Effective Learning Adviser

**Job Purpose**
To deliver centrally effective, efficient services to undergraduate and postgraduate taught students within the College of Social Sciences; to develop students’ academic literacies; to support students within the College of Social Sciences to become motivated, effective, independent learners. To generate innovative solutions to provide bespoke, academic literacies advice and to evaluate quality and impact of academic skills provision. To be the lead contact for Student Learning Development for the College of Social Sciences.

**Main Duties and Responsibilities**
1. Collaborate with colleagues across SLD, to support the implementation of the University’s Learning & Teaching Strategy (especially within the areas of Graduate Attributes, Widening Access & Retention, Assessment and Feedback and, where relevant, technology enhanced learning & teaching).
2. Design, develop and deliver a range of learning activities to enhance undergraduate and postgraduate taught students’ academic literacies and effective learner skills in the College of Social Sciences.
3. Initiate, develop and maintain collaborative relationships with: (1) academic staff as appropriate, including Chief Advisers, Advisers of Study, and course coordinators (2) colleagues in other Services including English as a Foreign Language Unit, Disability Service, the Learning Innovation Support Unit, and Counselling and Psychological Services; (3) Student Representative Council VP Learning & Development; to support students to become motivated, effective, independent learners.
4. Work collaboratively with colleagues in the Student Learning Development team to develop and expand the use of online resources to enhance student writing and learning development.
5. Design, develop and deliver a relevant and up to date academic literacies and effective learner programme of workshops/courses, and promote these to undergraduate and postgraduate taught students and to staff in line with College remit.
6. Offer tailored advice and effective guidance through providing individual appointments to any undergraduate and postgraduate taught student in the College of Social Sciences to facilitate reflection on and development of their own academic literacies.
7. Collaborate with the Head of Student Learning Development, the Deputy Head(s) of Student Learning Development, and other members of the team in the implementation of new schemes, programmes and courses to enhance students’ academic literacies.
8. Raise the profile of the Student Learning Development team within the University to maximise staff and students’ use of the service.
9. To sit on relevant Committees, Working Groups and Project teams related to student learning in order to inform student academic literacies provision across the University.
10. To contribute to the CPD provision for staff (as appropriate) and to contribute to ongoing scholarship of learning and teaching.
11. Engage with and maintain an up-to-date knowledge of national and international developments in student learning development in Higher Education e.g. through engagement with the Scottish Higher Education Enhancement Committee’s Quality Enhancement Themes and other similar bodies.
12. Engage in appropriate scholarly activity to enhance your own and others’ practices and to disseminate and publish this where appropriate.
13. Actively participate in supporting the SLD to become a centre of excellence which is recognised throughout the sector for quality enhancement, innovation, and responsiveness to stakeholders’ needs.
14. Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.
15. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Deputy Head(s) and/or Head of Student Learning Development.

**Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience**

**Knowledge/Qualifications**

**Essential**:

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, (Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4), or equivalent (including professional accreditation with relevant formal training), and experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).
A2 An authoritative and up to date knowledge and understanding of the current teaching, learning and assessment practice with regards to social science students.
A3 An understanding of Quality Enhancement and Academic Standards in Higher Education.
A4 An up to date knowledge and understanding of the major issues relating to student learning in Higher Education, particularly in relation to the College remit.
A5 Familiarity with virtual learning environments.
A6 Working knowledge of relevant software packages and the internet and the ability to use them effectively in support of their work.

**Desirable**:

B1 PhD or relevant professional experience.
B2 Understanding of the role of technology in supporting student learning.
B3 Fellowship or Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy/Recognising Excellence in Teaching (RET)