We are currently looking for a Peer-Assisted Learning coordinator in my department here in London. See the description below for information. Be quick though, the deadline is in a week!

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Peer Assisted Learning Manager
Centre for Learning and Quality Enhancement (CLQE)??
Campus: Hendon
Grade: Grade 6
Period: Permanent
Reporting to: Director of Learner Development
Reporting to Job Holder: SLAs and other Peer Learning Supporters as designated

Overall Purpose:
The University is committed to improving all aspects of the student experience and enhancing academic development. The role of CLQE is to support good practice in teaching and learning by providing advice and support to staff and students, contributing to improved student satisfaction ratings. The Learner Development area of CLQE has University strategic responsibility for ensuring that Middlesex students have effective and appropriate learning and study skills, possess appropriate literacy and numeracy skills, and are fluent communicators in the English language

Middlesex supports Peer Assisted Learning as a way to improve academic skills and practice. Taking a student-to-student approach, the intention is to increase students’ engagement with their programme and enhance their experience of university life, as well as to help them develop the skills they need to make them effective independent learners, with the result of improving grades and reducing student drop-out.

Located within the Centre for Learner Development, part of CLQE, this post holder will work with academics to develop, facilitate and evaluate peer mentoring schemes, including the successful Student Learning Assistant programme. S/he will also work to develop a widespread culture of peer mentoring across the university, working with Schools to ensure an embedded approach to peer mentoring at programme level. They will also work closely with other Learner Development staff to ensure peer-learning is integrated into the embedded and generic support available to students.

Principal Duties:

• Promote PAL schemes through induction, 24-7 and other relevant fora and information.
• Set up and facilitate line of communication with Schools and other areas as relevant to promote PAL and to identify modules to participate in peer mentoring schemes.
• Work with academics to ensure: recruitment of SLAs; effective timetabling; promotion of SLA sessions and subject specific training
• Lead and manage peer mentors across the University to achieve targets and to foster a community of practice
• Manage contracts, mentoring, core training, payment and support of peer mentors (including on-line and via other means)
• Monitor and report on internal and sector wide PAL schemes to inform future initiatives
• Provide support for academics on PAL, including organising workshops and assisting with PAL observations, if required.
• Develop and monitor ways for SLAs to record their reflective practice and evaluate this for reporting.
• Coordinate and contribute to SLA training, working with Teaching Fellows, other academics and the Career Service as appropriate.
• Ensure SLAs receive certificates, references and input from the Careers service to evidence and articulate the skills they have developed to support their employability.
• Ensure appropriate feedback, evaluation and quality controls, including monitoring of student participation and developing measures to assess the impact of initiatives.
• Trouble–shoot and problem-solve as needed to ensure effective delivery of PAL.
• Contribute to the development of university strategy relevant to peer assisted learning.
• Liaise with key School staff to develop a culture of PAL across programmes.
• Write reports for senior managers and executive and give presentations as necessary.
• Monitor expenditure and coordinate projects to ensure they are delivered to deadline and within budget.
• Keep abreast of potential funding opportunities for PAL initiatives and provide information to support funding applications.
• Contribute to University committees and groups and represent the University at external meetings and conferences;
• Work with central services to ensure physical and on-line space to support the scheme as necessary.
• Develop on-line profiles of SLAs and information resources for SLAs, academics and students.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title: Peer Assisted Learning Manager
Learner Development Unit

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Education / Qualifications
Essential: Educated to degree level.

Experience
Essential: Experience of managing staff
Desirable:
• Experience of working in a managerial capacity in a HE or FE institution
• Experience of developing and managing peer assisted learning or mentoring schemes within an HE context
• Experience in delivering training

Knowledge
Essential: Knowledge of the Peer Assisted Learning initiatives in HE
Skills:
Essential:
• Strong IT skills and experience in developing and maintaining databases
• Strong communicator with effective powers of persuasion and negotiation skills
• Demonstrable management skills (budget and staff management experience; ability to plan, lead and implement projects).
• Good track record in producing deliverables to tight deadlines
• Excellent networking and ambassadorial skills
• Evidence of strong team-working and communication skills
• Creative thinker with ability to contextualize and think outside the box.

Annual Leave: 30 days plus 6 extra days to be taken in conjunction with Bank Holidays.

Flexibility: Please note that given the need for flexibility in order to meet changing requirements, the duties/ location of this post and the role of the post-holder may be changed after consultation.

No Parking at Hendon campus: Regrettably there aren’t any parking facilities for new staff joining our Hendon campus, except for Blue Badge holders. If you are applying for a post at our Hendon campus or for a post at Cat Hill/Trent Park which is due to relocate to Hendon please ensure you can commute without a car. (This does not apply to Cat Hill/Trent Park staff appointed before 1 January 2010 who are due to relocate to Hendon).

Information on public transport to Hendon can be found here:
http://www.mdx.ac.uk/campus/campuses/docs/Hendon_campus_map.pdf
We offer an interest-free season ticket loan, interest-free motorbike loan, and bicycle and motorbike parking and changing facilities.

Middlesex University is working towards equality of opportunity. Flexible working applications (including part-time working) will be considered.

If you wish to apply for this post please submit:
• a completed application form found at www.mdx.ac.uk/jobs
Shortlisted applicants will be asked to attend a formal interview.

Please return the completed application form to: The Recruitment Office, Middlesex University, Hendon Campus, The Burroughs, London, NW4 4BT

What Happens Next?
If you wish to discuss the job in further detail please contact ?? on 0208411?? or email ?? at ??@mdx.ac.uk

If selected for interview, you will hear directly from us, usually within 2 weeks of the closing date.