Head of Learning, Teaching & Widening Access Policy (Mat Cover)

£44,763 - £49,735 (FTE)

Edinburgh                                                                                                                                              

Universities Scotland is the representative organisation for the leaders of Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions. We develop policy on behalf of the higher education sector and campaign publicly on higher education issues.  Our mission is to influence the policy, legislative and financial decisions of government and its agencies so that they best support universities’ success. In doing so, we promote the university sector’s contribution to Scotland’s economic, social and cultural wellbeing. 

Role

The role has the leading responsibility for developing university leaders’ influence on public policy relating to learning, teaching and widening access.  This will be particularly important over the next year.  The university sector has major challenges and opportunities to demonstrate that it is a leader in the development of policy to widen access to higher education; to demonstrate that universities are developing skilled graduates for the modern economy; to influence reform of the routes to higher education available to learners and to make an expert contribution to regulatory reform e.g. regarding the Teaching Excellence Framework.  The role involves the pro-active development of evidenced policy on behalf of university leaders.  It also involves advising on university leaders’ response to policy proposals from government and its agencies.  The post holder has responsibility for leading two other policy officers and works closely with colleagues in our public affairs team to develop campaigns to influence politicians and stakeholders.

The Candidate

The successful candidate will be a key adviser to the Principals of Scotland’s higher education institutions.  The role requires a candidate who can demonstrate exceptional capacity to develop joined up policy solutions across a wide portfolio, based on the ability to syncretise, evaluate and present evidence and argument from a wide range of sources.  The candidate will have to be someone who can quickly build personal credibility with senior leaders in universities, government and stakeholder bodies.  They will have to have to capacity to lead and motivate a small high performing team, and to contribute to the overall leadership of an organisation of 15 staff.  The successful candidate will be working in a small team where enthusiasm, initiative and the ability to work with others will be required.  The post is currently filled on a 0.6 FTE basis and if it continues on this basis the salary will be pro-rated accordingly.  We will consider applications from candidates who also wish to work full time.

Universities Scotland is committed to being an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

For further details and to apply please click the apply online button below.

Either the Director (Alastair Sim, 0131 225 0711) or the current post holder (Dr Kirsty Conlon, 0131 225 0710) will be happy to offer insight into the role.  

Closing date: 

Monday 30^th October 2017 at midnight.

Interviews: ​

To be held w/c Monday 11^th December 2017.