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The contractual location of this role is Milton Keynes; however, we are happy to offer hybrid working as a local arrangement with very occasional travel to Milton Keynes (approximately every 2 months). Travel may also be required to our offices in Cardiff and Edinburgh.

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.

The Academic Services unit has around 1,200 staff and sits within the Professional Services Portfolio, under the leadership of the University Secretary. We are responsible for the operational delivery of an outstanding support service to the Open University’s students, wherever they are, and whatever their circumstances.

The role

The Mental Health Adviser (Development & Training) is responsible for providing training, information, and guidance to staff across the Open University on topics relating to student mental health and wellbeing. You will play a key role in the delivery of the OU’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, particularly in the areas of prevention, early intervention, and support.

You will be responsible for facilitating Mental Health First Aid training to staff on a rolling basis in line with the accreditation standards of MHFA England. Alongside this, you will be required to create and deliver high-quality bespoke training and educational resources for student-facing staff across the University, enabling staff to identify and respond in an appropriate and timely manner to student mental health concerns to enable them to fully participate in and succeed at their studies.

You will contribute to the development of new policies, procedures and initiatives, ensuring that the needs and voices of students with mental health needs are promoted and centred in this, and will be responsible for disseminating information about relevant projects and policies to staff across the OU.

Skills and experience

• Demonstrable understanding of the mental health needs of higher education students
• Proven track record of developing and delivering mental health and wellbeing training and creating well-researched educational and training resources in a range of mediums
• Knowledge and understanding of the range of mental health difficulties students may experience and the ways in which these may impact on an individual’s communication style, behaviour, and support needs in relation to their studies
• Ability to build productive and effective working relationships with students and staff at all levels, by using a range of interpersonal skills including empathetic listening skills, effective influencing and negotiation skills, facilitation and conflict resolution
• Accredited Instructor with Mental Health First Aid England or willingness to undertake this training.

For further information about the role including a full person specification, please see the attached job description.

If you would like to discuss the application or recruitment process before making an application, please contact Jen Reid at Resourcing Hub on 01908 655544 or [email protected] quoting the reference VRF 20739.

What you get in return

We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. This includes thorough induction into the organisation and regular reviews of your training and development needs.

We also offer a great range of benefits that support our employees and their families for the long term. Staff Benefits include an attractive pension proposition and 33 days holiday per annum pro rata, plus Bank Holidays and Christmas closure days.

How to apply

Unless otherwise stated in the advert, all applications are completed online via the OU Jobs page and following the instructions below and clicking the “APPLY NOW” link below. Applications submitted via 3rd party websites will not be considered.

Access details for disabled applicants are available from the Resourcing Hub, telephone: 01908 655544, quoting the vacancy reference above.

To apply for this role please submit the following;

• CV
• Personal statement, up to 1,500 words, you should set out in your statement why you’re interested in this role and provide examples of where your skills and experience meet the required competencies for this role as detailed in the job and person specification.

The above documents will need to be submitted as one attachment during the application process, please include the personal statement followed by the CV in this document.

To ensure your file is uploaded to our system correctly, please make sure your document is saved with the following file name as appropriate to the vacancy you are applying for: 20739, surname, first initial.

You will need to have your documents ready ahead of submitting the electronic application.

You will receive updates regarding your application from [email protected]. Please ensure this email address is added to your list of trusted senders. Please also keep an eye on your junk folder to ensure you do not miss any important updates regarding this role.

You can view your application communications on the Candidate portal.

Please note: If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that on this occasion you have not been selected for interview, however we thank you for your interest in The Open University and encourage you to apply for future positions.

Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).

Closing date: 28th February 2023 at 12 noon

Interview date: w/c 13 March 2023

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all our staff can reach their potential and attract diverse candidates. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.

We offer a range of inclusive employment policies which include family and carer friendly flexible working arrangements and have many supportive staff networks and wellbeing services. We also endorse the principles of Athena SWAN, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in promoting gender equity. Our Staff Benefits page under Employment provides further links and information.