Academic Co-ordinator (Fixed Term 12 Months) - Grampian Local Learning Partnership

Job Summary

RGU is an innovative, inclusive, and ambitious University, focused on the impact of its demand-led teaching and research, aiming to be the UK’s leading work-integrated university by 2030.

The Grampian Local Learning Partnership (GLLP) for Social Work is an innovative new partnership bringing together RGU, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Moray Council and Alcohol and Drugs Action Aberdeen. Funding has been secured through the partnership to support the creation of this exciting new role.

You will co-ordinate operational activity in relation to the enhancement of social work learning across the partnership and provide academic leadership to the membership, which will include leading on evaluation and contributing insights from practice to improve programme and CPD delivery.

The role is suitable for a qualified, registered, and experienced social worker who has a practice learning qualification and a keen interest in learning activity for social work across the broad space of the GLLP. Applicants are welcome from any social work specialism. 

This funded project is expected to be completed in 12 months. Given the time limited nature of the role, secondments are welcome provided applicants have the approval of their own agency.

In keeping with RGU's commitment to work/life balance you will have the opportunity to work from home for a portion of the working week and also benefit from a generous pension scheme, 46 days annual leave (including statutory days) an onsite nursery and sports centre, as well as a range of voluntary health and travel benefits. 

This post is subject to a Disclosure Scotland check. For more information visit: https://www.mygov.scot/basic-disclosure/

Job Description

RESPONSIBLE TO: Dean of School

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Research Assistant, Partnership Administrator

PURPOSE OF POST: This Scottish Government funded role will provide academic leadership in the formalisation, development and evaluation of the Grampian Social Work Learning Partnership (GLLP),coordinating stakeholders across partner organisations to enhance the quality, capacity and effectiveness of social work practice learning, curriculum and workforce development.

Support the partnership in building a strong foundation in the following components of the GLLP as outlined by the Scottish Government’s vision for its funding, namely:

• Governance and accountability;

• Strategic planning and evaluation;

• Engagement and Collaboration;

• Commitment to quality learning provision; and

• Workforce development and capacity building.

Overall objectives will be set by the GLLP Strategic Oversight Group and the post holder will lead the GLLP Operational Steering Group as they develop enhancements to social work learning provision in the region. As external Scottish Government funding for the role is time-limited to 12 months, in the first instance, the key intended outcome is to increase the provision of high-quality practice learning opportunities within the GLLP area.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

• Lead the pedagogic evaluation of social work practice learning provision across partnership organisations, in line with the funded Scottish Government project

• Contribute to curriculum development by integrating practice insights into academic programmes, assessment design and evaluation of regulated programmes as required by SSSC.

• Lead on engagement with students, practice educators, people with lived experience of services and employers to co-create improvements in experiential, practice and work-based, learning

• Conduct and apply research and evaluation to inform partnership development, teaching practice and curriculum innovation

• Teach and assess students on social work programmes and in work-based CPD as required by the partnership

• Produce scholarly outputs and evaluative reports to inform sector practice learning and teaching enhancement.

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

Professional social work qualification and Practice Learning Qualification

Live registration with SSSC

Knowledge

Significant knowledge of social work practice

Knowledge of research methods and evaluation methodologies

Knowledge of learning and development methods within social work

Experience

Substantial post graduate experience as a social worker

Significant experience of supporting student learning and supervising students Demonstrable experience of working effectively across team boundaries and partnership working

Experience of conducting research or evaluation projects

Experiencing of leading and influencing others to improve outcomes

Project management

Report writing

Demonstrable commitment to ongoing professional development

 

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

Relevant post graduate qualification

Knowledge

Knowledge of higher education curriculum development and the social work educational landscape

Experience

Experience of leading and/or chairing working groups or similar within professional practice

Experience of staff management

 

Behaviours

Behaviour 1: Communication - Ability to receive, understand and convey information requiring careful explanation and information of a complex or conceptual nature, in a clear and accurate manner

Behaviour 2: Liaison and Networking - Experience of circulating information in an accurate and timely manner, working across team boundaries to build and strengthen working relationships, leading and developing internal networks to pursue a shared interest and leading and building external networks to enhance the work of the organisation

Behaviour 3: Service Delivery - Experience of exploring and adapting a service to meet customers’ expectations and also identifying ways of improving standards 

Behaviour 4: Decision Making - Experience of using own judgement to make decisions, making collaborative decisions with others to reach conclusions and providing advice or information that will influence the decisions of others

Behaviour 5: Team Development - Experience of providing advice or guidance to new starts, delivering training or instruction to others on specific tasks or activities and identifying the training and development needs of the team and carrying out performance appraisals 

Behaviour 6: Planning and Organising Resources - Experience of planning, prioritising and organising the work of yourself and others (within own area) on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, whilst  ensuring the effective use of resources