MyGlasgow News

The University is developing a bespoke Competency Framework across the Professional Services job families, which will form a fundamental part of the wider Glasgow Professional initiative that launched last year.

Our Competency Framework will set out how we want people in the University of Glasgow to work. It puts the University’s values of Passionate, Professional and Progressive at the heart of everything we do. Professional Services staff work in an extensive range of jobs across the University, and have shared aims that underpin all that we do - we are here to support the University to bring inspiring people together, and create a world-class environment for learning and research, empowering our staff and students to discover and share knowledge that can change the world.  

What are Competencies?

Competencies are the skills, knowledge and behaviours that lead to successful performance.

The Competency Framework will outline a range of competencies, which will be grouped into clusters. For each competency, there will be a description of what it means in practice and some examples of effective and ineffective behaviours at all levels. The competencies are intended to be discrete and cumulative, meaning that each level builds on the levels below. For example, a person demonstrating a competency at level 3 should be demonstrating levels 1 and 2 as a matter of course.

The behaviours outlined in the Framework are not designed to be comprehensive, but will provide a clear and consistent sense of what is expected from Professional Services staff in the University of Glasgow. 

What will the Framework mean for me? 

The Framework will be relevant for all colleagues who are part of the Management, Professional and Administrative (MPA), Technical & Specialist (T&S) and Operational job families.

It is envisaged that the Framework will be used across many areas of activity, for example for recruitment, to inform Performance and Development Review discussions and support succession planning.

Your objectives/performance standards set out ‘what’ you need to achieve over the year and the Competency Framework will set out ‘how’ you will need to work to achieve those objectives. 

How will the Framework be built?

A fundamental element supporting the creation of our Framework is engaging with colleagues to develop a comprehensive understanding of the behaviours required to successfully deliver the main roles across the University.

We will gather data through a number of confidential structured interviews, conducted by specially trained University colleagues. This method of data gathering is considered ‘best practice’ for projects such as these, and will help ensure that the Framework is appropriately detailed and authentic. 

A number of colleagues across the University will be invited to take part, with interviews commencing from mid-June. We are exceptionally grateful for their input into this key project, which will help shape the behaviours of staff across the University for many years to come.

We are at the earliest stages of developing our Framework, and as this continues, updates will be shared in MyGlasgow News. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like any further information on the Competency Framework, or our development activities.

Lesley Cummings

Head of Performance, Pay and Reward

 

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First published: 26 May 2017