April 2012
Dear Applicant,
RE: Application for Academic Representation Co-ordinator
Thank you for your interest in the post of Academic Representation Coordinator at Northumbria Students’ Union. This is an exciting time for NSU and offers an amazing opportunity for you to be part of an innovative, dynamic forward thinking award winning Students’ Union.
Voted Students’ Union of the Year 2011, this year we were recognised as a great place to work through Investors in People Silver and reaching 25th on the Sunday Times’ 100 Best Not For Profits To Work For. Our Academic Representation is one of our strengths, recognised by students, the University and nationally as a vital part of the student experience in receiving a world class education.
If successful in your application you will join a Students’ Union that is going from strength to strength within a membership services that continues to grow in the breadth and quality of its offer to students.
Please find enclosed the following information:
· Introduction to the Students’ Union
· Job Description
· Person Specification
· Application Form
· Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form
The closing date for applications is Friday 27 April 2012 at 12 noon, with interviews taking place during the week commencing 14 May 2012. Please ensure that you are available for the interview date. If you have questions please contact HR coordinator Amy Budd at (t) 0191 227 3185 (e)
Please note that the Students’ Union is working to increase the diversity of its workforce and has a strong commitment to equality of opportunity for all.
Yours Sincerely
Niall Sweby
Director of Membership Services
Encl
Recruitment Briefing Pack Academic Representation Co-ordinator
Northumbria Students’ Union
NSU is independent from the University and a registered charity; however the two organisations work closely together to deliver a first-rate service to students. NSU is integral to the provision of the modern, top class service provided to the student membership. With the introduction of higher fees and most students borrowing increasingly large sums of money to fund their higher education, the emphasis is firmly on providing a service which supports students to ensure their academic experience provides value for money.
NSU exists to represent students to the University and other bodies and to provide development opportunities as well as key services. Our Academic Representation is key to the Union’s success. The Academic Representation Coordinator supports a network of over 1,300 representatives at course and school level who work with programme leaders and the School management to identify and implement improvements to the delivery of teaching. The Coordinator also works with the Advice and Representation Manager and the Sabbatical Officer for Academic Affairs to identify common issues raised by reps and represent these to the University and support key campaigns. Over the past four years our representatives have been nominated for Rep of the Year and in the past two years we have launched campaigns on Hidden Fees and production of the Union’s own Education Policy. The latter clearly sets out our members’ expectations for their academic experience over the next three years.
In addition to representation, NSU provides advice to students on academic issues, supports Student Council and provides fantastic opportunities for students to get involved in their Union, with over 80 societies, clubs and volunteering programmes for students to choose from. Membership Services is half way through a three year growth plan which will significantly expand our capacity to deliver new and better services to students in all aspects of their time at Northumbria. When a student joins Northumbria University, they automatically become a member of NSU. There are currently over 29,000 members.
NSU has a team of professional managers who implement NSU’s policies, undertake the strategic and day-to-day management of NSU and manage the staff.The Director of Membership Services is a key member of the Senior Management Team and reports to the Chief Executive. NSU employs over 170 staff at the busiest time of the year and employs a core of around 60 people on a year round basis.
This is a very exciting time to be part of this dynamic and unique organisation. For further information about the Students’ Union representation visit www.mynsu.co.uk.
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JOB DESCRIPTION
Job title: Academic Representation Co-ordinator
Department: Advice and Representation
Responsible to: Advice and Representation Manager
Responsible for: Course, School Reps and Post Graduate Taught Reps
Salary Range: £17,330 - £19,744
Purpose of Post: To facilitate, coordinate and develop the structures for student-led academic representation across the University to achieve tangible outcomes that benefit other students.
To support the personal development of Course, School and Post Graduate Taught Reps as a volunteer for the Students’ Union.
Contract: 52 weeks permanent, 37.5 hours per week, some flexibility required
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
1. To ensure the effective promotion of Course, School and Post Graduate Taught Rep positions, through the Union and University’s available promotional channels.
2. To co-ordinate the Course Rep system, ensuring that students are able to have their views represented and raised across the University by Course Reps.
3. To recruit, supervise and support School Reps, ensuring that student representation is effective at Course and School level within every academic School.
4. To facilitate effective two way communication between the Vice President Academic Affairs and all academic reps
5. To encourage and ensure that Course, School and Post Graduate Taught Reps make full use of available resources within the Students’ Union.
6. To advise and make recommendations on the development of the Academic Representation structures, with the Advice and Representation Manager and Vice President Academic Affairs.
7. To provide administrative support to the Vice President Academic Affairs in facilitating School Rep Forums, and to support School Reps in facilitating Course Rep Forums. This includes booking venues; arranging refreshments; minute-taking; disseminating outcomes from Forums to the wider student body; and monitoring the follow-up of actions arising from Forums.
8. To prepare resources, publications and materials (including web-based) to enable Course, School and Post Graduate Taught Reps to work effectively.
9. To develop and maintain effective communication links with School Administrators and other members of staff responsible for supporting the Course, School and Post Graduate Taught Reps within individual schools.
10. To produce supporting literature to encourage participation within student representation, and to promote knowledge of relevant structures and procedures amongst the wider student body.
11. To liaise with contacts across the Union, University and beyond who can provide resources and ideas for the further development of the Course, School and Post Graduate Taught Rep structures. These could include the Students’ Union’s elected Sabbatical Officers, other Advice and Representation volunteers (PGR School Reps, Halls Reps, Community Reps, Equality Reps, Student Councillors), external training providers, the National Union of Students etc.
12. To identify opportunities for engaging academic, student support and service department staff across the University with the importance of student representation, in tandem with the Advice and Representation Manager and Vice President Academic Affairs; and to develop supporting materials and development opportunities as appropriate.
13. To identify training needs for Course, School and Post Graduate Taught School Reps, elected Officers.
14. To prepare, publicise and promote training programmes for Course, School and Post Graduate Taught School Reps.
15. To deliver year round training programmes for Course, School and Post Graduate Taught School Reps, including planning and organising the annual Course Rep Conference. This will also include the organisation of training: booking venues; arranging refreshments; procuring and producing resources; preparing formal invitations; and promoting participation and other activities as required.
16. To evaluate training events to measure the impact at individual, department and organisational level.
17. To develop and maintain effective database systems for all Course, School and Post Graduate Taught School Reps, and integrate these databases into the Union’s wider databases of active volunteers.
18. To be responsible for updating sections of the Students’ Union website dedicated to Course, School and Post Graduate Taught School Reps.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
19. To aspire to the highest standards of service at all times.
20. To attend appropriate and relevant training events, courses and conferences as required.
21. To respect the democratic structure of the Students’ Union; the post holder will be expected to work closely with elected officers.
22. To abide by the Students’ Union Constitution, policies and procedures at all times.
23. To uphold the Students’ Unions environmental and wider corporate social responsibility practices.
24. To attend conferences and seminars as and when required.
25. To be committed to NSU’s values of Democracy, Inclusive, Ethical, Innovation, Quality and Partnership
26. The above is not an exhaustive list of duties and the post holder will be expected to undertake any other reasonable duties as may be required.
Person Specification
Job title: Academic Representation Co-ordinator
Criteria / Tested AtQualifications
/ Application / InterviewGraduate or equivalent work experience / X
Experience
Coordinating and supporting volunteers / X / XDevising and delivering training to volunteers / X / X
Producing high quality written reports and briefings / X
Knowledge and Competencies
Ability to plan and deliver successful projects / X / XAbility to achieve a high level of outputs and manage a heavy and diverse workload / X / X
Current knowledge of trends and issues within Students’ Unions and Higher Education / X
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office / X
Excellent written and verbal communications skills with a diverse range of stakeholders / X / X
Ability to motivate and support volunteers / X / X
Ability to work effectively in a team / X / X
Ability to use own initiative / X / X
Approachability and reliability / X / X
Ability to handle sensitive situations / X / X
Values/attitudes
Commitment to Equal Opportunities / X / XAbility to work in a membership led, democratic environment / X / X
Willingness to work in a goal-oriented environment / X / X
Commitment to high standards of service / X / X
Flexible working attitude / X / X
Highly motivated, energetic and enthusiastic / X
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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES MONITORING
This section of the application will be used solely for monitoring purposes.
Northumbria Students’ Union recognises and actively promotes the benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion and belief. We therefore welcome applications from all sections of the community.
WhiteBritish / Irish / Any other white background*
Mixed
White and Black Carribean / White and Black African / White and Asian / Any other mixed background*
Black or Black British
Caribbean / African / Any other mixed background*
Asian or Asian British
Indian / Pakistani / Bangladeshi / Any other mixed background*
Chinese or Other Ethnic Group
Chinese / Other Ethnic Group* / White and Asian / Any other mixed background*
Gender please specifiy
Date of Birth
Do you consider yourself to have a disability: / Yes / No
If yes, please state nature of disability
The Disability Discrimination Act defines disability as “A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term effect on the person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities”
If you wish, you may disclose information about yourself in this section about your:
ReligionSexual Orientation
How did you become aware of this vacancy
Media: / Date: / Reference:
Please continue on a separate sheet if necessary.
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APPLICATION FORM
ALL SECTIONS TO BE COMPLETED IN BLACK INK OR TYPED
Application for the Post of:
Personal Details:
First Name:
/ /Surname:
/Address:
/ /Mobile Tel:
// /
Home Tel:
// /
Postcode:
/Email:
/ / /Education:
Higher Education and Further Education – Diploma / Degree etc and A-levels (or equivalent)
Institution
/Dates
/Qualification
/Results
Other Training and Professional Development Undertaken
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Provider / Date / Details of TrainingCurrent and Previous Employment:
Include full working (and voluntary) experience providing details of any gaps in employment history
Organisation
/Role
/Dates
/Summary of Achievements
Experience and Skills:
Provide a detailed, specific breakdown of how your experience and skills meet the person specification for the role, in particular giving tangible evidence that proves you meet the criteria. Continue on a separate sheet if required.
Other Information:
Provide further details that will add value or enhance your application (max 500 words)
Do you require any special provisions or facilities if you are selected for interview? / Yes / NoIf yes, please detail…
Referees:
Please provide details of two referees, that we may contact for a reference. One of these must be your most recent employer.
Referee One:
/ /Referee Two:
/Name:
/ /Name:
/Company:
/ /Company:
/Address:
/ /Address:
/Tel:
/ /Tel:
/Email:
/ /Email:
/Where did you see this vacancy advertised?
Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence? / Yes / NoIf yes, please detail (except for convictions regarded as spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974)…
Declaration:
I declare that all information contained in this application form is true correct and understand that this shall be the basis of any offer of appointment
Signed:Date:
Please return this form to:
Amy Budd, HR Coordinator
Northumbria Students’ Union, 2 Sandyford Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8SB.
Tel: 0191 227 3185 I Email:
DEADLINE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS: Friday 27 April 2012 at 12 noon.
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