December 2013
Dear Applicant,
Application for Student Coach and Peer Support Senior Officer
Thank you for your interest in the post of Student Coach and Peer Support Senior Officer at the University of Sunderland Students’ Union (USSU).
Please find enclosed the following information:
· Introduction to USSU and the job role
· Job Description
· Application Form Part 1: Application for employment
· Application Form Part 2: Confidential Section (Equal Opportunities Monitoring)
We will not accept CV’s and covering letters for this role.
Please note that this role is not eligible for Tier 2 sponsorship in accordance with the Home Office Points Based Immigration System. Should you require further information, please visit the Home Office website www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
The closing date for applications is Monday 13th July at 12 noon, with interviews to be held week commencing 20th July 2015. If you have any questions regarding the role please contact Eleanor Farrington, Head of Wellbeing, Confidence and Connections on 0191 515 3587 or
Completed applications (both Parts 1 & 2) should be forwarded by the closing date to Louise Bell, Central Services Manager on
Yours Sincerely,
Marie Nixon
Chief Executive
About USSU
University of Sunderland Students’ Union is an independent charity and exists to enhance the overall experience of all 17,500 students and to support the student voice. A Board of Trustees, comprising 5 Officers and 5 Lay Trustees govern the Union. The Chief Executive and staff members work alongside the Board.
Every student registered on a course with the University of Sunderland is a member of the Students’ Union.
We believe University provides students with opportunities to grow, develop and achieve, throughout their lives. These academic, social and civic experiences are valuable: to themselves, alumni, employers, and society. They encourage more equal access to jobs, and to roles in civil society. Our students are central to, and an active participant in, their University experience.
Therefore our mission to our members is to: ‘Make your university experience valuable, for life’.
And our objectives are to:
· ·Enhance our members' Learning Experience
· ·Support our members' Wellbeing
· ·Build our members' Confidence and Connections
· ·Be a thriving 21st century student union – Living our Values
In the next four years we will achieve this by:
· Improving the quality of our members’ learning experience
· Developing a thriving range of societies
· Developing student engagement in the learning experience
· Delivering effective campaigns that make positive change
· Improving and developing pastoral care here
· Delivering a programme of fun, social, enjoyable activity
· Working with partners to help develop Sunderland as a place our members want to be, have fun, work and achieve
· Developing and maintaining effective partnerships with organisations that can help us to build our members’ confidence and connections
· Brokering opportunities and experiences for our members
· Connecting our international members – to each other, to other students, to the University of Sunderland, and the wider community
· Developing our members’ leadership, and creating opportunities for them to lead
· Working with NUS to capitalise on expertise, access research and develop services
· Providing the right spaces, physical and virtual, for our members to connect, have fun and develop
· Understanding the diversity of our membership and making sure our work is lead and influenced by the real needs and interests of our members, removing barriers to participation
Our organisational values are central to how we achieve our goals:
Innovation & Energy
We are passionate about supporting our members, and are driven to achieve with them.
We are pioneers; challenging current practice to seek out new ideas.
We are enthusiastic in all that we do.
Fairness & Equality
We promote and act with transparency, fairness, respect and dignity.
We are powerful advocates of equality.
We strive to understand the differing needs of all our members.
Empowerment & Accountability
We take responsibility for our actions and know everyone has an important role in making this a leading students’ union.
We support our members and staff to be leaders, decision-makers, independent and empowered.
You can find out more about our work at:
Website: www.sunderlandsu.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sunderlandsu
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sunderlandsu
About the role
Reporting to the Head of Wellbeing, Confidence and Connections, the Student Coach and Peer Support Officer will help our elected Officers and Senior Leadership Team to understand new and important developments in wellbeing, employability, personal development and peer support. They will develop and deliver a programme of support, including one-to-one coaching sessions for students so that we are always prepared to help develop students at the University of Sunderland.
A full job description for the role can be found over the page.
Job title: / Student Coach and Peer Support Senior OfficerReference No. / SCPSSO
Location: / University of Sunderland Campuses
Working hours: / Part Time, 0.6 FTE (22.5 hours per week) to be worked flexibly
Salary: / £22,675 to £24,734 pro rata
Department/Team: / Wellbeing, Confidence and Connections
Reporting to: / Head of Wellbeing, Confidence and Connections
Other key staff links: / · VP Wellbeing and Engagement & VP Education
· Wellbeing, Confidence and Connections Team
· Learning Experience Team
· University Stress and Wellbeing Group
· University Disability Support Team
Staff reporting to this role: / None but will involve extensive work with volunteers
Our Mission:
Our strategic objectives: / Make your university experience valuable, for life.
1. Enhance our members' Learning Experience
2. Support our members' Wellbeing
3. Build our members' Confidence and Connections
4. Be a thriving 21st century student union - Living our Values
Job purpose
The Senior Officer will help students and our elected Officers in particular, to make well-informed choices about the political positions that Sunderland SU should adopt on issues in personal development and wellbeing. Senior Officer will help students to plan and deliver successful campaigns to improve their wellbeing, confidence and connections.
The Senior Officer will help our elected Officers and Senior Leadership to understand new and important developments in wellbeing, employability, personal development and peer support. They will develop and deliver a programme support, including one-to-one coaching sessions for students so that we are always prepared to help develop students at the University of Sunderland.
The Senior Officer will support the Head of Wellbeing, Confidence and Connections in helping all student members of University Committees and Working Groups to act confidently and with authority as student representatives.
The Senior Officer will lead the creation and delivery of a peer support programme to design accessible and useful ways that we can help students to support one another throughout their time at Sunderland. The Senior Officer will, at peak periods during the year, provide coaching support to a caseload of student requests for support. The Senior Officer will be the staff on lead the creation and delivery of a wellbeing strategy for the organisation, and devise ways to engage and support all members to access the full range of services and activities designed to improve and enhance their student experience.
The Senior Officer will develop and maintain excellent working relationships with the support community at the University of Sunderland, and participate in our work in supporting a framework for partnership between staff and students.
Main duties
Delivery
· To lead the creation and delivery of a person-centred wellbeing strategy for the organisation with the VP Wellbeing and Engagement and the Head of Wellbeing, Confidence and Connections.
· To provide effective coaching sessions to students focused on their wellbeing, confidence, performance, personal development needs and employability skills.
· To lead the creation and delivery of a peer support programme, to encompass SU Buddies.
· To contribute to organisational strategy.
Feedback and analysis
· To record, monitor and evaluate the impact of participation in coaching, wellbeing and self-development activities and communicate the benefits and outputs to stakeholders in an engaging way.
· To administer and monitor expenditures for the programme against the approved budget.
· To improve accessibility, increase participation and remove barriers to engagement for low-engagement groups by offering evidenced solutions.
· To share trends and information with key stakeholders including with the University Faculties and Academic Services.
· To evaluate the risks associated with activities and events and ensure that students participate in a safe, healthy and supportive environment in accordance with policy and procedures.
· To review, develop and increase participation in peer support activities including SU Buddies, group workshops, enhanced training opportunities and networking events.
· To analyse and share trends in student wellbeing and access issues and information with key stakeholders, including on mental health, disability, and drug and alcohol awareness.
Development
· To create and develop strong links with external partners on wellbeing matters to enhance resources and opportunities that benefit members.
· To be lead contact with the University and lead on our organisation’s response to issues related to wellbeing.
· To use creative ways of promoting wellbeing and peer support opportunities to members, and to provide content for publicity and social media.
· To produce and maintain effective resources to enable members to access a wide range of support and guidance including in liaison with the Information, Advice and Guidance Senior Officer.
· To lead and manage the creation and development of online self-development information and guidance resources, in liaison with the Information, Advice and Guidance Senior Officer.
· To recruit, engage and support students to take part in Students’ Union wellbeing activities and campaigns, self-development and peer support opportunities.
· To represent the Students’ Union at appropriate University committees and groups.
Other duties:
· Help our elected Officers achieve their manifesto commitments.
· Be enthusiastic advocates for student leadership and the organisation’s values
· To actively engage in student-facing projects and activities of all kinds as required.
· Be administratively self-supporting.
· Maintain own professional networks.
· Undertake any other duties and responsibilities commensurate with the post.
· May be required to work some weekends and evenings.
Person specification
Essential / DesirableQualifications / Educated to ‘A’ Level standard or equivalent
Evidence of CPD or accredited training in coaching, advice and guidance.
Professional volunteer management qualification – such as ILM level 5 / Educated to degree level standard
Professional coaching qualification.
Experience / Experience in coaching or giving advice and guidance professionally, in either a paid or voluntary role.
Experience of working in an educational environment.
Experience of organising successful and engaging coaching or mentoring activities.
Experience of building networks to generate new knowledge and opportunities.
Experience of working in sustained and successful partnership with external organisations.
Experience of working with and motivating students or volunteers.
Experience of communicating with a diverse range of people, both individuals and groups. / Experience in working with stressed or distressed clients
Experience of working with clients in an intensive interview setting.
Experience of producing resources that successfully support personal development or CPD.
Skills,
Knowledge & Expertise / Accurate interpretation and analysis of client need.
Ability to manage complex and conflicting information.
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively in a variety ways (active listening, questioning written, verbal) and situations.
Confident IT skills including using Microsoft Office and knowledge of a variety of digital technologies.
Excellent time management and organising skills including being consistent and meeting deadlines.
Ability to be flexible and resilient in response changing priorities and challenges.
Ability to establish positive work relationships, work effectively in a team as well as work independently.
A commitment to supporting, and enabling self-development and wellbeing as part of the student experience. / Knowledge of the regulatory framework within higher education institutions.
Expertise in the design and deliver of a research plan or pilot activity.
Excellent quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills.
Knowledge of further and higher education, issues affecting students today and the different types of students.
Knowledge of current trends, resources and regulatory information related to wellbeing.
Ability to solve problems quickly, creatively and efficiently.
Values & Behaviours / A demonstrable commitment to our organisation’s values
Date Completed: / Feb 2015
In the first year this role will deliver... / · To develop and deliver a programme of one-to-one coaching sessions for students.
· To lead the creation and delivery of a peer support programme.
· To lead the creation and delivery of a wellbeing strategy for the organisation.
· To engage and support all members to access the full range of services and activities designed to improve and enhance their student experience.
Application for Employment
· Please complete all sections of the application form below.
· CVs and additional sheets will not be accepted unless specifically requested in the advert.
APPLICATION FOR THE POST OFVacancy Ref No. / Title:
PERSONAL DETAILS
Last name: / First Name(s):
Title:
Address: / Email:
Telephone Work:
Telephone Home:
Post Code: / Telephone Mobile:
Please indicate your preferred telephone number(s) for contact: / Work / Home / Mobile
QUALIFICATIONS
Please include all relevant qualifications you currently hold and those you are working towards.
Qualification level and subject / Grade: / Place of Study / Dates from/to:
TRAINING / PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Please list relevant training or professional memberships, e.g. short courses, professional bodies etc.
Course / Membership / Date / Training Provider / Professional Body
Page 6 of 16
CURRENT OR MOST RECENT EMPLOYMENTEmployer’s Name & Address:
Job Title:
Salary/Grade:
Date started job:
Date started with employer:
Notice Required / Date left:
Reason for seeking new employment:
Outline of main duties and responsibilities:
PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT
Employer: / Dates from/to: / Job Title: / Brief Outline of Duties: / Reason for leaving:
Please provide a brief explanation for any gaps in your employment history:
If you have been dismissed from any employment, please provide details:
Page 6 of 16