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Division of Research and Enterprise

ADMIN ONLY
December 2023

The Candidature Management Officer is part of the Candidature Management team within the Graduate
Research School. The position is responsible for providing expert advice, support and managing complex issues
throughout the lifecycle of a higher degree research candidate whilst maintaining strong relationships and
support for school and faculty stakeholders within the policy and procedural framework of the University.

The role of Candidature Management Officer reports to the Manager, HDR Candidature and may be involved in
casual staff management as required.

Specific accountabilities for this role include:

• Develop a high level of expertise and knowledge of University and government policies and
procedures as they relate to HDR candidatures, admissions and scholarships.

• Provide expert advice to students, supervisors and postgraduate coordinators on all aspects of
research candidatures, admission and scholarships.

• Respond to enquiries, process routine and complex candidature and scholarship variation
requests, compile case material for Higher Degree Committee meetings and subsequent case
outcome communications in a timely way ensuring a high level of accuracy and professionalism.

• Provide senior support to School Postgraduate Coordinators and Faculty Higher Degree
Committees on all complex aspects of research candidature and scholarship administration.
• Run and analyse system reports with a view to identifying and managing overtime
candidatures, lapsed candidatures, scholarship payments and other quality control
processes relating to candidature management and scholarships.

• Act as liaison for international sponsored students including Australia Award and
Endeavour students.

• Develop a clear understanding of decision-making structures within the Graduate Research

School, including identifying the instances in which the escalation of matters to senior
management is appropriate.

• Provide system support for University staff members from schools and faculties using HDR
management systems.

• Proactively review policies, procedures and systems and make recommendations to senior
management with a view to continuous quality improvement of Graduate Research School service
provision.

• Supervise and manage the workloads and performance of staff as required.

• Provide leadership and act as role model within the Graduate Research School in terms of UNSW
standards of ethical behaviour and quality service culture.

• Align with and actively demonstrate the UNSW Values in Action: Our Behaviours and the UNSW
Code of Conduct.

• Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all
reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety
of yourself or others.

• Relevant tertiary qualification with subsequent relevant experience or equivalent

competence gained through any combination of education, training and experience.

• Proven ability to interpret, apply and clearly and concisely communicate complex policy and
procedures to internal and external clients.

• Demonstrated experience in using large databases to process information and extract data,
and experience in analysing and interpreting student data.

• Excellent time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to respond to changing

priorities and manage multiple tasks in a high-volume environment.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with a proven ability to develop and
maintain positive professional working relationships with colleagues, supervisors and key
internal and external stakeholders.

• Demonstrated experience in contributing ideas and implementing quality improvement

initiatives.
 • Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgement in decision-making and referral of matters to
senior management.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and productively within a team, but also to take
initiative and work independently while managing competing demands.

• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together
with relevant policies and guidelines.

• Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health
and safety training.

This Position Description outlines the objectives, desired outcomes, key responsibilities, accountabilities, required skills, experience and desired behaviours
required to successfully perform the role.

This template is not intended to limit the scope or accountabilities of the position. Characteristics of the position may be altered in accordance with the changing
requirements of the role.