APPLICATION PACKStudent Voice Coordinator
This pack contains:
Welcome from the Director Guide to University of West London Students’ Union Job Description & Person Specification Application Form Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form Application Process
WELCOME FROM THE DIRECTOR
Dear applicant,
Thank you for your interest in our Student Voice Coordinator post. The University of West London Students’ Union supports around 11,000 students studying across 8 schools. As our name suggests, the University is primarily based in West London with our main campus in Ealing and a large teaching & living site in Brentford – we also have a campus in Reading.
The University is known widely for serving the people and businesses throughout West London and for pioneering partnerships with local government, Regional Development Agencies, and regeneration bodies. This is an incredibly exciting time to join us at West London because both the University and the Students’ Union are on a journey of change. The University will shortly be publishing a new strategy that will aim to build its reputation as a first choice institution for career focused students looking to study in an environment that is inextricably linked with industry. In the Students’ Union we will be building our reputation for directly enhancing students’ education, their job prospects, and their experience whilst they are here. We are looking for an adventurous, creative and results focused individual to join our team.
The Student Voice Coordinator is a key role within the Representation Team, responsible for coordinating representation and democracy activities within the students’ union. The post holder will be coordinating activities such as elections, student representation and the union’s understanding of the views of students.
We are looking for a highly organised individual, who has excellent listening skills and attention to detail. You will have experience of working in a democratic, membership organization and preferably in an education setting. The Student Voice Coordinator will be someone who has a passion for improving the lives of West London students and who will relishes the challenge helping us to become the leading modern students’ union in the country. The post will be a full time, fixed term 6 month contract.
Working in a vibrant, student-focused and motivated organisation like the students’ union is a truly rewarding experience. We view our staff as our most valuable resource and as such are able to provide team members with some flexibility around working arrangements and a commitment to personal development.
I hope you find this information pack useful. If you need any additional information in preparing your application or if you would like to speak to someone about the role please contact [email protected]
The deadline for applications is 12 noon on Thursday 15 October 2015. Please note that interviews of this post will take place on Monday 19 October 2015. We look forward to receiving your application.
Kat Stark
uwlsu.com | facebook.com/uwlstudentsunion | @uwl_su | 0208 231 2276
Chief Executive
uwlsu.com | facebook.com/uwlstudentsunion | @uwl_su | 0208 231 2276
GUIDE TO UNIVERSITY OF WEST LONDON STUDENTS’ UNION
University of West London Students’ Union (UWLSU) provides support, activities and representation for over 14,000 students studying at University of West London. The University provides a mixture of higher and further education across 8 schools in London and Reading. The 8 specialist schools that make up the University are: Ealing Law School, Ealing School of Art, Design and Media, London College of Music, College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare, London School of Hospitality and Tourism, School of Computing and Technology, School of Psychology, Social Work and Human Sciences, and the International Business School. The University aims to give students an educational experience that prepares them fully for industry and work upon graduating.
How is UWLSU run?
UWLSU is a charity run by a group of student leaders who have been democratically elected by the student body. On a day to day basis we are run by 3 full time student officers; President, VP Education, and VP Recreation. All student officers and student volunteers are supported by a dedicated and professional staff team. The highest decision making body within UWLSU is the Trustee Board who meet throughout the year to oversee our strategic progress and organisational health. UWLSU also enables students to influence our day to day decisions through a variety of democratic functions including through elections and policy making.
UWLSU Mission and vision
Our mission is to play our role in creating and enriching an inclusive university experience by providing a diverse range of opportunities for extra-curricular activity and representation.
Our vision is to become the leading students’ union in a modern university.
What does UWLSU do?
We exist to improve the student experience and we do that through a combination of representation and services:
Advice Service
UWLSU has an advice service that is independent and free to West London students. Professional staff provide students with advice, information and advocacy on a range of issues with a focus on academic issues. The most common issues we deal with include situations where a student wishes to appeal grades or a university decision, and situations where students have been accused of some sort of misconduct by the university.
Representation & Campaigns
One of UWLSU core aims is to help students affect change within their university. Alongside our democracy, we also support students and student officers to run campaigns for change. To enable students to influence long term developments within the university we also support a course representative scheme. This scheme involves supporting at least one student representative per year group per course to represent their classmates on a wide range of issues related to their education.
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UWLSU is also a member of the National Union of Students (NUS) and engage in representing West London students at a national level on a wide range of national and international matters.
Student Activities
We support students to run and participate in a range of extra-curricular activities. Students form groups around any number of themes – we have religious groups, activity societies, political and charity groups, and groups bringing students from countries around the world together. Most of our activities are run by students for students and UWLSU provide the students with the skills, knowledge and administrative support they need to succeed. Participating in student activities offers students the chance to socialise, build networks, and develop new skills.
Membership events
We run a range of events that help students to network, socialise and get involved in the Union such as Fresher's fair, refreshers, training session and workshops
Employment opportunities
Times are tough for many students and lots choose or have to work whilst studying. We believe that students are best placed to be the face of UWLSU and as such we provide a range of part-time employment opportunities in administration, media, events and activities to West London students.
Commercial Services
Our bar, coffee shop and gym are all based at our main building on the Ealing campus. Freddie’s Bar acts as a regular bar on most night and also hosts special events at key times of the year including Freshers, Re-Freshers and key holidays. The Coffee Shop serves a variety of hot and cold food as well as excellent coffee and is open throughout the day during term time. Our gym has a regular following and is always in use.
UWLSU and change
Like many students’ unions in London, UWLSU needs to respond to the changing nature of students and education by reflecting on what we’re doing and finding out how we can better serve our members in the future. Over the coming months we will be developing a new and bold strategy that will aim to re-think what the students’ union is and does. To enable us to deliver our strategy we will need to change and adapt in all areas over the coming years.
UWLSU is not the only students’ union re-thinking the traditional students’ union model. Many other unions, particularly in London, are doing the same. There is huge potential for collaborative thinking and working which makes UWLSU an even more exciting and rewarding place to work.
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JOB DESCRIPTION
STUDENT VOICE COORDINATOR
Accountable to: Representation Manager
Responsible for: Student staff and student volunteers
JOB PURPOSE
1. Coordinate student representation and democracy at UWL 2. Contribute to the Representation Team’s strategic and operational planning3. Responsible for up to 15 student staff and up to 1000 student volunteers and operational support to the VP
Education
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Coordinate student representation and democracy at UWL in partnership with the other Student Voice Coordinator
Coordinate the delivery, development, and promotion of the following distinct but related areas that enable the student voice to be heard:
o Course rep schemeo Electionso Policy votes and other elements of union democracy o Students’ involvement in Course and School level UWL committeeso UWLSU’s democratic meetings (other than Trustee Board)o Students’ representation at national conferences and NUS eventso Priority campaigns
Responsible for day to day spending within assigned budgets for student voice activities; Design, maintain and improve systems that support student representation including voting platforms, data
bases, e-forms, data collection, and systems to capture student opinion; Provide representatives and colleagues with qualitative and quantitative information relating to students’
views; Coordinate UWLSU’s use of the National Student Survey data including primary operational responsibility for
using NSS data to inform representatives; Maximise success by building genuine partnership with University staff on student voice projects and provide
them with relevant information and guidance as needed; Coordinate UWLSU’s operational involvement with university quality reviews including its Institutional Quality
Review
2. Contribute to the Representation Team’s strategic and operational planning
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Provide information relating to student voice for key reports and meetings as required by the Representation Manager;
Contribute to strategic planning discussions by putting forward ideas to improve student voice based on evidence;
Contribute to the Student Voice Team’s operational planning by planning activities, tasks, and projects as assigned by the Representation Manager;
3. Responsible for up to 15 student staff and up to 1000 student volunteers and operational support to the VP Education
Responsible for the recruitment, development, training, and support of volunteers relating to Student Voice; Responsible for coordinating volunteers’ communication with Sabbatical Officers; Responsible for managing student staff in line with Union policies and procedures; Responsible for providing sabbatical officers with key information relating to academic representation and
issues that academic reps raise
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
CRITERIA Requirement
QUALIFICATIONS
Good general education, typically to the Higher/A level equivalent Essential
University/College Degree Desirable
EXPERIENCE
Previous experience in a democratically led organisation Essential
Personal experience of further education and/or higher education Essential
Personal experience within democratic structures Desirable
Experience using databases Essential
Experience using IT systems for political use Desirable
Experience working with or managing volunteers Essential
Experience training students or staff Essential
Experience of supervising others Essential
KNOWLEDGE
Good understanding of current issues and themes in higher Education and Students’ Unions
Essential
Demonstrable understanding of representation systems & processes Essential
Good understanding of students’ union governance structures Desirable
Good understanding of mentoring & buddying schemes Essential
ATTRIBUTES/SKILLS
Able to understand working with a complex external organisation Essential
Excellent communication skills verbal and written Essential
Ability to quickly build relationships with others Essential
Proficient in e-communication Essential
Excellent customer care skills Essential
Able to develop and manipulate databases and other data management programmes
Desirable
Excellent planning, organisational and administrative skills – with a particular focus on attention to detail
Essential
Self motivated and self reliant Essential
IT competent with a working understanding of Microsoft Office Essential
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VALUES AND ETHICS
Desire to work within a democratic student led environment Essential
Understanding and commitment to equal opportunities Essential
Desire to work within organisation servicing a culturally diverse membership
Essential
Demonstrably high standards of personal integrity Essential
KEY COMPETENCIES
Diligence and planning skills
Training and communicating
Developing volunteers
Focus on measuring impact and success
Problem solving within large complex structures
APPLICATION FORM
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Type or write clearly using black ink. Return the form by email to [email protected]
The closing date is 12 Noon Thursday 15 October 2015
(Where a cross is required in a box please highlight the box and type an X.)
Application for the post of:
Where did you hear about the job:
Closing date:
A. Personal DetailsFamily name:
Forenames:
Name you wish to be ‘known as’ if not your forenameor if you prefer a shortened version of your name:
National Insurance Number:
If you are currently in employment:May we contact you at work? YES NO
Work Tel No: Ext.
E-mail address:
Title: Mr Mrs Ms Miss Dr Prof. Other (please specify)
Address:
Postcode: Email:
Tel No: Home:
Mobile:
Are you a UK/EEA national? YES NO If you are not a UK/EEA national do you have a visa to work in the UK? (e.g. a Tier 1 visa) YES NO Are you applying under the Tier 2 PBS? YES NO
B. Employment
Name and Address of current or most recent employer:
Post held:
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From: To:
Salary/Grade:
Please state notice period and/or earliest start date:
Tel No: Reason for wishing to leave or for leaving:
E-mail address:
Please summarise the main duties and responsibilities in your current or most recent job:
Previous Employment(Please give details of previous posts held and include any relevant voluntary or unpaid work. Continue on a separate sheet if required)
Past Employer(s) most recent first
Post held and main role(s) DatesFrom To
Reason for Leaving
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Additional Information in support of your Application This part of the application form will be used for shortlisting. Please give details of your relevant
qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills demonstrating how you meet each of the criteria on the person specification. Give detailed answers and examples where appropriate. Continue on a separate sheet if required.
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Education and Training(If you have attended a place of further or higher education, information concerning schools and school examinations may be omitted). You will be required to produce original certificates/qualifications.
a) Secondary education OR Further and/or Higher education, giving most recent qualification firstSchool/College/University/Other
Qualification and subjects(s) Level
Grade Year obtained
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b) Qualification(s) currently being undertakenInstitution/Provider
Qualification/level
Subject(s)
Exam/finish date
c) Relevant Training and Non-Qualification Courses Attended
d) Membership of Professional Body(ies)/Professional Qualification(s) (If more than one, please list all)Name of Professional Body(ies)
Qualification(s)
Membership level
Registration No.
Date obtained
F. Disclosure of a Criminal Record/Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (to be completed by all applicants)
If the post you have applied for is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and requires a Standard or Enhanced Disclosure (as indicated on the job description), you must disclose all convictions (whether spent or unspent), cautions, reprimands and final warnings on your criminal record. (Please read the guidelines carefully)
If the post is subject to either a Standard or Enhanced Disclosure, you must answer the following question:
Have you ever been convicted by the courts or cautioned, reprimanded or given a final warning by the police? YES NO
If the post is subject to Enhanced Disclosure, you must also answer the following question:
Are you aware of any police enquiries undertaken following allegations made against you or do you have any pending prosecutions, which may have a bearing on your suitability for this post? YES NO
For all other posts: Do you have any unspent criminal convictions? YES NO (If you answer yes to any of the above questions, please give details of offences, penalties and dates
on a separate sheet (which should be signed and dated), enclose in a sealed envelope marked ‘Private
& Confidential’ and attach to the form. Write your name, the post reference number and job title on
the envelope.)
Have you worked for University of West London Students’ Union before? YES NO If yes, please state dates employed and job title:
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Please indicate if you are applying for this post on a part-time/job share basis YES NO
If yes, please state (a) number of hours you wish to work per week (b) do you have a job share partner Yes No
G. Disability (To be completed by all applicants)
The Equality Act 2010 defines a disabled person as anyone who has or has had a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Taking this definition into consideration, do you consider you have a disability? : YES
NO
If you have a disability and have demonstrated in your application that you meet the minimum (essential) criteria for the vacancy you can request a guaranteed interview. Do you wish to claim an interview under the 2 tick’s scheme?
YES NO
Please describe any special requirements/reasonable adjustments which will help you participate in an interview or to carry out this post if appointed:
H. References
Please give names and addresses of TWO referees, not related to you, who are willing and able to provide up-to-date information on your qualifications, experience and skills. One of these must be your line manager from your current or most recent employment or if you have not been employed, a referee related to relevant voluntary or community work or, if appropriate, your head teacher or lecturer/tutor from your last school or college or university.We reserve the right to contact your present/last employer if an offer is made and accepted. References may be taken up prior to interview, unless you have specifically requested
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otherwise in the section below.
Name 1. 2. 3.
Position
Working relationship(if any)
Address
Post Code: Tel No: Fax No: E-mail address: May we contact
prior to interview?YES NO YES NO YES NO
I. Declaration I understand the Students’ Union reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment or to
terminate my employment with or without notice or payment in lieu in cases where: (a) it is discovered I do not have the claimed qualification or experience (b) I do not obtain, for whatever reasons, any appropriate examination or licence; (c) I become disbarred from the appropriate Regulatory Body or Authority.
I understand that an offer of appointment will be subject to references satisfactory to the Students’ Union.
I understand that, if the post is subject to Standard or Enhanced Disclosure, I must disclose details of any criminal record, including convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings and (for Enhanced Disclosure) any other information that may have a bearing on my suitability for the post.
I understand that providing false or misleading information will disqualify me from appointment or if appointed will render me liable to dismissal without notice.
I declare that the information I have given is, to the best of my knowledge, true and complete. I agree that the information given may be used for registered purposes under the Data Protection
Act 1998.Has anyone else completed this form on your behalf YES NO
Signed (please insert electronic signature or leave blank):Date:
APPLICATION PROCESS
Key Dates
Applications will be received until 12 Noon Thursday 15 October 2015
Successful applicants will be invited to interview by 5pm on Friday 16 October 2015
Interviews will be held on Monday 19 October 2015
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Applications returned to
Applications can be submitted electronically to: [email protected]
The interview day
Our interviews are designed to put candidates at ease and get the best out of them on the day. The interview will consist of the following elements:
A tour of the UWLSU building Introduction to UWLSU A face to face interview (around 45 minutes) A unseen task Opportunity to ask any questions you may have
Location
All candidates should come to the Students’ Union building on the Ealing Campus, St Mary’s Road, Ealing W5 5RF. We are within walking distance from three London Underground stations: Ealing Broadway, Ealing Common, and South Ealing. There is a regular bus service (number 65) that runs from immediately outside Ealing Broadway station to the St Mary’s Road site. A map can be found here.
Queries
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact [email protected] to arrange a time to speak over the phone.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES MONITORING FORMWe are committed to equal opportunities in our recruitment process and in order to find out how well we are doing with this we need to collect monitoring data. This form is not sent to the recruiting panel and has no part in the shortlisting process.
How did you find out about this post?
Where did you see this job advertised?
Your ethnic origin Asian, Asian British, Asian English, Asian Scottish, or Asian Welsh
Asian / Asian British Bangladeshi Chinese Indian Pakistani Other Asian background (specify if you
wish):
White British English Gypsy or Irish Traveller Irish Scottish Welsh Other White background (specify if you
wish): Black, Black British, Black English, Black Scottish, or Black Welsh
African
Mixed White and Asian White and Black African
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Caribbean Other Black background (specify if you
wish):
White and Black Caribbean White and Chinese Other mixed background (specify if you
wish): Other ethnic group
Arab Other ethnic group (specify if you wish):
Prefer not to say
Your gender
Male Female Prefer not to say
Have you ever identified as transgender?Yes No Prefer not to say
Your age 16 - 24 25 - 34 35 - 44 45 - 54 55 - 64 65+
Prefer not to say
Your sexual orientation
Bisexual
Gay man
Gay woman/lesbian
Heterosexual/straight
Other (specify if you wish):
Prefer not to say
Marriage and civil partnership
Single
Married/in a registered same-sex civil partnership
Separated, but still legally married/in a registered same-sex civil partnership
Divorced/formerly in a same-sex civil partnership which is now legally dissolved
Widowed/Surviving partner from a same-sex civil partnership
Prefer not to say
Your religion or belief No religion Buddhist Christian (including Church of England,
Catholic, Protestant and all other Christian denominations)
Hindu
Jewish Muslim Sikh Other (specify if you wish): Prefer not to say
Disability
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The Equality Act 2010 defines a disabled person as anyone who has or has had a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Taking this definition into consideration, do you consider you have a disability? : YES
NO
If you have a disability and have demonstrated in your application that you meet the minimum (essential) criteria for the vacancy you can request a guaranteed interview. Do you wish to claim an interview under the 2 tick’s scheme?
YES NO
Please describe any special requirements/reasonable adjustments which will help you participate in an interview or to carry out this post if appointed:
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