Programme Support Officer

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO?

We are the UK’s student mental health charity. We challenge the higher education sector, health sector, and government to work with students when making decisions that impact them, and make them accountable for prioritising student mental health. In collaboration with students, we show sector professionals what effective student mental health looks like, and bridge the gap between students and the communities around them to ensure their voices are always heard. 

By creating and curating resources, stories and tools, we empower students to build their own mental health toolkit to support themselves and their peers through university life and beyond. We want to empower and inspire students to use their voice to share their stories and advocate for themselves. 

ROLE PURPOSE
The Programme Support Officer (full-time, fixed-term contract for 18 months, with possibility to extend) will join the expanding Sector Improvement Team. They will provide vital logistical, financial and administrative support and coordination required to successfully run and deliver the University Mental Health Charter Programme and Award, achieve the Sector Improvement Team’s key objectives, and contribute to the whole charity’s mission and goals. This is an exciting opportunity to help the team scale the University Mental Health Charter, with the potential to impact 2.5 million staff and students across the UK.
From booking travel and accommodation, holding responsibility for the planning and administration of the Purchase Order sheets, to liaising with the many stakeholders involved in the assessment and programme processes, you will have an opportunity to be involved in an interesting, fast paced and exciting role.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Logistical support

• Provide effective logistical and administrative support to the Sector Improvement Programme(s), working closely with the Sector Improvement Lead and Programme Managers to ensure the successful delivery of the programmes
• Support the the planning and delivery of key Sector Improvement Programme activities including online and in-person events, handling the administrative and logistical tasks e.g. venue booking and travel arrangements
• Support the Charter Award Process by managing logistics for assessors during Award site visits and handling related bookings
• Use of our Project Management tools to set and receive work, manage deadlines and workflows alongside colleagues to complete projects and Programmes in a timely manner, ensuring high quality of work

Financial support

• Assist in onboarding the University Mental Health Charter Programme by managing administrative tasks such as purchase orders and processing documents (e.g. MOUs, new supplier forms etc.) and outstanding payments
• Administer finances for our Sector Improvement programmes; issuing purchase orders and ensuring timely payments
• Work with finance colleagues to ensure correct processes and procedures are followed accurately and compliant with finance requirements, and identify areas for process improvement
• Act as a cardholder for the team, making online purchases such as accommodation and travel bookings and following policies, procedures and guidance in the correct and responsible use of the Student Minds card

Data and process administration

• Administer data processes for the University Mental Health Charter Programme and Award process, in line with Data Protection Guidelines
• Collate and analyse evaluation data from Sector Improvement events (online and in person), generating timely reports and make recommendations for programme improvement
• Create essential documents requested by the Sector Improvement Programme team to support programme delivery and scalability
• Provide support to the Sector Improvement Team and Award Managers to enable efficient Award Assessment accreditation processes
• Maintain key working relationships with our network of Assessors and University Award Leads, addressing queries, scheduling and minuting award panels, sharing actions with the team

Working together

• Work closely with the Programme Liaison Officer to successfully deliver all aspects of the role, including managing university relationships, ensuring tasks are picked between roles and when required
• Attend programme-related meetings, and maintain communications with programme participants and key stakeholders through maintaining and use of up-to-date database(s)
• Actively participate in the testing and embedding of new digital systems to improve programme efficiency and engagement
• Stay updated on developments in Higher Education and gather insights from sector partners to feed into team decisions
• Look for opportunities to develop systems and processes to improve ways of working and participate in discussions on the Sector Improvement Team development and improvement

Other duties

• Such other duties as may be reasonably prescribed by the organisation, appropriate to the grade and responsibilities of this post
• Attend regular team meetings with the Student Minds team and colleagues throughout the year as required
• Ensure compliance with Student Minds’ internal procedures and all external legal requirements
• Undertake training and attend conferences in a support capacity when Student Minds is delivering, and attend external conferences as a delegate where required
• Engage with and provide feedback on projects and strategic reports developed by other members of the team
• Work flexibly and undertake tasks to support Student Minds colleagues as needed

BENEFITS

• Generous annual leave allowance - 25 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays, plus a 2-week winter closure
• Flexible working - we encourage all employees to reflect on when and where they work best and how they need to fit work around caring or other commitments.
• Wellbeing is at the heart of what we do - we support staff to implement Wellness Action Plans and offer 10% of weekly working hours for you to invest in your wellbeing.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme - we also offer wellbeing support through an Employee Assistance Programme which provides a wide range of resources as well as confidential counselling.
• For other benefits and more information please see our website.