Professional Staff Excellence Awards Procedure

Document Number	000973
Date Approved	29 September 2006
Date Last Amended	31 August 2012

         

 

1.        Introduction

The University encourages and rewards outstanding performance by its professional staff through the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Professional Staff Excellence.

2.       Definitions

Nil

3.       Procedure

3.1.    Eligibility

i.          The Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Professional Staff Excellence acknowledge and reward outstanding performance by professional staff members.

ii.         To be eligible for nomination for a Vice Chancellor’s Award for Professional Staff Excellence, nominees must be members of professional staff, up to and including HEW 9, who are either ongoing or on a fixed term appointment greater than 12 months.

iii.        Both individuals and groups are eligible for nomination.

iv.        A group may consist of 

a.  a work team which has worked  together to implement or achieve an outstanding contribution; or

b.  a group of individuals from different work units whose collaboration has produced an outstanding contribution.

v.        The Award recognises performance that exceeds what would be expected of staff in the normal performance of duties.

vi.       Nominations must meet one of the following criteria:

·    an outstanding and exceptional achievement or success;

·    outstanding service to internal or external stakeholders;

·    an outstanding or novel initiative which has been successfully implemented;

·    significant improvements to work procedure or operational systems; or

·    an exceptional initiative/achievement involving cross unit cooperation. 

·    outstanding contribution to enhancing the student experience. 

3.2.    Nominations

i.       A nomination requires three (3) nominators.

ii.      Nominators may be staff members, students, or individuals with significant university interactions.

iii.     Only one nominator may be from outside the University.

iv.     Nominations for individuals must include at least one nominator from outside the nominee’s immediate work area.

v.      Nominees may nominate themselves provided they have the support of their supervisor.

vi.     Nominations must be made on the official nomination form.

vii.    Nominations must include a signed brief statement from each nominator setting out:

a.  the reasons for the nomination; and

b.  how the nominated individual(s) has/have contributed to achieving the strategic initiatives of the University.

viii.   Nominations must include the signature of the nominee’s/nominees’ supervisor.

ix.     Nominations must include endorsement from the nominee’s/nominees’ Head of School / Director or equivalent.

x.      Team nominations involving more than one unit/area need only include the endorsement of the Head of School / Director with primary responsibility for the nominated achievement / initiative / project.

3.3.    Procedure

i.       The closing date for nominations for the Award, will be set out in the  University's staff newsletter - In the Loop and via the Awards webpage.

ii.      An invitation for nominations will be issued by the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Services) at least four weeks prior to the closing date.

iii.     Completed nomination forms must be submitted via email in one PDF file to professional-staff-awards@newcastle.edu.au.

iv.     Late or incomplete nominations will not be considered.

3.4.   Selection Panel

i.       Nominations will be judged by a Selection Panel comprising:

a.  Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Services) (Chair);

b.  Director, Human Resource Services (or nominee);

c.  Manager Equity and Diversity Unit (or nominee);

d.  one professional staff representative  and one academic representative from the Faculties*;

e.  three Divisional representatives*.

Note*:  One member from each * category: d and e, will be from a campus other than Callaghan.

ii.      The Selection Panel will evaluate the evidence in the documentation accompanying the nomination, to determine which nominees they would recommend receive awards.

iii.     The recommendations of the panel will be forwarded to the Vice-Chancellor, whose decision will be final.

3.5.    Awards

i.      The value of the Award will be:

a.  $2000 for an individual;

b.  $4000 for a team.

ii.      Recipients will also receive an inscribed certificate.

iii.     Awards will be presented at an Annual Awards Ceremony.

iv.     Recognition of all nominees and award recipients at the local level is also encouraged.

v.      Normally, up to ten awards will be approved.

4.      Essential Supporting Documents

Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Professional Staff Excellence Nomination Form

Selection Committee Membership

Terms of Reference

 

Approval Authority	Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Services)
Date Approved	29 September 2006
Date Last Amended	31 August 2012
Policy Sponsor	Vice-Chancellor
Policy Owner	Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Services)
Policy Contact	Manager, Human Resource Services
Amendment History	Amendments to 3.1, 3.3 & 3.4 approved by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Services) 31 August 2012. Existing Procedure 000791 replaced with this document because of title and content change to reflect change in terminology from general to professional staff, approved by Vice-Chancellor 21 February 2012, effective 1 January 2012. 5 September 2011 - minor amendment to update links. Amendment Cl 3.1ii to specify HEW 9 or below; Cl 3.1v - team size; 3.1vii - addition of student experience criteria; 3.2vii - statement required from each nominator. Approved DVC(S) 14 September 2010. Updated: 9 September 2008 Updated: 3 October 2007 Updated: Vice-Chancellor, 28 August 2007