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OPENUNIVERSITY VALIDATION SERVICES

QUALITY AND PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER

JOB DESCRIPTION

TitleQuality andPartnerships Manager

GradeGrade 8

Reports toDirector through Deputy Director (Accreditation and Validation)

Main Purpose of Post

  1. to be responsible for the Open University relationship with a group of approved institutions;
  1. to contribute to policy formulation, development and evaluation.

Context

  1. The post will report to the Deputy Director (Accreditation and Validation) and the Quality and Partnerships Manager will be a member of the Validation Team. The Quality and Partnerships Manager will be expected to work both individually and as a member of various project teams, and from time to time, to lead and be responsible for the work of a project team;
  1. Quality and Partnerships Managers are expected to be available to visit institutions, organisevalidation events and attend meetings and conferences outside the Unit;
  1. Quality and Partnerships Managers should expect to spend up to 25 nights each year away from home at a variety of events;
  1. Each Quality and Partnerships Manager will work closely with a member of Open University Validation Services secretarial staff;

5.The post is subject to the Open University’s standard terms and conditions of service for Academic Related and Support Staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

  1. to be the principal point of contact between The Open University and a group of approved institutions on matters related to the quality assurance of the University’s validated awards;
  1. to be responsible for the provision of authoritative advice and support to organisations having or seeking a relationship with The Open University;
  1. to encourage institutions to take maximum responsibility for their own standards through the development of their systems of quality assurance;
  1. to organise, participate in, and prepare reports about institutional approval, validation and review events and quality and partnership development relating to a group of institutions, awards or subject areas, in conjunction, where appropriate, with other members of Open University staff;
  1. to organise and agree the programme of academic reviewer activities in the group of institutions for which the Quality and Partnerships Manager has responsibility, and to co-ordinate and review these activities in respect of one or more subject areas across the range of validated programmes;
  1. to service committees and working parties to which the Quality and Partnerships Manager may from time to time be assigned, including the preparation of policy papers, agendas and minutes;
  1. to supervise in conjunction with the Systems Development Officer, the maintenance of databases, systems and records for accredited institutions and validated programmes and courses;
  1. to supervise, as appropriate, the maintenance of paper records and correspondence for accredited institutions and validated programmes and courses;
  1. to liaise with and work with relevant institutions, companies, professional bodies and with other sections of theOpen University on issues of mutual interest or concern;
  1. to prepare papers and reports as required;
  1. to undertake such other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Director or the Deputy Director (Accreditation and Validation).

Terms and Conditions of Service

  1. The appointment is full-time and permanent and will be made on Grade 8 for Academic-Related and Support Staff, at an appropriate point on a scale from £33,779 to £40,335 per annum plus London Allowance of £3,349. The starting salary will be dependent upon qualifications and experience;

2.Open University Validation Services is currently in the process of re-structuring its staffing profile and the new structure will be put in place during the course of the next year. Under the new structure the duties and responsibilities of the post will remain broadly as set out above but the line management arrangements will change;

3.Open University Validation Services will be re-located from Central London to the Open University campus at Milton Keynes in February 2009. The successful candidate will be expected to work from the London office from the date of appointment to February 2009 and thereafter from Milton Keynes;

4. The annual leave entitlement is 33 days annual holiday in a leave year from 1

October to 30 September, in addition to all bank and public holidays and days on which the University is closed. A staff member joining during the leave year will be entitled to leave in proportion to the period served;

5. Applicants are invited to provide the names of three referees who are able to

comment on the candidates experience and abilities. If candidates offer language skills it would be helpful if one of the referees could comment on this particular aspect.

Applications

Completed applications should be returned to Sandra Guerreiro, PA to the Director, Open University Validation Services, 44 Bedford Row, London WC1R 4LL by 30 June 2008. Short-listed candidates will be invited for interview.

Stephen Cooksey

May 2008