Position Details
Dubai Operations, Student Experience and Wellbeing
University of Birmingham, Dubai campus
Salary: Competitive
Grade: 6
No. of positions: 1
Full time
Location: Dubai, UAE
Closing date: 6th January 2025
University of Birmingham Dubai
Having established ourselves in Dubai International Academic City in 2018 we have now moved to our new state-of-the-art campus which opened in Sept 2021. These posts represent an excellent opportunity to join an ambitious World Top 100 University as we continue to grow our long-term strategic mission in Dubai, the UAE and the wider region. Our campus reflects the very best of Birmingham through our presence in Dubai.
Background
Our ethos as a Professional Services team has been developed in line with the principles of being a Birmingham Professional. In particular here in Dubai this means that all Professional Services colleagues seek to collaborate effectively to ensure the needs of the whole campus community and our stakeholders are met. It also means that we work constructively together to provide a flexible range of service and support that adapt to the changing needs of the Campus as we grow. There are specific focal points in the academic cycle when all Professional Services team members will be expected to contribute regardless of their primary role, for example Welcome or Graduation. In addition, the duties listed below are illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of this post which is likely to change over time in response to the needs of the Campus and as you develop your experience and skills. You will have the opportunity to develop and may also need to specialise your duties further, over time, in agreement with your manager.
In order to contribute to the success of the team and the University’s vision for the Dubai Campus the Professional Services team will be seeking to continue to recruit and develop colleagues who display:
- a high level of intellectual aptitude;
- strong agility and a portfolio of skills that can adapt to meet changing circumstances;
- an innovative and creative mind-set; and
- both an enterprising and entrepreneurial nature to support our growth and pursuit of excellence.
Department Overview
The Services and Support thematic area will focus on providing all students with the University of Birmingham Dubai with a wide range of high quality services and support. This will also support the University and our academic colleagues in the delivery of our academic mission in respect of both Education and Research including:
- Welcome and induction activities
- Wellbeing and welfare support
- Careers, employability, and skills support
- Programme administration support and services
- Information advice and guidance services
- Learning and library services
- Academic Skills support
- Support to the University of Birmingham Dubai Students’ Association
- General student administration through to graduation support
Role Summary
The post holder will be responsible for designing, implementing, and delivering a range of activities that supports positive and enriching student experience. The post holder will support student wellbeing services, provide a range of guidance, advice and support, as well as act as an operational lead for student experience activities and events (for example, Welcome, induction, pre-arrival, and Student Association events), under the strategic direction of the Head of Student Wellbeing and Experience, and in collaboration with the University’s Student’s Association.
The post holder will contribute and play a key role in the provision of a range of wellbeing and welfare services for the students. Take proactive initiatives to design and implement student engagement wellbeing campaigns ensuring a holistic approach to student wellbeing. The role will focus on implementing wellbeing-centred activities while providing direct student-facing support, and creating a vibrant, inclusive campus culture that encourages holistic development.
Responsibilities also include working to embed innovative and inclusive practices across the University through networking and contributing to training. The post holder will be required to operate flexibly to meet the demands of the service, working collaboratively with Edgbaston colleagues, and in addition supporting campus wide student experience activities and events.
Main Duties
General
- Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
- Actively manages equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour.
- Undertake continuous personal and professional development.
Student Experience
- Identify the needs and preferences of current students to inform a student experience programme. This is likely to be through feedback, surveys, focus groups, and conversations with students and relevant committees.
- Develop and implement programs, events, and activities that promote a holistic approach to student wellbeing, taking into consideration the academic cycle, cultural and regional events.
- Contribute and lead aspects of the planning and delivery of University and campus wide events in collaboration with colleagues in UK and UAE.
- Contribute and lead aspects of the development of ideas and activities, and support and facilitate delivery of Welcome, induction and pre-arrival activities for students, with additional support in delivery from the whole campus staff.
- Work closely with the Student’s Association to devise, promote and deliver an engaging annual programme of activities and events that meet the needs of students. This may include trips, residentials, speakers, careers and networking events, or exam support sessions for example.
- Take the initiative in creating new programs, workshops, and events centred on student wellbeing, tailored to meet diverse student needs and promote a sense of belonging.
- Develop, coordinate, and distribute student communications and act as a key conduit to students, to ensure that everyone is well-informed and knows how they can participate in the campus community.
- Work with academic staff to ensure the student experience and wellbeing is embedded as a consideration through the taught experience of students, through liaison and collaboration.
- Support students and refer them to the appropriate support services as required, for example student welfare services.
- Provide first-line support and assist with student inquiries while working at our Dubai Student Hub and other initial points of contact.
Wellbeing Support
- Provide guidance, support and advice to students on matters relating to wellbeing through one-to-one advice appointments, drop-in and via written communication.
- Assess the effectiveness of student wellbeing campaigns and activities, using feedback to adapt and refine future initiatives for continuous improvement.
- Provide advice and guidance to Students of Determination /Disabled Students and liaising with the UK based Disability Service to implement reasonable adjustments and access requirements.
- Provide and schedule regular drop-in sessions, so that students have an accessible and available contact point with welfare services.
- Using the CRM system to respond to queries.
- Complete all reporting activities in a timely manner to inform and support in identifying potential risk and proactive activities.
- Provide support to students in considering and responding to requests for extensions and extenuating circumstances.
- Support students and refer them to the appropriate support services as required, for example student mental health and wellbeing services, including exchange students from partner institutions and/or other UoB campuses.
- Provide relevant support to academics in relation to changes of status, for example Extenuating Circumstances, the Reasonable Adjustment Process, Withdrawals, Leave of Absence, and Programme Transfers.
- Liaise with, and refer students to, the wider support services and specialist services in the University and externally, such as counselling services.
Additional responsibilities
To undertake such other duties as may be required from time to time, to further the work of the wellbeing services and the development of the student experience, or the University.
- Assist the Recruitment and Outreach process and events when required.
- Take the initiative to develop partnerships with external organizations, other universities, and career development networks to provide students with access to a broader range of opportunities and support services.
- Undertake continuous personal and professional growth and development by actively seeking and engaging in development opportunities.
Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience
- Educated to degree level or equivalent professional qualification(s).
- Significant experience of working in a professional environment; relevant experience of working in Higher Education is desirable.
- Experience of providing first-line advice and guidance.
- Significant experience of organising a large scale programme of events.
- Experience of supporting students in relation to welfare issues.
- Strong understanding of the student experience, issues, and the student lifecycle and journey.
- Significant knowledge and experience of writing communications for a variety of different audiences.
- Working knowledge of standard and/or advanced Microsoft Office software.
- Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and rapport with a diverse student population.
- Actively promotes equality and diversity to internal stakeholders.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Experience of developing interventions to address equality and diversity issues.
- A recognised qualification or professional training in mental health, wellbeing or similar is desirable.
Internal and External relationships
- Chief Operating Officer
- Deputy Director of Operations
- Head of Wellbeing and Student Experience
- Student Experience and Wellbeing Manager (line manager)
- Student Experience team (Dubai)
- Student and Programme Administration team (Dubai)
- Colleagues across Dubai campus – Professional Services and Academic
- Colleagues in UK campus – including Academic Services, Colleges and central PS teams, Disability Services
- External partners – including regional government agencies, regulatory bodies, educational and health-related organisations
We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.
