Project Coordinator

The Role

The North East Uni Connect Programme (NEUCP) is a collaboration of the universities and colleges in the region working together to support the progression of young people from underrepresented groups as part of the Office for Students’ (OfS) Uni Connect Programme.   

Based within the UK Recruitment Team at Newcastle University, the post holder will develop, co-ordinate and deliver a student engagement programme of higher education outreach activities in target schools/sixth forms called FutureMe.  Activities may take place both virtually and in-person. 

The successful post-holder will be required to travel across the region and will be required to receive an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). 

More information about the North East Uni Connect Programme can be found here: www.outreachnortheast.ac.uk.  

Full-time, fixed term post until 30st September 2026 in the first instance. 

For more information or an informal chat about the role, please contact: 

• Mary Kelly (Student Recruitment Manager) – mary.kelly2@ncl.ac.uk or 

• Sasha Quigg (NEUCP Outreach Delivery Manager) - Sasha.Quigg@newcastle.ac.uk  

Key Accountabilities  

• Take lead responsibility for engagement with senior staff within targeted schools/sixth forms across the region to plan, develop, deliver and monitor a structured programme of in-person and virtual outreach activity and tutoring to support raising attainment aligned to our North East Regional Progression Framework.  

• Create and develop effective working relationships with senior staff within target schools/sixth forms to ensure the effective delivery of the project. 

• Work directly with senior school staff to co-create school delivery plans and ensure that all governance documentation is understood and adhered to including Data Sharing and Service Level Agreements and ensure ongoing compliance including GDPR requirements.  

• Undertake supervision and coordination support for a Higher Education Ambassador when requested to ensure coverage of key activities to support the delivery of the programme within schools/sixth forms. 

• Plan, manage and carry out in-school outreach activities. This includes delivering interactive workshops, activities and presentations, from a student perspective to potential applicants, teachers/advisers and parents/carers on a range of topics relating to higher education and future choices. Activities will be delivered both in-person and in a virtual setting. 

• Lead the recruitment and supervision of a team of undergraduate students to deliver FutureMe activities in schools/on-campus, including delivery of training, planning and coordinating deployment into schools, supervision, reviewing attendance and performance, and monitoring in-school support. 

• Lead on ensuring the effective and accurate collection and recording of data relating to activity and student participation to track, monitor and evaluate participation in, and impact of, outreach activities. 

• Support programme evaluation by working with schools/sixth forms coordinate survey completion, observations, interviews and focus groups to ensure future activity is constantly improved. Prepare relevant update reports as requested by the NEUCP Project Manager to support monitoring and evaluation of the programme. 

• Manage an agreed budget to support the delivery of higher education outreach activities, including keeping accurate records and completing financial reports as required by the NEUCP Head of Programme Delivery. 

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with a range of senior key stakeholders across the Partnership to support effective delivery of the programme.  

• Coordinate and administer a schedule of communications for students, parents/carers and staff in identified schools/sixth forms to ensure that they are regularly informed and updated about the programme, liaising closely with the wider NEUCP team with regard to relevant and useful content. 

• Create and develop online and printed communications and marketing materials for use with key audiences, including presentations for students, teachers and parents/carers, and key programme information.   

• Adhere to the University’s Health and Safety Policy and guidelines. 

• Adhere to the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018. 

• Promote Equality and Diversity for staff and students. 

• Any other reasonable duties that may be allocated from time to time commensurate with the grading of the post. 

The Person 

Knowledge and Skills (Essential) 

• Degree or equivalent qualification 

• An understanding of issues relating to progression, recruitment and admissions of students into further and higher education especially from under-represented groups 

• An understanding and interest in widening participation 

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with ability to develop effective working relationships and negotiate with key stakeholders, including those at a senior level 

• Ability to communicate clearly, orally and in writing, to a variety of audiences 

• Experience of delivering presentations or public speaking to a range of audiences. 

• The ability to research and develop new in-person and virtual outreach activity in support of progression to further and higher education 

• The ability to handle difficult and often sensitive situations 

• Excellent team working skills 

• Ability to use initiative and a creative approach to problem solving 

• Flexibility and a positive approach to tasks, activities and situations Outstanding attention to detail 

• Excellent IT skills, in particular the use of Microsoft Office (Work, Excel and Outlook) and Internet Explorer 

Knowledge and Skills (Desirable) 

• An understanding of educational issues as they affect young people particularly in the North East 

• An understanding of data protection, child safeguarding and internet safety issues. 

Experience and Achievements (Essential) 

• Experience of working with and enthusing young people 

• Experience of planning, organising and leading intensive, complex, customer-oriented events and activities for young people, parents/carers and school staff 

• Experience of coordinating multiple projects or activities often with conflicting deadlines 

• Direct experience of the UK school and HE system 

Experience and Achievements (Desirable)  

• Experience of extracting, manipulating and analysing data and preparing summary reports  

• Experience of coordinating tutoring programmes 

• Experience of staff supervision (in a voluntary or paid capacity) 

Other (Essential) 

• Full UK driving licence 

• Willingness to travel throughout the region, possibly during twilight hours, as required 

• Willingness to work evenings and weekends, as required 

• Receive Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service