Job Description
The Role
The Student Digital Skills Officer plays a vital role in coordinating the digital capabilities agenda at Aberystwyth University. This role will also support colleagues in developing and delivering a programme of digital, information literacy and academic skills training, providing information on skills, materials, and resources, including one-to-one support as well as creating online learning materials in support of the skills development agenda.
Working in collaboration with Academic Departments, Professional Services, and our student community the postholder will develop digital resources, training and practice are easily accessible to students and their supporters. A particular focus of the role will be to work with colleagues to embed digital information and academic literacy within the curriculum.
The postholder will be an active champion of digital skills and will work hard to enable and empower staff working within the Library Academic and Digital Services team and across the Student Journey Department to build into their practice and delivery.
The postholder will work closely with the Academic Engagement and Student Skills Lead and fellow practitioners to develop a newly formed Library Academic Services team, ensuring that it aligns with the University’s 2030s Strategic Plan and meets the needs of our diverse and engaged student community.
Working closely with other services and practitioners across and beyond the University community, the post holder will contribute to the delivery of support provision, interventions and resources that support students through their Aberystwyth University student journey.
What you’ll do
This job description is subject to review and amendment in the light of the changing needs of the University, to provide appropriate development opportunities and/or the addition of any other reasonable duties.
1. Identify and define the digital skill sets necessary to perform a variety of staff roles, exploiting the technology available at Aberystwyth University.
2. Identify common skill gaps in the use of Aberystwyth University systems versus the defined skill set requirements.
3. Create an easily accessible online presence on the AU website for students and staff to access information on digital, information and academic skills services, training, and support.
4. Work with academic and professional service departments to embed digital, information and academic literacy in the curriculum.
5. Deliver bilingual training to students and staff to support digital capabilities and academic skills development.
6. Create supporting digital materials or use ready-made content to provide online training on digital, information and academic skills.
7. Ensure training and support materials are available in Welsh language as required.
8. Provide regular reports on a departmental level on digital capability gaps to key stakeholders to plan on how to develop and deliver digital capabilities in the curriculum.
9. Undertake other duties as assigned by your line manager, commensurate with the role's grade.
10. To be a flexible member of the team, supporting colleagues at peak times of workload and pressure including attendance at university events e.g. open days, graduation which may include weekend work.
11. Promote equality of opportunity, and to support and uphold the University's commitment to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of your work.
12. To support the university strategy and underlining plans, engage in continuous personal and professional development in line with the demands of the role, including undertaking relevant training and development activities to develop yourself and support the development of others.
13. Fulfil health and safety responsibilities appropriate to the role, while actively promoting the personal health, safety, and wellbeing of staff and students as a member of the Aberystwyth community. Additionally, support the University’s commitment to environmental sustainability through responsible practices and engagement.
The above does not represent an exhaustive list of duties associated with this role.
Who you are – Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills required
Essential
14. Degree level or equivalent experience
15. An awareness of current developments in digital capabilities development, particularly in the HE sector
16. Experience of delivering information to learners both in person and online
17. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
18. Ability to forge effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders
19. Experience of successfully working both within a team and independently
20. Well-developed IT skills using Microsoft Office
21. Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level B1 or evidence to demonstrate an on-going commitment to learn Welsh to this level.
Desirable
22. Experience of developing and delivering information to learners both in person and online
23. Experience in communicating technical information to a range of stakeholders
24. Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level C1.*
*More information on Welsh Language Levels can be found at:
How to apply
To promote a flexible workforce, the University will consider applications from individuals seeking full time, part time, job share, or term time only working arrangements.
Applications for this role must be made through jobs.aber.ac.uk. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.
Benefits
25. Flexible working policy
26. 36.5 – hour week for full-time roles
27. Generous leave entitlements – 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and university closed days
28. Commitment to Professional Development
29. Enhanced contribution to our workplace pension schemes
30. Staff recognition and reward schemes
31. Opportunity to learn the Welsh language for free
32. Staff relocation bursary
33. Maternity, Paternity, Parental and Adoption Leave
34. Staff discount for gym facilities, hospitality, and retail on campus.
Please keep reading
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities and, those that are currently underrepresented in our workforce. This includes but is not limited to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities, and female candidates.
We are a Bilingual Institution which complies with the Welsh Language Standards and is committed to Equal Opportunities. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.
Employment Visa
Under the UK Government’s points-based system scheme, this role does not meetthe criteria to be sponsored by Aberystwyth University (AU) for a Skilled Worker Route (SWR) application.
For more information, please visit: