The Office for Students is the new independent regulator for higher education in England. We were created in 2018 to ensure that all students, whatever their background, have a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. The OfS is also designated by Government as the monitor for the Prevent duty in higher education in England, under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act (2015).
An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead our Prevent work to cover a period of maternity leave. The purpose of the role Head of Prevent is to lead and oversee the development and implementation of the OfS`s role as monitor of the Prevent duty and related project work. The successful candidate will have a rounded understanding of current HE counter-terrorism and counter-extremism policy developments, and their potential impacts on the Prevent agenda. They will need to ensure that OfS activity in this area reflects any changes in Government policy, taking a risk-based approach and ensuring that all policies, processes, and stakeholder engagement are in line with the strategic and regulatory objectives of the OfS. The role requires significant engagement with external stakeholders to represent OfS, ensuring that Prevent requirements are delivered, and internal engagement with the OfS senior management team to keep them informed about relevant areas of work.
We are keen to hear from candidates who are experienced and confident in leading a team to deliver a high profile and complex area of policy, and who are able to work effectively and share complex information with a range of key external partners including DfE, Home Office and other Prevent statutory agencies. The postholder will be expected to make expert and nuanced judgements on the development of future policy and take a lead in evaluating the effectiveness of the OfS`s approach and related processes, identifying opportunities to drive continuous improvement and share best evidence at a sector level. The postholder may also work on other strategic projects within the OfS from time to time.
It`s important to us that our growing team is more diverse so we encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and identities. We`re especially keen to hear from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates who are currently under-represented. We`re also a Disability Confident employer - we`ll provide a fully accessible recruitment process and offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job.
We provide our staff with a comprehensive staff development programme, 25 days` annual leave, and the opportunity to join the Civil Service Pension scheme.
The role is fixed-term maternity cover for 12months. The role is full time, however we will consider job share and part time applicants (minimum 0.8 FTE), or on a secondment basis. The role will be based predominantly in Bristol but with regular travel to London and other parts of the UK.
Application deadline: 23:55pm on 29th January 2019
Shortlist: 4th February 2019
Interviews: 13th February 2019
If you would like to have an informal discussion about the role, please contact Kate McAlister (Kate.McAlister@officeforstudents.org.uk) or Jessica Trahar (Jessica.Trahar@officeforstudents.org.uk).
To find out more about working at the OfS and to apply, please go to our careers site https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/careers/.
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