MARKET DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH ASIA

Key Requirements

Subject to the potential scope changes discussed above, the successful Supplier will be required to deliver a service comprising two main elements:

1. A Management Framework which comprises the following features:

General set up and infrastructure:

• An appropriate, properly constituted legal entity under which local operations can take

place

• Suitable, well-located premises in India with easy, direct access to a significant proportion

of the student target market with appropriate workspaces to accommodate at least five

people and including video conferencing facilities

• Arrangements for flexible working away from the office
• Secure IT and telecommunications infrastructure of an international standard, including

secure, high speed internet access (please also refer to the further details and requirements

provided under the heading of "IT Systems and Data" as detailed later in this Part 3)

• Suitable storage space for documents and marketing materials
• Access to any necessary infrastructure that supports continued delivery of recruitment and

marketing activity in South Asia

• Infrastructure which provides stability but also flexibility, allowing the University to adjust

operating and resourcing model in response to opportunity and changing market needs.

Business operations

• Regular communication with the University, including the provision of monthly Activity

Reports and providing timely, accurate management information and Key Performance

Indicators in relation to the Office and its operations.

• Provision of human resource and associated services to include engagement, line

management and supervision of suitable local staff and ongoing recruitment of appropriate

personnel, as necessary or appropriate to ensure Targets are met.

Financial Management

• Project management and accounting activities including (with the University's prior written

approval of scope and costs) taking advice from such accounting, auditing and legal experts

aa are required to ensure current and future compliance with all legal, tax, audit, filing and

regulatory changes in the South Asia region and to execute and support the University and

all activities under the contract. This includes but is not limited to:

• Regular (monthly) reporting of financial performance against agreed annual operating

budgets

• Oversight of the financial administration of the Office including management of payroll and

relevant tax, benefits, pension and insurance payments for all staff, in accordance with local

laws and regulations.

• Management of the Project bank account and ensuring compliance with all local tax

requirements.

• Proper accounting procedures, records and controls and adhering to the University's and

local accounting standards, Policies and controls.

• To be responsible for statutory reporting, corporate governance, management reporting,

financial planning, internal controls, credit control and risk management.

• To provide costing information to support product development and commercial decision

making.

• To appoint an external auditor to provide annual audited accounts.

2. Appoint appropriate Personnel to deliver the service

Under University's current contract for the South Asia Office the incumbent Consultant employs five full time staff members, three of which are dedicated to application processing.

Within the Management Framework, through the appointed Office Personnel and on the direction of identified UK-based managers, The Service will be delivered and, subject to any

changes in scope (as referred to above) will comprise:

• Provision of key service functions including support of UKVI compliance, marketing, market

intelligence, partnership support, applicant and agent relationship management, logistics

and visit support.

• Delivery of the university's Admissions service in the region, including application review,

recommendation for offer and follow-up.

• Proactive identification and reporting to the university of new business opportunities, in

line with the university strategy, global engagement plan and agreed regional priorities,

ensuring any proposals align with relevant local and UK (QAA) quality requirements.

• To support, manage and monitor the relationship with collaborative education partners,

identifying opportunities for future development/growth, resolving issues as required,

supporting recruitment to target and monitoring performance

• Advice on the development of new academic programmes for the region or for specific

partners

• Development of a market development strategy, working in consultation with the

Directorate of Global Development & Partnerships and Directorate of Recruitment,

Communications & Marketing, in Sheffield (UK).

• Liaison with other key stakeholders internally (for example, members of Sheffield Hallam

staff from University colleges) and externally (for example, UKVI, The High Commission and

other local institutions)

• Provision of market research and intelligence, analysis of opportunities and local advice, to

contribute to university planning and strategy development

• Overseeing the recruitment to target of students

from South Asia via attendance at exhibitions and road shows; selection, management and support of agents; establishment and support of progression agreements with schools,colleges, universities, funding bodies etc.

• Identifying prospective college, University, government department and company partners

in the region and lead contractual negotiations, as required, to secure collaborative delivery

or consultancy contracts for the University in the region.

• Management of the University alumni network in India and the wider South Asia region
• Event management of graduation ceremonies, alumni events, conferences and other

events, working in close liaison with teams at the University as and when required.

• Ensuring compliance, and being able to evidence compliance, with all relevant external

(UK) legislation and requirements relating to…