Welsh Academic Operations Assistant

Aberystwyth University provides Welsh language courses for around 3,500 learners across Ceredigion, Powys, Carmarthenshire and the Vale of Glamorgan as one of the providers for the National Centre for Learning Welsh.

Further details about the programme can be found at Dysgu Cymraeg Ceredigion-Powys-Sir Gâr | Dysgu Cymraeg.. The Department of Learn Welsh includes a leadership and administrative team in Aberystwyth, Area Coordinators in the field, and around 100 full-time and part-time tutors.

You will work within a friendly and supportive team, making a real difference in promoting the Welsh language.

A Team Building trainer (July 2021) said: “It is clear that this is a team that understands each other, is willing to listen, respects differences, and is committed to working hard for the benefit of others.”

In August 2022, Estyn judged the provision to be excellent, stating: “The provider offers a wide range of professional learning opportunities for its staff, and in addition to training in teaching and learning, a broader programme is offered in areas such as wellbeing and diversity. Most staff take advantage of these opportunities and praise them.”

You will provide advice and information to learners, acting as the first point of contact for current and prospective learners; handling enquiries; supporting promotional and marketing activities; course administration (data, finance, logistics); taking minutes in meetings; and assisting with the administration of Welsh for Adults examinations.

Informal enquiries can be made by contacting Carys Hughes Jones, Administrative Coordinator for Welsh Learning, at

Appointments are usually made within 4–8 weeks of the closing date.

This job description is subject to review and amendment in the light of the changing needs of the University, to provide appropriate development opportunities and/or the addition of any other reasonable duties.

• Deal with inquiries from prospective learners and current learners regarding the Learn Welsh programme, deal with inquiries and refer enquiries to other officers if necessary during busy periods and staff absence. Respond to inquiries over the phone, face to face and in writing (via email or letter). This will require drafting letters, and emails to staff, learners and external bodies using templates with modifications where appropriate.
  
  It means understanding and communicating information that may be simple or that may need to be explained or interpreted in order to help other people understand it, and consideration will need to be given to what to communicate and how. It also means providing a flexible and effective service to customers, and providing feedback to the team regarding the customer's requirements, and helping to adapt the service to meet the customer's needs.
  
  Dealing with inquiries that may be unexpected or unique, finding an appropriate solution where possible.
• Organise your own work and resources to meet agreed objectives. Respond to unexpected events or changes in priorities positively and rearrange work as necessary.
• Provide information to learners about Learn Welsh courses, together with advice on services, processes and procedures for staff, students and Learners. Dealing with queries that can be complex, and that require information about the language levels of courses, in order to give suitable advice to learners so that they can register on the correct course. Communicate both simple and more complex information clearly.
• Advising learners about registering and paying for a course, including registering and paying online on the interactive site managed by the National Centre. Giving advice and information regarding course…