Academic Quality Officer (Fixed Term Maternity Cover)

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Academic Quality Officer
(Fixed Term)

Job Description

The Role

Job title: Academic Quality Officer

Department: Academic Services

Responsible to: Academic Quality Manager

Location: Cirencester

Salary: Grade 6: £28,759 to £33,965 per annum

Term: Full-time, fixed-term maternity cover for 12 months, 35 hours per

week

Relationships with: Academic Services teams, Academic staff, students, Senior Academic

Leadership, External Examiners, PSRBs (professional, statutory and

regulatory bodies)

We have a number of different ways to work flexibly, so at your interview feel free to talk about what

flexibility means to you. There are no guarantees, however, examples of how our employees already

work flexibly include part-time, job share, hybrid-working and compressed hours.

Purpose

The post holder will support the activity of the Academic Quality team at the Royal Agricultural

University, working with programme teams and senior stakeholders to ensure that there are rigorous

and effective processes in place to assure the quality and standards of awards at the University.

Reporting to the Academic Quality Manager, the post holder will work with other Academic Quality

Officers within the team to provide an efficient service to members of the academic staff, collaborative

partners in the UK and internationally, and external examiners.

Key Responsibilities

1. Under the direction of the Head of Academic Quality, and the Academic Quality Manager providing
definitive advice and guidance to members of the university and its collaborative partners regarding
the regulations, and academic codes of practice.

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2. Acting as secretary to academic committees, scheduling and planning meetings, preparing agendas
and paperwork, taking minutes and following up actions.

3. Acting as the Validating Officer for the validation of new programmes, and periodic revalidation of
existing programmes; including arranging and leading scrutiny meetings, reviewing documentation,
providing advice and feedback to programme teams and monitoring conditions.

4. Coordinate annual programme reviews, collating the feedback and data required for review,
providing advice and guidance to programme teams and senior stakeholders on areas of interest or
concern, and monitoring action plans throughout the year.

5. Reviewing and processing programme and module change requests in accordance with university
policy. Ensuring programme specifications and module specifications are accurate and up-to-date at
all times.

6. Manage the university’s relationship with external examiners, acting as a first point of contact for
advice and guidance. Ensuring processes to appoint and pay external examiners are completed
promptly and accurately. Supporting the induction of external examiners. Collating feedback and
annual reports from external examiners.

7. Organising and supporting student surveys, and other mechanisms to gather student feedback.
Analysing responses and providing advice and guidance to programmes teams and senior stakeholder
on areas of interest or concern.

8. Providing holistic support to Programme teams throughout the academic year to ensure the smooth
delivery of the Academic Quality lifecycle, scheduling meetings, taking notes, and resolving issues.

9. Preparing reports and papers on issues and matters related to Academic Quality assurance as
required.

10. Making a significant contribution to the work of the University. Supporting the strategic goals of
the University, assisting other areas as and when required.

current legislation, University policies and good practice guidance.

• All staff are required to act in a way that safeguards the health and wellbeing of children and

vulnerable adults at all times. The post holder must be familiar with and adhere to appropriate

safeguarding policies and guidance and participate in related mandatory/statutory training.

Managers have a responsibility to ensure their team members understand their individual

responsibilities with regard to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

• All staff are required to participate in the University appraisal process and should ensure they

are familiar with the process and plan time to prepare for their appraisal. Following the

appraisal, staff are expected to undertake in any necessary learning and development and

work towards the objectives that have been set.

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• The University expects staff to attend any training designated as mandatory and to undertake

learning and development activities to support their role. Managers must facilitate learning

and development within their teams.

• It is a condition of employment that staff will not disclose any information obtained in the

course of their duties other than to those entitled to receive it. The post holder must ensure

that the confidentiality of personal data remains secure and that restricted information or

highly restricted information to which they have access remains confidential during and after

their employment at Royal Agricultural University. All staff must undergo appropriate data

protection training as required.

• All absence from work must be reported in accordance with the University’s absence

procedures and recorded on iTrent.

• The University acknowledges its responsibility to provide a safe, smoke free environment, to

its employees, service users and visitors. It is the policy of the University not to allow smoking

on University premises other than in specifically designated areas.

University Values
As a University we have chosen five values to underpin our learning community. These are the values

which we will all work by and for which we want the RAU to be known. We are:

• Collaborative - we believe in the power of working together. We are stronger as a community

of practice - inspiring each other, identifying shared goals, and providing reciprocal support

leads to greater success.

• Open-Minded - we are receptive to new ideas and we value the diversity of experiences and

skills. We are committed to listening to everyone across the RAU community.

• Resourceful - we adopt creative approaches to achieve our goals while setting higher

standards, promoting professionalism and sustainability.

• Responsible - individually and collectively we take accountability for our actions working with

integrity to achieve the highest ethical standards.

• Inclusive - we acknowledge the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals and are

committed to maintaining an environment that seeks to eliminate all forms of discrimination

and respects diverse traditions, heritages, and experiences.

Person Specification

Requirements Essential Measured By
The post holder must be able to demonstrate: or A) Application Form

Desirable B) Interview
C) Presentation

Qualifications:

Educated to degree level, or equivalent Essential A

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Requirements Essential Measured By
The post holder must be able to demonstrate: or A) Application Form

Desirable B) Interview
C) Presentation

A professional qualification in Higher Education administration Desirable A

Demonstration of continuous professional development and
Essential A

keeping abreast of sector practices.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills:

Excellent written communication skills, including an ability to
write clearly and concisely with a consistent tone of voice Essential A, B
that is appropriate for the audience.

Experience analysing quantitative and qualitative data and
Essential A, B

providing insights to others.

Ability to manage high workload and meet strict deadlines.
Essential A, B

Experience managing complex records; excellent attention to
detail with an understanding of the importance for accuracy Essential A, B
and consistency.

An understanding of effective stakeholder management
techniques with experience of providing a supportive Essential A, B
approach when dealing with difficult stakeholders.

Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision, and
Essential A, B

on own initiative.

Excellent IT skills including a comprehensive grasp of Office
Essential A, B

suite applications

Experience in Higher Education administration, demonstrated
Desirable A, B

through relevant roles at similar level

Experience of quality assurance processes in a higher
Desirable A, B

education context.

An understanding of collaborative partnership work and
Desirable A, B

demonstration of cultural awareness

Ability to work as part of a team and contribute to the
Desirable A, B

achievement of departmental business goals

Demonstrate experience scheduling, planning and servicing
Desirable A, B

committees and meetings.

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Application Procedure

If you are interested in applying for this role, please send:

• University Application Form together with the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form available on

the University website www.rau.ac.uk) – you may attach your up to date CV if you wish to add

additional information.

• Details of two referees who must be people who can comment authoritatively on you as a person

and as an employee in relation to the level of the post, and must include your current or most

recent employer or their representative.

• Please forward to the HR Team, Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7

6JS or via email to jobs@rau.ac.uk stating where you saw the advert for the role

• Closing date: 14th April 2024 with Interviews on: 23rd April 2024.

• Should you be selected for interview please be aware that we are unable to reimburse interview

expenses.

The RAU is an equal opportunities employer and we particularly welcome applications
from black and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the

RAU at this level

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