Student Support

Permanent position, 1.0 FTE.

The Department of Statistics at the University of Warwick is a thriving community of staff and students. We have an exciting opportunity for a resourceful, empathetic individual to join our team of professional support staff in the newly created post of Student Support and Progression Officer.

This pivotal role will take the lead in providing wellbeing support for students facing personal and academic issues and will underpin the Department’s student support strategy by planning, delivering, and reviewing initiatives to bolster the welfare and maximise the progression and potential of our students.

This role will work closely with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Director of Student Experience and Progression and the Taught Programmes Manager, being a key member of the Student Support Office.

This is a busy and important role which will centre around providing direct support to students experiencing difficulties affecting their learning, meeting students to listen, empathise, guide and signpost to wider student support services to resolve issues.

We are looking for a resilient, compassionate, and resourceful person with the ability to work well in a team, and under their own initiative. The ability to remain calm when faced with sensitive issues is a key component of the role as are excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build rapport, handle confidential information and situations appropriately, and liaise with staff and students in a sensitive, diplomatic, and professional manner.

A high degree of IT literacy and the ability to work across the MS Office suite and management information systems (such as Tabula) are a must, as well as the ability to analyse and present statistical information.

Interview Date: TBC.

**JOB PURPOSE**

To work as part of the Department’s Student Support Team, undertaking a lead role in the development and delivery of pastoral and study-related support to undergraduate, masters and visiting students, promoting student wellbeing, engagement with the teaching and learning experience, and facilitating the fulfilment of academic potential.

**DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES**

**1. Student Pastoral Support and Progression Strategy**

a) Work with the Senior Tutor, Director of Student Experience & Progression and the Taught Programmes Manager undertaking a lead role in the development and delivery of the Department's strategic plan for student wellbeing and progression.

b) Analyse a range of student welfare and progression data to identify concerns at an early stage. Ascertain appropriate strategies to implement and thereby enable students to continue with their studies and reach their full potential. Report and make recommendations to the Taught Programmes Manager and Academic Directors to inform decision making and strategy development.

c) Act as a key member of the Student Support Team, advising and briefing senior colleagues on student welfare issues. Lead on new initiatives, managing the prioritisation of activities and implementation of key improvement projects. Play a key role in contributing towards new initiatives to better identify and address student academic progression trends.

d) Develop a strategy for supporting students from a disadvantaged background across the student lifecycle (who are likely to have received contextualised offers) enabling them to progress and enjoy the university experience.

e) Act as the intermediary between the Department and other departments/the Faculty/University in matters relating to student welfare. Represent the Department at a senior level, both within and beyond the University.

f) Ensure that the Department’s strategy for academic and pastoral support embodies the University’s policy on diversity and inclusivity, taking into account the needs of all groups of students, and with a focus on removing barriers to widening participation in an education in statistics.

**2. Advice and Support**

a) Act as the first point of contact to provide pastoral and study-related advice and support to all undergraduate, masters and visiting students within the Department of Statistics, and including those students on study placements abroad.

b) Provide advice and support to students experiencing difficulties. Use the information gained to identify and discuss next steps, refer the student to appropriate services as required (e.g. Wellbeing Support Services, Taught Programmes Manager, Personal/Senior Tutor, counselling services etc.) and subsequent liaison between support services and the Department. Exercise judgment in escalating serious cases of student wellbeing to senior colleagues.

c) Liaise with temporarily withdrawn and resit/sit students to manage their return to Warwick. Work with the Senior Tutor to develop and introduce a systematic process to facilitate a smooth individualised plan of return for each (TWD) student.

d) Maintain an up-to-date knowledge and