The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

The Role and the Department

The successful candidate will be based in the Department of Computer Science, Durham University. The Department holds an Athena Swan Silver award, highlighting its commitment to promoting women in Science, Engineering and Technology.

Applications are invited for a Course Tutor on the exciting initiative, TechUP which will be delivering the TechUPWomen Click Start programme over the next 12 months. The post will include teaching, monitoring, supporting and tracking students completing the programme in general IT and IT support, this will be done through the Thinkific e-learning platform, a Skype group and live online lectures.

Applicants will be fully trained on all course content but should have a working knowledge of the subject area, the curriculum includes:

1. Fundamental Computer Skills

2. IT Support Role

3. Cybersecurity and SFIA

4. Troubleshooting and Diagnostics

5. Ticketing Systems

6. Testing, Collaborating and Training

7. DevOps, Project Management, QA and Accessibility

8. Coding and Software Development

9. Introduction to Data Analysis

10. Introduction to User Design and Research

11. Introduction to Digital Marketing and Web Design

Applicants will be working under the guidance of Professor Sue Black and Professor Alexandra Cristea, reporting to Programme Manager, Johanna Waite.

Learn more about our first TechUP programme, TechUPWomen, here

This role is full time between January and June 2025, applicants must be able to start W/C 6th January 2025

There will be a requirement to work outside of normal office hours, as and when required including, being able to work on Saturdays for welcome and celebration events.

• Welcome Event One - 1st February
• Welcome Event Two - 29th March
• Celebration Event TBC (likely early June).

Working Arrangements

This post may be completed working primarily remotely, with occasional travel into the office as required for in person welcome and celebration events as detailed above.

Mandatory teaching days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, other hours may be completed flexibly with agreement of your line-manager.

If appointed to the post, your line-manager will discuss the specific arrangements with you. Any hybrid arrangements are non-contractual and may change in line with business needs.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available and access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16 throughout the year.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• We offer generous pension schemes.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.

As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1. Five GCSE's at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or a Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience.

2. Industry or professional knowledge/recognition relevant to the role supported by relevant courses or certification.

3. Experience of working in a team.

4. Experience or ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.

5. Experience of implementing policies and procedures.

6. Experienced practitioner who has led teaching working within an educational, commercial or industrial environment.

7. Extensive experience of relationship building and ability to turn opportunities into long-term knowledge exchange and collaboration.

8. Extensive knowledge and experience of monitoring own activities and others to ensure health and safety regulations are adhered to.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

9. Good spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.

10. Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications/Google Suite and online learning system.

11. Committed to continuing professional development.

12. Regulatory, local and national professional knowledge and experience of compliance.

13. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

14. Professional knowledge and expertise in IT and IT support.

Desirable Criteria

15. Experience teaching and supporting learners from minority and vulnerable groups

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails

What you are required to submit:

• A CV
• A covering letter, table or statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification

Contact details

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Johanna Waite would be happy to speak to you:

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery

• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values.
• Ensure that the University's procedures and values are always reflected in all aspects of the service and adapt ways of working where this is not evident.
• Provide specialist advice and make decisions to resolve problems relating to delivery of TechUP technical teaching and learner support.
• Share technical knowledge and expertise to support other team members.
• Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your and make recommendations based on your findings.
• Provide the best possible service to the TechUP team and learners by reviewing and making suggestions to improve the service.
• Collect, organise and record data and information accurately to provide reports.
• Manage, maintain and monitor designated learner records and learning environment to ensure safety, security and compliance.
• Carry out specialist risk assessments and resolve incidents that require specialist expertise.

Planning and Organising

• Plan and organise own workload to deliver the role.
• Deliver assigned teaching in accordance with agreed objectives ensuring a high level of accuracy, complexity, originality and excellence.
• Supervise the work of teams involved in delivering TechUP teaching.
• Seek feedback from TechUP team and learners to ensure that the service is updated to meet customer expectations.

Teaching and Learning Support

• Commission, construct and setup test and experimental scenarios and practical sessions.
• Be an expert in the use of a range of machinery and equipment either physical, virtual or digital TechUP learning environment.
• Provide high-level technical guidance and advice to solve problems and help shape the delivery of teaching, learning and research outcomes.
• Record, monitor and collate information, analyse patterns and trends as part of teaching and research activities.

Communication/Liaison

• Develop and improve services by taking part in meetings, working groups and committees.
• Explain and demonstrate to others how to carry out tasks and use a range of digital services.
• Create good working relationships, including internal and external networks which allow you to increase your knowledge and skills, while swapping information with peers
• Build relationships with contractors and third-party suppliers to share good practice, exchange information and work together on joint initiatives.

• Any other reasonable duties.

Useful links

If you would like further information you may find the following will help

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.