Head of Widening Access and Participation

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Durham University

The Role and the Department

The Head of Widening Access and Participation will be the primary individual responsible for delivering Durham University's Access and Participation Plan (APP). This role is pivotal in driving forward the University's commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse academic community by removing barriers to higher education for underrepresented groups.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Management

• Develop and implement the University's Widening Access and Participation Strategy in alignment with the APP.

• Lead the Widening Access and Participation Team, providing direction, support, and development opportunities.

• Ensure that all widening access initiatives are data-driven and aligned with institutional goals and regulatory requirements.

Programme Development and Delivery

• Design and oversee targeted outreach and support initiatives to enhance access, success, and progression for underrepresented students.

• Collaborate with academic departments, colleges, and external partners to develop and deliver innovative programmes that address the specific needs of underrepresented groups.

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of widening access programmes and initiatives, ensuring continuous improvement.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Working

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including local schools, colleges, community groups, and national organisations.

• Represent Durham University at regional and national forums related to widening access and participation.

• Collaborate with the North East Raising Aspiration Partnership (NERAP) to address regional disparities in higher education entry rates.

Research and Policy Development

• Conduct and commission research to inform policy and practice in widening access and participation.

• Analyse national and institutional data to identify gaps in access, continuation, and attainment, and develop strategies to address these gaps.

• Develop policies and practices that support the University's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Ensure compliance with the Office for Students (OfS) regulations and requirements related to access and participation.

• Produce regular reports on the progress and impact of widening access initiatives for the University Executive Committee and the University Council.

• Oversee the collection and analysis of data to monitor progress against the objectives outlined in the APP.

Financial and Resource Management

• Manage the budget for widening access and participation activities, ensuring effective use of resources.

• Secure external funding to support widening access initiatives and manage relationships with funders.

• Ensure the efficient allocation of resources to support the delivery of widening access and participation programmes.

Working Environment

Durham University supports a hybrid working environment to promote work-life balance and flexibility. The Head of Widening Access and Participation is expected to spend a minimum of 40% of their working time on-site at the University. This arrangement allows for essential face-to-face collaboration, team management, and engagement with stakeholders, while also providing the flexibility to work remotely. The exact working pattern will be agreed upon with the line manager and may vary depending on the needs of the role.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year.

• We offer a generous pension scheme. As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into this University Superannuation Scheme (USS).

• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.

• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.

• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.

• On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.

• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).

• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.

• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.

• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.

• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Experience:
Significant experience in a senior role within widening access and participation, preferably within the higher education sector.Proven track record of developing and implementing successful widening access strategies and initiatives.Degree-level education or equivalent experience in a related field.Experience of managing and developing staff.Experience in budget management and strategic planning.
Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge:

6. Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate others.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.In-depth understanding of the challenges and barriers faced by underrepresented groups in accessing higher education.Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and develop evidence-based strategies.Commitment to diversity and inclusion and a passion for promoting social justice.
Desirable Criteria

Qualifications and Experience:

11. Postgraduate qualification in a related field.
Experience of working with schools, colleges, and community groups in the North East of England.Knowledge of the regulatory environment related to access and participation in the UK higher education sector.Experience of securing and managing external funding for widening access initiatives.
Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge:

15. Knowledge of relevant legislation and policy frameworks.
Proficiency in using digital tools and platforms for communication and project management.

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What you need to submit

• A CV: and
• A supporting statement which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.

Contact details

For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Jonathan Batty (Deputy Academic Registrar: Access, Recruitment and Admissions) jonathan.d.batty@durham.ac.uk.

Typical Role Requirements
Service Delivery/Development
• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values.
Actively promote the University's commitment to fostering an inclusive academic environment. Drive initiatives that support the diversification of the student body, ensuring equality of access, success, and progression for underrepresented groups.
• Ensure compliance with the Office for Students (OfS) regulations (for example, the Access and Participation Plan (APP)) and policies relating to activities carried out by the Widening Access and Participation team.
• Support quality and regulatory audits to ensure that systems and processes are operating in an optimal and compliant way. Lead the preparation for internal and external audits related to widening access, ensuring that all processes are not only compliant but also optimszed for effectiveness.
• Use your leadership and management expertise to implement any significant changes, in collaboration with other senior managers and specialists.
• Lead on the execution of institutional strategies around widening access, collaborating with senior leaders and stakeholders to adapt programmes and policies to changing requirements or new opportunities, particularly as they relate to the APP and diversity goals.
• Lead on the development of new areas of work or activities such as outreach initiatives, mentoring programmes, or collaborative projects with regional partners, including scoping, planning, and implementing any changes to achieve the outcomes expected by senior colleagues.
• Look for innovative ways to continually improve the services provided to your stakeholders.
Continuously evaluate and enhance access initiatives, incorporating feedback from stakeholders such as students, local schools, and community partners, and utilising best practices from national and international frameworks.
• Review and enhance policies related to widening access, ensuring that the University's commitments to diversity and inclusion are fully integrated into operational standards and that these policies evolve with emerging best practices.
• Use your professional knowledge and experience as a widening access and participation practitioner to resolve problems, shape processes and activities, develop systems, and to provide subject matter expertise and advice.
• Meet the professional development needs of your stakeholders by ensuring that a programme of training and learning activities are designed and delivered by the Widening Access and Participation team.
Provide specialist insight that enables data-driven decisions to be made about widening access and participation initiatives. Leverage institutional and national data to provide actionable insights and recommendations, ensuring that all initiatives are grounded in robust data analysis and support the achievement of institutional diversity goals.

Planning and Organisation
• Use your expertise to help develop strategic plans and business plans that cover a wide range of operational activities.
• Contribute to the development of University-wide plans related to access and participation, ensuring that widening access initiatives are effectively integrated into the broader institutional strategy.
• Define what needs to be achieved so that other colleagues can scope, plan, and implement large-scale/University-wide initiatives such as a major upgrade to a business system.
• Lead the design and planning phases of access initiatives, ensuring that objectives are clearly defined and that team members understand their roles in implementing impactful, large-scale programmes across the University.
• Ensure your services are performing at the optimal level by setting clear standards and introducing measurable performance indicators.
• Establish KPIs for access and participation programmes, ensuring that progress is tracked regularly and services are continuously optimised to meet defined objectives.
• Use your leadership expertise to help project teams understand what needs to be achieved, solve any problems that are encountered, and keep implementation plans on track.
• Guide project teams in navigating challenges, from initial planning stages through implementation, ensuring that widening access initiatives remain on schedule and deliver their intended outcomes.
• Allocate and monitor designated budgets, expenditure, and resources. Manage the financial resources dedicated to widening access initiatives, ensuring that funds are allocated effectively to maximise impact, and monitor expenditure to remain within budget.

Leadership and Team Development
• Set operational and strategic objectives and use your leadership and management skills to develop the people in your team and ensure high standards of performance.
• Establish clear goals for the Widening Access and Participation team, focusing on both short-term and long-term objectives, and lead by example to foster a high-performance culture.
• Help shape the skills and expertise needed to deliver a professional service by recruiting, inducting, and training team members and structuring your team in a way that will best meet operational and strategic priorities.
• Recruit and onboard talented individuals to the team, while ensuring ongoing professional development opportunities that align team capabilities with the needs of widening access initiatives.
• Ensure that your team can deliver the required services by delegating responsibilities to appropriate team members and considering succession plans.
• Delegate effectively, ensuring that team members have clear responsibilities while maintaining succession plans to support future leadership needs within the team.
• Carry out regular performance reviews with colleagues to provide feedback on objectives and identify any development needs.
• Conduct periodic reviews with team members, providing constructive feedback and identifying opportunities for growth that align with individual career goals and the team's overall mission.
• Handle most HR issues and support the welfare and wellbeing of your team, taking advice on more complex issues to specialist services or senior managers.
• Address HR concerns proactively, ensuring a supportive work environment that promotes the welfare of team members, and seek additional support for more complex matters when necessary.

Communication/Liaison
• Lead internal and external meetings and committees to influence University policy, standards, and governance.
• Represent the Widening Access and Participation agenda in strategic meetings, advocating for policies that promote inclusivity and drive institutional change.
• Build and lead an influential network of internal and external contacts to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers, and use that information to improve and develop the Widening Access and Participation team's services.
• Establish and nurture a network of professionals and stakeholders both within and outside the University to stay informed of developments in the sector and apply new knowledge to improve access initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to build relationships with external organisations to support the delivery of strategic-level objectives.
• Forge partnerships with external organisations such as schools, community groups, and national bodies, leveraging these relationships to enhance the impact of widening access programmes.
• Research new approaches being taken by internal and external stakeholders such as local government, professional bodies, and other agencies so that you can take these insights into account when developing your service.
• Stay updated on the latest developments and best practices from external stakeholders to continuously refine and evolve the University's widening access strategy.
• Explore options to promote and increase engagement in events and activities being delivered by your service.
• Develop strategies to raise awareness and participation in widening access initiatives, utilising targeted communications and outreach to ensure high levels of engagement from underrepresented groups.
• Design and deliver a programme of professional development activities to your stakeholders to support their development and information needs.
• Lead the creation and delivery of workshops and training sessions aimed at increasing stakeholder understanding of access and participation challenges and solutions.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

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