Durham University
Admin Apprentice
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The University
At Durham University, we are proud of our people, because they are at the heart of our globally outstanding institution, which is a key part of our local community. We inspire our people to do extraordinary things and we invite you to join our fantastic team.
Across the University, we have a huge variety of roles and responsibilities, which together make us one large and successful community. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.
At the University we promote and actively champion equality, diversity and inclusion. It is crucial that everyone can be themselves and can flourish in an environment where everyone respects each other and is treated fairly. We want our people and wider community to feel happy, secure and proud to be a part of Durham. We are looking for the same values in you.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. For more information on our EDI strategy and values, click here.
The Role and Department
The Department:
Durham Energy Institute (DEI) is a multi-disciplinary research institute that works across all faculties at Durham University. DEI delivers understanding, leadership and solutions for energy decarbonisation and the transition to net-zero. Our work helps to achieve several Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations, in particular SDG Goals 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 13 (Climate Action) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
A key strength of DEI is the world-leading researchers we engage with from science, social science and humanities departments across Durham University to build multidisciplinary teams. DEI works to ensure sustainable and resilient low-carbon energy systems can be developed which meet the needs of different contexts and ensure fair access for everyone.
The DEI's Centre for Postgraduate Training (CPT) in Energy is one of the longest-established CPTs in the UK, facilitating inter-disciplinary cooperation and applied projects for its international cohort of students.
The Role:
This is a key training role within Durham Energy Institute (DEI), providing administrative and communications support to the DEI Management and Executive Teams. The Apprentice will report to the Institute Manager and will play an important role in the continual development of DEI.
The role has a particular focus on communications, helping DEI to share its research, events and news with wider audiences through digital channels, written content and stakeholder engagement. Alongside this, the Apprentice will support the day-to-day running of the Institute through a range of general administrative tasks.
The Apprentice will be trained to initiate and carry out a diverse range of tasks, both routine and strategic, and will be expected to demonstrate the ability to cope with the demands of a complex organisational environment.
This is a development role, where you will undertake a development programme, leading to a formal Level 3 qualification. The qualification will form part of a development plan focusing on the requirements of the Grade 2 (Admin Apprentice), Grade 3 (Admin Assistant) and Grade 4 (Administrator) roles, while also considering your individual needs. It is anticipated that the development role will be over a 2-year period and progress will be regularly reviewed against agreed outputs in your development plan; however, it may be extended if the University considers it necessary.
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If you are unable to meet the full requirements and performance levels at the end of the development process, you may be retained at a lower grade.
Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.
It is a requirement for this role that the University is satisfied that you meet the apprentice eligibility criteria for the qualification you would be undertaking as part of the role. Including right to work, residency eligibility, visa duration, previous qualifications conditions and completion viability. This will be applicable for any apprenticeship funding eligibility. More information can be found on: Apprenticeship funding rules and assessment plan guidance, 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:
- You’ll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
- No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
- You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
- Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
- We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference to the local community.
- Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
- If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships.
- We offer generous pension schemes with varying contribution amounts to help you plan for your future.
Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.
Person Specification - External
What you need to demonstrate when you apply
To be considered for this role, here are the skills and experience we're looking for:
- Good spoken and written communication skills, with an interest in writing for different audiences.
- Good digital skills including the ability to use the internet, email and social media platforms.
- Five GCSEs at least Grade C / Level 4 (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics.
- Two A levels or a Level 3 qualification (current or working towards).
- Experience of working in a team.
- Experience of managing time to meet deadlines.
- An interest in communications, marketing or media, whether through study, work or personal projects (e.g. managing social media, writing a blog, creating content).
- Ability to follow instructions, spoken or written, accurately.
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Residency eligibility - The apprentice must have the legal right to work in England. The apprentice must meet the residency requirements detailed in Annex A of the Funding Rules for Apprenticeships. This includes (but is not limited to): being ordinarily resident in the UK (or specified territories) for at least three years immediately before the apprenticeship begins, unless a specific exemption applies. Exemptions may apply to individuals with; refugee status or humanitarian protection, permission under the Ukraine or Afghan schemes, stateless status, certain family member rights, pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. More information can be found on: Apprenticeship funding rules and assessment plan guidance, 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK.
Desirable Criteria
- Evidence of personal development to maintain skills.
- Relevant work experience (paid or voluntary), particularly in a communications, marketing or administrative context.
- Experience using content management systems, design tools (such as Canva) or social media scheduling tools.
- An interest in energy, sustainability or the environment.
How to Apply
We prefer to receive applications online. When you apply you need to submit a CV and/or a statement that tells us your experience and gives examples of how you meet the criteria above and/or submit the application form and include the information within the form.
We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
Who to contact for more information
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, or if you are struggling to complete the application process, Lynn Gibson would be happy to speak to you. Contact: lynn.gibson@durham.ac.uk, telephone 07724 817069.
Typical Role Requirements - Grade 2
With support and training from colleagues, here are the kind of activities that you’ll learn as part of the development role.
Service Delivery
- Provide an excellent service to the DEI Executive and Management Teams by carrying out tasks using the relevant procedures (for which training will be provided), including photocopying, typing, scanning, data entry, maintaining diaries, processing orders and answering general queries (face-to-face, by email or telephone).
- Support colleagues to draft, edit and publish content for the DEI website, including news articles, event listings and research highlights, using the Terminal 4 content management system.
- Support colleagues with the creation of DEI publicity materials such as reports, brochures, newsletters, MSc advertising posters and event flyers.
- Support DEI's social media channels (including LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and others), drafting posts, scheduling content and monitoring engagement.
- Carry out internet and media monitoring to identify opportunities to highlight DEI's work and flag relevant news and developments to the team.
- Assist colleagues with the development of
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