Job title: / Community Liaison Co-ordinator
Department/School: / University of Bath Students’ Union
Grade: / 6
Location: / University of Bath Students’ Union and Bath Spa
University for part of each week
Job purpose
  • To buildstrong relations between students of the higher education institutions (HEIs) in Bath and North East Somerset and the local communities in which they reside, particularly in locations which have a high student population in Bath.
  • To manage and develop a range of constructive and pro-active initiatives to promote good relations between students and the local communities in which they reside as directed by the Student Community Partnership.
  • To liaise between the HEIs, the police, resident associations, community groups, public transport providers, landlord associations, and the local council in co-ordinating schemes aimed at bettering community relations between students and permanent residents.
  • To coordinate policy development with reference to students for the Partnership, particularly with respect to Community Relations and Housing.
  • To increase the level of external funding for projects, publicity materials and other initiatives.

Source and nature of management provided
Reports to the Deputy Chief Executive, on behalf of the Student Community Partnership
Staff management responsibility
Student Staff member
Special conditions
Will be required to work occasional evenings for events or training which can be reclaimed as TOIL.
Main duties and responsibilities- All duties listed below will be carried out in close liaison with/under the direction of the Student Development Manager
1 / Community Relations
  • To maintain and manage a complaint system whereby student/community issues can be addressed promptly.
  • To develop, implement and manage appropriate conflict resolution measures.
  • To work closely with the University of Bath and Bath Spa University Students’ Unions in informing students of the importance of responsible community relations and of the damage to the institutions reputation of anti-social behaviour.
  • To work closely with the Council and Councillors to inform them of matters of interest and importance to the student community.
  • To carry out door knocking sessions in the community,to inform students and the wider community of SCP campaigns and to provide relevant information at key points in the academic year. Work within the community, where appropriate, and attend and participate in relevant community meetings, such as resident/community group meetings.
  • Organise the SCP Annual Reception to update HEIs, Student Unions, the Council, Community partners, Residents Associations and other Statutory Agencies and local businesses on the activities of the Student Community Partnership.
  • Attend ‘Fresher’s and Re-Fresh Fairs’ in the University of Bath and Bath Spa University Students’ Unions and other partner events, with the aim of raising awareness of the work of the Student Community Partnership.
  • Promote the Chairman’s Community Awards ceremony aimed at rewarding unrecognised volunteers and unsung heroes, participate in the judging panel and the planning group for this awards night.
  • Work with the appropriate PR teams within each partner organisation to raise awareness of the partnership and respond to student/community matters.

2 / Projects
  • To promote the Community Fund amongst students to run projects in their community and participate in the panel to appraise applications and monitor performance
  • Raise awareness about the quality of student accommodation by attending the university Housing Forums and providing information on the SCP Webpages.
  • Promote and support activities, such as the ‘Make it a night to remember’, River Safety Campaigns , to highlight students’ responsibility to take care of each other and be courteous of their neighbours when returning from a night out
  • Co-ordinate the production of the annual Student Accommodation Guide and local area profiles for students living in the private rented housing sector.
  • Coordinate the ‘’Moving In’’ and “Moving Out” campaigns in partnership with the SUs and the Council’s Waste Services Team
  • Co-ordinate the development and promotion of a series of community based projects and volunteering activities to further develop ‘town and gown’ relations. Support regular partnership meetings to share good practice on ‘Green Issues’

3 / General
  • Organise quarterly committee meetings including; drafting the papers, compiling a quarterly report of activities and produce other papers, reports and publications as appropriate to support the aims of the Student Community Partnership.
  • Implement and monitor the actions agreed in the SCP Action Plan
  • Ensure that the’ Town and Gown’ website is up to date with relevant information.
  • Investigate sources of community funding, e.g. sponsorship and advertising, by making links with external community and corporate organisations.
  • Perform other duties, from time to time, as required on behalf of the Student Community Partnership, consistent with current levels of responsibility.
  • Manage student members of staff employed to support the work of the SCP

4 / Staff Management
  • Recruit and support a student staff member to support the SCP.

5 / Undertake other duties as required
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or a restrictive definition of the post but rather should read as a guide to the main priorities and typical areas of activity of the post holder. These activities are subject to change over time as priorities and requirements evolve and as such may be amended at any time by the line manager, following discussion with the post holder.

Person Specification

Criteria / Essential / Desirable / Assessed by
A/F / I/T / R
Qualifications
Educated to degree level / √ / √
A recognised qualification or membership of a professional body in one of the following fields or a related discipline: Community Relations, Conflict Resolution, or Mediation / √ / √
Experience/Knowledge
Experience in student community relations, local government or further or higher education / √ / √ / √
Current issues and developments in national student / community relations policy and the needs of local communities / √ / √ / √
Proven aptitude for dealing with the public and students / √ / √ / √
Managing, training & motivating a team of staff & student volunteers / √ / √ / √
Obtaining funding and / or corporate sponsorship and advertising / √ / √
Budgetary control / √ / √
Practical experience in archive administration / √ / √
Website Management / √ / √
Issues affecting further and higher education and local authorities inline with government strategies / √ / √ / √
Skills
Excellent communication skills / √ / √
Effective interpersonal skills, both written and oral / √ / √ / √
Excellent personal organisational skills, particularly time management and prioritisation skills / √ / √
Strong report writing skills with the ability to produce information for a variety of audiences / √ / √ / √
Ability to work in a team as well as under own initiative / √ / √
Good ICT skills / √ / √
Attributes
Must be self-motivated / √ / √ / √
Must be adaptable / √ / √ / √
Effective Behaviours Framework
The University has identified a set of effective behaviourswhich we valueand have found to be consistent with high performance across the organisation. Part of the selection process for this post will be to assess whether candidates have demonstrably exhibited these behaviours previously.
Managing self and personal skills:
Willing and able to assess and apply own skills, abilities and experience. Being aware of own behaviour and how it impacts on others.
Delivering excellent service:
Providing the best quality service to all students and staff and to external customers e.g. clients, suppliers. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
Finding innovative solutions:
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically and with creativity to analyse problems and develop innovative and workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
Embracing change:
Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, demands and changing roles. Seeing change as an opportunity and being receptive to new ideas.
Using resources:
Making effective use of available resources including people, information, networks and budgets. Being aware of the financial and commercial aspects of the University.
Engaging with the big picture:
Seeing the work that you do in the context of the bigger picture e.g. in the context of what the University/other departments are striving to achieve and taking a long-term view. Communicating vision clearly and enthusiastically to inspire and motivate others.
Developing self and others:
Showing commitment to own development and supporting and encouraging others to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential for the wider benefit of the University.
Working with people:
Working co-operatively with others in order to achieve objectives. Demonstrating a commitment to diversity and applying a wider range of interpersonal skills.
Achieving results:
Planning and organising workloads to ensure that deadlines are met within resource constraints. Consistently meeting objectives and success criteria.