CASUAL - STEP Internship

The University 

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, and a unique and historical setting – Durham is a university like no other.  We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a vast variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, that is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.

Further information about the University can be found here.

This role is open to current Durham University students only.

This role is being created at an exciting time for the Schools Outreach and Widening Participation team (SOWP), and in line with the Access and Participation Plan (APP) that we embed in our everyday work. SOWP follow aims and targets in line with University strategy to recruit students from underrepresented backgrounds and allow them the opportunity to participate in access programmes, which provide opportunities that they may otherwise not receive.

Candidate Requirement: We are seeking to recruit a candidate to assist with the planning of our Space to Explore Potential (STEP) summer residential, which is for Black heritage students as they are particularly underrepresented at Durham. Many students invited to take part on STEP will intersect with other underrepresented backgrounds at Durham, such as being from low participation neighbourhoods or being socio-economically disadvantaged. We particularly encourage applications from current Durham University students, studying a degree course for the 2025/2026 academic year, who are of Black heritage.

The successful candidate will join the staff team for the summer period and will contribute to the planning and delivery of the STEP programme. The main tasks of the role include contributing to decision-making processes by drawing on their knowledge and lived experience of applying to university, and then studying and living at Durham. They will play a key role in providing representation in the design of a programme of activities that will be positive and inclusive for those taking part, while being authentic and representative of the opportunities at Durham. They will also play a key role in leading particular sessions and activities on the programme itself, including those that will benefit from being led by someone who shares characteristics with the student participants. The candidate will be able to share their perspective to help relate to what students of a similar background would like to gain from the residential experience.

This internship presents an ideal development opportunity for an individual looking to develop their skills and confidence in a friendly and supportive team.

Our residential SOWP team strive to create the cultural conditions for inclusion for both staff and students. It ensures we: 

·      Have the right leadership attributes.

·      Increase our diversity at all levels by growing representation of under-represented groups and the opportunities available to members of those groups.

·      Enhance a sense of belonging and community in our staff and students.

Hours: 7 per week up until August 2026, with the expectation that the post holder will work full time during the STEP residential. Hours during this week are expected to be around 60 hours. These hours can be flexible and tailored to your availability. The team operates in a hybrid capacity and so ideally the candidate will be able to mostly work on site with the team, with some remote working available.

Additionally, the hours will also include the residential delivery dates of:
Sunday 2 August – Friday 7 August 2026.

Availability during the week of residential delivery is essential.

The residential week includes accommodation at a Durham University College and all meals provided throughout this week.

The post holder must be enrolled on a Durham University degree course for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Main Responsibilities

·      Under instruction from colleagues in the team and following appropriate training:

o   Working alongside the team to contribute to the delivery of specific projects.

o   Contributing specific skills (i.e. technical, technological, research, subject specific knowledge) to the work of the team.

o   Planning and prioritising own work, adhering to agreed deliverables and timeframes and referring any issues with workload or timeframes to colleagues.

o   Accurately compiling, recording, updating, storing and archiving data and information on systems including Microsoft 365 applications and the Oracle Learning System.

·      Assisting with arranging meetings and events and making related venue, catering, travel and / or equipment arrangements for the residentials.

·      Under the guidance of colleagues, producing new, engaging, accessible web-based or hard-copy materials and maintaining and updating content on web pages using the relevant content management system.

·      Supporting the work of the team to ensure a fully cohesive approach to the planning of our access programmes.

·      Provide lived experience ideas and initiatives to contribute to the planning of our STEP residential, ensuring that activities are balanced, appropriate and successful.

·      Any other tasks as deemed appropriate.

Person Specification - External

Essential Criteria

1.   A genuine desire to support the University to enable the University to deliver on its purpose and bring its values to life, embed the strategic framework, and realise its vision, aims and objectives.

2.   An understanding of related themes and issues.

3.   The ability to engage effectively with people who hold different beliefs and views by safeguarding freedom of speech, creating a safe environment of respectful debate and enhancing a sense of belonging and community in our staff and students which can be carried through to the residential programme delivery.

4.   Excellent organisation and time management skills, with the ability to work independently, prioritising and managing own tasks.

5.   Proficient user of IT packages (including Microsoft Office) and digital platforms.

6.   Innovation and creativity to develop new, engaging, accessible content.

7.   Excellent communication skills; proficient in spoken and written English.

8.   Strong attention to detail.

9.   Competent in undertaking research to support development of resources.

10. Professionalism and willing and able to observe the need for confidentiality and sensitivity.

11. Excellent interpersonal and team working skills, with the ability to quickly establish effective working relationships with the team’s varied stakeholders.

The post is subject to completion of a full enhanced DBS check completed by the university.

How to Apply: Please apply with a CV and a short letter, providing evidence of how you meet each of the essential requirements. Please address each criterion in turn.

Closing date for applications: xxx (will decide when we know when we can launch applications).

 

Proposed interview date: Interviews to be held on xxx (will decide when we know when we can launch applications).

If you have any queries about the post, or require any reasonable adjustments in the application / recruitment process, please contact Jennifer Barton (Schools Outreach and Widening Participation Manager) jennifer.barton@durham.ac.uk. 

Internal Description

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Job Description - Internal

The University 

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, and a unique and historical setting – Durham is a university like no other.  We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a vast variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, that is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.

Further information about the University can be found here.

This role is open to current Durham University students only.

This role is being created at an exciting time for the Schools Outreach and Widening Participation team (SOWP), and in line with the Access and Participation Plan (APP) that we embed in our everyday work. SOWP follow aims and targets in line with University strategy to recruit students from underrepresented backgrounds and allow them the opportunity to participate in access programmes, which provide opportunities that they may otherwise not receive.

Candidate Requirement: We are seeking to recruit a candidate to assist with the planning of our Space to Explore Potential (STEP) summer residential, which is for Black heritage students as they are particularly underrepresented at Durham. Many students invited to take part on STEP will intersect with other underrepresented backgrounds at Durham, such as being from low participation neighbourhoods or being socio-economically disadvantaged. We particularly encourage applications from current Durham University students, studying a degree course for the 2025/2026 academic year, who are of Black heritage.

The successful candidate will join the staff team for the summer period and will contribute to the planning and delivery of the STEP programme. The main tasks of the role include contributing to decision-making processes by drawing on their knowledge and lived experience of applying to university, and then studying and living at Durham. They will play a key role in providing representation in the design of a programme of activities that will be positive and inclusive for those taking part, while being authentic and representative of the opportunities at Durham. They will also play a key role in leading particular sessions and activities on the programme itself, including those that will benefit from being led by someone who shares characteristics with the student participants. The candidate will be able to share their perspective to help relate to what students of a similar background would like to gain from the residential experience.

This internship presents an ideal development opportunity for an individual looking to develop their skills and confidence in a friendly and supportive team.

Our residential SOWP team strive to create the cultural conditions for inclusion for both staff and students. It ensures we:

·      Have the right leadership attributes.

·      Increase our diversity at all levels by growing representation of under-represented groups and the opportunities available to members of those groups; and

·      Enhance a sense of belonging and community in our staff and students.

Hours: 7 per week up until July 2025 with the expectation that the post holder will work the residential STEP Summer School. This is likely to be around 60 hours during the week. These hours can be flexible and tailored to your availability. The team operates in a hybrid capacity and so ideally the candidate will be able to mostly work on site with the team, with some remote working available.

Additionally, the hours will also include the residential delivery dates of: Sunday 2 August – Friday 7 August 2026. Availability during the week of residential delivery is essential.

The residential week includes accommodation at a Durham University College and all meals provided throughout this week.

The post holder must be enrolled on a Durham University degree course for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Main Responsibilities

·      Under instruction from colleagues in the team and following appropriate training:

o   Working alongside the team to contribute to the delivery of specific projects.

o   Contributing specific skills (i.e. technical, technological, research, subject specific knowledge) to the work of the team.

o   Planning and prioritising own work, adhering to agreed deliverables and timeframes and referring any issues with workload or timeframes to colleagues.

o   Accurately compiling, recording, updating, storing and archiving data and information on systems including Microsoft 365 applications and the Oracle Learning System.

·      Assisting with arranging meetings and events and making related venue, catering, travel and / or equipment arrangements for the residentials.

·      Under the guidance of colleagues, producing new, engaging, accessible web-based or hard-copy materials and maintaining and updating content on web pages using the relevant content management system.

·      Supporting the work of the team to ensure a fully cohesive approach to the planning of our access programmes.

·      Provide lived experience ideas and initiatives to contribute to the planning of our STEP residential, ensuring that activities are balanced, appropriate and successful.

·      Any other tasks as deemed appropriate.

Person Specification - Internal

Essential Criteria

1.    A genuine desire to support the University to enable the University to deliver on its purpose and bring its values to life, embed the strategic framework, and realise its vision, aims and objectives.

2.    An understanding of related themes and issues.

3.    The ability to engage effectively with people who hold different beliefs and views by safeguarding freedom of speech, creating a safe environment of respectful debate and enhancing a sense of belonging and community in our staff and students which can be carried through to the residential programme delivery.

4.    Excellent organisation and time management skills, with the ability to work independently, prioritising and managing own tasks.

5.    Proficient user of IT packages (including Microsoft Office) and digital platforms.

6.    Innovation and creativity to develop new, engaging, accessible content.

7.    Excellent communication skills; proficient in spoken and written English.

8.    Strong attention to detail.

9.    Competent in undertaking research to support development of resources.

10. Professionalism and willing and able to observe the need for confidentiality and sensitivity.

11. Excellent interpersonal and team working skills, with the ability to quickly establish effective working relationships with the team’s varied stakeholders.

The post is subject to completion of a full enhanced DBS check completed by the university.

How to Apply: Please apply with a CV and a short letter, providing evidence of how you meet each of the essential requirements. Please address each criterion in turn.

Closing date for applications: xxx (will decide when we know when we can launch applications).
Proposed interview date: xxx (will decide when we know when we can launch applications).


If you have any queries about the post, or require any reasonable adjustments in the application / recruitment process, please contact please contact Jennifer Barton (Schools Outreach and Widening Participation Manager) jennifer.barton@durham.ac.uk.