Applying
Application deadline: 22nd of August 2025, 12:00pm
Interviews (hybrid/online available): Week of 25th August 2025 (TBC)
Start Date: 1st of September 2025 (start date includes training and handover). Contract ends 30 July 2026.
(Please note, the timeline described above is subject to change.)
Rate
£12.21 per hour (Grade 1.3)
Hours
Variable (expected 10 to 15 hours per week) The variable working hours reflect the changing demands on student representatives across the academic year – applicants must be flexible in this respect.
In turn, the St Andrews Students’ Association is committed to giving flexible time off around exams and deadlines wherever possible. Specific schedules will be discussed with the successful applicant.
An average of 12 hours per week can be expected.
Details
Your role
The St Andrews Students’ Association is central to the leadership and development of an active system of student representation, providing the space and tools for strengthening and building consultation and collaboration on key issues affecting the student community. The President of Education coordinates a group of democratically elected academic representatives -including postgraduate reps- who drive essential feedback mechanisms, build community, and enhance learning and teaching at the University of St Andrews.
This position will work closely with the President of Education, the Postgraduate Presidents, the Academic Representation Co-Ordinator, and the wider academic representative structure (including undergraduate representatives) to ensure effective communication with the student body on the activities of the Students’ Association, as well as perform administrative functions for student fora across the Association.
Applicants should be able to work a minimum of one hour per day (during the work week) closely with the President of Education and/or Academic Representation Coordinator, setting priorities, carrying out administrative tasks, supporting in drafting template communications, and ensuring the feedback loop is closed with the wider student body by utilising social media and alternative routes.
The post holder will also work as part of the wider representation team on a variety of projects, including PG Rep Elections, PG Representative Handover, and other opportunities. The variable working hours reflect the changing demands on student representatives across the academic year and so applicants should be prepared to respond accordingly by supporting with larger scale standing items such as the Postgraduate Representative Elections at the start of the academic year and student-led Teaching Awards. Some projects and activities may occur outside of term time or working hours, particularly given the postgraduate focus of this post, but specific arrangements will be made with the successful applicant on a case-by-case basis.
Principle Responsibilities of Post-Holder
1. Working with the Academic Representation Co-ordinator and Director of Education, ensure a successful handover period between postgraduate academic representatives across years, including the PGT and PGR Presidents and PG Reps.
2. Contribute to developing training materials for and delivery of training to incoming postgraduate academic representatives as led by the Academic Representation Co-Ordinator.
3. Support the annual PG elections by: informing and mobilising relevant members of the university community (e.g. through staffing stalls, lecture announcements, and other channels), impartially encouraging student participation in the elections and distributing election information and promotional materials through a variety of channels (including face-to-face and through social media).
4. Administrative assistance to the PG Presidents and/or Director of Education on PG issues as required. This may include but not be limited to monitoring of the dedicated email accounts, responding to calendar invites, identifying and passing on urgent queries, and note taking, though exact arrangements will be negotiated with the post holder and the supervisor.
5. Administrative assistance to PG representatives in conducting PG-oriented fora like the Postgraduate Academic Forum. This may include but may not be limited to setting relevant dates, inviting key university and union personnel, minuting said meetings, and coordinating logistical details.
6. Drafting communications for approval by relevant officers including emails, social media posts, surveys etc. In consultation with the Marketing and Design Team, promote the work of PG Representatives to the postgraduate student community at St Andrews.
7. Follow up with PG Representatives regarding action items assigned by the PG Presidents, helping to ensure that all tasks and projects are completed on time.
8. Exceptionally, and with the consent of the relevant PG President or Officer, attend internal Association and University meetings where the Postgraduate President or Officer is unable to attend in order to obtain and pass along information on their behalf.
9. Offer practical support to the President of Education and other academic representatives on other issues and projects related to Postgraduate Representation that may arise.
10. Work alongside the Education Council and have an understanding of topics that overlap with undergraduates.
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Attributes
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Essential
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Desirable
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Means of Assessment
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Education & Qualifications
(technical, professional, academic qualifications and training required)
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Experience or demonstrable knowledge of postgraduate studies
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Experience working within a student representative setting
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Certificates, application letter, CV
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Experience & Knowledge
(examples of specific experience and knowledge sought)
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Ability to evaluate, analyse and synthesise information
Experience in organising consistent engaging social media
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Experience in student representation
Experience leading on assigned projects
Experience taking meeting minutes
Experience working with graphic design software, such as Canva
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CV, application letter, application sample, and interview
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Competencies & Skills
(effective communication skills, initiative, flexibility, leadership etc.)
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Strong administrative and organisational skills
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with a diverse set of stakeholders
Ability to communicate effectively and clearly with a wide range of people
Ability to work proactively and manage time and deadlines of self and others
Ability to attend in-person meetings in St Andrews.
Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion principles
Competency with the Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software
Adaptable and flexible
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Event planning skills
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CV, application letter, interview
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Essential Criteria – requirements without which a candidate would not be able to undertake the full remit of the role. Applicants who have not clearly demonstrated in their application that they possess the essential requirements will normally be rejected at the short-listing stage.
Desirable Criteria – requirements which would be useful for the candidate to hold. When short listing, these criteria will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential requirements.