FURTHER PARTICULARS STUDENT SERVICES

Transcription

1 FURTHER PARTICULARS STUDENT SERVICES Assessment, Credit and Awards Vocational Qualification Assessment Centre Senior Co ordinator Candidate and Assessor Support Reference: 4711 Grade 6 23,002 27,466

2 THE POST Job Title: Unit : Sub Unit : Grade : Reports To: Senior Co ordinator, Candidate and Assessor Support Students Services Division (Assessment Credit and Awards) Examinations and Assessments (VQ Assessment Centre) G6 Centre Manager, VQ Assessment Centre Post no: 4711 Candidate Contact Operations Responsible for managing the smooth running of four main customer contact operations enquiry, registration, portfolio and certification Hands on involvement in all four processes depending on candidate numbers Extensive contact with candidates, sponsors, consultant assessors, other VQ providers, internal staff, awarding bodies, academics and administrators On going Candidate Support Responsible for managing all candidate support processes Provides high level information, advice and guidance to candidates by phone, , letter and occasionally face to face Extensive contact with both candidates and their sponsors Responsible for monitoring the regularity of the submission of candidate work and instigating remedial action or extra support where necessary Uses candidate feedback to scope, recommend and implement improvement activity Candidate and Assessor Communications Responsible for ensuring that all candidate and assessor communication is clear and co ordinated Responsible for ensuring that all candidate and assessor communication meets matrix standards in relation to information, advice and guidance Responsible for the ongoing review of all customer information Responsible for reducing repetition, streamlining and introducing generic information where feasible Production of bank of standard letters to candidates Ensure changes to centre operations, VQ programmes or VQ standards are reflected within candidate and assessor communications as appropriate. Ensures the impact of partnership working projects is reflected in content and branding of centre materials Inputs to the centre manager during programme reviews to ensure programme support materials fully meet candidate requirements Responsible for ensuring all VQAC materials are in keeping with OU brand guidelines Assessor Support Dealing with initial and on going assessor enquiries Co ordinating the advertising for assessors when required Page 2 of 8 June 07

3 Supporting the assessor recruitment process Maintaining all assessor records Allocating assessors to candidates Highlighting potential assessor number shortfalls to Centre Manager following analysis of quarterly registration trends Designing and implementing assessor feedback processes Highlighting improvement activity as a result of analysing feedback Responsible for producing and delivering eportfolio training to assessors Supervision of small candidate support team Supervision of all operations carried out by the candidate support team Responsible for carrying out the full range of duties associated with supervising people including inputting to their career development and staff appraisal Account Management To support the centre manager with account management processes Liaison with specified sponsor or employer organisations Scheduling regular meeting with sponsors for the centre manager Highlighting any candidate/sponsor issues to the centre manager Finances To support VQAC financial processes by authorising specified financial transactions Exceptional or Contingency Duties Other duties as may be required from time to time by the Centre Manager or Head of VQ Assessment Centre PERSON SPECIFICATION Essential Educational Standards and Experience GCE A Level or equivalent in English and Mathematics Proven experience of well developed customer awareness and customer handling skills Strong organisational skills with ability to plan and schedule time critical activities Ability to identify, scope and implement change within an office environment Ability to make decisions, exercise initiative and take personal responsibility An aptitude for working with figures and producing/interpreting statistical information Staff management skills and experience of motivating staff Excellent written and oral communication skills Proven ability to re interpret complex written information so it is clear and concise Extensive experience in the use of PC and Microsoft applications including word, excel, access and outlook . Sensitivity to, and ability to handle, confidential information and material Excellent interpersonal and people skills Ability to produce and deliver formal and informal presentations to various groups at all levels Page 3 of 8 June 07

4 Desirable Experience Working knowledge of National and/or other Vocational Qualifications Experience of completing tender and funding documentation Experience of designing and updating simple websites Staff Supervised Direct responsibility for small candidate support team. Temporary staff as and when required to meet operational peaks HOW TO APPLY The following guidelines are designed to help you submit a job application in line with our requirements. COVERING LETTER OR SUPPORTING STATEMENT Please submit a covering letter or statement. The letter should set out why you are interested in this vacancy, and how your skills and experience meet the criteria listed in the person specification. Applications received without a covering letter will not be considered. The selection panel will consider how well the information you provide demonstrates that you meet the criteria identified in the person specification. COMPLETING THE APPLICATION FORM It is in your interest to show how your experience and personal qualities address the person specification for the role. Please ensure you complete all the sections of the form in full giving as much detail as possible, you are welcome to enclose your up to date curriculum vitae, but CVs will not be accepted on their own. Once completed, you must sign and date the application form to confirm that the information and any attachments are correct. DISABLED APPLICANTS If you require any adjustments to enable you to attend the interview please ensure that you have provided this information on your application form. If you are called for interview, please discuss any adjustments you may require to carry out the duties of the role with the interview panel so that the appropriate arrangements and any adjustments can be made if necessary. (Under the Disability Discrimination Act, a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day to day activities). Please let us know if you need your copy of the further particulars in large print, on computer disc or on audio cassette tape. Access details for disabled applicants are available from Maggie Andrews PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY TO WORK IN THE UK Candidates will be required to provide proof of their eligibility to work in the UK by producing verifiable documents. Details of the required documents will be sent to the successful candidate at the written offer of employment stage. If you require a work permit this will be applied for should your application for appointment be successful. To find out what visas and permits you may require in order to work in Page 4 of 8 June 07

5 the UK please see or telephone , the general enquiries line is open from to 13.30, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. RETIREMENT AGE The Open University operates a normal retirement age of 65. Applications can only be accepted from people up to the age of 64 years and 6 months at the date of their application. This is in line with the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY INFORMATION ABOUT REFERENCES When completing the References section of the application form, please ensure you specify your Head of Unit as your current employer, as he/she is responsible for providing this reference or nominating an appropriate alternative referee. Please be advised that the employing Unit is responsible for requesting references from your referees. COMPLETED APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO: Maggie Andrews Examinations and Assessment Recruitment Co ordinator (S&C) The Open University Hammerwood Gate Milton Keynes MK7 6BY If you wish to send your application electronically please e mail: SS Assessment Recruit SandC@open.ac.uk Closing date for applications: Thursday 24 July Applications received after this date will not be accepted. INTERVIEW PANEL AND DATE OF INTERVIEW The interview panel will be chaired by Una Lawson, Head of the VQAC, Maxine Reed, VQAC Centre Manager and one other. The selection process will include a written report to be submitted by 11 th August, plus the interview and some short exercises which will take place on 13 th August. We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been shortlisted for interview together with further information about the selection process. RECRUITMENT PROCESS If you have any comments or concerns about any stage of the recruitment process please write to the HR Adviser Student Services, Human Resources who will look into the matter. THE OPEN UNIVERSITY The Open University transforms lives through education. It has become by far the largest university in the UK, now teaching well over 200,000 people every year. We have expanded our activities throughout Europe and our highly rated teaching materials are used by other institutions in many parts of the world. We are consistently achieving high rankings both in research and teaching quality assessments. Teaching is through the provision of specially designed, high quality, materials encompassing traditional print texts, television, video, CD ROM, internet and electronic conferencing together with first class personalised tuition, learning feedback and support. Page 5 of 8 June 07

6 The success of the Open University is due to our outstanding staff. There are around 13,000 staff (including 7,500 Associate Lecturers). Staff and potential staff are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, colour, ethnic or national origin, age, socio economic background, disability, religious or political beliefs, family circumstances, sexual orientation or other irrelevant distinction. We are also committed to the development of our staff to their full potential through lifelong learning, offering a range of formal and informal training and development activities to ensure that staff are able to perform their jobs to the best of their abilities and to help meet individual and University objectives. Our objective is that all staff undertake a minimum of 5 days development activity in each year. STUDENT SERVICES UNIT The Student Services Unit is responsible for the provision of educational and administrative services to students and for the recruitment, staff development and supervision of Associate Lecturers. It is the largest Unit of the University with an annual budget of around 60 million. More than 1,100 salaried staff and an additional 7,500 Associate Lecturer staff are located within the Unit at: Five central functional sub units based at Walton Hall, Milton Keynes The University s 13 Regional Centres throughout the UK. ASSESSMENT, CREDIT AND AWARDS (ACA) WITHIN STUDENT SERVICES Assessment, Credit & Awards is one of the five functional central sub units in Student Services, with staff based in Milton Keynes and in the University s thirteen regional centres. ACA at the Centre (Walton Hall campus in Milton Keynes) consists of around 160 staff and operates on an annual budget of around 11 million. The Head of ACA is responsible to the Director of Student Services for the leadership and management of all activity associated with assessment, credit and awards, which currently operates across 14 locations. EXAMINATIONS & ASSESSMENT (E&A) WITHIN ACA The Examinations and Assessment Section of ACA is situated at the Walton Hall campus in Milton Keynes. The Section is responsible for the implementation of the University's policies and procedures for the assessment of its students. For the majority of students course results are determined by two components of assessment: course work (referred to as continuous assessment) and an end of course examination. However, a growing number of courses are assessed without an end of course examination. Around 100 members of staff are involved in the operation of continuous assessment (including assignment handling and monitoring), examinations and other assessment methods (e.g. projects), in accordance with agreed policies. The area also covers the co ordination, planning and decision making processes regarding assessment and support to Examination & Assessment Boards (for the course results operation). The Vocational Qualification Assessment Centre sits within E&A. THE VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATION ASSESSMENT CENTRE (VQAC) The VQ Assessment Centre is situated on the East Campus of Walton Hall in Milton Keynes. The centre is responsible for the delivery of Vocational Qualifications to external candidates and to internal staff (as part of staff development within the University). The centre offers Vocational Qualifications nationally by using on line materials and a large geographically spread team of consultant assessors. Page 6 of 8 June 07

7 There are five members of the central VQAC team. The work is varied, from offering standard NVQ programmes to arranging customised vocational awards for organisations in key skills sectors. The centre is governed by policies and procedures set by awarding bodies and the Qualification and Curriculum Authority. The work of the office is fast paced, responding to new challenges such as changes in award standards and developing needs of corporate clients. We offer registration to candidates during March, June, September and Dec. The need for this post has arisen due to the VQAC s involvement with the Integrated Vocational Route (IVR) in Health and Social Care (HSC) which combines a 60 point academic course (K101) with a Level 3 NVQ in HSC. It is anticipated that uptake for the IVR will more than double the number of NVQ candidates registered, assessed and supported each year. The main responsibilities of the post include: Managing all operations associated with candidate and assessor support Managing all communications with assessors and candidates Supervising a small candidate support team SALARY The appointment will normally be made at the first point of Grade 6 ( 23,002 27,466 per annum). Increments are payable annually from 1 October. Where an appointment is effective after 1 April, the first increment will be payable from 1 October the following year. BENEFITS AND FACILITIES This is a summary of staff benefits and facilities. Full details will be available when you join us. STAFF DEVELOPMENT We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. This includes thorough induction into the organisation and regular reviews of your training and development needs. The objective is that all staff should undertake at least five days development activity in each year this may include attendance at formal courses or other learning e.g. use of self study material. We invest substantial time and money in our staff development provisions and we waive fees for staff wishing to study our own courses. ANNUAL LEAVE The annual leave entitlement is 30 days (33 days for academic, academic related or research staff) in addition to all bank and other public holidays and an additional 3 days at Christmas when the University is closed. STUDY LEAVE Permanent Central Academic staff (those on contracts of 2 years or more) are entitled to study leave on full salary for research or other approved academic purposes for two months in each leave year. For Regional Academic staff the entitlement is to study leave on full salary for two months within each period of two years completed service. PENSION SCHEMES Staff have the option of contributing to a Final Salary pension scheme and the University contributes around 14% of salary. Full details will be sent with any offer of employment but any preliminary enquiries should be addressed to the Pensions Section, Human Resources (01908) or Page 7 of 8 June 07

8 RELOCATION EXPENSES Staff are normally expected to live within a reasonable travelling distance of their place of work. The University will make a grant for expenses necessarily incurred for removals and disturbance, within certain rules and subject to a maximum payment. Full details will be sent with any offer of employment. The removal grant does not apply on appointments of less than two years duration. FAMILY FRIENDLY POLICIES Staff are entitled to 52 weeks maternity/adoption leave. Statutory maternity/adoption pay will be paid for a maximum period of the first 39 weeks, made up to full pay for the first 18 weeks, subject to minimum service conditions. Staff have the right to return to work at any time within 52 weeks of the maternity leave start date, again subject to certain conditions. Staff are entitled to a maximum of 10 days paid paternity leave in connection with their wife s/partner s confinement in any one leave year in addition to normal leave entitlement, again subject to certain conditions. Pre School Childcare Subsidy; we have a means tested childcare subsidy scheme. Those eligible are provided with a Childcare Voucher that can be used as part payment for the care of children under 5 years of age. For further information about the scheme contact Human Resources on (01908) Childcare Vouchers; we have introduced a salary sacrifice scheme to enable staff to take advantage of tax and NI exemption on up to 243 of childcare vouchers per month. The scheme is managed by Busy Bees. Further information will be provided on appointment. MILTON KEYNES BASED STAFF Nurseries: The Mulberry Bear Day Nursery & Pre School is a purpose built nursery on the Walton Hall campus. It is an independent charity supported by The Open University and managed by parents. OU staff applications are given priority but there may be a waiting list in some age groups. For further information, please telephone Milton Keynes (01908) , mulberrybear enquiries@open.ac.uk or see their website at There are a number of other private nurseries in the Milton Keynes area. Local Education: Information on local schools can be obtained from the Learning and Development Directorate, Milton Keynes Borough Council on (01908) or visit their website at: FACILITIES Catering facilities providing meals, snacks and drinks Open University Club (offering a number of club and society events, sports and social outlets). Occupational Health Department (located on site at Walton Hall) provides professional advice to individuals and managers on all work related health issues. Natwest; Bank sub branch on site at Walton Hall Shop selling general provision on site at Walton Hall SMOKING POLICY Please note that smoking is not permitted in University buildings, bars and catering areas. Smoking is only permitted in designated outdoor areas. Page 8 of 8 June 07