Internal Applicants Only - Postgraduate Research (PGR) Officer

Job Purpose

Provide expert support and advice to staff on regulations, policies, and procedures relating to postgraduate research (PGR) study, and support the ongoing review and development of regulations and policies.

Work closely with colleagues in Education Governance Operations, the Academic Quality and Standards team, and with the Doctoral Academy to support the University’s PGR priorities. Provide expert support to senior members of staff and advise and recommend action on student matters. Demonstrate customer service excellence and promote values and behaviours that reflect the culture of a customer-focused service department.

Key Duties

• Provide professional and expert advice and guidance on University regulations, policies, and procedures relating to postgraduate research degrees to internal and external customers that will have University-wide impacts, using judgement and creativity to suggest the most appropriate course of action, and ensuring complex and conceptual issues are explained clearly.
• Ensure understanding of and compliance with regulations, policies, and procedures by proactive briefing and communication of requirements to staff and students.
• Take responsibility for resolving issues independently in relation to academic quality and standards issues where they fall within set role objectives linked to PGR provision, including scrutinising the reports from Examining Boards and advising the Awards and Progress Committee.
• Provide information and recommend actions to senior members of staff in relation to complex student matters.
• Investigate and analyse specific issues and matters relating to academic quality and standards, and submit reports with clear and evidenced recommendations.
• To provide updates to UKRI on student matters and to address queries.
• Ensure that the provision of PGR support is delivered to the University, proactively, changing the delivery according to customer requirements.
• Establish working relationships with key contacts across the University, developing appropriate communication links with the University’s Colleges/Schools/Directorates and outside bodies as required.
• Create and lead specific working groups to achieve the objectives of the PGR plan.
• Plan and deliver specific small-scale projects, coordinating and supervising project teams created as needed.
• Develop and deliver training and sources of guidance as required.
• Undertake a variety of administrative duties to support the department.
• Instruct and guide other employees across the University in relation to PGR support.

General Duties

• Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
• Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

Person Specification

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO BE ABLE TO PERFORM THIS ROLE (PERSON SPECIFICATION)

There are usually certain skills, qualifications, or experiences that any employee should have before they can be considered for a role. Some of these will be essential and you would not be able to perform the role without them, but some are desirable.

It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. You should do your best to show clearly how you meet all the essential criteria by giving examples of how, when, and where you have performed the required actions before. You can draw on elements from any aspect of your life, such as education, work, home, or community life, as long as you focus on its relevance in comparison to the needs of this job. Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined below. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide under each element.

To start your Supporting Statement, simply copy and paste the next section into a separate document, writing your answers and examples at each point.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

• Degree/NVQ 4 or equivalent Professional membership/experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of PGR matters relating to academic quality and standards and/or student administration
• Ability to give expert advice and guidance on processes and regulatory matters
• Experience in developing and implementing new processes and procedures

Customer Service, Communication and Team Working

• Ability to communicate conceptually detailed and complex information effectively and professionally with a wide range of people
• Ability to draft effective and high-quality communications
• Evidence of ability to explore customers’ needs and adapt the service accordingly to ensure a quality service is delivered
• Proven ability to develop networks in order to contribute to long-term developments

Planning, Analysis and Problem Solving

• Evidence of ability to solve expansive problems using initiative and creativity; identify and propose both practical and innovative solutions
• Evidence of ability to undertake and deliver specific projects and supervise short-term project teams

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working within PGR support
• Postgraduate/Professional qualification
• Fluency in Welsh, written and oral

Additional Information

As part of the ethos of a customer service environment, the role holder will be expected to demonstrate a flexible approach to team delivery of objectives.

Salary Range

Min: 41,064

Max: 46,049

Job Category

Management & Executive

Grade

Grade 6