Download JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: Senior Compliance Officer GRADE

JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE:
Senior Compliance Officer
GRADE:
IV
REPORTS TO:
University Secretary / Director for Student Experience
DIRECTORATE/SECTION: Student Experience / Compliance team
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JOB SPECIFIC INFORMATION AND CHALLENGES
The Senior Compliance Officer will manage the University’s compliance operations on a day-today basis. This will include ensuring that the University meets its legal obligations in respect of
the requirements of the UK Visa and Immigration Service (UKVI); and information legislation
(under the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000). There may
also be some additional compliance duties, such as when there are new/revised statutory
obligations for the University’s consideration, which would be agreed with the line manager.
The University Secretary and Director for Student Experience holds responsibility for ensuring
regulatory and legal compliance on behalf of the institution and its policies and procedures.
The Senior Compliance Officer supports key areas of this work, acting as a first point of contact
and a source of expert advice.
The University is a Tier 4 Sponsor of Overseas students, and the Senior Compliance Officer
plays a key role in ensuring that all the responsibilities associated with a Tier 4 Sponsor are met
throughout the institution. They will also ensure that the University meets its obligations with
respect to Freedom of Information and Data Protection; and will advise staff and students on
the University’s Intellectual Property Policy, directing them to further information and guidance
as required.
The postholder will also support the University in meeting its compliance obligations by
developing and delivering regular training, as well as offering advice on relevant issues with
new developments and projects.
Legislation, good practice and “case law” can change frequently, and the Senior Compliance
Officer is required to keep up to date with these developments, advising the University
Secretary and other relevant staff accordingly.
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PURPOSE
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To implement and deliver a comprehensive compliance framework in relation to Tier 4
(UKVI) and information management, and other compliance areas as agreed with the
University Secretary
To provide regular expert advice to the University Secretary in relation to compliance
matters
To provide advice, guidance and training to members of the University community in
relation to compliance matters, acting as a first point of contact
To ensure that the risks associated with compliance across the University are minimised
through effective mitigating action
JOB DESCRIPTION
Specialist:
KEY DELIVERABLES
 To implement an efficient and effective process for ensuring that the University
meets its legal and statutory compliance obligations
 To advise the University Secretary, and the University more broadly, on matters of
compliance
 To issue a Confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) to each Overseas student
who requires a Tier 4 Visa, in accordance with UKVI Guidance, minimising refusals
 To ensure that the University complies with all the requirements of its Tier 4 licence
 To manage the university's responses to statutory information requests under the
DPA and FOIA, by collating information and preparing responses within legal
deadlines, ensuring that responses comply with legal requirements, university
policies and good practice.
 To provide sound advice and guidance to staff and students on matters of
Intellectual Property, directing them to relevant policies and further sources of
information as required
Customer /
Teamwork:
Planning &
Organisation:
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 To engage effectively with colleagues in delivering an effective compliance
framework, providing training and support as required
 To be the first point of contact for UKVI, information management, intellectual
property and other compliance areas as agreed with the University Secretary
 To engage fully as a member of committees and working groups, forging effective
working relations with colleagues across the University
 To participate in relevant external seminars and conferences, and establish
professional networks to share practice across the sector

Resource
Planning/Staff
Management
To use expert knowledge to support delivery of the compliance framework, in
accordance with the University’s Strategic Plan, through engagement with relevant
stakeholders, including membership of University committees and working groups
where appropriate
To be proactive in setting realistic but ambitious targets, and arranging work
effectively to realise delivery of these targets
To provide regular reports on compliance matters, ensuring an appropriate level of
analysis and evaluation
To monitor and review the quality of work done by self and others compliance,
identifying and implementing improvements
 To train / coach relevant staff as required in relation to their compliance
responsibilities
 To ensure that all information and documentation related to relevant areas of
compliance is accurate, comprehensive and accessible
 To consider innovative ways of publishing information and advice to make it
accessible to a wide audience
JOB DESCRIPTION
ORGANISATION CHART
University Secretary/
Director for Student
Experience
Senior Officer
(Equalities)
Senior Compliance
Officer
CONTACTS
Internal
Apart from the University Secretary, the main internal contacts will be Faculty Office Managers
and course teams, in respect of Tier 4 arrangements; Heads of professional services, in respect
of information management requests; and colleagues in the International Office. However,
given the breadth of the role, the postholder is likely to have contact with staff at all levels within
the organisation.
External
The post has a strong focus on meeting external requirements and following advice and
guidance issued by external bodies; but the majority of external contacts will be individuals
making Freedom of Information requests. It will also be important to build a network of
contacts, using the mailbase and other mechanisms, to share advice and information.