SFC Vacancy Information

Job profile

Post:Interim Director of Access, Skills and Outcome Agreements

Directorate:Access, Skills and Outcome Agreements

Purpose:Reporting to the Interim Chief Executive, this post is responsible for leading the Council’s work on the development and negotiation of outcome agreements with individual universities and college regions to maximise the impact of SFC’s strategic plan, its investments and policies.

To ensures the right facilities are in the right place to support teaching and learning. The directorate also works to ensure priorities around access, skills and academic quality

Description

1.To lead and manage the Access, Skills and Outcome Agreements Directorate with responsibility for:

outcome agreement negotiation and on-going performance management for all colleges and universities
managing the merger and collaboration process across the sector for the Council
development of Council policies on areas such as Access and Inclusion, Skills, Academic Quality and the provision of advice, guidance and support to colleges and universities
governance matters at individual institutional level
overseeing the process of Strategic Dialogue Meetings for colleges and universities.

2.Ambassadorial role for the Council with responsibility for:

representing the Council in negotiations with senior external stakeholders including Chairs, Principals, Scottish Government officials, Enterprise Agencies, UK and European wide bodies and Government officials
Influencing the national agenda and instigating debate across the sector in Scotland and UK.

Planning and Organising

The post-holder’s work is mainly influenced by the academic and financial years, Scottish Government Spending/Budget timetables, SFC Council Meetings and meetings of SMT. The Outcome Agreement process is an annual cycle that sets out what colleges and universities plan to deliver in return for their funding from the SFC. Their focus is on the contribution that the colleges and universities make towards improving life chances, supporting world-class research and creating sustainable economic growth for Scotland.

The post-holder has to plan up to a year ahead, in order to ensure information is collated and reported appropriately, and that resources are in place to deliver the planned activities, but also are available to deal with the unplanned.

Problem Solving (Thinking Challenge)

The post-holder has to deal with complex issues that have many factors which may influence possible outcomes, such as:

Understand the political, economic educational and policy frameworks through which the SFC, colleges and universities operate, and be able to consider the impact and implications of various changes to these to the sector, so as to advise on how to respond and adapt.
Consider how to influence stakeholders whilst maintaining constructive relationships, in order to achieve changes in policy and institutional behaviours and outcomes.

Decision Making (Authority)

The post-holder has to decide how to achieve successful outcomes from universities and colleges to meet SFC and Government priorities and implement action plans to deliver these.
The post-holder has to decide how to influence external stakeholders in order to achieve the best outcome for Scottish institutions.
The post-holder has to devise strategies and polices for the approval by the Council and then take decisions on how best to implement the policies in order to achieve the SFC’s operational and strategic plans.

Key Contacts and Relationships

Internal:

Chief Executive (line manager) – to influence about the formulation of access, skills and outcome agreement strategy and policy and how it is interpreted and implemented.
SMT Members - influence fellow Directors, advise and guide in relation to all access, skills and outcome agreement issues and in development of strategy and policy for delivering SFC’s vision.
To contribute to discussions and decisions on other key SFC strategies and policies.
Assistant Directors in AS&OA Directorate - to instruct, guide and lead the teams that directly report to the post-holder. To provide strong leadership and model professional standards, to ensure the appropriate quality and quantity of work is undertaken by staff in the Directorate.
Council Members – to influence and support Council on strategic and policy matters relating to access, skills and outcome agreement, in order to ensure effective governance and oversight of SFC policy and appropriate scrutiny and consideration of relevant matters.

External:

Scottish Government – influence and work in partnership in order to influence the development of Scottish Government (SG) policy on access, skills and outcome agreements and to ensure SFC strategy and policy aligns to the SG vision for Scotland.
Government Agencies, Skills Development Scotland, Community Planning partnerships etc to build productive and effective engagement to ensure delivery of national priorities.
Principals and Vice-Principals – to understand the current position of Scottish institutions, to influence the institutions and build strong relationships with them, in order to shape the quality and quantity of provision in Scotland.
UK Funding Bodies, and EU institutions – to build effective and constructive relationships in order to better understand their strategies and plans, to influence these and also to consider how best Scottish institutions can respond to attract funding (this is jointly with Finance Directorate colleagues).

Skills, Qualifications & Experience

Essential

Ability to analyse complex data – in particular the ability to use and interpret complex evidence, both quantitative and qualitative, to support policy-making and implementation.
Comprehensive understanding of FE and HE policy and strategy in Scotland and the wider UK context, including the Scottish Government’s key objectives for FE and HE and sustainable economic growth.
A strategic thinker who can contribute to delivering the SFC vision, in their own area of expertise and also more generally across SFC’s activities.
Ability to communicate and inspire the confident involvement and alignment with the vision, ideas, concepts and issues with all stakeholders (from Scottish Government senior officials and politicians, HE stakeholders, etc., and internal staff).
Strong interpersonal skills, to negotiate, influence and maintain constructive relationships with internal and external stakeholders and be flexible in working with colleagues within SFC.
Strong organisational and work planning skills, project management and ability to manage changing priorities.
Evidence of resilience to handle the multiple challenges facing SFC and the sectors.

Desirable

Significant experience of policy development and implementation in promoting widening access and/or skills and other relevant policy areas.
An analytical or statistical background.
A good understanding of the current Scottish political and Government environment.
Post-graduate or equivalent professional or management qualification relevant to the work of the Council.

Dimensions

The Access, Skills and Outcome Agreements Directorate has c. 30 staff
The post-holder has 6 direct reports at Assistant Director (M1) level

Status of Job Profile

This profile has been created to describe, in outline, the nature of appointments at this level. It is an indicative document and the exact nature of these duties will vary with time and from post to post. Post holders will be expected to carry out any work that is commensurate with their grade or that may reasonably be required of them.

Aug 2016