Policy and Planning Officer

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Policy and Planning Officer
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Post Details

Full time
Open ended

The closing date for applications is midnight on Tuesday 09 April 2024.
Interviews are expected to take place on Thursday 18 April 2024.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a role under SOC code 2429.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

The Post

We have an exciting opportunity for a talented planning professional to join our vibrant and expanding team at the heart of the University. The role will have a key focus on collaboration and will provide the opportunity to lead on and contribute to a range of projects in support of the University’s new Strategic Plan, due to launch in spring 2024.

As the Policy and Planning Officer, you will work with colleagues across the institution to build a culture of strategic planning across faculties and professional services, developing use of management information to support decision making. You will be an enthusiastic and proactive individual with experience of data analysis and will have the ability to digest and organise complex information quickly and accurately to produce reports and analysis for senior managers across the University.

You will bring the initiative to work proactively and independently, will be highly organised and will have a flexible approach with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

The post-holder will report to the Deputy Head of Policy and Planning and will work closely with colleagues across the University.

Description of Duties

To play a key role across student number forecasting and modelling activities and to contribute towards the development of the University’s tuition fee budgeting exercise
To lead on the setting of regulated student intake targets and support the associated population modelling and forecasting
To develop a sound understanding of Scottish Funding Council (SFC) funding policy and allocations
To lead development of the Outcome Agreement between the University and the SFC
To investigate and analyse the external environment and report on the potential impact and opportunities for the University
To support the implementation and evaluation of the University’s new Strategic Plan
To support the delivery of the planning and budgeting cycle working closely with faculties and professional services
To undertake policy research and data analysis, providing reports and support to senior managers where required
To work collaboratively to monitor and enhance the University’s performance in national and international rankings and surveys, and to analyse benchmarking information
To manage and support the work of University committees, working groups and strategic projects as appropriate, including the preparation of committee papers, discussion documents and statistical reports
To co-ordinate and where appropriate contribute to the development of the University’s responses to requests for information from external agencies, such as the Scottish Funding Council, Universities Scotland and Universities UK
To manage and support business process/quality improvement processes supported by Policy & Planning as required
To contribute to the overall work of Policy and Planning as required by the Head and Deputy Head of Policy and Planning

Essential Criteria

Degree level or equivalent experience
Experience of working in a policy and planning environment, with a knowledge of the higher education sector
The ability to network and interact well with colleagues at all levels, both within and outside the University
Excellent written communication, interpersonal and analytical skills, including a high level of IT proficiency
Excellent analytical skills with proven ability to present results and strategic advice in the most effective formats to inform policy decision-making and strategic planning
Experience of working independently and proactively, with limited supervision, to resolve complex issues and complete tasks and projects
A demonstrable ability to prioritise effectively and balance a demanding and varied workload
A sound understanding of the appropriate use of performance indicators and targets to drive improvement
Experience of producing, manipulating and analysing complex datasets from a variety of sources to provide consolidated and meaningful management information

Desirable Criteria

A background in Higher Education strategic planning
Experience of coordinating complex projects

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

Developing self and others
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 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.

About Us

Student, Academic and Corporate Services (SACS) provides effective, proactive and professional services that support the achievement of the University’s strategic ambitions. We:

put students’ needs at the centre of everything we do; enhance the student journey via focused engagement, support and development opportunities;
work in active partnership with our students, faculties, senior management team, professional services and external stakeholders to achieve our institutional ambitions;
lead, support and facilitate the University’s performance through effective strategic planning, international partnership development, student number growth, governance and continuous improvement.

The directorate has a key role in developing and supporting the delivery of the University’s ambitious strategic plan and improving the student experience. SACS is led by the Deputy Secretary and is comprised of five divisional groups, each led by a member of the SACS senior team that work together to deliver integrated services across the University:

Academic Registry
Careers and Employability Service
Policy and Planning
Student and Faculty Operations
Student Support Services, incorporating the Student Hub

The University

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 30 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 140 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The University – also home to 1,700 staff – is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world for its campus environment (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two). Ranked first in the UK and top five in the world for its sports facilities (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), Stirling is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. Its world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

The University has twice been recognised with a Queen’s Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

The University is a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal and a central partner of the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni

Job number: SERV01883
Contract Type: Open Ended
Posting End Date: 09-Apr-2024
Location:: Stirling Campus
Grade: Grade7 £37,099-£44,263 p.a.
Faculty/Service: Student Academic and Corporate Services

Post Details