THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Recruitment Role Profile Form
Job Title:
Teaching Associate in Public Policy (part-time, fixed term)
School/Department:
Sociology & Social Policy
Salary:
£28,695 to £37,394 per annum (pro rata) depending on
skills and experience
Job Family and Level:
Research and Teaching level 4
Contract Status:
This post is available from 1 January 2015 and will be offered
on a fixed-term contract until 30 September 2018
Hours of Work:
18 hours per week (0.5 full time equivalent)
Location:
Law and Social Sciences Building, University Park
Reporting to:
Head of School
The Purpose of the Role:
The primary purpose of the role will be to provide teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate
levels, provide advice as a member of the International Centre for Public and Social Policy
(ICPSP) teaching team within an established programme of study, and take an active role in
teaching related administration.
Main Responsibilities
1
Provide high quality teaching on, and contribute to, the ongoing development of the
UG and PG public policy programmes, including: the Masters in Public Administration
(MPA), the Masters in Public Policy (MPP) and the welfare policy elements of UG degree
programmes. Specifically, the person appointed will be responsible for:



Module convenorship of the PG Welfare Policy module, which includes delivering
lectures, seminars and marking
Module convenorship of the UG Contemporary Developments in Welfare Policy
module, which includes delivering lectures, seminars and marking
Seminar leadership of the UG module Policy and Social Justice module
The person appointed may also be responsible for:
 Marking UG and/or PG dissertations
 Providing high-quality personal tutoring and dissertation supervision at UG
and/or PG level
 Examining assessments for UG and/or PG degrees as required. This will include
writing assessment questions and assessing students
 Module convenorship of, and/or delivering teaching on, PGT modules on the
MPA/MPP programmes.
2
Provide pastoral support to students and tutees as required.
Plan and manage own teaching in a variety of settings including small group seminars
as well as lectures.
3
Ensuring that teaching quality assurance procedures are followed in line with the
University Quality Manual and School policies.
4
Make a significant contribution to the success of the School, including: undertaking an
administrative role and/or the administrative management of specific initiatives,
attending school meetings and contributing to relevant teaching teams.
5
Maintaining the currency of teaching material and content through engagement with
research in relevant subject areas.
6
Contribute to the planning, design and development of degree programmes and
modules at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
7
Any other duties appropriate to the level and role of the post holder.
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Essential
Qualifications/
Education
Knowledge/
Skills/Training

Have or be close to completing a PhD
in a related subject

Proven track record of high quality
teaching to undergraduate and/or
postgraduate students.
Knowledge to deliver (primarily teamtaught) public policy programmes to
undergraduate and/or postgraduate
students.
Ability to contribute significantly to the
administration of the School’s teaching
activities.
Ability to creatively apply relevant
approaches to teaching and learning
support.



Desirable
 Higher Education teaching
qualification (or working
towards)
 Higher Education Academy
Associate or Fellow status
or equivalent
 Ability to teach module on
Managing People
Skills in:
 Teaching small and very large groups
of students
 Excellent oral and written
communication skills, including the
ability to communicate with clarity on
complex information
 Time-management and organisation
 Completing administrative duties
effectively and on time
 Working as a team player in an
interdisciplinary environment
Experience


Experience of designing and delivering
teaching and assessment to
undergraduate and/or postgraduate
students in public and social policy.
Experience of undertaking teaching
related administration.

Experience of working with
a virtual learning
environment such a
Moodle to support student
learning
Applicants will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in
the UK as defined by the requirements set out by the UK Border and Immigration.
Informal
enquiries
may
be
addressed
to
Professor
Bruce
Stafford
at
bruce.stafford@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to this email
address will not be accepted.
Decision Making:
i)
Taken independently by the role holder;




Planning teaching programme and direction
Making individual/team decisions about design and conduct of specified modules
Teaching and guidance of students
Setting and marking of assignments and exam papers
ii)
Taken in collaboration with others;
 Aspects of course/curriculum development and new programmes of study
 Ensure academic and administrative quality of courses
iii)
Referred to the appropriate line manager by the role holder;
•
•
Complex pastoral issues
Disciplinary/grievance procedures
School of Sociology and Social Policy
We are a multidisciplinary unit comprised of 33 research active teaching staff and 13
administrative staff. The School is led by the Head of School, Professor Bruce Stafford and the
School Executive Group, supported by a series of administrative teams, including Teaching and
Research teams. Regular School Meetings, attended by all staff, play a central role in ensuring
a collegial approach to the development of policy and practice within the School.
Members of the School are closely involved in the national and international scholarly
community and many have international reputations in their fields. Research funding has been
secured from a range of sources including ESRC, EPSRC, ESF, EU, Leverhulme, Nuffield, the
Community Fund and the Ford Foundation as well as government departments, local
authorities and charities. The School encourages intellectual curiosity, original thought and
engagement with outside organisations. It seeks to exploit the synergy which arises from the
School’s multidisciplinary and the interface between the disciplines and applied research and
policy making, while also valuing and encouraging theory-driven research and scholarship.
The School’s research groups (Institute for Science and Society; Health and Social Care;
Identity, Citizenship, Equalities and Migration; International Centre for Public and Social Policy)
provide a focus and stimulus for multidisciplinary research activity and collaboration across the
School. The School is closely involved with the Institute for Mental Health, including the
Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) and the Centre for
Social Research in Health and Health Care.
The School and the University provide extensive organisational and financial support for
research. Each member of research-active staff can hold a personal research account and
research project overheads are returned to grant-holders after deduction of central and local
costs. All staff receive an annual contribution towards research costs and UK conference
expenses and additional support for overseas conference attendance and international
networking activities is available. Strategic funds are awarded to pump-prime research
development activities, particularly those likely to attract significant external funding. The
Director of Research provides regular digests of information about current funding
opportunities and relevant external conferences and seminars. Expert support and assistance
in the preparation of funding applications is provided by both academic mentors and
administrative colleagues. Weekly research seminars offer opportunities for staff and research
students to share in and contribute to colleagues’ work in progress and to enjoy presentations
from external speakers of national and international standing.
The School teaches 492 undergraduate students on single honours undergraduate programmes
in Sociology and Social Work and joint honours programmes in Sociology, Criminology and
Social Policy.
182 students are registered for postgraduate taught programmes in Research Methods (ESRC
recognised), Global Citizenship, Identities and Human Rights, International Social Policy, Social
Work, Public Policy and Public Administration. The University is recognised as an ESRC Doctoral
Training Centre and the School plays a central role in the provision of research methods
training.
The School’s 66 full and part-time postgraduate research students make a very significant
contribution to the School’s research culture. Studentships have been secured from a range of
funders including ESRC (including CASE), MRC, ESRC/ MRC, CIHR, ORS, government
departments and charities. Joint supervision of research students offers early career staff the
opportunity to gain skills in effective supervision by working alongside more experienced
colleagues.
Both the University and the School are strongly committed to staff development through
mentoring, training, appraisal and there are excellent prospects for career advancement.
School of Sociology and Social Policy