Further Particulars
This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the
information you will need to provide with the application.
1. Role details
Vacancy reference:
7512
Job title:
Affiliated Research Centre Partnerships Manager
Reports to:
Head of Research Degrees
Salary:
£29,972 - £35,788 per annum
depending on qualifications and experience
Terms and conditions:
Academic Related
Grade:
Grade 7
Duration of post:
to 31st July 2014
Working hours:
37 hours per week
Location:
Walton Hall, Milton Keynes
Closing date:
noon 13th October 2011
Type of application form accepted:
Full version and covering letter
Number of referees required:
3
Unit recruitment contact:
Univ-Sec-Recruitment@open.ac.uk
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2. Summary of duties
Description of Duties
The post holder will report to the Senior Manager Collaborative Provision (G8) and provide
support for the operational student management related aspects of the implementation of the
University’s arrangements for safeguarding the quality and standard of its collaborative
provision with regard to research degrees in affiliated research centres.
The Affiliated Research Centre (ARC) Partnerships Manager is expected to:
1. to work with and support the Research Degrees Committee and management groups in its
substructure, nominated faculty academic staff, ARC research degree coordinators, and
members of the research degrees team with regard to the research degree student journey
for students registered in ARCs and sponsoring establishments, and to promote the aims of
the ARC programme.
2. manage the day to day operational aspects of institutional relationships with ARCs and
sponsoring establishments, in accordance with Section 1 of the QAA Code of Practice for
Quality and Standards in Higher Education: Postgraduate Research Programmes.
3. undertake review visits for quality assurance purposes to ARC partner institutions and
sponsoring establishments
Main duties:
1. Being the primary point of contact for the Affiliated Research Centres and sponsoring
establishments for quality assurance matters pertaining to student related
arrangements for research degrees in affiliated research centres, and for complex or
non-standard research student policy queries.
2. Being responsible for the provision of authoritative advice, support and guidance to
ARCs and sponsoring establishments and University colleagues on:
●
●
the Open University’s expectations and requirements in respect of the quality
assurance arrangements for research degree students in Affiliated Research
Centres, in accordance with section 1 of the QAA Code
the Open University’s research student policies and procedures
3. Overseeing implementation of the ARC programme’s annual cycle of business,
including preparation of the business calendar, institutional and student fee invoicing,
student progress monitoring, student probation assessment reporting.
4. Contributing to the management of the ARC programme by servicing the Life and
Biomolecular Sciences Management Group (LBSMG) including the preparation of
policy papers, agenda and minutes.
5. Overseeing the administration of ARC registered postgraduate students, with line
management of research degrees advisors according to business needs.
6. Managing the maintenance, development and implementation of office procedures as
they relate to operational management of ARC students, liaising with the Office
Manager as appropriate.
7. Liaising with the Office Manager to coordinate operational activities across the ARC
and directly registered research degree programmes.
8. Contributing to the management of complex student cases.
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9. Managing the faculty engagement for academic oversight and approval of key stages
in the ARC student journey eg probation, progress reporting and examinations,
supervisor and examiner appointments.
10. Organising the ARC review visit programme and being responsible for coordinating
ARC review visit documentation.
11. Preparing ARC review visit reports in conjunction with academic reviewers when
undertaking review visits as an administrator.
12. To undertake such other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Head of
the Research Degrees Office
Accountability
The postholder is accountable to the Head of Research Degrees for the work s/he
undertakes.
3. Person specification
Essential
1)
2)
3)
4)
First degree or equivalent
Relevant experience of work in Higher Education sector
Experience of postgraduate research degree administration
An understanding of the Quality Assurance Agency Code of Practice for Quality and
Standards in Higher Education, Section One: Postgraduate Research Programmes
5) Ability to take ownership of and resolve complex problems , understanding when it is
appropriate to refer issues to senior management
6) Ability to multi-task with strong project management skills
7) Excellent written and oral communication skills; experience of report/letter writing for a
range of audiences such as students and committees
8) Able to deal sensitively with people of other cultures
9) Ability to organise and motivate others to work to deadlines
10) Ability to be a team player but also to work independently
11) Ability to work flexibly and at times under pressure to meet deadlines with competing
priorities
12) Experience of managing financial information relating to fee and other types of invoicing
13) Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact appropriately with a range of
internal and external stakeholders, maintaining a high level of customer focus at all times
14) ICT competency commensurate with the requirements of the role
Desirable
Experience of line management
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Note: Essential elements are those, without which, a candidate would not be able to do the job. Applicants who have
not clearly demonstrated in their application that they possess the essential elements will normally be rejected at the
short listing stage. Desirable elements are those which it would be useful for the post holder to possess.
4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working
Travel to UK and overseas ARCs required – 2-3 visits per annum lasting approximately 2-3
days each for overseas visits, 1 day for UK visits.
5. About the unit/department
The Research School has an integrated research support function. Working closely with
the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Scholarship), we are responsible for the
management and administration of the University's research and enterprise activities.
The School is organised into five teams, each supporting a specific area of work:

Grants and Contracts - research grant applications, bids, tenders and awards

Innovation and Enterprise - intellectual property management, knowledge transfer,
and business and community engagement

Policy, Governance and Information - coordination and dissemination of information
about the University's research; support for research assessment, governance,
policy development and research ethics matters

Research Careers Development - training and development for research staff and
students

Research Degrees - postgraduate research student administration
The University’s Research & Enterprise Hub is maintained by the Research School.
This intranet site links to useful research-related sites and resources across the
university - of interest to research staff, students, managers and administrators, and
others in service units supporting research.
See also the OU’s external research portal: www.open.ac.uk/research.
6. How to obtain more information about the role or application process
If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application please
contact Helen Castley on 01908 659615 or email H.Castley@open.ac.uk
If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact Univ-SecRecruitment@open.ac.uk
7. The application process and where to send completed applications
Please ensure that your application reaches the University by: noon 13th October 2011.
You should enclose:

A covering letter, clearly indicating how you believe you meet the person
specification. Please ensure you provide relevant examples as evidence to
support your statement on no more than two sides of A4
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
Your completed application form (long version)
Post it to:
Name/Job title:
Mrs Diana Griffiths
Department/Unit: University Secretary’s Office
Address:
Room 202, Charles Pinfold Building
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
Post Code:
MK7 6AA
Or e-mail your application to: Uni-Sec-Recruitment@open.ac.uk
8. Selection process and date of interview
The interview panel will be chaired by Helen Castley. The interviews will be held on 19th
October 2011.
We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been
shortlisted for interview. Further details on the selection process will also be sent to
shortlisted candidates.
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
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