Apprentice Business Administrator - University of Oxford NDM Africa Oxford Initiative
University of Oxford
Oxford (OX1 3SY)
Closes in 19 days (Monday 8 June 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 19 May 2026
Contents
Summary
The Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) brings together all aspects of the University of Oxford’s collaborations with African institutions and researchers. As an Apprentice Business Administrator within the Operations Team, you will support a wide range of operational activities that underpin the delivery of AfOx programmes.
- Wage
-
£26,686 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
All University of Oxford Apprentices start on the Apprentice salary scale at grade 1A - £26,686 p.a.
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, office hours to be confirmed.
36 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 6 months
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
The Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) is a cross-divisional platform that brings together all aspects of the University of Oxford’s collaborations with African institutions and researchers, promoting the development of equitable partnerships.
You will join AfOx as an Apprentice Business Administrator within the Operations Team, reporting to the Operations Manager. In this role, you will support a wide range of operational activities that underpin the delivery of AfOx programmes.
The Operations Team manages all operational aspects of AfOx, including its core programmes (Visiting Fellowships, Catalyst Grants, Innovation Platform, Scholarships, and Ubuntu Transitions). This is a fast-paced and varied environment, where responsibilities and priorities may change on a daily basis.
You will assist with administrative and operational tasks to ensure processes run efficiently and effectively, contributing to the successful coordination and delivery of programmes.
You will be fully trained to:
- Provide administrative support to the Operations Team across day-to-day activities
- Respond to basic enquiries and redirect them as appropriate
- Support the financial and logistical delivery of AfOx programmes
- Manage travel arrangements, subsistence, and expense processes, including preparing claims and reconciling advances
- Assist with financial administration, including supporting financial reporting and record-keeping
- Support procurement processes and prepare documentation for payment requests
- Respond to queries relating to AfOx programmes in a professional and timely manner
- Maintain accurate project files, grant documentation, and correspondence
- Contribute to the coordination and delivery of events and programme activities
- Carry out general office duties including photocopying and filing papers
- Undertake ad hoc tasks and projects as required, appropriate to the role
- Participate in and support the public engagement and widening access activities of the Department and the University. This is anticipated to be not more than 2 days per year
- Undertake mandatory training as required by the University, Division and Department. The specific list of training courses may change from time-to-time, in response to both legal and internal University requirements
Job descriptions can never be comprehensive, and you may be required to undertake other similar tasks and responsibilities.
Where you'll work
Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health
The Peter Medawar Building South Parks Road
Oxford
OX1 3SY
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE
Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
- Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
- Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
- Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
- Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
- Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
- Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
- Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.
Training schedule
Duration:
15-months practical training period, plus 3-onths for End Point Assessment
Delivery model:
- Work-based training with your employer
- 10 days Business Professionals training at college
- Approximately 12 on-site assessment visits per year
- Off the job training will count for at least 6 hours per week of an apprentice’s time at work
Qualifications included:
Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship standard
End Point Assessment:
- Knowledge test
- Portfolio based interview
- Project/improvement presentation
More training information
College training will be at Abingdon & Witney College's Abingdon Campus and also on site in the workplace.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Desirable qualifications
A Level in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- MS Excel, Outlook and Word
- Willing to learn new skills
- Adaptability
- Can learn to meet deadlines
- Proactive
- Able to work independently
- Highly numerate
- Discretion and confidentiality
- Interest in finance admin
- Demonstrable Africa interest
Other requirements
PLEASE NOTE:
INTERVIEWS WILL BE HELD on or after Wednesday 8th July 2026. PLEASE ENSURE YOU VISIT THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD JOBS PAGE TO READ THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION BEFORE YOU APPLY. VACANCY ID IS 186312. Your application will be judged solely on the basis of how you demonstrate that you meet the selection criteria stated in the job description
As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly by the Apprenticeship Training Provider and will be required to complete initial assessments in English and maths, and book onto a short eligibility assessment telephone call where you can also find out more about the apprenticeship and ask any questions you may have. PLEASE NOTE APPLICANTS MUST REPLY PROMPTLY TO THESE REQUESTS - PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAILS/JUNK EMAILS SO THAT YOU DON'T MISS OUT. By applying for this vacancy, you are giving the Training Provider permission to undertake a Learner Record Service check on your previous qualifications. The Training Provider for this apprenticeship is Abingdon & Witney College
If you would like to talk to them about the assessments, please call on 01235 216216. We make every effort to ensure that applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds or those who may not have the formal GCSE entry requirements can access apprenticeships where possible.
About this employer
We are the largest employer in Oxfordshire with around 17,000 staff working in and around Oxford in a huge range of roles. Our apprentices are never on their own and will benefit from a supportive environment working in collaboration with the rest of our committed team. You will also be supported by the central apprenticeship team and you will join our growing network of apprentices within the university. You will have the opportunity to become an apprenticeship ambassador for the University and region. We will provide you with a welcoming and inclusive workplace, offering support and development opportunities that will enable you to progress and do your best work. We recognise diversity as our strength, vital for innovation and creativity, and we aspire to build a truly diverse community, which values and respects every individual’s unique contribution.
https://www.tropicalmedicine.ox.ac.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
You'll enjoy 38 days’ paid holiday, generous pension schemes, travel discounts and professional development opportunities. Free entry to the Botanic Gardens and university colleges, and discounts at university museums.
After this apprenticeship
Over 80% of our apprentices continue with us in the role they have been trained for after their apprenticeship and that is just the start of their career.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE
Jane Phipps
apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk
01235 216216
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000032485.
Apply now
Closes in 19 days (Monday 8 June 2026 at 11:59pm)