Post Title: Higher Education Programme Officer Contract Type: 10 Month Fixed-Term (Maternity Cover) Workplace: Remote. North-West England Reporting to: Education & Employability Manager The EFL is about two things; great football competition on the pitch and improving lives of people in communities off it. With more than 40 million people living within 10 miles of an EFL Club, the potential to connect with local people is as great as it has ever been We are looking for a driven and passionate Higher Education Programme Officer to work in our Projects & Participation Team within EFL in the Community. This is a crucial role that benefits millions through EFL Football Club charity support, helping to better the lives of people through the power of EFL Clubs. JOB OUTLINE Working within the Project & Participation Team and wider EFLitC, the Higher Education Programme Officer will be responsible for regional support of Higher Education (HE) programmes, delivered by English Football League in the Community (EFLitC) in partnership with University of South Wales (USW). You will deliver academic support services for these programmes across an agreed cluster of Football Club charities, to monitor and support students’ academic progress and engagement on HE programmes. The candidate will support the Education and Employability Manager and EFLitC with monitoring and evaluation, quality improvement, development, and resourcing measured against the USW critical success factors for recruitment, retention, satisfaction, good honours, and progression. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES FOOTBALL CLUB CHARITY SUPPORT Deliver academic support coaching to students on HE programmes that are delivered in partnership with the University of South Wales Report on any issues or common themes that may be apparent at a Football Club charity to the Education and Employability Manager and Degree Course Leader to help inform a profile of engagement for each student, identifying those students that are at risk of withdrawing (or being withdrawn) from the programme Ensure Football Club charities delivering the programme are adequately resourced and compliant with the programme Service Level Agreement Provide quality assurance of the delivery of the programme by Football Club charities, reporting all findings to the Education and Employability Manager Agree recruitment plans with mentors at Football Club charities at the beginning of each academic year, and monitor progress against the plan Delivery of recruitment and retention activities, to support Football Club charities to meet critical success targets for recruitment and retention across the HE programmes they deliver LEADERSHIP & EXPERTISE Liaise regularly with Football Club charity employees to monitor student progress and engagement (e.g., student attendance) Create, implement, and monitor site action plans as required Attend and partake at course induction other residentials as required, at the University of South Wales Provide pastoral support, signposting, and referral for students to the appropriate club or University support services (careers, finance, medical departments) Support the on-boarding of new delivery partners to the programme in your region, ensuring they are fully prepared prior to their first academic year of delivery Ensure Safeguarding, Data Protection, Health & Safety and other organisational requirements are embedded within the USW HE programmes Provide and ensure good quality case studies and stories are shared with Marketing to support the promotion of the programmes WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING Knowledge, understanding & competency in mentoring Knowledge of the Higher Education sector, and the student journey Demonstrable competency in providing academic support, such as in direct teaching or a pastoral role Familiarity with community football and or other sports coaching environments Understanding of community education and how to apply quality improvement processes Ability to innovate and inspire with a willingness to take calculated risks and challenge the norm TECHNICAL SKILLS Hold an undergraduate degree, level 6 qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant field/subject (or equivalent experience) Ideally hold additional qualifications related to study skills or teaching Strong working knowledge of Microsoft 365 and software such as Outlook, Excel, etc. Exposure and working skill in writing high quality reports for a range of audiences Practical knowledge and skill of teaching and/or mentoring on a higher-level blended learning programme Outstanding presentation skills ATTRIBUTES High levels of emotional intelligence and empathy Ability to manage workload and prioritise tasks, including those of direct reports High level organisational and administrative skills with acute attention to detail. Passionate about people and have a genuine respect for views, talents and expertise of others Lead by example and act with integrity at all times Lead by example by contributing to promoting the Core Values of the EFLitC: We are passionate about people We listen to learn We continually improve We lead by example INTRODUCTION TO EFL in the COMMUNITY (EFLitC) The EFL is about two things; great football competition on the pitch and improving lives of people in communities off it. With more than 40 million people living within 10 miles of an EFL Club, the potential to connect with local people is as great as it has ever been. EFL in the Community is the charitable arm of the EFL (English Football League). EFL in the Community (formerly the EFL Trust) was established in 2008 to support the groundbreaking work of EFL Football Club charities. This network of charities across England and Wales use the power of the Club badge to reach people who need help. They deliver a wide range of initiatives focused on improving health and wellbeing; raising aspirations and realising potential – building stronger, more cohesive EFL communities. Football Club charities engaged over 1.1 million participants last season and generated a total of £1.24 billion worth of social value across the full range of community initiatives and programmes. OUR VISION A collective network of 72 distinct organisations each equipped and empowered to address their community’s diverse social challenges using the power of football to improve lives. OUR MISSION We will enhance and amplify the capacity and capability of the EFL Club Community Organisations. We will support the network to develop greater social value and create stronger and healthier communities. We will collaborate, lead and serve. We will be our network’s greatest supporter. OUR TEAM AT THE EFL & EFLitC The EFL & EFLitC offers a unique opportunity to work with some of the biggest sporting competitions, clubs, commercial partnerships and media in the market. We look for the best people who approach their work with energy, excellence and commitment. Our employees are crucial to our success and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are fundamental elements of building our team. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this in your application. EFLitC reserves the right to close this advertisement early should we receive sufficient applications.