Widening Participation & Social Mobility

Location:  Highfield Campus
Salary:   £25,627 to £30,497
Full Time Permanent
Closing Date:  Monday 01 November 2021
Reference:  1555621HL

The Widening Participation and Social Mobility Directorate (WPSM) has recently launched its new strategy that details its approach to meeting the ambitious targets of the University’s Access and Participation Plan (APP) which aims to improve the access, success and progression of students from underrepresented groups and disadvantaged backgrounds. 

The Enhancement team of WPSM supports this aim through the targeted provision of academic skills across the student lifecycle and by adopting a sound and holistic approach to evaluation. It is seeking to appoint an exceptional individual to join as a Peer-assisted Learning Scheme (PALS) Co-ordinator. 

The Role

The PALS Coordinator will establish, coordinate, and deliver a central programme of Peer Assisted Learning to support students across the lifecycle, from pre-university entry and throughout their degree.  The post holder will be responsible for recruiting and training PAL Leaders, working alongside the Academic Skills team to support leaders to deliver academic skills information to their peers. 

The post holder will be a proactive and highly organised individual. You will have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with individuals and groups across the university. You will be expected to develop and co-ordinate both a pre-entry and post-entry PALS offering, contributing to the development of a cohesive academic skills service which supports students prior to entering Higher Education, and then throughout their time at the University of Southampton. As this role is situated in WPSM, a good understanding of the aims of the APP will be required. Ideally, the post holder will have previous peer mentoring experience, whether professionally or as a student. 

What we can offer you

The role is offered on a full time, permanent contract and will be based at our lively Highfield Campus where you will have access to our sports complex, Hartley Library and Staff Social Centre. Initially you will likely be required to work from home due to the Covid-19 pandemic.   

We offer some fantastic benefits including 34 days leave per year (inclusive of bank holidays and University closure days), options for flexible working, excellent family leave arrangements (including maternity, paternity, adoption, parental and carers leave), a wide variety of on and off-campus arts and culture facilities and access to a range of staff discounts and offers at local shops, restaurants and service providers.    

As a university we aim to create an inclusive environment that attracts, supports and retains the best students and staff from diverse backgrounds and experiences from across the world.  

WPSM is proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We select candidates on the basis of merit and ability and aspire to thrive in the diversity of our workforce.   We welcome applications from all candidates with an interest in the role and those who are committed to helping us create an inclusive work environment. We encourage applications from candidates from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, people who identify as LGBTQ+; and people with disabilities.  

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Dr Becki Nash (rebecca.nash@soton.ac.uk)

Application Procedure 

You should submit your completed online application form at https://jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Sam Stubbs (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 2380 592750 or email recruitment@soton.ac.uk  Please quote reference 1555621HL  on all correspondence.