Head of School and Programme Leader

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being reviewed. Please check our website after 14th December 2010 when details of the role should be finalised. Apologies for any inconvenience. The deadline for applications for the role will be extended accordingly. Thankyou for your interest.

 

 

 

Job Description:

Head of School and Programme Leader MSc Architecture: Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies.

Graduate School of the Environment, Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth, Powys.

 

 

Job Title:                 Head of School and Programme Leader

Hours:                       35 hours per week. Some evening and weekend work is required.

Responsible to:      Course Director

Responsible for:    Programme Leaders and tutors

Status:                      Academic staff

Salary:                       Senior Lecturer range £33851 - £43,481 (to be reviewed)

 

Scope:

CAT is Europe’s leading centre for education and inspiration in environmental change. Its Mission Statement confirms that it ‘is concerned with the search for globally sustainable, whole and ecologically sound technologies and ways of life’ For over thirty years it has been involved in research, demonstration and education in the areas of energy conservation, renewable energy, buildings, ecology, diet and health, land use, waste management and recycling. CAT has a holistic approach to its work and a continuous commitment to the highest educational and environmental standards.

 

The Graduate School of the Environment (GSE) runs some of the largest and most exciting masters’ programmes in the field. Established in March 2007, the GSE currently delivers two onsite-based MSc programmes, a distance learning MSc programme, an onsite-based Professional Diploma in Architecture Studies, and Professional Doctorate and PhD programmes. Students on all these programmes benefit from CAT’s experience in the field of sustainable architecture and building, renewable energy and global environmental issues. CAT provides a unique environment for study, with access to leading academics and industry practitioners in the relevant fields.

 

The GSE currently has approximately 700 master’s students, 40 architectural diploma students and 12 doctoral candidates. The student body is mainly comprised of mature students, largely professionals and sometimes individuals seeking a career change. The main requirement of our students is that

they have a keen interest in the environment, they come with a wide variety of experience to offer, they have high levels of commitment to the field and

a strong desire to collaborate in their own learning.   

 

We are seeking a Head of School and Programme Leader for the largest of the above programmes; that of MSc Architecture: Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies.

 

The following duties and responsibilities are intended to give a broad indication of the variety of tasks that a Head of School and Programme Leader in the GSE may be asked to undertake, and are expressed in sufficient detail to distinguish the grade of the post. It should be noted that a job description is not an exhaustive list of activities and employees may be asked to carry out other duties commensurate with the grade of the post.  The job description may also be amended to take account of changed circumstances and employees will be consulted when this is necessary.

 

 

Head of School (1 day a week)

 

Responsibilities include:-

 

v     To work with the Course Director to develop the academic and research activities of the Graduate School of the Environment, and to report on these to the CAT management teams

 

v     To take a lead in ensuring high academic standards.

 

v     To work with the Programme Leaders to promote and develop cross- programme collaboration.

 

v     To work with the Course Director in liaising with other institutions – seeking to develop new opportunities and collaborations

 

 

Programme Leader (4 days a week)

 

The MSc AEES is validated by the University of East London. The programme has 400 students currently enrolled, and a staff of 10 part time tutors as well as dedicated administration staff. Our ideal candidate will be excited by the chance to work with the staff and students of this programme and inspired by the opportunity to lead its further development, such that it retains a leading position in this area. The primary role of the Programme Leader is to foster the conditions and practice that promote high standards of academic quality and maintain these through the effective management of the programme.

 

Responsibilities include: -

v     To provide a focus for innovation in teaching and learning strategies and curriculum content within the programme.

v     To work with the academic and administrative staff to ensure effective student support.

v     To deliver lectures and other teaching activities.

v     To lead the academic and administrative course team.

v     To oversee recruitment and admissions to the programme.

v     To be responsible for the quality assurance of the programme.

v     To prepare and monitor an annual budget for the programme in liaison with the Course Director.

v     To further the strategic development of the GSE, together with other Programme Leaders, with the Course Director and the wider CAT management team.

 

Person specification:

 

	Essential	Desirable
Demonstrable understanding of key issues around sustainability	X
Evidence of successful creative leadership of a teaching team	X
Currently actively engaged through research, scholarly activity or development in a professional area related to sustainability and the built environment	X
Extensive teaching experience at post graduate level	X
Qualified to PhD, Prof Doc or equivalent level		X
Experience of supervising doctoral degrees	X
Professional qualifications and experience in architecture, construction related engineering, or social sciences related to the built environment		X
Understanding of the scientific method as it relates to the Built Environment	X
Genuine interest in working at CAT	X
Membership of a professional body		X
Publication record		X
Specific area of expertise/ scientific background relevant to the course.	X
Demonstrable strong academic track record	X
Demonstrable success in working with HE admin and quality assurance systems.	X

 

If you would like to discuss this post further, please contact: -

Dr Simon Tucker, Head of Research tel: 01654 703065 ex 24 simon.tucker@cat.org.uk

Or Damian Randle, Programme Leader MSc AEES by distance learning damian.randle@cat.org.uk Skype: damian.randle

 

 

 

 

Closing date for applications Friday December 17 2010 

Interviews in the week of Monday January 10 2011.

 

 

To apply for this vacancy, please complete the application form available on the CAT website at www.cat.org.uk or contact Michelle Clarke on: 01654 705955, vacancy@cat.org.uk.  Please note, applications received not on the application form will not be considered.