Overview
Stem Co-ordinator (Outreach) UHI North Highland, Thurso
Fixed Term Position for 3 years
Full Time, 35 hours per week, 2 Part Time posts may be considered
Salary: £28,473 per annum
UHI North Highland are now recruiting for a Stem Co-Ordinator (Outreach) to join their team.
JOB SUMMARY:
The UHI STEM Co-ordinator (Outreach) is one of 10 positions across the UHI region and part of a 3-year STEM Development Outreach Programme. The postholder will conduct this role across the College’s entire area of interest i.e Caithness, Sutherland and Easter-Ross.
The postholder will contribute to local STEM partnership meetings, ensuring local (if possible, data-informed) STEM plans are developed, delivered and reported annually.
The post is jointly managed by the UHI wide Head of STEM Development and local UHI AP nominated lead to ensure the strategic regional/local operational coordination of the STEM network.
The post holder will also coordinate and deliver STEM engagement activities locally, with a focus on the early year and first stage learners (EYFS) and primary schools. This post is critical to a coordinated, collaborative UHI regional STEM approach and developing local STEM networks.
Local STEM Partnership Coordination:
- Act as a point of contact for local based and focussed STEM partnership aligned with local STEM network, to include local authority and schools and co-ordinate the development of, and support to, local STEM partnerships including facilitation of the partnership meetings
- Ensure local needs and priorities in STEM engagement are identified and planned with other STEM partners through an agreed annual STEM engagement plan, clarifying requirements and activities for programmes/ schools/ targeted groups.
- Proactively seek and act on opportunities to develop the network of relationships leading to funded projects or other activities/events raising the profile of UHI STEM and STEM partnerships.
- Proactively seek and act on opportunities to maximising resource utilisation through integration of activities between project grants/contracts, writing grant/funding applications as agreed and directed.
- Maintain accurate records and collate key information which supports evidence based and evaluation of STEM related activities and produce reports as required.
- Contribute to the ongoing evaluation of own activity and work of the local partnership with a view to continuous improvement.
- Contribute to the development of the UHI STEM Strategic Plan with the STEM Development Manager.
STEM Outreach Engagement & Events:
• Take responsibility for STEM engagement project/event design and delivery, including coordination of staff, volunteers and liaising with STEM partners, community groups and local business and across STEM network, planning activity within agreed budgets, monitoring budget and resources as required (subject to agreed processes).
• Coordinate and delivery of STEM engagement activities locally, including the EY& Primary School Engagement model ‘Lend a Lab’ or alternative (with explicit agreement of STEM Development Manager) which provides in class/in school support to teachers and probationers in STEM subjects.
• Maintain records of school STEM involvement and conduct evaluations on effectiveness of STEM Programme to ensure funders requirements are met.
• When required provide support to other key regional STEM engagement activities.
• Support the development of a community of practice with other UHI STEM Coordinators (Outreach).
General responsibilities
• Identify, manage, and report on risks associated with the role.
• Participate in the university’s performance and development review procedure.
• Take due care of yourself and others in respect of health and safety.
• Attend training courses that may be identified as necessary by your line manager.
• Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required, commensurate with your grade.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
Qualifications
Educated to degree level of equivalent in a STEM or related discipline.
Experience
- Experience of working in STEM engagement or science communications delivery in schools or equivalent context.
- Previous supervisory responsibility and/or experience of organising and delivery of STEM engagement/activities and Community events meeting agreed
targets and timescales - Experience and expertise of networking/working in partnership with industry and other external agencies to promote and develop programmes of activities (ideally STEM related)
- Experience of leading programmes of activities to deliver agreed targets within timescales and budgets
- Appropriate level of data protection, security awareness and confidentiality awareness.
- Ability to understand, analyse and summarise information with good IT and social media skills (including proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office, and social media tools and services including blogs and social media)
Knowledge and Skills
- Knowledge of Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence and familiarity with STEM curriculum expectations and outcomes
- Excellent interpersonal skills in dealing with both internal academic staff, and other external stakeholders, with high standards of professionalism and diplomacy.
- Ability to work and act on own initiative, as well as ability to work as part of a team to complete tasks and projects.
- Ability to demonstrate excellent communication skills both orally and written, appropriate to a range of audiences, including children.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal with the ability to maintain accurate records and write reports.
Personal Qualities
- Strong attention to detail and focus on high quality work.
- Commitment to evaluation and enhancement to learning and continuing personal development.
- Ability to work effectively and autonomously to agreed brief.
- Ability to work well within a team and to contribute to forming communities of practice.
- Very well organised with a structured approach to tasks
Other
- Ability and willingness to travel within the Highlands and Islands on a regular basis and occasionally further afield.
- Driving Licence
DESIRABLE CRITERIA
Qualifications
- Degree, Postgraduate or professional qualification in a relevant STEM area
Experience
- Appropriate experience of working in early years or primary school education
- Experience of working within an academic or education
organisation
Knowledge and Skills
- Knowledge and understanding of the Highlands and Islands.
- Experience of handling difficult situations in a positive and confident manner and be robust in dealing with negative outcomes.
- Evidence of good prioritisation and time management skills.
Personal Qualities
- Enthusiastic, positive and ‘can do’ attitude.
- Willing to seek support and advice when necessary.
- Reliability, integrity, resilience, and stamina
- Willingness to work flexibly.
Other
- Knowledge of, or interest in, the Gaelic language and culture.
The position may require hybrid working – travel across locality with occasionally regional and national trips. You may be required to work in any College annexe or in any outreach centre/employers’ premises utilised by the college.
For your pension, you will be contractually enrolled into the Local Government Superannuation Scheme. Further details are available on joining.
References/PVG check: For external candidates’ appointment will be subject to references and a PVG check, which will be taken up after an offer has been made.
Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 13th March 2023
