Job Purpose

Working with the WP&LLL team and relevant colleagues across the University of Glasgow, investigate, establish and implement provision for supporting students from Widening Participation backgrounds in their transition from the pre-entry stage to degree-level study, and improving student retention and success. Engage existing students and staff in building mentoring, peer support and community building initiatives for students on degree course. Support the Head of WP&LLL, the Head of the Adult Learner Team (ALT), and the wider team in the delivery of WP&LLL activities to achieve University targets and performance indicators.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Research and explore the options for Peer Mentoring and Community Building engagements for WP undergraduate students (analysing available research and sector best-practice). Develop and implement pilots of initiatives bespoke to the University of Glasgow, with a focus on testing scale, timings, online/in-person delivery, student engagement, cost. plus evaluation.

2. Following research and pilot phase, establish an effective and sustainable Action Plan to fully embed Peer Mentoring and Community Building engagements as part of the ongoing WP student experience at the University of Glasgow.

3. Work with relevant WP&LLL and Scholarships staff to identify the incoming student groups which would benefit most from peer support and community-building initiatives. Possible target groups would be: adult returners, those from University WP&LLL School, Summer School and Articulation Programmes, those from our priority student groups (care-experienced, estranged, forced migrant, student carer, mature backgrounds), Talent Scholarship and other bursary recipients.

4. Liaising with Marketing and Communications colleagues, develop an effective communication strategy for engaging WP students to: help inform the design of the new Transition initiatives; encourage student participation; and to recruit students for Peer Mentoring and ‘Facilitator’ opportunities in the initial roll out.

5. Collaborating with internal and external colleagues as most appropriate, develop a programme of training and resources to support WP students in taking on any ‘Peer Mentor’ or ‘Facilitator’ opportunities and investigate options for increasing student participation in these opportunities.

6. Working with WP&LLL colleagues, support the facilitation and development of the University’s Local Student Orientation programme and support facilitation of the Adult Learner Transitions Programme. Review, evaluate and explore options for development of the existing engagements, in line with the establishment of the new Peer Mentoring and Community Building engagements.

7. Work closely with the WP&LLL Research & Evaluation Team to collect and analyse data and student voice, such as facilitating consultations via focus groups, during the design phase of pilot transition engagements, and to evaluate efficacy and inform development of these engagements on an ongoing basis, in terms of student experience, student retention and success.

8. Develop and maintain productive relationships with relevant staff / stakeholders across the University and link in with wider transitions activity occurring across the institution, e.g., the Student Experience Strategy’s Community Super-Project Group, Student Learning Development’s Induction & Transitions Development Group, Transitions Working Group, WP Working Group, Students’ Representative Council initiatives. Ensure new transitions activity for WP students is informed by and complements existing practices.

9. Work closely with the WP&LLL Research & Evaluation Team Leader and other relevant staff across the University, to investigate opportunities to enhance the support and pathways for University WP undergraduates making the transition to postgraduate-level study.

10. Explore opportunities for staff engagement with WP community building initiatives, and staff mentoring for WP student groups to enhance WP students’ sense of belonging.

11. Work with colleagues across the WP&LLL team to develop and deliver a range of activities and initiatives for learners of all ages which will assist the University in meeting its targets relating to the recruitment and retention of students from (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation) SIMD20/40 postcodes and other WP&LLL criteria.

12. Contribute to the work of the WP&LLL team and External Relations as required.

13. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, Strategy 2025: World Changers Together

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Either: Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills through personal development and progression in a similar related role(s). Or Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 8 (Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4, Higher National Diploma) or equivalent, and experience of personal development in a similar role.

A2 Up to date knowledge of UK Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning sector.

A3 Understanding of the common challenges and barriers to participation faced by WP learners studying at degree-level.

A4 Current knowledge of Higher Education environment, academic cycle, funding, and support systems.

Desirable:

B1 Understanding of university equality and diversity policies and procedures relating to staff, students and visitors.

B2 Understanding of disability issues within Higher Education as they relate to the University’s responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010.

B3 Understanding of government regulations relating to working with children and young adults.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Effective interpersonal skills; ability to engage and build effective relationships with learners of all ages and staff at all levels.

C2 Excellent and confident oral communicator, including presentation and group facilitation skills.

C3 Excellent written skills, including report writing.

C4 Demonstrable administrative, organisational and time management skills, with the ability to plan and complete work with minimal supervision and to agreed deadlines.

C4 Effective I.T. skills and experience of relevant programmes e.g., Microsoft packages (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Access, Teams), Moodle, or similar.

C5 Ability to work as part of a team and independently, using own initiative.

C6 Comfortable with accepting change and demonstrable ability to work flexibly, according to business needs.

C7 Friendly and student-centred, with a willingness to be accessible to other team members.

C8 Enthusiasm for wider access and education.

Desirable:

D1 Ability to work in a dynamic and evolving environment whilst maintaining a high level of service delivery and achieving targets.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Experience of working in a supportive or advisory capacity with widening participation learners with a wide range of needs, taking into account relevant policy and legislative requirements.

E2 Experience of working in the HE and Widening Participation sectors.

E3 Experience of development and project-management of WP, peer mentoring or student support programmes.

E4 Experience of developing briefings, workshops and training materials and delivering training sessions.

E5 Experience of working with learners using varying delivery models: online (e.g. using VLEs such as Moodle), in-person, blended.

E6 Experience of evaluating WP, peer mentoring or student support programmes to produce service improvement.

Desirable:

F1 Experience of working for a mentoring organisation, or in a mentoring role

F2 Evidence of positive outcome delivery.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6, £33,232 - £36,924 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hrs) and fixed term for up to 3 years

Closing date: 23:45 24th February 2025

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.