Collaborative Partnership Leaders

Collaborative Partnership Leaders (CPL) are members of University of Hertfordshire staff directly linked with Herts franchised and externally validated programmes. During the life of the programme, they regularly visit the partner institution and provide both an ongoing University oversight of the programme, as well as a link for the partner to feed back to the University. Further guidance on the role of the CPL can be found in the Collaborative Partnerships Handbook (available for University staff on the CAQA HertsHub site under the heading 'Collaborative Arrangements) or, for CPLs for the Hertfordshire Higher Education Consortium, in the Consortium Quality Handbook (PDF - 1.15 Mb) (it should be noted that the CPL arrangements for the Hertfordshire Higher Education Consortium differ slightly from those in place at other collaborative partners). CPLs are covered by UPR AS17 Section D7.

Main purpose of the role

The University of Hertfordshire delegates responsibility for assuring and enhancing the quality of students’ learning experience, and assuring the standard of awards, to Schools. A key role for this work is that of the Collaborative Partnership Leader appointed within Schools for each collaborative programme. The Collaborative Partnership Leader is the key contact and main academic link along with the Programme Leader (or equivalent) and other appropriate staff in the partner organisation to help ensure that students who study outside of the University have an equivalent experience to those who study at Herts. They are also a key factor in bringing information back to the Herts, to assure the University that quality and standards at a partner organisation are appropriate but as well to learn from the partners through their best practice.

CAQA have developed good practice principles for Collaborative Partnership Leaders, which can be found here:

CPL Good Practice Principles

As a member of academic staff within a School/Department, the Collaborative Partnership Leader will be responsible and accountable to a Dean of the School (or other manager e.g. Associate Dean or Head of Department) for the responsibilities and duties outlined below.

Collaborative Partnership Leader Role
Unless otherwise agreed between Schools and Academic Services, a Collaborative Partnership Leader will be appointed to oversee each separate collaboration with a Partner Organisation. It is the responsibility of the Dean of School to appoint a Collaborative Partnership Leader.
At the commencement of each academic session, the Dean of School (or nominee) will inform the Collaborative Partnerships Unit (CPU), CAQA and Academic Services at as-systems@herts.ac.uk of Collaborative Partnership Leaders for each collaboration in which the School is engaged.
The Collaborative Partnership Leader has the following core terms of reference. These may be added to by the School, if this is deemed appropriate, and the activities of the Collaborative Partnerships Leader will be agreed by the Dean of School (or nominee). For Partner Organisations where a Quality Liaison Manager (or equivalent) has been appointed, the Collaborative Partnership Leader will work closely with the QLM. The terms of reference should be read in conjunction with the Collaborative Partnerships Handbook, where the activities associated with the role are explored.
Responsibilities and Duties
The responsibilities and duties of a collaborative partnership leader may be expected to include the following. However, some of these responsibilities may be delegated to other members of the School or other parts of the University, but only with their specific permission. The responsibilities and duties may also be added to by the School, if this is deemed appropriate.
It is important to note on the Collaborative Operational Development Plan (CODP) or Annual Activity Agreement (AAA) any delegated responsibilities but it is also important that the Collaborative Partnership Leader always has an up to date overview of all the responsibilities whether undertaken by the Collaborative Partnership Leader or another person.
- To be the main academic point of contact for communications between the School and the Collaborative Partner.
- To monitor the health of a collaborative programme (for example, through visits or other communications) and to report to the Dean of School (or nominee) any actions that need to be taken to support the collaboration or on any other matters relevant to the partnership. The CPL should prepare reports on each visit and a summary report for the AMER/CEP.
- To produce the annual Collaborative Operational Delivery Plan (CODP) in consultation with the partner if a franchise or externally validated programme[s] (or an Annual Activity Agreement (AAA) for other partnerships and for INTI International Colleges and University).
- Where the CEP is not used, to present the Annual Monitoring and Evaluation Report to the SAC or appropriate Sub-Group (or, in the case of Academic Support Partnerships, to prepare an annual report for each partner to be appended to the AMER).
- To act as an ex officio member of the relevant Programme Committee at the Partner Organisation.
- To co-ordinate the review and moderation of the assessment process. When this involves the review by the University of in-course assessments or examination papers, the role of Collaborative Partnership Leaders gives authority to make requests of Deans of relevant Schools to provide subject staff to carry out this task.
- To act with the Dean of School (or nominee) and the University’s Marketing and Communications Department to ensure that all necessary administrative procedures, including the approval of promotional material, are carried out at the necessary time.
- To work with Academic Services on audits of public information to ensure that all published Collaborative partner information is accurate and updated regularly.
- To provide, along with other members of the School, appropriate academic staff training and support to partner staff.
- To regularly check that appropriate resources approved at (re) validation are being maintained and appropriately improved.
- To ensure that any new staff teaching on UH programmes at the partner are approved by the School and that this approval process is auditable.
- To obtain and respond to feedback from students in collaboration with the partner organisation.
- To check that the agreed admissions requirements are being applied and that non-standard entry requirements are being considered through agreed procedures.
- To regularly review academic documentation of the partner, such as programme handbooks, module guides, on line learning materials, in terms of accuracy, reliability and appropriateness.
- To report, as appropriate, on their required visits to the partner.
- To share good practice from and with the partner for wider dissemination.
- To work closely with the Quality Liaison Manager (if appointed for that partner organisation).
- To work closely with the Collaborative Partnership Unit (CPU).
- To attend appropriate staff development opportunities, including an ‘unconscious bias’ course.
The Collaborative Partnership Leader should comply with the requirements of the Collaborative Partnership Handbook (and Consortium Quality Handbook if a CPL for the Hertfordshire Higher Education Consortium);
These guidelines outline the main responsibilities and duties of the Collaborative Partnership Leader. It is not a comprehensive or exhaustive list and the Dean of School may vary the duties from time to time which do not change the general character of the role or the level of responsibility; and
The Collaborative Partnerships Leader is not permitted to act as Chair of Boards of Examiners for the collaborative partnership for which they are Collaborative Partnerships Leader.
Person Specification
The following key criteria should normally be considered when appointing a Collaborative Partnership Leader:
- Have had experience as a programme leader or year tutor;
- Have an understanding of the requirements of collaborative programmes;
- Have knowledge of curriculum design principles and processes;
- Have knowledge of current learning and teaching issues;
- Have knowledge of assessment and academic quality processes;
- Have the ability to establish professional, working relationships with external colleagues;
- Have an understanding of relevant cultural issues.
- Have an awareness of unconscious bias
Where the applicant for the role does not possess all of these characteristics they should be able to demonstrate potential to achieve them.
Personal Qualities and Abilities
The Collaborative Partnership Leader should also have the following qualities and abilities:
- Friendly, approachable and supportive to staff and students;
- Excellent networking and liaison skills;
- Excellent communication and presentation skills;
- Ability to work effectively individually and within teams;
- Ability to meet tight deadlines;
- Ability to prioritise activities;
- For some partnerships, availability to travel abroad for periods of time each year.

Collaborative Provision

Good practice principles for CPLs working cross-culturally

Hertfordshire Higher Education Consortium

Academic Quality at Herts