Academic Quality Officer

About the School / Directorate and Team The Global Registry and Academic Support Directorate supports our students and staff across the full student life-cycle from enrolment to graduation. The Directorate has responsibility as the definitive record-keeper of all student information, programme and course details, as well as leading services that help students settle and stay at the University. This includes providing professional help and advice through a range of support and wellbeing services. The Directorate supports academic and professional services staff across the University in a number of areas, including academic, institutional and student-related Regulations and Policies, and global, national and institutional quality matters. It delivers its services through five Divisions, each managed by a Global Head, and two Heads of Campus Registry and Student Services: StudentLife, OnlineStudents, AcademicOperations, AcademicQuality, AcademicSecretariat, RegulationandPolicy, HeadofRegistry & StudentServices–DubaiCampus, HeadofRegistry & StudentServices–MalaysiaCampus. Academic Quality Division is made up of three Teams Quality Assurance: Has management and oversight of all processes related to approval, annual monitoring and periodic review. Delivers an integrated approach to the assurance of quality and academic standards. Academic Enhancement: Overseeing enhancement of learning and teaching and of the student learning experience (incl. PGR students), and delivers strategic change in learning and teaching and in the student learning experience. Accreditation and Academic Partnerships: Has management and oversight of all academic partnerships and external accreditations (government and professional bodies) and delivers a consistent approach to external accreditation and the assurance of partnerships. In Dubai and Malaysia the Academic Quality divisions run as single teams, which liaise with the three central teams for professional support, and are managed locally by the Academic Quality Manager. Purpose of Role The Academic Quality Officer will be responsible for undertaking key quality assurance activities as part of the Academic Quality team based at the Dubai campus, with a particular focus on accreditation, review and audit events for the approval and re-approval of the University’s licence and programmes; and regulatory data returns to the CAA, MoHESR and KHDA. The postholder will support an integrated, coherent approach across all modes and locations and to maintaining and assuring the quality and academic standards of the University’s provision. Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities Work with other Academic Quality Officers to gather university data for regulatory data returns to CAA, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the KHDA. Collate and draft accreditation documentation for submission to regulatory bodies on behalf of academic colleagues for review by the Academic Quality Manager ready for submission. Co-ordinate accreditation, licensure and audit events (and produce reports where required from such events) for the approval and re-approval of the University’s licence and programmes. This includes both those required by the University’s internal processes and those required by UK and non-UK government Authorities / external agencies, including KHDA, CAA and MoHESR in the UAE. Represent the Dubai campus, and maintain strong working relationships, with local regulatory authorities under the direction of the Academic Quality Manager. Develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders, including other Professional Service teams and academic colleagues. Provide advice and guidance on standard enquiries regarding Academic Quality policies and procedures and local regulatory and accreditation requirements. Provide support as needed for approval, review and renewal of the University’s external partnership agreements, including Partner Annual Monitoring and Review, and collaborate with International Development colleagues in associated policy and procedure developments. Co-ordinate the reporting of Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) accreditations in Dubai to both the University and to external government organisations, and provide support to Schools as required in PSRB accreditation events. Progress any other tasks associated with the work of the Academic Quality team, and this is likely to include campus-specific tasks, eg co-ordinating Academic Reviews at the Dubai campus, including organisation of Enhancement Workshops, and contributing to the organisation of Academic-Related Reviews and Internal Audits at the Edinburgh Campus. Progress any other tasks associated with the wider Registry and Academic Support Directorate, eg assisting at student enrolment and at graduation ceremonies. Education, Qualifications & Experience Essential Educated to at least Bachelor’s degree level, or equivalent practical experience in the workplace Experience of working within a similar environment, preferably in international higher education Proven experience collating and drafting large-scale reports Proven relevant experience in clerking committees, which will have been acquired over a number of years Analytical problem-solving skills Well-developed interpersonal skills Demonstrable excellent customer service Demonstrable ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately in a dynamic, changing and pressured environment Demonstrable professional and proactive approach Competent in the use of relevant IT packages Desirable Experience working in Higher Education quality assurance Experience working with KHDA, CAA and/or MoHESR requirements and processes Values Belong Collaborate Inspire Celebrate How to Apply Please submit your CV and a cover letter setting out how you meet the criteria for this role. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to complete an on-demand video interview as the first stage of the selection process. Successful candidates will then proceed to in-person formal interviews at our Dubai campus, where you will be asked to deliver a brief presentation on a relevant topic. Following the formal interview, the preferred candidate will attend a second interview with senior staff at the Dubai campus before a final offer decision is made. Equal Opportunity Statement Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all. Conditional Appointment The appointment is conditional upon successful completion of all Labor and Immigration formalities, and the start date will need to be delayed if the employment visa is not in place. #J-18808-Ljbffr