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Form of work
SalaryGrade and Salary: Grade 6: £29,605-£33,965
FTE and working pattern: Open-ended, hybrid role (this post is being offered as a job share and is available as 0.5FTE (2.5 days)or 0.4 FTE (2 days), with the FTE to be agreed in consultation with the appointee, opportunity for a flexible working pattern, with support for some remote working. Post-holder will be required to be on-campus for 60% of their time).
Purpose of Role The Academic Quality Officer will be responsible for undertaking key quality assurance activities on behalf of the University, particularly in relation to Periodic Review (Academic Review, Academic-Related Professional Services Review, Academic Audit); the approval, review and renewal of the University's academic partnership agreements and associated processes; and policies and processes associated with Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies. The role-holder will be responsible for the drafting of new, reviewing and revising of existing, policies and procedures. They will take responsibility for providing an integrated, coherent approach across all modes and locations to maintaining and assuring the quality and academic standards of the University's provision. There will also be responsibility for Division-wide tasks, such as maintaining and enhancing the Academic Quality SharePoint sites.
As this role is a job share, the specific tasks allocated to the two individuals sharing the role will be specified at the time of appointment.
Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Progress the approval, review and renewal of the University- 's external partnership agreements, in collaboration with colleagues across the institution, including associated policy and procedure developments. Co-ordinate and manage, in collaboration with Academic Quality colleagues, activities associated with the preparation for, and completion of, Academic Review, Academic-Related Professional Services Review and Academic Audit (HWU
- 's internal periodic review process) events, across the University (all campuses, online and partnerships).
- Co-ordinate and manage, in collaboration with Academic Quality colleagues, the Partner Annual Monitoring and Review process, including liaising with colleagues across the University, reviewing reports with Senior Academics and producing a summary report for committee approval.
- Co-ordinate the reporting of Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) accreditations to both the University and to external government organisations, and provide support to Schools as required in PSRB accreditation events.
- Produce, and contribute to, reports for University committees and external bodies (eg Scottish Funding Council, Quality Assurance Agency Scotland).
- Draft policies and procedures related to quality assurance and manage the associated processes of consultation, publication, implementation and review/revision.
- Provide advice and guidance for the interpretation and application of quality assurance policies and procedures, including attending School Studies Committees as an Academic Quality representative.
- Be responsible for working with relevant teams across the University for the review and revision of quality processes to shape a data-informed approach to quality for assurance and enhancement purposes. Progress any other tasks associated with the work of the Academic Quality team, as designated by the post
- 's line manager, such as maintaining and enhancing the Academic Quality SharePoint sites.
- Progress any other tasks associated with the work of the wider Registry and Academic Support Directorate, eg assisting at student enrolment and at graduation ceremonies.
- Undertake any other duties as required by the Global Director of Student Experience & Academic Registrar and/or Head of Academic Quality.
Education, Qualifications & Experience:
These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made:
Essential
- Educated to at least SCQF level 6-7 or similar or equivalent practical experience in the workplace
- Demonstrable ability to plan and prioritise workload, whilst working independently and as part of a team
- Demonstrable ability to work under pressure, within a dynamic, changing and pressured environment, whilst maintaining accuracy and quality
- Demonstrable ability to use own initiative for overcoming challenges
- Strong analytical skills
- Well-developed interpersonal skills and demonstrable excellent customer service experience
- Experience of identifying and implementing improvements and developments
- Competent in the use of relevant IT packages
Desirable
- Experience of Higher Education
- Experience of working within an Academic Quality environment in a quality assurance-related role
- Experience of internal or external periodic review or of academic partnerships
- Experience of policy and process development and review, including systems-related improvements
- Experience of collaborating with multi-location teams
- Experience of report writing for both internal committees and external quality agencies
- Experience of clerking/acting as a committee secretary
Organisation Name: Academic Quality, within Registry and Academic Support Directorate.
The Global Registry and Academic Support Directorate supports our students and staff colleagues across the full student life-cycle from enrolment to graduation. The Directorate has responsibility as the definitive record-keeper of all student information and programme and course details, and leading services that help students settle and stay at the University with professional help and advice, through a range of wellbeing services.
It supports academic and professional services staff across the University in a number of areas, including: academic, institutional and student-related Regulations and Policies and global, national and institutional quality matters. It delivers these services through four Divisions, each managed by a Global Head, and two Heads of Campus Registry:
- Student Life
- Off-Campus Students
- Academic Operations
- Academic Quality Head of Registry
- : Dubai Campus Head of Registry
- : Malaysia Campus
The Academic Quality Division consists of three teams: Quality Assurance; Academic Enhancement; Accreditation and Academic Partnerships. The work of the Academic Quality Officer will involve collaboration across all three teams, with the majority of tasks related to the Quality Assurance team.
The Academic Quality Team is responsible for strategy and policy development and the provision of advice, guidance and support in the relation to the assurance and enhancement of academic standards, the quality of taught programmes and the quality of the student learning experience, across the wider, global University (ie, for all academic provision delivered at all five campus locations and by all study modes including via partnership arrangements and online).
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Sunday, 7 th April 2024
Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV
We anticipate holding interviews w/c 22nd April
At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.
Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.
Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.
Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .
We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.
Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.
