Grading Service Review

Workstream 2 - Job Description Standardisation

Planning for this workstream commenced on 15 January 2024, engaging with department and central HR teams across the University to gather insights on experiences to help shape and co-create our approach to standardising job descriptions. 

Workstream Objectives

  • Develop a suite of job descriptions to meet the needs of analytical job evaluations and differing departmental needs; 
  • Reduce job evaluations being carried out by the central Reward team; 
  • Increase the quality and consistency of job descriptions; and
  • Put in place mechanisms and processes for ongoing insight and review of standard job descriptions so that they remain relevant and appropriate 

Projected benefits to departments

  • Streamlined approach for developing job descriptions, reducing the amount of time spent writing job descriptions by line managers and departmental HR teams; and 
  • Greater clarity, efficiency and consistency for managing the job evaluation process

Project timeline

Expand All

  • HR staff in divisions invited to review first tranche of standardised job descriptions, toolkit and video
  • Sign off on tranche 1 underway by Reward team
  • Web pages under development to host standardised job descriptions & resources
  • Updates delivered to Heads of Administration and Finance and Services Sub Committee
  • Standardised job descriptions designed and developed
  • Toolkit for Managers and HR staff built and tested 
  • Stakeholder engagement continues
  • System changes implemented following temporary triage service
  • Improvements made to the Staff Request and Contract Decision matrix
  • Regrading form pilot: Feedback gathered from departments and a revised regrading form and guidance notes piloted
  • Temporary triage service completed and recommendations made for system improvements
  • Recommendations and high level implementation plan published. Read here
  • Grading Service Review launches

Contact us


If you would like to make a suggestion please contact reward@admin.ox.ac.uk