Applicant guidelines - Awards for Excellence (General Employees)

Policy

The University will recognise general employees' contributions to the University by granting awards for excellence on an annual basis. Refer to HR Policy F9 Awards for Excellence – General Employees for full details.

Eligibility

Any University general employee may nominate or be nominated for an award.  Individuals or groups are eligible to nominate for an Award.  A group may consist of a work team or unit which has worked together to implement or achieve an outstanding contribution.  A group may also consist of individuals from various organisational units of the University whose liaison and cooperation has produced an outstanding contribution.

Documentation

Nomination form

Nominations must be made on the Nomination Form (DOC 80kb) setting out the reasons for the nomination and clearly demonstrating the relevance and significance of the nomination by addressing the appropriate criteria.    

Written referee statements

Nominations must be supported by at least two (2) referees who may be colleagues from amongst the University, students, other clients, or members of the wider external community.  Referees would normally include one person from inside and another outside the nominee's work area (where possible).  Referees must provide a written statement supporting specific and identifiable reasons for the nomination.  Statements should not exceed one (1) page. 

Supporting information/evidence

Examples of supporting information/evidence should accompany the Nomination Form.  This information should not exceed ten (10) pages.

Selection criteria

Refer to HR Policy F9 Awards for Excellence – General Employees for detailed descriptions of criteria.  Applicants should address one or more of the criteria under each award category.

Outstanding Service: 

1. Exceptional success in a particular aspect of work.
2. Recognition for professional knowledge and integrity.
3. Consistent outstanding leadership.
4. Ensuring the highest standards and consistently delivering exceptional service to clients.
5. Significant achievement in promoting links with the community or enhancing the reputation of the University in the community.
6. Exemplary contribution in building the professional standing and reputation of self, colleagues and/or the community.

Excellence in Innovation or Process Improvement (must contain a clear linkage with the University's strategic directions):

1. Displaying initiative and innovation in significantly improving operating systems, technical procedures or administrative practices, using quality principles.
2. Identifying, developing and implementing innovative changes that significantly improve the type, standard and delivery of services/products.
3. Development and use of creative or innovative approaches to work practices.
4. Significant innovation and/or demonstrated improvement in service provision, cost containment, seamless operations in University administration or work practices.
5. Development and implementation of a project or program that has produced new concepts, products or services which have contributed to an improved student experience.
6. Providing a significant contribution to building a culture that constantly seeks to improve itself.
7. Increasing the international and national dimension of the University's market, operations and/or service programs.
8. Collaborating with other institutions and/or organisations in strategy partnerships.

Submission

Nominations must be submitted by the due date to the Executive Director, Human Resources.

Process

Nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee comprising five (5) members of the University, ie one general employee, one academic employee, one Dean, one Head of a non-academic division/unit, and one general employee representative of the University Council.  The Selection Committee will provide its recommendation/s to the Vice-Chancellor for approval.  The University is not obliged to present each Award every year. 

Awards

Awards are presented annually at the Staff Awards Ceremony.  Each Award for Excellence will consist of a Certificate and a Grant of Financial Support (available for professional development purposes).  Conditions surrounding the expenditure of the grant are outlined in Policy F9. 

Commendation Awards may also be recommended in each category where there are nominees of sufficient quality.  Commendation Awards consist of a Certificate of Commendation.  No monetary grant is applicable.

Checklist

Please check that you have:

• Completed Type and Category of nomination by ticking the appropriate boxes.
• Completed Contact Details.
• Completed Referee details and attached written Referee Statements from 2 referees (maximum of 1 page each).
• Addressed selection criterion/criteria (no more than five pages).
• Attached supporting information/evidence (no more than 10 pages).
• Completed and signed Declaration.
• Addressed documentation to Executive Director, Human Resources and forwarded by the due date.

Further information

Further information is available by contacting Anita O'Neill.

Closing date

Nominations must be submitted by the due date.  Late applications will not be accepted.