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:
8297
Job title:
Collaborations & Fellowships Manager
Reports to:
OER Research Hub Programme Manager
Salary:
£37,012 - £44,166
Terms and conditions:
Academic Related
Grade:
8
Duration of post:
Temporary to 31/08/2014
Working hours:
Full time
Location:
Milton Keynes
Closing date:
25th October 2012 – 12 noon
Type of application form accepted:
long application form
Number of referees required:
3
Unit recruitment contact:
Rosemary Calder
Human Resources HRG158 Issue 2
January 2010
Page 1 of 6
2. Summary of duties
Main Purpose
The OER Research Hub is supported by The William and Hewlett Foundation to carry out, analyse and report on
research on the impact on learning and teaching of Open Educational Resources (OER). Open approaches to
education are having major impact and research is needed to identify needs, share practice and bring out the
evidence of impact from OERs and educational practice. The post holder will be a key member of the team to set
the approach and methodology of the collaborations strand of the project, taking responsibility for creative and
consistent communication of the project’s activities and providing a strong coordination role for the project’s
fellows located throughout the world.
Job Description
1. To provide operational management of the Collaboration and Fellowships strands of the OER Research
Hub project, oversee project effectiveness and be the key day-to-day contact.
2. To ensure the co-ordination of the activities associated with these strands through developing plans,
monitoring processes, coordinating, communicating and implementing procedures. To develop and be
responsible for a robust fellowships programme for the project.
3. To provide overall responsibility for the liaison and support of the project’s fellows, taking oversight of
their recruitment, fellowship arrangements and financial support.
4. To take an active role in the planning and delivery of the project’s collaborations. This will involve:
a. Working closely with the Principal and Co-Investigators and Research Associates to scope
research and evaluation activities, allocating and estimating resource for these activities.
b. Monitoring progress for the collaborations, problem-solving and ensuring delivery against agreed
timescales and outputs.
c. Reporting any issues to the Programme Manager and Project Manager as necessary.
d. Ensuring that work with the collaborations aligns with the project’s priorities.
5. To lead on communications for the project by:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Working closely with the Research Associate around research outputs.
Contributing to and organising professional development activities and events.
Being responsible for the development and updating of the project’s website.
Producing and publishing a range of social media outputs including slidecasts, videos and blog
posts.
e. Ensuring that effective marketing and public relations strategies are developed and implemented
that communicate and disseminate the work of the project.
6. With the Project Manager, to take responsibility for the OER Research Hub proposed targets and
reporting in relation to its funder The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, leading on the formal
reporting process on behalf of the Principle Investigator.
7. To lead fellowship and collaborations activity and guide the matching of research capacity to the needs
of these activities.
8. Play a key role in the development of the strategic direction of the OER Research Hub and links to
similar activities within the OU, such as OpenLearn and the OER Hub.
9. To support others in the OER Research Hub in developing links with organisations and individuals for
fellowships and collaborations.
10. To contribute to the development and submission of further targeted funding proposals and to identify
ways to sustain relevant activity from the fellows and collaborations strand of the project.
11. To undertake such other activities as requested by the Programme Manager, Principle Investigator and
Co-Investigator.
2. Person specification
The Institute applies OU expectations in appointing people with proven skills or demonstrable ability to develop a
range of common competencies expected of academic-related staff relating to:
Team and multifunctional working; Planning, organisation and administration; Problem solving and decision
making; Flexibility, adaptability and learning; Achievement and drive; Customer focuses; Interpersonal style and
influential communications; Knowledge management; Information and communications technology; Project
management; Developing others; Leadership and management
Selection for this post will be based on the following specific manifestations of these core competencies.
Essential
1. A degree plus a postgraduate qualification or equivalent.
2. An excellent understanding of good practice in eLearning and in open content provision.
3. Excellent project management skills and a proven track record in project management.
4. High-level communication, negotiating, ambassadorial and influencing skills.
5. A good knowledge of the HE sector and the importance of meeting deadlines and quality standards.
6. Highly effective team working, networking and co-ordination skills.
7. Good written, oral and presentation skills.
8. Experience of successfully managing and reporting on budgets.
9. The ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
10. A demonstrable interest in e-learning and innovative e-learning developments.
11. A clear appreciation of the significance of Open Educational Resources for the University and the wider
HE community.
12. The ability to motivate staff plus excellent interpersonal skills, including the confidence to delegate and
to accept responsibility for the outcomes.
Desirable
1. Specialist knowledge and experience of research projects and evaluation methodology and ethics.
2. Experience in the Higher Education sector.
3. Knowledge of OU policy context for IET work.
4. Ability to contribute to refereed publications.
4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working
Not applicable
5. About the unit/department
IET’s vision places it at the hub of the OU, connecting together a network of innovation and expertise in learning and
teaching and using this collective power to change the face of education. We have around 80 staff who collaborate
with teams across the OU and externally.
The Institute is:
o A centre of expertise in educational technology, promoting and embedding good practice and driving
professional development of staff
o At the heart of the OU, directly influencing the OU’s strategy
o Outward looking and responsive to our clients: CAUs and VCE
o Respected within the OU as providing strategic advice and support
o Delivering a significant volume of high impact, internationally renowned research
The Institute also plays an important role in institutional research, course development and evaluation. It works to
inform, promote and support institutional learning by helping the University increase its understanding of the needs of
adult learners and of its own development as a teaching institution. It seeks to achieve this through its research and
evaluation work which also contributes to the University’s Quality Assurance systems and plays an important part in
the external QA procedures required by the Quality Assurance Agency. The University’s external ratings rank it in the
top ten teaching institutions.
The Institute provides advice on the use of modern technologies to support effective learning, particularly distance
learning and e-learning, in higher education. It is committed to developing expertise in teaching and learning and to
applying it, particularly to the benefit of the Open University.
In addition to studying, evaluating and influencing OU practices, we carry out basic research into learning and elearning, and applied research into the use of new technologies. We also work in the field of professional
development in Higher Education and have a strong and successful record of postgraduate teaching.
Implicit in our work is the idea that IET is a knowledge translator. It seeks out knowledge and understanding, whether
from outside the OU and UK, or from within, works on it and then shares it with course teams, teachers, designers
and policy-makers so that they can act on the basis of research evidence. It is outward-facing and OU-serving.
There is a thriving research higher degree programme with 26 students, 14 of whom are full time and benefit from an
onsite programme of seminars and supervision. We have research activity in a number of areas; including computer
assisted learning in science education, portable computing in learning environments, computer based concept
mapping, use of computer mediated communication in humanities HE, Academic literacies, assessment design and
learning outcomes. The Institute also has ESRC recognition for research student training, and full-time students study
an MSc in Research Methods for Educational Technology for their first year, tutored by members of IET. Research
student supervision is complemented by the MA in Open and Distance Education and the Postgraduate Certificate in
Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.
Members of IET work within a programme structure which is divided into two main themes, Learning & Teaching and
Research & Scholarship. IET’s programme structure is flexible to be responsive to changes in the environment and
in the OU’s strategic direction. Staff work collaboratively with each other across programmes on a variety of projects
and activities:
Learning & Teaching
IET’s expertise in pedagogy and technology is co-ordinated by the Associate Director (Learning and Teaching)
who has overall responsibility for the Learning & Teaching Programme in IET.
IET works closely with other faculties and units in the Learning and Teaching area to develop the University’s
curriculum and pedagogical effectiveness.
The Institute is engaged in strategic collaborative relationships across the OU that have impact on how courses are
taught. This includes leading roles on a number of institutionally strategic projects, such as:
o
OpenLearn
o
BioDiversity project
o
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
o
Learning Design project
Projects in the Learning & Teaching programme concentrate on one or more aspects of understanding the student
experience and how it affects student learning.
The IET Learning & Teaching programme delivers educational and professional development activities to enable staff
to support the University’s e-learning and e-teaching strategy.
IET offers a qualification for staff members in higher education who teach or directly support student learning.
Our experience and knowledge of using new technologies to support good learning, teaching and assessment
practices are presented and developed in the following taught course programmes:

Masters in Online and Distance Education

Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice
Other key activities include developing new software for use in teaching and learning as well as making practical use
of existing technologies.
Research & Scholarship
IET’s programme of Research & Scholarship is co-ordinated by the Associate Director (Research & Scholarship).
All IET research is aligned to one or more of the University’s strategic objectives and is geared to targeting a portfolio
of high value, high impact bids. IET fosters collaborative research networks with Faculties and service units across
the OU and externally.
Projects in the programme include research into learning in a more open world, digital scholarship, e-assessment,
researching how the net generation learns, social networking in education, learning design and mobile technologies
such as the use of mobile devices in teaching and learning.
Planning and Resources
IET’s programme of work is supported by the Planning and Resources Team, led by the Associate Director
(Planning and Resources) enabling the effective running of the programme through provision of financial, staffing,
research and project support.
Client Focus
IET’s programme of work is tailored around the needs of the OU and external clients. IET’s Senior Client Partner
liaises with internal and external clients, scoping and developing strategic strands of work, promoting IET innovations
and services and enhancing IET’s reputation.
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 the Staffing
Support Officer on extension 59059 or email iet-recruitment@open.ac.uk .
If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact Rosemary Calder on extension 59059 or
email rosemary.calder@open.ac.uk.
7. Where to send completed applications
Please submit an application form and a covering letter clearly indicating how you believe you meet the person
specification. The application form can be found at:
http://intranet6.open.ac.uk/human-resources/policies-and-procedures/a
Please ensure that your application reaches the University by: 12 noon 25th October 2012
E-mail your application to: iet-recruitment@open.ac.uk
or post it to:
Rosemary Calder, Staffing Support Officer
Institute of Educational technology
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA
8. Selection process and date of interview
Members of the interview panel are expected to be Prof Patrick McAndrew, Patrina Law and Matthew Gorman.
Interviews are expected to take place on 29th November 2012.
We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been shortlisted for interview.
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.