Participation and Development Coordinator

About ARU:

ARU is a global university transforming lives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial education and research. ARU holds a Gold award for the quality of its education, awarded through the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).

ARU’s research institutes and four faculties bridge scientific, technical and creative fields.  We deliver impactful research which tackles pressing issues and makes a real difference to our communities.  Our academic excellence has been recognised by the UK’s Higher Education funding bodies, with 16 of our research areas assessed as world leading. We are the largest provider of Nursing, Midwifery, Health and Social Care students in the East of England, and we are also among the UK’s leading universities for degree apprenticeship provision, working with hundreds of employers across the UK.

At our ARU Writtle campus, we specialise in animal, environmental, agricultural and horticultural courses, for learners aged 16 to 18, adult learners, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

About the Role:

At ARU Writtle, we are committed to supporting the personal development and engagement of our Further Education learners. We are seeking a Participation and Development Coordinator to lead and coordinate our Student Development Coach team, ensuring high-quality learner support and enrichment activities across the college.

In this role, you will:

• Provide leadership and line management for the Student Development Coach team.
• Plan and deliver engaging group tutorials on topics such as careers, British Values, diversity, and wellbeing.
• Coordinate enrichment activities, learner voice initiatives, and employability opportunities.
• Offer individual and small group support to help students overcome barriers to learning.
• Collaborate with academic and support teams to enhance student experience and success.

What we’re looking for:

• Degree or part qualified in a relevant professional qualification at degree level or demonstrable appropriate level of experience and evidence of continuing professional development relevant to the role.
• Experience in planning and delivering group sessions and working effectively within a team.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and ability to build positive relationships.
• Knowledge of technology and awareness of diverse learner needs.
• A proactive, professional approach with excellent organisational and time management skills.

Desirable: Level 5 Teacher Training qualification, experience working with FE students, and safeguarding training.

Informal enquiries can be made to Kim Bedford-Straw, at Kim.Bedford-Straw@aru.ac.uk

Find out more about working with us and how we recruit.

We have an agile working culture and offer an extensive range of benefits including generous holiday entitlement, occupational pension schemes, training and development opportunities, travel to work scheme and a competitive relocation package. Visit our benefits page for full details.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare of our staff and students and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that ARU will carry out online searches as part of the due diligence on short listed candidates.

All appointments at ARU Writtle are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including a satisfactory Enhanced criminal records with Children’s Barred List check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Further information can be obtained from https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check.

This role is considered exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.

We value diversity at ARU and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We have a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Committed to being inclusive and open to discuss flexible working. 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy once we have received sufficient applications.

Guidance Notes: 

Please download the Job Description Person Specification for key requirements. To apply, demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the criteria.