Download the south west lifelong learning network

THE SOUTH WEST LIFELONG LEARNING NETWORK
AND
OPEN UNIVERSITY IN THE SOUTH WEST
PROGRESSION FRAMEWORK PROJECT WORKER (PART TIME)
Temporary Post: 60% FTE until 31st July 2009
Salary: Academic Related Grade 7: £26,402 - £31,525 pro rata
Ref:2885
Closing date for applications: 22nd September 2006
Interview date: 17th October 2006
FURTHER PARTICULARS
Contents
Section
Page
A:
The South West Lifelong Learning Network
2
B:
The Open University in the South West
2
C:
Job Description
3
D:
Person Specification
4
E
Terms, Conditions and Benefits
5
F:
How to Apply
6
The Open University in the South West
4 Portwall Lane
Bristol BS1 6ND
Telephone: 0117 929 9641
Email: [email protected]
A: THE SOUTH WEST LIFELONG LEARNING NETWORK
The South West Lifelong Learning Network (SWLLN) has been newly established to broaden access into
and through Higher Education for vocational learners of all ages. The network covers an area loosely
defined as the southern half of the South West Region, embracing Cornwall, Dorset, Devon, South
Somerset and South Wiltshire. Five Higher Education institutions and their associated partners are
involved and, together with a range of employer and government agencies, they will work on issues
around curriculum, skills gaps, work based learning, progression routes and agreements and
information, advice and guidance.
Funded initially by the Higher Education Funding Council for three years, the network will comprise a
core management team based at Bournemouth University, with a team of staff located across the
partnership in the SW. There will be three major strands to the project: Information, Advice, Guidance
and Learner Support led by the Open University; Vocational Curriculum Development and Vocational
Practice Development led by the University of Plymouth; Progression Framework for the SW led by the
University of Bournemouth. The primary sectors targeted by the SWLLN include the Public Sector,
Tourism, Heritage and associated small businesses.
The Progression Framework Strand
The purpose of this Strand is to use as a foundation the range of collaborations and relationships that
exist between learning providers in the proposed SWLLN area to develop a broader, innovative
progression framework. The SWLLN provides the opportunity to build on previous work in terms of
securing transferability of credit for learners across the SW (wherever they study) and for curriculum
development where provision and progression is linked or non-existent. In seeking to build on previous
experience and on achievements to date, the SWLLN proposes to take a realistic view of what can be
achieved within the constraints of timeframe and resources.
The SWLLN will work on achieving the above in a sustainable way by demonstrating opportunities for
alternative progression, using clear developmental routes for learners identified through HE provision (as
it relates to key employment sectors). Successfully demonstrating that progression agreements can work
will be key to securing “buy in” by academic staff in the longer term.
The focus for the SWLLN Progression Framework will be to enable learners to accumulate and transfer
credit across traditional boundaries. Two levels of activity are proposed which will be demonstrated
through the SWLLN Progression Framework:
1. Credit and transferability of credit acquired through formal learning through Progression Agreements.
2. Credit for learning outside formal teaching acquired through experience and work based learning
through AP(E)L and Progression Agreements.
B: THE OPEN UNIVERSITY IN THE SOUTH WEST
The Open University has long established practice in this area which the SWLLN will utilise. The key
purpose of the post therefore is to engage with developments related to curriculum progression and
credit within the SWLLN on behalf of the Open University and thus has a significant regional aspect and
requires knowledge of the OU’s provision in the key sectors identified by the SWLLN. The postholder will
work in close liaison with the Progression Framework Strand Leader based in the East of the SWLLN
area to provide a key link between the task groups of the SWLLN and OU personnel based in the Credit
Transfer & Curriculum Partnerships Offices based at Walton Hall.
This post is based at one of 13 OU regional centres, the Open University in the South West, which is
responsible for delivery of core services to about 12,000 students and 550 Associate Lecturers in
Cornwall and the Isles Scilly, Devon, Somerset, Bristol and the unitary authorities which formerly made
up the county of Avon, Gloucestershire and most of Wiltshire.
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C: JOB DESCRIPTION
Job title:
Progression Framework Project Worker
Reports to:
Progression Framework Co-ordinator and OU Nominee based in the SW OU
Regional Centre
Salary:
£26,402 - £31,525 pro rata
Grade:
Academic Related Grade 7
Duration of Post:
Fixed term up until 31st July 2009
Time allocation:
60% FTE or 22 ½ hours per week
Location:
The Open University in the South West, Portwall Lane, Bristol.
Summary Statement:
The postholder will work in close liaison with the Progression Framework Co-ordinator based in the East
of the SWLLN area, to facilitate the auditing of curriculum provision for the areas to be developed
through the SWLLN. The primary aim will be to incorporate where appropriate, OU provision within
progression and credit agreements established between partner institutions in the SWLLN. The
postholder will act as the key link person between the Task Groups of the SWLLN and OU personnel
based in the Credit Transfer and Curriculum Partnerships Offices based at Walton Hall, to facilitate the
sharing of expertise in the area of progression frameworks and where required, also liaise with staff from
OU Faculties and partner institutions.
Main Responsibilities
1. Playing an active role in auditing existing provision for the curriculum areas to be developed through
the SWLLN, with a specific focus on OU courses related to the Public Sector, Tourism, Heritage and
associated small businesses.
2. Providing information on OU curriculum that articulates within progression routes or matches gaps in
current provision in the SWLLN.
3. Monitoring developments in OU curriculum that are relevant to the sectors identified for the SWLLN
and needs emerging from Sector Skills Councils.
4. Contributing to and facilitating via liaison with colleagues based at Walton Hall, development of and
implementation of new progression and credit agreements.
5. Working in liaison with the SWLLN Curriculum and Vocational Practice Development Unit to identify
where and how the OU might contribute to specific curriculum development.
6. Building and maintaining effective relationships with a range of SWLLN personnel and where
required, partner institutions and external agencies.
7. Representing the Open University in the SWLLN and sharing practice within the institution.
8. Undertaking any other reasonable duties required by the SWLLN Co-ordinator or the OU Nominee
based in the SW OU Regional Centre.
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D: PERSON SPECIFICATION
1. Sound knowledge of the Open University curriculum and delivery model and the willingness to
develop extensive knowledge of the curriculum areas at all levels that are related to the SWLLN.
2. A willingness to develop a good working knowledge of the OU Credit Transfer procedures and the
operations of the OU Curriculum Partnerships Office.
3. An understanding of Higher Education admissions, access routes to HE and progression structures.
4. A working knowledge of Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CATS) schemes and AP(E)L.
5. Good oral and written skills along with strong interpersonal skills.
6. The ability to work effectively within a dispersed team.
7. The confidence to negotiate on behalf of and represent the Open University in the SWLLN.
8. Effective IT skills, especially in respect of working with ICT based credit systems and in maintaining
effective communications across a distributed LLN network.
9. The ability to work independently and be self-motivating within a context of direction and support.
10. A willingness to travel within the SWLLN area and occasionally to Walton Hall, holding a current
driving license or equivalent mobility.
Desirable
1. Experience of validation and credit transfer
2. High level of familiarity with the Open University curriculum provision related to the areas of Public
Sector, Tourism, Heritage and associated small businesses for Undergraduate, Post-Graduate and
CPD.
3. A familiarity with vocational and or work-based learning provision.
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E: TERMS, CONDITIONS AND BENEFITS
Equal Opportunities. The Open University aims to create the conditions whereby students and staff
are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, colour, ethnic
or national origin, age, socio-economic background, disability, religious or political beliefs, family
circumstances, sexual orientation or other irrelevant distinction. The University has an action plan to
implement this policy.
Family Friendly Policies. Female staff are entitled to maternity/adoption leave for a period of 26
weeks, with full pay for the first 18 weeks, subject to minimum service conditions. Female staff have the
right to return to work at any time within 52 weeks of the maternity leave start date, again subject to
certain conditions. Male staff are entitled to a maximum of 10 days’ paid paternity leave in connection
with their wife’s/partner’s confinement in any one leave year in addition to normal leave entitlement,
again subject to certain conditions.
Pension Schemes. Staff have the option of contributing to a Final Salary pension scheme and the
University contributes around 14% of salary. Full details will be sent with any offer of employment but
any preliminary enquiries should be addressed to the Pensions Section, Human Resources Division
01908 652431 or 652957.
Medical Examination. University appointments are subject to confirmation by the University's Medical
Adviser. A medical questionnaire is sent to all appointees. The University reserves the right to require a
staff member in certain cases to submit to a medical examination by a registered medical practitioner
acceptable to both the University and the member of staff concerned.
Holidays. The annual leave entitlement is 30 days (for secretarial and clerical staff) or 33 days (for
academic, academic-related and research staff) in the leave year 1 October to 30 September, in addition
to all bank and other public holidays and an additional 3 days at Christmas when the University is closed.
A staff member joining during the leave year will be entitled to leave in proportion to the period served.
Smoking Policy. Smoking is banned throughout the Regional Centre. Any questions about the policy
should be raised at interview.
Location. Appointees are normally expected to live within a reasonable travelling distance of their place
of work.
Grants for Removal Expenses. The University will make a grant for expenses necessarily incurred for
removals and disturbance, within certain rules and subject to a maximum payment. Full details will be
sent with any offer of employment. The removal grant does not apply on appointments of less than two
years’ duration.
Staff Development. We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and
beyond your current role. This includes thorough induction into the organisation and regular reviews of
your training and development needs. The objective is that all staff should undertake at least five days’
development activity in each year – this may include attendance at formal courses or other learning e.g.
use of self-study material. We invest substantial time and money in our staff development provisions
and we waive fees for staff wishing to study our own courses.
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F: HOW TO APPLY
Further details about the post
Applicants who wish to discuss this post further on an informal basis are invited to contact Meriel Lee,
Assistant Director, Open University in the South West (0117 9299641) or Kate Holmes at
Bournemouth University (01202 961223).
Completing an application
It is in your interest to show how your experience and personal qualities address each aspect of the
person specification and role requirements. To do this:

Please ensure you complete all sections of the application form in full. You are welcome to
enclose a curriculum vitae, but CVs will not be accepted on their own.

You are asked to include a covering letter setting out in no more than 1000 words the
background and skills you would bring to the post, in particular showing how your experience
addresses the criteria of the person specification. Your letter will form part of the selection
process and will help us assess your ability to meet the criterion for effective communication.
The letter is an important part of your application.
Completed application forms should be returned to: Monica King, The Open University in the South
West, 4 Portwall Lane, Bristol BS1 6ND. The envelope in which you return the application form and
letter should be marked ‘Private and Confidential’. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of your
application, please enclose a stamped addressed postcard.
If you wish to send your application electronically, please email [email protected] for an electronic
copy of the application form (in WORD format), or download from www3.open.ac.uk/employment.
However, applicants must provide a signed hard copy of their application prior to interview.
References
Applicants must provide the names and contact details of three referees. The first should be your current
or most recent line manager. (For members of University staff, please ensure you specify your Head of
Unit here, as he/she is responsible for providing a Head of Unit report or nominating an appropriate
alternative referee.) Please indicate whether you have any reservations about our requesting references
prior to interview.
Timescales
Closing date for applications is 22nd September 2006.
not be accepted.
Applications received after this date will
We will let you know as soon as possible whether or not you have been shortlisted. However, if you have
not heard from us by a week before the interviews, you should assume that you have not been
successful.
Interviews will be held at the Bristol Regional Centre on 17th October 2006.
Special Arrangements for Interview
We promote diversity in employment and welcome applications from all sections of the community. The
request for information about disability on the application form is requested solely in order to make
appropriate arrangements for an interview if necessary.
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Disabled applicants who meet the essential job requirements will be interviewed. Further particulars are
available in large print, disk or audiotape.
The Equal Opportunities questionnaire is purely to enable the University to monitor fairness in the
recruitment process.
Feedback on Recruitment Process
If you have any comments or concerns about any stage of the recruitment process, please write to the
Human Resources Officer, Human Resources, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7
6AA, who will look into the matter.
LLN PFP FPs
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