Administrative Officer - Student Casework Team

We are seeking to appoint a fixed term contract Administrative Officer to work in the Student Casework Team which is part of the wider Education Operations Directorate. The team is responsible for administering a variety of both undergraduate and postgraduate student casework processes including student complaints, academic appeals, academic misconduct matters, continuation of registration processes, fitness to practise and cases referred to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education. 

Reporting directly to the Student Casework Manager the successful candidate will undertake a central in processing student casework across the institution. This casework is varied in nature and the successful candidate will require excellent analytical, communication and organisational skills with the ability to work accurately under pressure and the confidence to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders across the institution. The postholder will also be expected to act as Assistant Secretary to various panels convened to consider student casework cases in accordance with University regulations. This is an excellent opportunity to gain an insight into student casework and academic administration.

Duties and responsibilities

To process and administer undergraduate and postgraduate student casework processes including student complaints, academic appeals, academic misconduct matters, continuation of registration processes, Fitness to Practise and cases referred to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education:

•    Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including academic departments, the Students’ Union Advice Centre, Wellbeing Support Services, Legal and Compliance Services and other professional services teams across the institution. 

•    Analyse student casework cases and prepare cases for formal consideration in accordance with University regulations, procedures and policies. 

To organise and ensure the effective delivery of various panels convened to consider student casework cases and to act as Assistant Secretary: 

•    Organise relevant panels ensuring appropriate membership.

•    Liaise with the Chair, Panel members, the student and representatives from the student’s department to ensure effective communication about the scheduling of the panel and record keeping.

•    Prepare cases for the relevant panel, to include liaising with academic departments and central University teams to gather information and supporting documentation relating to the specific case.

•    Act as Assistant Secretary to student casework panels, preparing and circulating agendas and supporting documentation. To provide relevant advice and guidance on the policy, process and associated procedures in relation to the case being considered; to produce minutes, gain approval of these from the Chair and circulate to relevant parties and to produce and issue outcome letters to students within defined time limits. 

To contribute to the review and development of processes relating to student academic casework. 

To provide casework handling advice and training to colleagues across the institution ensuring compliance with University Regulations, Policies and Procedures in accordance with the various Good Practice Frameworks published by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator. 

To carry out any other duties as directed by the Student Casework Manager, Head of Student Casework or in support of the wider Education Operations Directorate.

Skills and experience

1. A good first degree or significant relevant experience.

2. Experience of and an ability to analyse and interpret complex casework and regulations.

3. Legal/regulatory background or experience of complaints handling.

4. Ability to prioritise workloads, work to tight deadlines whilst under pressure and maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

5. Awareness of and an ability to apply GDPR legislation.

6. Experience of dealing with confidential and sensitive casework

7. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex information to a variety of audiences, both verbally and in writing.

8. Excellent inter-personal skills with the ability to liaise and foster effective relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders at all levels. 

9. Experience of and an ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.

10. Knowledge of the work of the Office of Independent Adjudicator, and/or experience of working with other regulatory bodies/ombudsman.

Location
Working on the University of Warwick campus with some home working permitted.