Widening Participation Officer - Full time, Permanent

With over 19,500 students and 1,500 staff, Edinburgh Napier University is a leading, modern university with a reputation and impact that stretches far beyond our shores. We are an inclusive University with strong links to industry and are clear that it is our ‘applied’ focus that sets us apart.

Our strategy is set around four key pillars of growing our academic reputation, delivering an excellent personalised student experience, internationalising our work; and build innovation, enterprise and citizenship.

The Role:

The Widening Participation Officer will be tasked with supporting students at various stages of their student journey, this will involve with developing and delivering interventions to support enquirers and potential applicants from various background - with a particular emphasis placed upon community engagement. A large aspect of the role also extends to supporting current university students from care experienced, unpaid carer and estranged backgrounds - these students shall be supported through to graduation.

You will be expected to contribute to the development of our web and communications content to WP applicants. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to support the delivery of a programme of activities linked to Equality Outcomes, including interventions that seek to increase BAME representation in our university community and improve gender balances in key subject areas.

Within the role you shall be expected to work in partnership with key external organisations and other areas within the wider UK Student Recruitment and Widening Participation team on the creation and delivery of joint projects. Other UKSRWP areas include:

• College outreach
• Schools Outreach
• Student Recruitment Events

This is a great opportunity to work with young people in support of their journey to and through university, helping them to overcome barriers to participation and developing aspirations in a range of environments. Please note that there is occasional requirement for travel, evening and weekend working in this role.

Who we are looking for:

• Some relevant experience of working in a widening participation context
• Experience of planning and delivering workshops/presentations
• Experience of managing sensitive situations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and team-working skills with the ability to build effective working relationships and a network of contacts.

If you would like to know more about this opportunity, please click here to view the full job description.

Benefits we offer

Salary: £27,929 - £34,308 per annum (Grade 4) plus excellent benefits

We offer a great working environment where we support ambition, recognise achievement, and offer an attractive benefits package.

This includes:

• hybrid working and flexible working opportunities
• minimum of 36 days annual leave (including 10 fixed holidays)
• a generous pension scheme (employer contribution of 20.8%)
• nationally agreed pay increases each year
• various learning and development opportunities
• discounted access to onsite and local gym facilities and a wide range of other staff discounts

For more information on our wide range of benefits, click here.

Additional information:

Closing date: Monday 15th May

Interview: W/C 22nd May

Edinburgh Napier is committed to creating an environment where everyone feels proud, confident, challenged and supported and are holders of Disability Confident, Carer Positive and Stonewall Diversity Champion status. Please see here for more information. We are a flexible Employer.