In-Country Representative Officer, SOAS University of London at Intake

Background

• SOAS University of London is one of the leading UK institutions with an excellent reputation for outstanding teaching, strong research and international links. Attracting the brightest minds from all over the world, the University specialises in the study of Africa, Asia and the Near and Middle East, creating a community that is diverse, vibrant and multinational. SOAS aims to add and enhance these attributes by offering courses, which give students the opportunity to look at their subject (s) from multiple perspectives; to challenge preconceived ideas through debate with fellow students and tutors; and to overturn unexamined assumptions.

Department Background

• The Directorate of Marketing, Student Recruitment and Admissions (MSRA) delivers a professional and responsive service to the School to ensure that student number targets are met by recruiting and admitting well-qualified applicants. This includes development and delivery of exciting marketing campaigns to communicate the values of SOAS and the benefits of studying here, and in-person recruitment across UK, EU and International markets to programmes delivered on-campus, via distance and online learning, and through our partnerships overseas.
• In Admissions, the team aims to deliver a professional, fair and efficient applicant experience, whilst providing academic departments with advice on process and acting as the institutional repository for qualifications expertise.
• The Marketing, Student Recruitment and Admissions team will work particularly closely with central professional services including, the Global Engagement Directorate, Registry, External Engagement and Public Affairs, IT, Legal and Governance, Estates and all the Departmental teams.

Job Summary

• The in-country representative (ICR) will be an employee of Intake Education in Nigeria with the sole purpose of supporting SOAS University of London. Working under the day-to-day operational supervision of the Partnerships Manager, the post will support the recruitment activities of the University in the region in line with the University’s strategic recruitment goals. The ICR will generate leads through local market activities, such as outreach activities and attending student exhibitions. In addition, the ICR supports the conversion of student leads from the University and Intake colleagues through to application and enrolment. The post holder will have close contact with Intake agency staff; the Student Recruitment team, in particular the International Recruitment Manager (Middle East and Africa) and all members of University staff involved with international student recruitment and marketing.
• This position is an exciting opportunity to raise our profile in Nigeria and develop our global network of international schools, feeder institutions and agents to enhance the reputation of SOAS and increase international student opportunities for the University.
• Activity will focus on the expansion of the crucial Nigerian market, attracting potential undergraduate and postgraduate students and the conversion of applicants into enrolled students as well as providing year-round support and advice for all relevant stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• This section details the main accountabilities (or responsibilities) of the job, together with a selection of indicative duties. Other duties, commensurate with the grading of the post, may also be assigned from time to time.

Assist in the development and implementation of the international marketing and recruitment strategy to ensure international student recruitment targets and objectives are met.

Example Duties:

• Undertake travel as required to represent the University through various activities including: exhibitions, presentations, conversion events, agent visits and other activities and meetings appropriate to student recruitment in Nigeria and, on occasion to other countries.
• Provide professional customer-focussed service to students, parents and their advisors on all aspects of studying at SOAS University of London
• Provide professional one-to-one attention to prospective students and applicants including assistance during the application and visa process
• Keep abreast of all developments of the education landscape in Nigeria and make sure opportunities and threats are acted on appropriately.

Identifying opportunities to further establish and build on SOAS' market visibility and presence within the Nigerian and broader sub-Saharan Africa market.

• Undertake Market research and source key market intelligence to direct and develop SOAS’s profile, brand and portfolio within Nigerian and Sub Saharan Africa.
• Keep abreast of market developments and opportunities including the most appropriate methods of communicating to our target audiences.

In conjunction with the International Recruitment Manager (Middle East and Africa) plan and deliver a full range of recruitment and marketing activities across a broad mix of marketing and communications channels both remotely and through in-country activity.

Example Duties:

• Contribute to the yearly plan of marketing and recruitment activity in Nigeria and provide regular updates on plans and feedback on all activities carried out on behalf of the University
• Assist in the production of appropriate online and offline marketing collateral required to promote the University in Nigeria
• Organise and participate in digital recruitment activities as required e.g. Virtual fairs, webinars with offer holders in designated markets

Develop our relationship with external organisations such as overseas embassies, funding bodies, overseas schools and other education institutions in Nigeria to maximise recruitment through these channels.

Example duties:

• Help identify and maintain relationships with key personnel in various organisations to raise the profile of SOAS University of London.
• Assist in the identification of appropriate institutional partners to aid our recruitment efforts in country.
• Maximise links and cooperation with SOAS’s well-established and well connected Nigerian Alumni Network within in key cities..

Nurture the relationship with agents in Nigeria to ensure the University maximises the potential of its overseas agents to recruit students on its behalf.

Example duties:

• Advise on the recruitment of potential new agents and carry out training with our network of education agents in Nigeria
• Represent the University at agent-organised events such as fairs, presentations and counselling sessions.
• In conjunction with the International Recruitment Manager ( Middle East and Africa) and the International Co-ordinator, maintain regular contact with our agent network and ensure we provide prompt and efficient support.

Maintain and develop productive relationships with colleagues in UKEAS and across the University

Example duties:

• Gather and disseminate market intelligence about local market issues impacting recruitment to inform strategic decision-making to colleagues in International Recruitment and across the University
• Assist in the preparation and promotion of visits by SOAS university of London staff to Nigeria including organising itineraries of appropriate activity
• Be the main point of contact in the University for advice on country-specific information including educations systems and qualifications.
• Take on additional marketing and recruitment projects when requested by the Head of International Recruitment and the International Regional Manager (Middle East and Africa).

Competency and Evidence
Oral Communication:
The role holder will:

• Regularly receive, understand and convey straightforward information in a clear and accurate manner
• Frequently receive, understand and convey information which needs careful explanation to help others understand, taking into account what to communicate and how best to convey the information to the target audience. For example, delivering recruitment programmes at events and exhibitions.

Written / Electronic Communication:
The role holder will:

• Regularly receive, understand and convey straightforward information in a clear and accurate manner
• Frequently receive, understand and convey information which needs careful explanation to help others understand, taking into account what to communicate and how best to convey the information to the target audience.

Teamwork and motivation:
The role holder will:

• Be supportive and encouraging of others in a team;
• Help to build cooperation by setting an example and showing a flexible approach to delivering team results;
• Contribute to team morale as an active participant in the team

Liaison and Networking:
The role holder will:

• Carry our standard day to day liaison with using existing procedures to build relationships and contacts to facilitate future exchange of information, for example, contacting Nigerian schools and colleges to engage with prospective students;
• Participate in networks within SOAS and externally to ensure dissemination of information in the right format, and to build relationships and contacts to facilitate future exchange of information, such as developing relationships with teachers and career advisors, Alumni, Prospective partners; funding bodies.

Service Delivery:
The role holder will:

• Deal with internal or external contacts where the service is usually initiated by you, working within SOAS’s overall procedures;
• Proactively seek to explore and understand new opportunities for student recruitment and outreach activities, and report to the wider MSRA team;

Decision Making Processes and Outcomes:
The role holder will:

• Take independent decisions and be party to some collaborative decisions which might have a moderate impact;
• Work with International Recruitment Manager, and the wider MSRA team to reach an optimal conclusion which has a moderate impact;

Planning and Organising Resources:
The role holder will:

• Plan, prioritise and organise your own work or resources to achieve agreed objectives;
• Frequently, contribute to the planning and management of small projects, ensuring effectiveness of resources, such as managing student ambassadors in student recruitment activity;
• Frequently, receive information from and provide information to the International Recruitment Manager, and the wider team to ensure effective use of resources;
• Monitor progress against plan

Initiative and Problem Solving:
The role holder will:

• Solve day to day problems as they arise;
• Use existing procedures and guidance to choose between limited number of options which have clear consequences, or refer to what has been done before;
• Recognise when a problem should be referred to others

Analysis and Research:
The role holder will:

• Analyse routine data or information using predetermined procedures and gathering the information from standard resources, such as identifying new recruitment opportunities by researching schools, colleges and other HEIs;
• Deliver recruitment activities and events to support in meeting departmental targets and School’s widening access and participation strategy

Sensory and Physical Demands:

• The role holder will carry out tasks that require either learning certain methods or routines.

Work Environment:

• The role holder is office-based and must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the SOAS Health and Safety Policies.
• However the nature of the role will demand significant periods of travel across Nigeria and overseas, and international work environments may be challenging and require perseverance and expertise to operate effectively.

Pastoral Care and Welfare:
The role holder will:

• Show sensitivity to those who may need help or, in extreme cases, are showing signs of obvious distress;
• Initiate appropriate action by involving relevant people

Team Development:
The role holder will:

• Train new starters and other team members on specific tasks, issues or activities;
• Give advice, guidance and feedback on the basis of your own knowledge or experience

Knowledge and Experience:
The role holder will:

• Apply working knowledge of theory and practice, sharing this knowledge with others as appropriate;
• Demonstrate continuous development by acquiring relevant skills and competencies

Requirements

• Candidates should possess a Bachelor's Degree with 2 years work experience.