Job Description

Job details

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Responsible to


Senior Widening Participation Officer


Location


Kedleston Road, Derby Campus


Closing date


Monday 28 July 2025


Salary


24,579 to 25,332 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to 29,132 per annum).


Job grade


ATOS 3


Reference


0084-25


Contract type


Fixed term contract until 28/08/2026


Post type


Full-time


Adaptive working type


Hybrid

This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location. Currently, this role offers the opportunity to work remotely, normally 3 day/s a week in line with our Adaptive Working Framework.



About the University
We have one simple promise - to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.



The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.



We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 - making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.



Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.


About the College/Department
Our Provost - Learning and Teaching department drives forward the University's ambition to provide excellence and opportunities for all students; building on Derby's long-standing reputation for teaching excellence, ensuring the development of sector-leading ?exible, integrated learning that aligns to the needs of learners, not just now but in the future.



The Student Engagement and Enhancement (SE & E) team provide evidence-based insight to enhance existing practices and facilitate positive change for students and the University. The team strives to help foster a community where both students and staff listen to one another, collaborate, and challenge safely, whilst amplifying the voices of those who go unheard. It is our mission to enable an inclusive environment where all students from all backgrounds are empowered to feel a sense of belonging.



The Widening Participation team is part of the University's Student Engagement department and works in conjunction with the Schools and Colleges Liaison team to provide outreach activity to a variety of young people throughout the City and County. Our aim is to support the development and progression of learners who are underrepresented in higher education through a variety of projects and interventions.


About the role

This role is available to University of Derby Graduates who have graduated within the last 2 years ONLY

We are seeking a proactive individual to join our team in supporting the development, delivery, and evaluation of the University's widening participation outreach initiatives. This rewarding role focuses on engaging under-represented learners from schools across Derby City and Derbyshire, helping to raise their awareness, aspirations, ambition, and academic attainment.



As part of a dynamic and student-focused team, you will play a key role in creating and delivering impactful activities and events whether on campus or in schools. Your work will directly contribute to inspiring the next generation of learners by making higher education more accessible and inclusive.



In addition to outreach delivery, you'll be instrumental in ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the team's operations, supporting administrative processes and upholding University procedures. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment, is committed to educational equity, and enjoys making a tangible difference in young people's lives.


About You
We're looking for an enthusiastic and committed individual with a passion for supporting underrepresented young people on their journey to higher education. The ideal candidate will bring experience of working with groups of learners, delivering information in creative and engaging ways that inspire ambition and confidence.



You'll have strong presentation and communication skills, with the ability to connect meaningfully with a diverse range of audiences. Excellent written and report-writing abilities are essential, alongside a clear understanding of and dedication to widening participation.



Strong IT skills are important, including confidence using social media and digital platforms such as video conferencing tools. If you're a team player with outstanding interpersonal skills and a genuine drive to make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.


Principal accountabilities
Support the Widening Participation team to prepare, co-ordinate and deliver high quality, innovative outreach activities, programmes, and digital resources in line with the aims of the University's Strategic Framework, Access and Participation Plan, Civic University Agreement,and Widening Participation Strategic Plan

As directed, support or lead on the delivery of a wide range of on campus, in school and online activity, liaising appropriately with staff, students and parents in a variety of settings. Liaise with internal and external staff to ensure the smooth running of events, delivering the highest levels of customer service and cultivating positive working relationships

Be an outstanding, knowledgeable and professional representative of the University at school HE fairs, visits and other relevant events:

Liaise appropriately with staff, students and parents in targeted schools

Provide up to date information regarding progression routes to students wishing to progress to HE

Maintain full and detailed knowledge of all progression opportunities, including the University of Derby portfolio of courses, application and admission processes and student funding in order to provide HE-related information, advice and guidance.

Support the delivery of mentoring and other attainment raising programmes delivered by University of Derby students in schools, including organising the logistics associated with placing students into schools, processing timesheets and other associated administrative tasks.

Record all activities and other agreed information as required for evaluation, statistical returns and reporting progress against targets.

Liaise closely with the University's Schools and Colleges Liaison team in order to ensure co-ordinated communications and provision to schools, following stated procedures and ways of working where appropriate.

Provide administrative support regarding the organisation of student employees, including work allocation.

Supervise and provide guidance to student employees when requested to do so by a member of the Widening Participation Team.

Support the training of student employees in regard to the needs of the work of the Widening Participation Team.

Be a pro-active member of the Student Engagement department and engage in cross-University activities to: support colleagues to deliver University activity such as Open Days, Welcome, and Clearing activity; and raise the internal profile of the Widening Participation Team.

Provide administrative support to the Widening Participation Team including overseeing the Widening Participation email account and any other administrative tasks as required.

Support the Senior Widening Participation Officers to monitor the evaluation of Widening Participation activities and co-ordinate the storage and processing of data in accordance to GDPR and University of Derby data protection policy and data tracking requirements.

Carry out duties in a safe and proper manner to comply with the University's Health & Safety Policy and Equal Opportunities Policy.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

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Qualifications

First class Honours degree achieved within the last 2 years
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Experience

Experience of delivering information in a creative and engaging way Experience of working with groups of learners progressing to HE
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Skills, knowledge & abilities

Understanding of and commitment to widening participation/access Evidence of good written and report writing skills Evidence of excellent presentation skills Evidence of excellent interpersonal and communication skills Evidence of excellent IT skills, including use of social media and video conferencing platforms Ability to work using your own initiative and as part of a team Ability to manage complex and conflicting demands Demonstrate a commitment to an excellent standard of customer service Team player Innovative and creative thinker Flexible and adaptable in approach to work Consistent and reliable
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Business requirements

Enhanced DBS disclosure with barred list check Willingness and flexibility to working hours. With prior notice, evening and weekend working will be required Willingness and flexibility to travel and work between University and external sites in a cost effective and timely manner - Extensive local and some regional UK travel Benefits
Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata) Local Government Pension Scheme Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers Discounted onsite gym Cycle to Work scheme A flexible working environment A commitment to personal and professional development

Find out more about rewards and benefitsFind out more about rewards and benefits


Key contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Nathan Robertson, Senior Widening Participation Officer via n.robertson@derby.ac.uk


For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk.


Important information#

Visa Sponsorship Eligibility

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.



Please visit Applying from Overseas for more information.




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DBS check

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.



Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.



To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.




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Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation.



We are Disability Confident Employers, demonstrating our commitment to disability inclusion, and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes.



Further, we are committed to ensuring an environment which is trans and non-binary-inclusive for all our staff, students, partners, and visitors, and continuously review our policies, guidance and training.



When applying to join the University, you can choose your preferred title, including the gender-neutral title 'Mx'. We also ask our candidates if they would like to share their preferred pronouns. This is voluntary but demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity for trans and non-binary candidates. Once employed, you can add pronouns and preferred names onto our system.



The University of Derby undertakes anonymised shortlisting during the staff recruitment process. This means that, when shortlisting, panel members will not be able to see an applicant's name and will see an applicant number instead. This demonstrates the practical steps we are taking to remove barriers to recruitment by minimising the possible impact of our unconscious bias.



However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.



For more information on equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Derby, please visit our website.





A university that celebrates you

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Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.





Environment and sustainability


Don't miss your chance - join the team and make a difference today!