University of Kent Hiring for R – Development Officer, Student Success Job at Canterbury, England , UK Full Time

Do you have experience of development work and a genuine interest in contributing to the improvement in our students’ sense of belonging, continuation and academic attainment?

If so, and you excel in analysing information, writing reports and presenting information in a persuasive and concise manner, the Development Officer role within our Student Success Central Team could be just right for you.

We are expanding the team to provide dedicated Student Success provision to our academic divisions and we are therefore looking to appoint a new Development Officer.

Student Success is a priority agenda for us at the University of Kent, promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and addressing the sector-wide and institutional factors that trigger lower rates of attainment, continuation and progression amongst students from low socioeconomic groups, those with disabilities and students from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups.

For these roles we encourage applications from individuals who can add value and complement our existing team – we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and personal experiences reflect the diversity of our students. We are particularly interested in the strengths and lived experiences of different ethnic groups and cultures.

We welcome applications on a full or part time/ job share basis.

As Development Officer you can expect to get involved in:

• devising, delivering and evaluating initiatives to promote a stronger sense of belonging, and to optimise engagement and academic outcomes for students across the university, in line with the University Access and Participation Plan targets
• embedding proven intervention programmes for students at risk of underperforming
• facilitating discussion on sensitive equality issues, such as race, discrimination and bias across the university in collaboration with staff in the Education Directorate, Divisions and schools, to promote inclusivity
• actively engaging with on-going student success research in the sector and applying findings appropriate to the University of Kent’s particular context

What we are looking for in the right candidate:

• a good first degree or equivalent professional experience
• extensive experience of working in a similar role in a research and/or administrative capacity
• the ability to research topics and write reports which analyse complex information and identify issues for resolution
• excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work confidently and diplomatically with people at all levels

What we can offer you in return:

• a friendly, open and collaborative working environment and support in your development and wellbeing
• hybrid working options allowing a flexible blend of office and home working (to be agreed in line with business needs)
• 43 days’ leave per year (personal leave, bank holidays and additional days allocated for the Christmas period, pro rata for part-time staff)
• an excellent pension scheme with generous employer contributions
• on-campus cinema/theatre, sports facilities, library, nursery and food outlets, set among green, open space overlooking the Cathedral
• study while you work discounts, cycle to work scheme, local business discounts
• on-site parking

Please see the links below to view the job description and to apply for this post. For questions about the application process, please contact centralservicesresourcing@kent.ac.uk quoting ref CSF-612-22-R

We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented at this level in this area