Access to SUMS Services

Key Contacts

An experienced member of SUMS consulting staff is nominated to work closely with each member institution; this person is known as the Key Contact (KC). Their key objective is to develop the member relationship to enable SUMS to understand each members needs.

The KC will work closely with the Member Representative and will be responsible for meeting and briefing new Representatives as and when they are appointed.

SUMS Work Programme

SUMS undertakes work for members according to a rolling programme of assignments. The work programme comprises both specific items requested by members and reserve slots that a member may call off.

Each member is asked to channel their requests for assignments through their nominated Member Representative to the KC. It is the responsibility of the Member Representative to request and instigate assignments, although SUMS is happy to assist with the identification phase.

The KC will make arrangements with the Member Representative to visit, at least annually, to discuss requirements for assignments for inclusion within the work programme. Precise requirements for each assignment will be explored subsequently in greater detail at a Terms of Reference (TOR) meeting. To support efficient delivery and make best use of our resources it is important that SUMS Members commence assignments at the time agreed during the TOR meeting.

Time Allocation

There is no specific upper or lower limit to the time to be committed to the work that will be included in the work programme for any member. It is expected that all members will share the benefits of membership and that there will be an equality of treatment among members.

The staffing of SUMS is maintained to provide an average of ten consultant weeks of assignment work per member per annum and this is broadly assigned as two weeks on collaborative assignments and eight weeks on institutional specific assignments.

SUMS may also be able to undertake additional work outside of the work programme for non-members at commercial fee rates and for members at a discounted rate. Should members wish to explore this further they should do so through their KC.

Requesting Assistance and Advice

Approaches to SUMS should be made to the KC through the Member Representative. As a general rule members find that channelling requests for SUMS assistance through the Member Representative is to be preferred since this:

  • Ensures that the Member's priorities for SUMS assistance are met
  • Informs the Member Representative of the requests made and the service delivered by SUMS and can help them assess the use and value of SUMS membership.

There may be occasions when SUMS does not have the ability to help but may be able to suggest lines of enquiry, for example to other members or other consultancies. SUMS will always endeavour to respond to requests at short notice; consideration should be given to how flexible the timing can be and over what period the work can be done.

As a preliminary to discussions of requirements thought should be given to:

  • The contribution sought from SUMS
  • The objectives of the assignment
  • The scope of the work
  • Those within the HEI with whom SUMS staff would work
  • The timing of the assistance required.

As soon as a consultant with the right experience is able to begin work on an assignment SUMS will contact the HEI to arrange a Terms of Reference meeting.