Buckinghamshire New University
Senior Study Skills Advisor
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Full time - Permanent - High Wycombe
Salary - £33,951 - £37,694
We’re not trying to fit in with the higher education status quo. We’re challenging it. We’re doing things differently - because our students, our staff, and our world need us to.
So this is an exciting moment to join us. We’re boldly reimagining what a university can be: a place rooted in social mobility, a community where difference is celebrated, and an institution that empowers people to become more than they thought possible.
Join our Library and Learning Services directorate as a Senior Study Skills Advisor (Academic) and play a key role in helping students thrive at BNU. With a broad focus on academic study skills, you will work as part of a newly created, supportive and student-focused team, to design and deliver inclusive academic skills support. You will work directly with students through one-to-one appointments and workshops, helping them build confidence, develop effective study strategies and achieve their potential. Supporting students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, you'll also contribute to wider academic skills and digital literacy provision. You will support the coordination of evaluation activity across the team, helping them to understand the reach, effectiveness and impact of its work to help shape engaging, accessible support that makes a real difference to our students.
What We Offer
- A generous holiday entitlement (35/30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
- Hybrid working (dependent on business needs)
- Training & development support opportunities
- Contributory pension scheme
- Free gym membership for our on-site gym
- A range of staff discounts with major retailers.
Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees.
Please click here for our behavioural based interview question bank.
Please click here to view our employee handbook.
If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University’s values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.
For further information about this role please contact Isabelle Brent, Isabelle.brent@bucks.ac.uk.
All applications are to be made in full and online.
We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace and aim to continue building an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves.
Please let us know if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would enable you to perform to the best of your abilities in your role. Please reach out to Isabelle Brent, Isabelle.brent@bucks.ac.uk if you have any specific needs or if you would like more information on how we can support you.
We ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.
If you’re considering using AI to support your application, we encourage you to question the value it adds. The use of AI tools sometimes erodes authenticity and prevents us from being able to assess the real you. We strongly recommend you prepare your application using your own skills and knowledge and that AI is only used for the purpose of review.
Closing date: 6th September
Interview date: 15th September / 16th September
If you are invited to interview for this role, you will need to provide evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK and if on a visa, current visa and status. Sponsorship is dependent on the salary level of the position.
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BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process.
Job Description
Job Title: Senior Study Skills Advisor
College/Directorate
Library and Learning Services
Grade: F
Location: High Wycombe with regular working at our other campuses
Hours: 37
Responsible to: Library Engagement and Study Skills Manager
Responsible for: supervision of Study Skills Advisors, Library Engagement Advisors, student Peer Mentors
Job Purpose
You will work collaboratively with colleagues to design and deliver engaging and impactful academic skills support to all members of the University community, making a direct contribution to their success.
With a broad focus on academic study skills, you will work to deliver the wider range of academic skills supported by the team (information and digital literacy, study skills, numeracy and academic English). You will also support the coordination of evaluation activity across the Study Skills service, helping the team to understand the reach, effectiveness and impact of its work. You will also work with teams across BNU to design and deliver outreach activities that promote Library and Learning Services across the institution and our external stakeholders.
To practice an inclusive approach and support building an inclusive university community where people can be themselves.
Main Duties & Responsibilities Of The Role
- Contribute to the design and delivery of the wider Library and Study Advice team’s offer including: research skills, digital literacy, assessment literacy and broader academic skills such as group work, presentation skills, time management and academic writing. This will include face-to-face, blended and distance learning and the production of asynchronous learning materials that promote independent learning and confidence.
- Deliver support to students through one-to-ones, workshops and asynchronous delivery across a broad range of academic study skills, including academic writing, assessment literacy, learning strategies, time management, presentation skills and other areas supported by the team.
- Develop accessible, inclusive and engaging learning materials that promote independent learning and confidence.
- Work closely with the Teaching and Engagement Librarians and Academic Colleges to ensure services and sessions are aligned to course requirements.
- Provide targeted support for students identified as at risk of underperformance.
- Contribute to evaluation and continual development of the service by gathering, collating, and analysing data and feedback, identifying and implementing actions to enhance the student experience and outcomes.
- Promote the Library and Study Advice team across the University to ensure accessibility and maximise student participation.
- Work with teams across the University in planning and implementing broader initiatives that contribute to student success and confidence, improving the overall student experience.
- Whilst based at one campus the post holder will be expected to work regularly at our other campuses as needed.
- Contribute to the delivery of Library and Learning Services’ evening and at weekend staffing rota.
- Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices).
- Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.
- Supervisory duties including motivating and supporting team members, giving direction and feedback, ensuring adequate staffing cover, and have an agile approach to change.
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PERSON SPECIFICATION - Essential Criteria Only
Education, Qualifications & Training
Means of Testing
- Educated to degree level or equivalent
A
- Qualification in teaching or in supporting learning in higher or further education
A
Knowledge & Experience
- Delivering an excellent customer experience
A/I
- Experience delivering mathematics or numeracy support to students in a further or higher education setting
A/I/T
- Strong knowledge of key mathematical concepts relevant to HE and the ability to explain these clearly to students
A/I/T
- Practical experience of planning and delivering engaging sessions, learning and support materials to meet a diverse range of student needs
A/I/T
- Commitment to working towards and achieving a relevant professional qualification or accreditation (HE teaching, Coaching, F-ALDinHE, AFHEA etc)
A/I
- Knowledge of a range of academic study skills and the ability to support students with these
A/I/T
- Experience using different approaches including coaching techniques to support students’ development
A/I/T
- Experience working actively as part of a team to deliver a shared objective, project, or task
A/I
Skills
- Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools
A/I/T
- Ability to plan, organise and prioritise own workload and work effectively under pressure to required deadlines
A/I
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
A/I
- Ability to collate and analyse qualitative and quantitative data from a range of sources to identify trends and inform date driven decision making
A/I
- Ability to maintain accurate and timely records adhering to legislative requirements and local policies
A/I
- Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to present complex information and concepts to a range of different audiences
A/I/T
Special Requirements
- Evening and weekend working on a rota basis based on service need
A/I
- Ability to travel to all sites as required
A/I
Behavioural INDICATORS
Developing Self And Others
The BNU Behaviours Framework (BBF) is a framework for all University staff that sets out the key behaviours that exemplify the DRIVE values and ethos of the University. The nine categories provide a clear steer on behavioural expectations that will help support a step change in the performance and culture of the University. The three key behavioural indicators for this post are as follows:
- Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
Working together
- Working collaboratively and across boundaries with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
Achieving results
- Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
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