Ombudsman Complex Complaints Adjudicator

Are you skilled at analysing and investigating complex complaints and finding ways to resolve disputes? Or, are you looking for a case-handling role in a professional, collaborative and service-user focused environment where you can use your knowledge of higher education?

This is an exciting opportunity to join the ombudsman service that deals with complaints from students at higher education providers and universities in England and Wales.

Position: Assistant Adjudicator

Location: Hybrid/Reading (a minimum of one day a week in the office)

Hours: 35 hours (part-time and flexible working considered)

Salary: Starting salary of £47,306 salary progression Grade 5 £47,306 - £55,350

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 10am on Monday 19 May 2025

About the Role

As Assistant Adjudicator (AA), you will work as part of the Adjudication Team, who are responsible for the review and resolution of student complaints. The cases it deals with tend to be complex and/or entrenched and cases where the issues involved present risks to the organisation, to the student or to provider, which are more likely to arise and/or may have a greater impact.

Your cases will typically be more complex with a higher level of risk or the potential to have a greater impact on the student, the provider and/or on the organisation. Most of the cases you deal with will already have been through our triage process, which involves gathering information about the cases. The information and electronic files you work with will typically involve large amounts of written documentation.

About You

We are looking to recruit talented professionals into the case-handling team in the role of Assistant Adjudicator. You will be skilled at evaluating large amounts of written information as well as exercising your judgment to reach well-reasoned decisions and to resolve complaints. You will have the skills and flexibility to manage a varied and demanding caseload and will be able to clearly and persuasively explain your decision in writing and to communicate with different service users.

You will have:

• Honours degree or equivalent professional qualification or experience
• Experienced at dealing with a range of people at various levels
• Experience of managing and maintaining a heavy workload
• Excellent analytical and investigatory skills
• Strengths in making logical, evidence based decisions and reaching solutions to problems which are creative and pragmatic
• Excellent written and oral/ telephone communication skills with a customer service focus
• High degree of confidentiality, discretion and integrity
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability and willingness to learn new processes and procedures with a positive attitude
• Enthusiastic about opportunity to develop professionally, by undertaking stretching tasks and engaging positively with feedback from colleagues

The charity values diverse backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives.  It has a supportive and inclusive organisational culture and would like the organisation to be representative of the community and the people who use its service.  It welcomes applications from candidates from all backgrounds, in particular, it would welcome applicants from black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds. 

Qualifications

Given the mission and purpose, we will consider any higher education qualifications, degree subjects or demonstrable interest/commitment to higher education in all its forms.

You may also have experience in roles such as Complaints Officer, Senior Complaints Officer, Senior Complaints Adjudicator, Complaints Investigator, Complaints Resolution, Ombudsman Senior Complaint Adjudicator

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