JOB DESCRIPTION
POST TITLE:
RESPONSIBLE TO:
Policy Officer, UK Higher Education International Unit (IU)
International Policy Advisor
JOB SUMMARY: This Policy Officer post sits within the UK Higher Education International Unit and
reports to the International Policy Advisor.
The post holder will conduct research, and provide high quality advice on issues and activities
concerning the internationalisation of higher education with relevance to the competitiveness of UK
higher education institutions, particularly in the Americas. This will involve a range of activities
including: researching priority topics, preparation of draft briefings and consultation responses,
speeches, newsletters and website copy. It will also involve organising international delegations of
high-level UK stakeholders, and preparing colleagues to host incoming delegations. The post-holder
will be required to arrange and attend relevant meetings and events on behalf of the IU.
Main responsibilities
Working with the International Policy Advisor and the Assistant Director for Policy:
1.
Research policy developments and opportunities relating to international student mobility,
transnational education and research collaboration in priority countries in the Americas and more
widely. Inform the development of priority projects and programmes within the region.
2.
Provide clear, high-quality advice in writing and in person including to Director, Assistant Director,
and Policy Advisor, the IU’s funders and main stakeholders.
3.
Prepare briefing papers, presentations and speeches for the Director and other senior staff and
stakeholders.
4.
Work closely with external stakeholders and policy influencers both in the UK and the Americas,
including officials in UK and overseas governments and UK and overseas higher education
sectors, to influence policy developments for the benefit of the UK sector.
5.
Represent the IU at internal and external meetings and deliver presentations.
6.
Manage networks of higher educational professionals for Latin America, and possibly in the future
for other areas such as North America, in order to consult them and inform policy development,
including providing the secretariat for the relevant Community of Practice.
7.
Organise international delegations of high-level UK stakeholders, and prepare colleagues to host
incoming delegations.
8.
Write engaging copy for the IU’s public communication platforms, including website and
newsletters, and work with the IU’s Communications team to ensure that the IU’s work is
effectively communicated to its main stakeholders through the appropriate media.
9.
Work within IU’s established financial procedures and agreed budget as directed by the Assistant
Director, Operations and Programmes.
10. Contribute to one of more internal working groups on cross-cutting policy areas and establish and
maintain links with policy leads in other organisations and consult them as appropriate.
11. Undertake other duties that may be required from time to time by the IU Director or senior staff.
This job description will be reviewed and amended in the light of changing professional demands. A
job description is not a rigid or inflexible document but acts to provide guidelines to the duties
expected while in post.
1
PERSON SPECIFICATION
POST:
Policy Officer
UK Higher Education International Unit (IU)
GRADE:
DIRECTORATE:
Operational 1
IU
Essential/
QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING
ASSESSED
Desirable
A. WORK BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
A1. Specialist
Essential
A degree or equivalent.
Application Form
Desirable
Experience in working in an organisation or institution within or
related to the higher education sector.
Application Form/
Desirable
Desirable
Experience of working on Latin American related policy or related
issues
Spanish or Portuguese.
B. SKILLS AND APTITUDES REQUIRED
Interview
Application Form/
Interview
Application Form
B1 Communication oral and written
Essential
Computer skills – Universities UK currently uses Microsoft Office
360.
Application Form/
Interview
Essential
Ability to produce information in a comprehensive, clear and
concise manner for a variety of audiences, including researching
and writing for policy briefings, newsletters, and website text.
Application Form/
Essential
Essential
Excellent proofreading and copywriting skills.
Effective ability to analyse large amounts of complex information.
Interview
Application Form/
Interview
Application Form/
Interview
B4 Interpersonal and Team working Skills
Essential
Ability to work effectively in a team using tact and influencing skills.
Application Form/
Interview
Essential
Proven ability as a credible communicator both in writing and in
person to a range of audiences.
Application Form/
Interview
Essential
Ability to build relationships with people and organisations in order
to influence.
Application Form/
B7 Planning and Organisation
Application Form/
Ability to plan and manage their own time, several projects at once
and to deliver them on schedule.
C. SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED
Interview
Essential
Interview
C1 Sector Awareness
Desirable
An understanding of UK higher education.
Application Form/
Desirable
An understanding of internationalisation in the global context.
Interview
Application Form/
Interview
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