Adviser, Higher Degree by Research

Apply now Job no:531943
Work type:Full-time
Location:Flexible, Geelong – Waurn Ponds, Melbourne – Burwood
Categories:Administration, Student Services, Research

• Based at our Burwood or Waurn Ponds Campus, plus Work from Home
• Full-time (36.75 hours per week), Continuing position
• HEW 6 $85,588 – $92,428 + 17% Superannuation

Founded in 1974, Deakin is a public university in Victoria with 61,000 students across five campuses: Melbourne Burwood, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Geelong Waterfront, Warrnambool, and the online Cloud Campus. We are a progressive and open-minded university, with the highest student satisfaction in Victoria and consistently ranked in the top 1% of the world’s universities. 

The Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) Team is situated within the Research portfolio at Deakin University.  The team manages the candidature of research degree students, from enquiry and application through candidature and examination, and develops and manages policy and procedures for research degree staff and students. As part of a team of HDR Advisers, this position has broad responsibility and may also develop particular expertise in one area such as admissions, enrolments, scholarships or examinations.

The Adviser, Higher Degree by Research provides advice and assistance to prospective domestic and international students and academic staff on admission, enrolment, scholarships, examinations and candidature policies, procedures and processes of higher degrees by research. The principal focus will be on admissions, enrolments, and scholarships but the incumbent may on occasion also be required to work in the areas of scholarships, candidature management and examinations.

The role is broad and operates in a large organisation. At its core, it has a customer service focus and entails answering phone and email enquiries, assisting student admissions to the University, and issuing offer letters and confirmations of enrolment.  You will need to be able to discern when candidate queries fit within existing frameworks and exercise sound judgement about when to escalate a situation for further input and review. If you have sound administration skills, including digital literacy with Outlook, Word and Excel, and the capacity to learn how to navigate a client management system and unfamiliar software, we would welcome your application. If you have a curiosity for learning and are seeking a professional development opportunity as your next career step, this role may be just what you are looking for as training will be provided.

Your key responsibilities will include the requirement to:

• Provide advice to staff, prospective students and HDR students on policy interpretation, procedures and administrative processes of higher degrees by research.
• Coordinate and administer prospective enquiries, admissions, enrolments and changes to candidature relating to higher degree by research, complying with university policies and procedures.
• Assess higher degree by research candidature applications as determined with key stakeholders.
• Provide administrative support for the HDR Academic Progress Committee, including coordinating meetings and drafting documentation.
• Investigate and probe for the facts and identify relevant solutions and select the most appropriate from the range of requirements or alternatives.
• Resolve problems with minimal assistance, maintenance of records, database management, statistical reports, preparation of correspondence and general office administration tasks.
• Develop process improvements and implement changes, and recommend policy and procedure amendments to the HDR Senior Adviser and Candidature Manager to ensure best practice.
• Monitor and update relevant Deakin websites, including identification of gaps and potential improvements, as well as development of content and design as required.
• Build new and productive relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders
• Communicate with confidence using examples and the most appropriate influencing technique for a given situation to increase understanding and support

To be successful, you’ll have:

• A degree with subsequent relevant experience; or
• Extensive experience and specialist knowledge or broad knowledge in technical or administrative fields; or
• An equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training

Relevant administrative experience preferably in a tertiary environment in international admissions, higher degrees by research or student services environment is desirable, as is experience in dealing with confidential material and sensitive matters.

For a copy of the position description, please see below:

 PD-Adviser Higher Degree by Research.pdf

Please submit your updated resume, and a covering letter which addresses the Selection section of the Position Description, by Sunday 20 November 2022.

For a confidential discussion regarding this position, please contact Jenny Andrews via jenny.andrews@deakin.edu.au

Successful applicants will need to comply with vaccination mandates imposed by the relevant state/territory government. Applicants who attend third-party sites to undertake University activities will also be required to comply with any other directions or requirements in place at the third-party location.

Are You Ready?

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.

We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders.

Advertised:04 Nov 2022 AUS Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:20 Nov 2022 AUS Eastern Daylight Time