Senior Officer Admissions And Visa Compliance

Senior Officer - Admissions and Visa Compliance

Location: Cirencester, GL7 6JS

Salary: Grade 7: £32,982 - £39,347 per annum dependent on experience

The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) has been at the forefront of agricultural education and a key contributor to the land-based sector for more than 175 years. They pride themselves in combining knowledge and industry connections with an innovative and forward-thinking approach.

The Role

* Alongside the Assistant Registrar for Admissions and Visa Compliance and admissions staff to ensure the fast, efficient, and fair selection of applicants.

* Making and checking decisions and providing advice and guidance for the core team.

* Leading on specific functions within the admissions cycle and supporting other team members to ensure the best experience for applicants (from application to arrival). Develop and maintain a good understanding of current UK and international qualifications, and knowledge of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and Student visa processes.

Key Responsibilities

* Support management of the day-to-day postgraduate admissions process, working alongside the Assistant Registrar for Admissions and Visa Compliance and admissions staff to ensure the fast, efficient, and fair selection of applicants.

* Make and check decisions and provide advice and guidance for the core team.

* Lead specific functions within the admissions cycle and support other team members to ensure the best experience for applicants (from application to arrival).

* Interpret non-standard applications from UK, and International applicants and make decisions based on standard entry criteria and refer applications to the programme manager for applications to be considered outside of the standard entry criteria including advanced entry applications.

* Support the administration of programmes, scholarships and awards relating to applicants, including the Marshal Papworth, Commonwealth and Chevening Scholarships.

* Contribute to the on-going enhancement of the Admissions procedures and the wider applicant journey.

* Liaise with colleagues including recruitment teams as well as the Visa Support Team (VST) staff where required and develop strong relationships with academic staff.

* Represent the University on internal and external committees, working groups and networks as appropriate. This may include liaising with UCAS, or other bodies as needed.

* Support University events (e.g. Open Days; Offer Holder Days, Clearing) including some evening and weekend work. Attend in person such events and/or co-ordinate the attendance of staff and student representation as appropriate, to provide an approachable, informative and persuasive service.

* Check and verify the fee status classification of applicants.

* Ensure that correct procedures are followed when dealing with fraudulent applications, applicants with criminal convictions and under-age applicants.

* At peak periods and during staff absences, to contribute to other relevant activities such as (but not limited to) the processing of undergraduate applications and administration of student visa matters and on occasion to the wider work of Academic Services.

* Support Admissions colleagues during peak periods and provide cover during staff absences including deputising for the Assistant Registrar when required.

* Undertake such other reasonable responsibilities and tasks, commensurate with the position, as may be assigned by the Assistant Registrar: Admissions and Visa Compliance.

Skills & Qualifications

* Educated to Degree level standard or equivalent substantial experience

* Current or recent experience of HE admissions, and UKVI regulations for student visas preferably in a Higher Education setting

* Knowledge of fee status assessments and classification

* Excellent communication and presentation skills, written, verbal and interpersonal at all levels

* Experience of administrative work in a HE setting handling large volumes

* Excellent front of house and customer service skills

* Excellent organisation skills and systematic approach to work

* Emotional resilience, particularly during busy periods

* Ability to interpret and implement complex regulations

* Excellent IT skills - Microsoft Office, especially excel and competence/experience of student databases

* Strong analytical skills, with the ability to recognise problems, consider wider implications and present supported conclusions

* Excellent interpersonal skills with experience of developing strong relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for The Royal Agricultural University, please proceed through the following link to be redirected to their website where you can complete your application.

https://www.rau.ac.uk/about-rau/work-for-us

Closing Date: 3 rd March 2024

Interview Date: 15 th March 2024