Grand Challenges Postgraduate Facilitator

We are looking for postgraduate students to participate in the Grand Challenges programme as enquiry group facilitators. 

The Grand Challenges Programme 

Grand Challenges is a project week running 2nd- 6th June 2025, in which students work in interdisciplinary groups to design innovative solutions to real-world challenges. Topics for Grand Challenges (Exeter) include Social Inequality, Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing, Climate and Environment Emergency, Defence, Security and Resilience, and Future Food. Enquiry Groups for Grand Challenges (Penryn) include Building Sustainable Innovation, Inspiring Community Action, and Campaigning for Just Transition. 

Facilitators are an essential part of the overall success of the Grand Challenges programme. They work closely with the undergraduates, academics and external experts to ensure that the experience is well co-ordinated and that all students maximise their educational experience and potential.  Visit the Grand Challenges website for further information about the programme.  

The Facilitator Role 

Facilitators help to plan, guide and manage a group, ensuring that objectives are met effectively and that all students participate fully. Facilitators are not expected to teach subject content to their groups. Some challenges do ask for subject specific knowledge (see below), but it is more important to understand how people learn. 

Person specification 

Highly Desirable Criteria 

Good facilitation skills and experience. 

Completion of LTHE Stage 1. 

If you are applying for the Defence, Security and Resilience Challenge, you should have an expertise (teaching or research based) in the broad fields of security and strategy. 

If you are applying for the Future Food Challenge, you should have relevant research experience and expertise in this area. 

If you are applying for the Social Inequality Challenge, you should have some skills in textual analysis, an ability to analyse images, and to engage critically with culture and politics. 

Desirable Criteria 

Ability to work effectively with a wide range of staff, students and external contacts with diverse interests and needs to deliver multiple objectives. 

An understanding of the benefits of interdisciplinary, employability, research-led education and student-led learning in a university education. 

Ability to engage the interest and enthusiasm of students and inspire them to learn. 

Excellent organisational skills, including time management and planning within the framework of the agreed programme. 

Excellent team working skills. 

Proactive ‘can do’ attitude with good problem-solving skills. 

Creative and innovative 

A good listener/observer 

The Role  

There are roles available in Exeter and Penryn. Applicants need to be aware of the location of the Challenge they are applying for and must be able to work in the relevant location throughout Grand Challenges Week. The rate of pay is £20.78 an hour. Facilitators will be paid up to £727.30 for Grand Challenges Week, for up to 35 hours work (those on Tier 4 visas will be paid £415.60 for 20 hours work). The role of the facilitator outside of Grand Challenges Week will depend on the requirements of the individual Challenge but will likely involve between 5-10 hours work, which will include training, meetings, and individual preparation. Facilitators should be able to commit to working Grand Challenges Week and have availability to attend training sessions and planning meetings between March and May. 

This is an overall summary of the duties:  

Attend training sessions and planning meetings between March and May. 

Facilitate enquiry group sessions from 9am-5pm during Grand Challenges Week (2nd- 6th June 2024). 

Be available to write up summaries of the week and attend feedback discussions after Grand Challenges Week. For further details, please see the Grand Challenges Guidance for Facilitators.

 The deadline for applications is 12th February 2025.