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.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply

To be considered for this role, here are the skills/experience we’re looking for:

Qualifications/Experience

1. Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or equivalent experience.
2. Experience of working in a busy office environment delivering front line administrative services or having relevant qualifications for the role.
3. Experience of managing time to meet deadlines and working under pressure without compromising on quality.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

1. Good spoken and written communication skills.
2. Good digital skills including experience in using digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications (including Excel), and HR Information Systems (such as Oracle).
3. Committed to continuing professional development.
4. Ability to solve problems and resolve straightforward issues yourself and as part of a team.
5. Ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of colleagues and customers.

What you are required to submit:

• A CV
• A covering letter which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification

Contact details

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Claire Clarke or Kat Chow (Reward Specialists) would be happy to speak to you: claire.r.clarke@durham.ac.uk / katharine.chow@durham.ac.uk

Typical Role Requirements

Here are the kind of activities that you’ll be asked to undertake and ways in which you’ll be expected to operate.

Service Delivery

• Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.
• Provide an excellent and timely service to colleagues and key stakeholders.
• Use your experience and problem-solving skills to resolve routine issues relevant to your role such as and provide information and updates to help your team find solutions.
• Collect, organise and record data and information accurately and provide reports as required.
• Promote positive wellbeing arrangements which benefit you and your team.
• When carrying out your role, use and apply relevant professional and regulatory standards e.g. data protection when managing data.
• Use standard office-based devices and applications, including Microsoft applications, to deliver services.
• Update guidance on standard operating procedures followed by the team.
• Arrange meetings and any other necessary arrangements for team members.

Teamwork

• Resolve queries and respond to requests for information and advice and bring any complex issues to the attention of more experienced team members.
• Help your team organise and provide administrative services that support key activities undertaken within your service and contribute to team planning activities.
• Help your team ensure that products and services are adapted in response to feedback and to meet changing demands.

Communication/Liaison

• Seek feedback from colleagues on their requirements from your service to ensure that their reasonable expectations are being met.
• Record information accurately and respond to queries which you receive accordingly.
• Liaise with colleagues across the University and professional organisations to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way.
• Liaise with external suppliers and service providers to plan the delivery of services and events.
• Provide support for meetings, working groups and committees, such preparing and sending documents for meetings, drafting reports and taking minutes.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Privacy Notice which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

MATERNITY COVER

Appointment to this post is fixed term to cover the substantive post holder’s maternity leave and is not anticipated to be extended.

Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.