Human Resources

Staff Mobility Programme 2013-14

Introduction

Glasgow’s Staff Mobility Programme is an exciting opportunity for any member of staff at the University to enhance their personal and professional outlook by undertaking a visit to a partner or other institution overseas (e.g. U21, IRUN, etc.).

The scheme is designed to support staff at a personal and professional level - by providing the opportunity to share expertise and learn about new cultures - while at the same time supporting the University’s strategic objective to enhance its global reach and reputation as outlined in Glasgow 2020: A Global Vision.

The programme provides match funding to staff who can demonstrate the potential benefits of their visit by satisfying at least two of the following programme objectives, one or more from each group:

Enhancing global reach and reputation

  • To provide the opportunity to measure and benchmark against international best practices and to promote and embed improvement on return;
  • To promote knowledge and understanding with partner universities;
  • To facilitate reciprocal visits/exchanges and act as ambassadors for the university in promoting sustainable relationships with partner universities;
  • To advance an aspect of the university’s internationalisation strategy

Personal and professional development

  • To provide personal and career development opportunities for staff through exposure to other cultures and working practices.

Please note that the fund is primarily to support personal and professional development and to enhance the University’s global reach and reputation. It is not designed to be used as an alternative source of funding for direct research activity. Managers are encouraged to support proposals where there are opportunities to further the University’s internationalisation strategic plan.

A separate fund is available to support proposals aimed at facilitating the development of collaborative projects with universities overseas. For support in developing international collaborations and partnerships, visit International Partnership Development Fund.

Index:


Eligibility

All staff in both academic and support positions are encouraged to consider opportunities for application to the programme. Applicants must have at least 6 months service. Interested staff should review the application guidance notes (Appendix 2) to assess potential opportunities.


Timeframes

The programme was launched in April 2012 and there is an opportunity to apply for staff mobility funding at any point during the year.  Applications will be reviewed at regular intervals by the Selection Committee, however applicants should allow an adequate period of time for the Selection Committee to review prior to proposed travel dates.


Scoping Opportunities

All applicants will be responsible for identifying a contact point in the host institution and undertaking investigation to establish whether a visit is possible prior to submitting an application. General advice on the best way to go about this can be obtained from:

Dr Chris Yeomans
Deputy Director of International Affairs
Recruitment and International Office
71 Southpark Ave
G12 8QQ
0141 330 4918
Chris.Yeomans@glasgow.ac.uk

Information on the U21 network membership is available at www.universitas21.com/member.  U21 is a network of research-intensive universities who are open to developing new partnership between members.


Application Process

All applicants should complete the Application Form and send it to the Staff Mobility Programme either by email staffmobility@glasgow.ac.uk or through internal mail service to: 

Staff Mobility Programme
Staff Development Service
Room 450, Level 4
St Andrew's Building

Applicants are encouraged to review the Application Guidance (Appendix 2) when completing the Application Form (Appendix 3).

A confirmation of receipt email will be sent to the primary applicant once application forms are received.

Any enquiries regarding this programme and/or applications should be directed to:
staffmobility@glasgow.ac.uk


Funding

The Mobility Programme is funded by the University Trust. For the 2013-14 programme, funding is available subject to College (School / Research Institute) / University Services match funding (50/50 split) as secured by successful applicants. To widen opportunity and support there is a maximum of up to £5,000 available per proposal from this fund.

All proposals should include details of the funding requested and sign off from the relevant budget holder within the College or University Services confirming commitment of match funding.

Proposed visits should be of a short term nature (i.e. normally between 3 to 21 days) with funding incurred within 6 months of the approval decision date.

Once approved, extensions may be considered if circumstances pertaining to the successful applicant have changed (e.g. pregnancy, maternity leave plans, other health related factors, etc).

Applications should be completed in advance of the visit.

Eligible expenses generally include travel, accommodation, institutional gifts for hosts and subsistence for the University of Glasgow nominated applicant(s) travelling. Funds will be reimbursed in accordance with the University’s financial regulations.

Given that successful applications will be demonstrating benefits to both the University and applicant(s), along with a credible plan for transferring knowledge back into the workplace, it is anticipated that nominated applicant(s) will be required to make an employment commitment of 6 months to the University following a visit. If a nominated applicant(s) ceases their employment contract with the University within 6 months of their visit, they may be required to repay / reimburse expenses.


Selection Criteria

Selection will be based upon the information applicants detail in the Application Proposal form.  This includes the extent to which the proposed visit / exchange delivers the University strategy with specific reference to extending global reach and reputation, and that the proposal can satisfy at least two of the Staff Mobility Programme aims.

The Selection Committee will also take into account a number of factors, over time, to ensure a range and spread of coverage and originality.   Members of the Selection Committee include: Senior Vice Principal, Director of the Recruitment & International Office, Staff Development Service Internationalisation Lead, and Human Resources Policy Manager/Deputy Director. 

The University of Glasgow is committed to promoting equality of opportunity in all its activities and aims to provide a work, learning, research and teaching environment free from discrimination and unfair treatment.  Procedures for the consideration of proposals are intended to be fair, transparent and consistent with the University’s Equal Opportunities Policies.


Successful Application Proposals

Successful applicants will be advised following the Selection Committee decision which would normally be within two weeks of submission.  Where an application covers more than one member of staff, the decision will be communicated to the primary applicant.

The Selection Committee is committed to evaluating the impact of successful applications. Successful applicants are required to provide a progress report to the Selection Committee within 30 days of returning from their visit.  Successful applicants will also be requested to submit photographs from their visit.  The University reserves the right to use this information for promotional purposes on the University website, in newsletters and publicity materials.  

The Staff Mobility Programme portion of funding will be paid following the submission of the progress report.   Further details of this process will be included in acceptance letters.

Successful applicants are also expected to be ambassadors for the Staff Mobility Programme with the aim of raising awareness of the programme and sharing their experiences.  They may also be expected to carry out additional duties on behalf of the University while visiting the host institution (i.e. meet staff on behalf of another subject/school/college, work with other University of Glasgow staff on a recruitment stand, explore service provision in other areas, provide a general presentation to students considering studying at Glasgow on an exchange).  These would be discussed and considered with the applicant(s) in advance of their planned visit/exchange.