and coaching.
  • Positively contribute to fostering a collegial environment; as well as demonstrating commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
  • Have due regard to Health and Safety requirements appropriate to grade and role.

The Department and role purpose

The International Office is responsible for:

  •  The recruitment of international students to all areas of the university to meet institutional targets.
  • Supporting and managing the developing of international partnerships to raise the University’s global profile and to support academic colleagues in developing international links and collaborations
  • Managing the university’s student mobility programmes (Erasmus+ and other exchange partnerships) to meet the University’s student mobility targets

As a member of the Partnerships Team, the post holder supports the development and delivery of international strategic partnerships and networks with responsibility for supporting the university’s external academic relationships with partners (HEIs, research organisations, NGOs, scholarship bodies, government departments) in key global regions, with particular emphasis on East Asia. The post holder is also responsible for management of the Partnerships Approval Process, maintaining accurate agreement records and developing robust systems for monitoring progress with partners. This role requires significant joint working with Research and Innovation Services (RIS), Marketing and Communications (MarComms), Development and Alumni Relations (DARO), the Executive Office and academic staff at all levels. 

Core responsibilities:

  • Experienced service practitioner, planning and co-ordinating of projects and work streams with inter-related activities.
  • Plan and organise own workload with or without involvement with project work streams.
  • Specialist support with problem solving and query handling.
  • Reactive and proactive service provision with others to deliver an excellent stakeholder experience.
  • Relationship building, network participation internally and externally to build and develop university-wide engagement with partners, including universities, scholarship agencies, foundations and embassies, 
  • Engage with external peers and specialists to exchange and disseminate knowledge and information relating to international partnership activity. 
  • Supervise service users and stakeholders undertaking activities, including in and outbound academic delegation travel, management of pump prime funds, events management (as appropriate), direct and regular liaison with partners, events, project work and exhibitions.
  • Interpret, curate and present information, data and resources. 
  • Implement and monitor protocols, procedures, processes and regulations to support sustainable partnership activity
  • Carry out more in-depth investigations, searches and research information and data for senior management on existing and potential links including, subject/research match and mission compatibility using internal and external intelligence and publications software.
  • Take responsibility for day to day decision making within own area of responsibility for operational aspects of service delivery, translating external requirements into practical application and advice.
  • Implement and monitor recognised procedures to ensure compliance and meet University values of inclusion, diversity and participation.
  • Contribute to business meetings, working groups and committees to help shape service delivery and stakeholder expectations. 
  • Accountable for managing/maintaining financial and budget records and reconciling expenditure for specific areas of responsibility, and implement a systematic evaluation process to ensure demonstrable return on investment.
  • Involved in the purchase and return of goods and services.
  • Support the capture of business requirements from users and work with colleagues to translate these into recommendations for future service provision


Role responsibilities:

  • Manage frontline stakeholder services relating to partnership activity. 
  • Act as a recognised point of contact between the University and key internal and external stakeholders.
  • Carry out internal and external presentations and public relations events promoting the Durham reputation, and encouraging participation and income generation.
  • Gather, record and analyse feedback on all coordinated activities.
  • Identify potential service improvements, make recommendations. 
  • Develop, plan and deliver events and activities for students, staff and visitors in support of partnership activity.
  • Support senior travel including programme arrangements and briefing documents. 
  • Responsible for curating the display of information pertinent to the service area and / or activity on-line or in print, disseminating information on Durham’s international partnership activities/initiatives to university colleagues and external partners.
  • Work with other functional areas and families across the University, including RIS, DARO, MarComms and the Scholarships Office to support the development of international partnerships that increase global profile and enable greater competitiveness in international student recruitment and research funding.
  • Any other reasonable duties

Specific role requirements

  • During peak periods there may be restrictions on taking leave.
  • Occasional weekend or evening work will be required as well as travel abroad relating to the development of international partnership development in the East Asia region.

Recruiting to this post 

In order to be considered for interview, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. In some cases, the recruiting panel may also consider the desirable criteria, so we recommend you evidence all criteria in your application.  

Please note that some criteria will only be considered at interview stage.

How to apply 

We prefer to receive applications online.

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 www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

What you are required to submit/complete

  1. A CV; 
  2. A covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential in the requirements set out above and in the desirable criteria of the person specification.
  3. Application Questions; giving examples of how you satisfy the essential criteria of person specification.

Please ensure that you submit all documentation listed above or your application cannot proceed to the next stage.

Contact details 

For further information please contact Jemima Lloyd, jemima.lloyd@durham.ac.uk Assistant Director, International Office.

At Durham University, our aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  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.

We will notify you on the status of your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system.  Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails

Person specification - skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience required

Essential

  1. Excellent oral and written communication skills including high quality presentation skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally with a variety of stakeholders including senior academic colleagues.
  2. Proven IT skills, including use of Microsoft Office and expertise in data management software (e.g. Access, Excel).
  3. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
  4. Experience of working in an International Office or similar environment e.g. marketing and communications, alumni development with knowledge and expertise used to contribute to the delivery and development of services, events and activities within the organisation.
  5. Demonstrable ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.
  6. Experience of implementing policy and procedures and involvement with future changes for a service area.
  7. Ability to solve problems as part of a team and resolve issues, plan solutions and make pragmatic decisions.
  8. Ability to effectively network and exchange advice and information for development purposes including a proven track record of working with academic colleagues to meet department/school objectives and deliver results
  9. An excellent understanding of the global higher education market
  10. Flexible approach to working patterns which will include commitment to overseas travel and working outside office hours when necessary
  11. Excellent networking skills, sensitive approach to relationship building and cultural awareness

Desirable

  1. Proficiency in Mandarin would be advantageous
  2. Evidence of personal development to maintain skills.
  3. Ability to contribute to planning at operational level.      
  4. Experience of living or studying abroad and an understanding of different cultures

DBS Requirement: Not Applicable.

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