Trainee Procurement Administrative Assistant at Durham University

Durham, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

24 May, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

23 Feb, 26

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Time Management, Communication Skills, Attention To Detail, Following Instructions, Digital Skills, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Willingness To Learn, Apprenticeship Completion, Customer Focussed Service, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teamwork

Industry

Higher Education

Description

The University At Durham University, we are proud of our people, because they are at the heart of our globally outstanding institution, which is a key part of our local community. We inspire our people to do extraordinary things and we invite you to join our fantastic team. Across the University, we have a huge variety of roles and responsibilities, which together make us one large and successful community. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer. At the University we promote and actively champion equality, diversity and inclusion. It is crucial that everyone can be themselves and can flourish in an environment where everyone respects each other and is treated fairly. We want our people and wider community to feel happy, secure and proud to be a part of Durham. We are looking for the same values in you. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. For more information on our EDI strategy and values, click here The Role The University’s Procurement Service is offering an exciting entry level apprenticeship opportunity for individuals who are keen to begin a career in procurement and professional services. This role provides structured on the job training, tailored development support, and the opportunity to gain a recognised procurement qualification, with a clearly defined development journey to Grade 4 for those who successfully complete the apprenticeship and development programme. The successful candidate will be appointed at Grade 2 as a Trainee Procurement Administrative Assistant. They will undertake structured on the job training supported by a tailored development plan, agreed in conjunction with the post holder and aligned to their individual experience and development needs. This is a development role, and candidates are expected to demonstrate the capability and potential to develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required to progress through the grades, subject to satisfactory performance. It is a requirement for this role that the University is satisfied that you meet the apprentice eligibility criteria for the qualification you would be undertaking as part of the role. Including right to work, residency eligibility, visa duration, previous qualifications conditions and completion viability. This will be applicable for any apprenticeship funding eligibility. More information can be found on: Apprenticeship funding rules and assessment plan guidance, 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK. Development and Progression This role is the entry point into a structured procurement development pathway, as outlined in the Development Journey timeline included in this advert. Grade 2 – Trainee Procurement Administrative Assistant (this role) You will complete structured on the job training and begin a CIPS qualification at a level appropriate to your experience and qualifications. With satisfactory performance and successful completion of your initial development plan, you may progress to Grade 3. Grade 3 – Procurement Assistant (Development Role) At Grade 3, you will take on broader responsibilities and continue developing the skills and knowledge required to move towards professional level procurement work. Further information: [Grade 3 – Procurement Assistant (Development Role)] Grade 4 – Procurement Practitioner Grade 4 represents the current endpoint of the development pathway, where you will work confidently and independently within the Procurement Service. Further information: [Grade 4 – Procurement Practitioner] Development plans at each stage will be reviewed regularly and form the basis of assessment for progression. Timelines may be extended where the University considers it necessary to support successful completion. If, at the end of either development stage, the post holder does not meet the requirements of the next grade, they may be retained at their current grade, subject to satisfactory performance. Continued employment is conditional upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, development plans, and required qualifications i.e. if they do not complete the development plan and procurement qualification their employment will not continue. The Procurement Service The Procurement Service is part of the University’s Professional Services function and provides a centralised procurement and purchasing service across the organisation. The team includes: a Purchasing Team, responsible for day-to-day transactional and tactical procurement; and a Category Team, responsible for strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management. Together, the team ensures the effective procurement of all goods and services, delivering value for money through a category management approach. Subject to workload, the successful candidate may be required to work across all areas of the service. Location and Working Arrangements The Procurement Service is based at Boldon House, adjacent to the Arnison Centre, within a modern professional services hub. The building supports hybrid and flexible working in line with the University’s Hybrid Working Policy. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: • You’ll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days. The University closes between Christmas and New Year. • No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. • You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions. • Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16. • We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. • We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference to the local community. • Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). • If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships. • We offer generous pension schemes with varying contribution amounts to help you plan for your future. Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here. What you need to demonstrate when you apply To be considered for this role, here are the skills/experience we’re looking for: Five GCSE’s at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent experience). Good spoken and written communication skills. Experience of managing time to meet deadlines. Ability to follow instructions, spoken or written, accurately. Basic digital skills including the ability to use the internet and email. Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, and Outlook. Demonstrate attention to detail. Have a willingness to learn and undertake a procurement qualification. Be able to balance working and completing assigned college work. Residency eligibility - The apprentice must have the legal right to work in England. The apprentice must meet the residency requirements detailed in Annex A of the Funding Rules for Apprenticeships. This includes (but is not limited to): being ordinarily resident in the UK (or specified territories) for at least three years immediately before the apprenticeship begins, unless a specific exemption applies. Exemptions may apply to individuals with; refugee status or humanitarian protection, permission under the Ukraine or Afghan schemes, stateless status, certain family member rights, pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. More information can be found on: Apprenticeship funding rules and assessment plan guidance, 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK Desirable Criteria Experience of working in a customer focussed service. Experience of PowerPoint and SharePoint for creation and completion of documents. Experience of working in a team. Evidence of personal development. How to Apply We prefer to receive applications online. To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. Where there are desirable criteria, we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. Who to contact for more information If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role or if you are struggling to complete the application process, Neil Petch would be happy to speak to you. You can contact Neil by emailing Neil.Petch@durham.ac.uk Typical Role Requirements Here are the kind of activities that you’ll be asked to undertake and ways in which you’ll be expected to operate. Service Delivery · Provide an excellent service to our students, your colleagues and anyone else you come across as part of your role by carrying out your tasks using the relevant procedures (which we will provide training for). · Be aware of any hazards and risks and report any incidents. · Log and record routine information and data for use by others. · Pass on information for use by others. · Use standard office-based devices and applications to deliver services. Teamwork · Help and cooperate with the rest of your team. · Help your colleagues when required with other key activities undertaken within your service for example processing purchase requisitions, managing customer emails, arranging meetings and log/record information. · Help colleagues by gathering and passing on information. · Learn new skills and practices from more experienced colleagues. · Bring any problems to the attention of more senior colleagues. Communication/Personal · Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values. · Respond to routine requests for information. · Use digital devices and apps (such as email) to communicate with your colleagues and anyone else you come across as part of your role. · Any other reasonable duties. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

Responsibilities

The role involves undertaking structured on-the-job training supported by a tailored development plan, while providing excellent service delivery by carrying out tasks using relevant procedures and logging routine information. The assistant will also cooperate with the team, help colleagues, and contribute to equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives.