JOB DESCRIPTION. 1. JOB TITLE: Administrative Assistant/Receptionist. 4. DEPARTMENT: Faculty of Life Sciences / NoWFOOD Centre. Dean of Life Sciences

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1 JOB DESCRIPTION 1. JOB TITLE: Administrative Assistant/Receptionist 2: HRMS REFERENCE NUMBER: HRMS/ ROLE CODE: FINADMIN01 4. DEPARTMENT: Faculty of Life Sciences / NoWFOOD Centre 5. ORGANISATION CHART: Dean of Life Sciences Director NowFood Project Food Innovation Partnerships Manager Food Innovation Support Coordinator Administrative Assistant 6. JOB PURPOSE: The role holder will assist the Food Innovation Partnerships Manager with the operation of the ERDF North West Future Food Solutions Exchange (NoWFOOD Centre). The role holder will be based at the NoWFOOD Centre and will focus on: Provide front of house duties for the NoWFOOD Centre. Responding to client needs on a day-to-day basis. Maintaining records of contact with external parties especially relating to SME contact and engagement with the NoWFOOD Centre. Assist with the management of access to the NoWFOOD Centre facilities and resources through operation of a booking system. Reporting issues raised by clients. In carrying out the above functions the role holder will contribute to the following, wider objectives:

2 Establishing and developing links with food and drink SMEs across the North West Maintaining existing and developing new links with other providers to the food and drink sector (including FECs, HEIs and large companies) Ensuring engagement with the entire region Supporting the growth of the North West s food and drink SMEs Delivery of the project s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) outputs 7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The University of Chester has recently received ERDF funding to support the development of centre dedicated to supporting SMEs in the food and drink sector. The North West Future Food Solutions Exchange will create a physical base for industry-specific food and drink research and development and will be dedicated to increasing the capacity and success of food and drink enterprises across the North West. The Exchange will engage with existing food and drink-related projects and organisations across the region, securing the necessary links to ensure maximum benefit to the food and drink sector. The Exchange s specialist contribution to the development of the North West food industry will be made through the development of the practical applications of food nanotechnology and food rheology; available to SMEs in the North West for the first time. Located at the University of Chester but assisted via direct links with Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside and Manchester, the Exchange will make available the following services to the small and medium-sized enterprises in the food and drink sector: Industry-standard facilities for use by SMEs Consultation sessions with academics/industry specialists Technology transfer sessions given by industry leaders/manufacturers/academics to showcase new processes/equipment/products Research as requested by businesses (particularly in relation to nanotechnology and rheology) Business support information and advice

3 8. WORK PERFORMED AND/OR KEY RESULT AREAS: 8.1 Communicating Effectively Responsible for answering routine enquiries on a daily basis related to the work of the NoWFOOD Centre Explaining procedures relating to access to the NoWFOOD Centre as required. To send routine correspondence relating to the work of the NoWFOOD Centre. To take minutes at committees/ working groups/ formal meetings on a regular basis 8.2 Leadership and Working Collaboratively To be an effective member of the NoWFOOD Centre team. No line management or supervisory responsibility 8.3 Liaison and Networking To provide information to members of staff in the wider University or stakeholders as the first point of contact in the NoWFOOD Centre. 8.4 Delivering a High Quality Standard of Service To provide a high level of customer service to all customers, including members of the NoWFOOD project team and the wider University. 8.5 Effective Decision Making When responding to queries, to take independent decisions on how to respond to queries, relevant processes to direct to and who to refer queries onto. To make collaborative decisions with colleagues within the administrative team on changes to operational processes affecting administrative operations across the department. 8.6 Planning and Organising Self and Others To take responsibility for planning and prioritising own work, within the requirements of the role as determined by the ERDF NoWFOOD Food Innovation Partnerships manager 8.7 Innovation and Improvement (Effective Problem Solving) To resolve standard problems that arises, with reference to the ERDF NoWFOOD Food Innovation Partnerships manager. 8.8 Analysis and Research Gathering and inputting of data e.g. updating the contact relations management system, logging of external enquiries and NoWFOOD Centre visitor details.

4 8.9 Sensory and Physical Demands Standard for office work 8.10 Work Environment Office environment with no responsibility for the health and safety of others beyond due care 8.11 Pastoral Care and Welfare Expected to show basic sensitivity to colleagues and customers Team Development To provide information and guidance on administrative processes to any new members of staff in the NoWFOOD Centre Teaching and Learning Support This is not a requirement of the role 8.14 Knowledge and Experience The role holder will have sufficient knowledge or expertise to work on day to day issues in their own area without direct or continuous reference to others. See person specification, below, for more details General To undertake any other duties commensurate with your grade, and/or hours of work, as may reasonably be required of you To take responsibility for upholding and complying with the University s Equality and Diversity policies and for behaving in ways that is consistent with fair and equal treatment for all To comply with all University Health and Safety policies.

5 PERSON SPECIFICATION Job Title: Administrative Assistant/Receptionist Department: Faculty of Life Sciences / NoWFOOD Centre Criteria / Desirable Qualifications: Method of identification Educated to A level standard (or equivalent) ECDL Proven Experience: Relevant experience within an administrative or clerical role. Experience of working in a Higher Education environment Computer literacy Delivering academic and service excellence: Desirable Desirable certificates certificate / test Attention to detail Interview/ test Managing self and inspiring others: The ability to prioritise and use resources effectively. / test Working together: Effective communication skills. The ability to work effectively with others as a competent team member. Organisational and stakeholder awareness: Ability to solve standard problems in accordance with procedures. Interview/ Test Requirements are those, without which, a candidate would not be able to do the job. Applicants who have not clearly demonstrated in their application that they possess the essential requirements will normally be rejected at the shortlisting stage. Desirable Requirements are those that would be useful for the post holder to possess and will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential requirements.

6 UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER TERMS & CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCES ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/RECEPTIONIST FIXED TERM CONTRACT UNTIL 31 ST DECEMBER 2014 SALARY SCALE University Scale OS4, points 11-14, 18,031-19,632 per annum payable monthly in arrears. HOURS OF WORK 36.5 hours per week to be worked as follows:- Monday to Thursday 9.00am pm Friday 9.00am pm (less one hour for lunch each day) A flexible approach to work will be required as there may be occasions when it would be necessary for you to work additional hours as dictated by the workload. HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENT 22 days per annum (pro-rata during the commencement and cessation years), rising to 27 days after five years' continuous service. Two extra statutory days per annum during the Christmas period. MEDICAL EXAMINATION Successful candidates will be required to complete an Occupational Health questionnaire, and may be required to undergo a medical examination. ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATES Short-listed candidates will be asked to bring to, proof of qualifications as outlined on the Job Description and Person Specification provided. Upon appointment, copies of essential certificates will be required by HRM Services. PENSION SCHEME The University operates two pension schemes for support staff: The default scheme is the Higher Education Defined Contribution Scheme (HEDCS), which is administered by Friends Life. The Cheshire Local Government Pension Scheme, to which the University is an admitted body. All support staff are entitled to participate in one of these schemes. Some staff will be automatically enrolled into a scheme, depending on their age and earnings, but if they do not wish to remain a member of the scheme, they will be entitled to opt out after enrolment. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES The University has a policy of equal opportunity aimed at treating all applicants for employment fairly. SMOKING POLICY The University operates a No-Smoking policy. PROBATIONARY PERIOD A nine months' probationary period applies to all University posts.

7 CLOSING DATE Candidates should apply for this vacancy via our online recruitment website ( by Friday 1 st August 2014 quoting reference number HRMS/13294.