Deputy Head of International Students Advisory Service

Expires

16th June 2017

Reference number: 48825

Job Purpose

The post holder will manage the International Students Advisory Service (ISAS) on a day-to-day basis and will work collaboratively with colleagues across the University to support the International student experience and increase international integration in line with the University’s strategic objectives and Global Engagement endeavour. The post will provide guidance and support to the ISAS advisors on immigration matters and will be responsible for all ISAS activity, in particular leading on ongoing development and management of a range of new and ongoing innovative activities and projects in collaboration with the University Colleges, The Guild of Students and Corporate Services. The post holder will be expected to measure the impact of ISAS activities, initiatives and work to ensure compliance and a high standard of delivery.

The post holder will assess the expectations of ISAS customers (staff, students and applicants) to ensure that service activities not only meet the needs of diverse customers but that they reflect the standards of a global university which has a dynamic customer base. They will be expected to take a continuous development approach to their work and promote a standard of excellence in all ISAS activities. The postholder will be the main contact for outreach and engagement activity which will support the University internationalisation agenda and global strategic framework.

Person Specification

Experience

• Educated to first degree level.
• Evidence of substantial expert experience of delivering advice and guidance on immigration rules including, but not restricted to, Tier 1 (GE), Tier 4 (General), Tier 4 (DES), Standard Visitor Visa routes, OISC codes of standards and other applicable competence standards. Immigration advice will be expected at up to OISC level 2.
• Evidence of experience of working in an FE/HE area in which immigration and support services were delivered to international students.
• Evidence of significant experience of managing or supervising people with the ability to enthuse, motivate and lead staff members.
• Evidence of experience developing operational and functional plans from strategic plans.
• Experience of successfully managing budgets.
• Experience of providing advice, guidance and training to other colleagues about the technical and specialist elements of managing high profile and wide ranging activities successfully.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with evidence of ability to engage with senior colleagues and contacts at all levels internally and externally together with evidence of the ability to influence strategic decisions and to work collaboratively on University-wide project developments.
• Computer-literate: evidence of being articulate, confident and competent in the use of database systems, electronic communications, spread sheets, word processing and other packages.
• Evidence of exceptional oral and written skills including skills in negotiation and persuasion, along with evidence of excellent presentation skills and the ability to talk clearly and confidently to audiences from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Demonstrable ability to gather information and use analytical skills to provide management information reports.
• Evidence of problems solving abilities demonstrating ability to work through to a solution with resilience and persistence and the ability to analyse complex issues, employ innovate measures to resolve problems and to think strategically.
• Evidence of ability to provide high levels of professional judgement, diplomacy, cultural awareness, sensitivity and the ability to anticipate problems and create innovative solutions.
• Ability and willingness to work flexibly to meet the needs of the ISAS business service and operational responsibilities. This will include working extended weekday hours and at weekends to meet the needs of, but not restricted to, events such as Welcome International and Right to Study checking events.
• Effective planning, organisation and team management skills are required, as the post involves working on several tasks simultaneously as well as managing the work of others.
• Ability to prioritise and to schedule workloads in the face of conflicting demands, using own judgement to ensure that all duties and work are completed to time and deadlines.
• Understanding of the Data Protection Act and the Codes of Ethics for confidentiality.
• Experience of working independently, accurately, with attention to detail and to deadlines, as part of a team and evidence of a flexible, inclusive and participative approach to work.
• Knowledge of current issues and government policy impacting on international students, immigration and student experience issues in Higher Education.
• Awareness of and interest in the national and international implications impacting on current international student-applicants and students.

To apply for this position, please click here quoting the reference number.