The Association
The University of St Andrews Students’ Association presently has over 9,000 members. We provide a range of services including advice and representation, a catering service on two sites and four bars. We are the primary entertainments venue for St Andrews’ students, and support a thriving student activities scene with over 140 affiliated societies.
The Position
ACADEMIC REPRESENTATION CO-ORDINATOR
FURTHER PARTICULARS
The 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 Director of Education coordinates a group of democratically elected academic representatives who drive essential feedback mechanisms, community-building, and enhance learning and teaching at the University of St Andrews. This position will work with and provide vital support to Sabbatical and Student Officers to ensure that the Students’ Association’s representation system continues to be an essential feedback mechanism for the University of St Andrews, providing respected and trusted feedback that influences the University’s decisions on academic experience. The core of the role includes a strong development and enhancement element through strengthening areas of digital representation, networking as well as training for representatives across School and Faculty levels.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities of post-holder
1. Provide strong and regular support and guidance to our Director of Education to assist them to deliver their stated ambitions during their term in office.
2. Work with Design and Marketing staff to ensure that the Association communicates clearly to our students, the University and internally on academic representation matters. Lead on communication and events which celebrate the impact of our representation work.
3. Support the design and delivery of our Class Representative and School President training programmes, helping to ensure that Reps are empowered to represent with confidence and independence, and know when and how to communicate with the Association and access support.
4. Support the Director of Education and Association President with research into Higher Education policy including examples of good practice in the sector. Assist the President and Director of Education in preparation for meetings.
5. Support the Director of Education to consult and feedback to Reps as appropriate, ensuring that matters of importance are discussed widely and in a timely fashion.
6. Work alongside the sabbatical officers to create an effective democratic structure for representation in the area of education.
7. Provide administrative support to Association committees and working groups including Education Committee, School Wellbeing Advisory Group (SWAG) and the School Presidents Advisory Group (SPAG) for Careers.
8. Work with the Director of Education to support the delivery of annual Class Representative elections and Student Led Teaching Awards.
9. Set up events and digital opportunities to allow reps to network, share ideas and hold the Director of Education and Academic Executive to account for the work that they do on students’ behalf.
To contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Association
1. Actively participate in meetings, personal development, and training events where there is a clear link to our strategy, your role or personal development.
2. Ensuring that statutory and legal obligations are met.
3. Ensure our financial sustainability by adhering to all financial procedures and processes of the Students’ Association.
4. Contributing to the positive image of the Students’ Association with students, the University and the local community.
5. Working across the Association to share skills, improve capability or capacity and in support of service delivery.
6. Be flexible in your approach to work, ensuring you can work at any site as required, and unsociable hours as required to enable us to fulfil our mission.
The job description may be altered at any time in the future in line with the level of the post to meet changing requirements, in full consultation with the post holder.
Person Specification
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Attributes
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Criteria
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Essential
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Desirable
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Assessment Methods:
Application form (A), interview (I), presentation (P)
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Education &
Qualifications
(technical, professional, academic qualifications and training required)
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Educated to degree level or equivalent.
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X
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A
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Knowledge and Experience
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Good working understanding of representative and democratic environment
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X
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A, I & P
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Experience of Students’ Associations, the voluntary sector or membership organisations
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X
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A & I
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(examples of specific experience and knowledge sought)
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Experience of Higher Education as a student or as a staff member
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X
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A & I
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Knowledge of the issues in the
Higher Education sector in the UK, and their ongoing effect on our members
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X
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A, I & P
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Knowledge of student representation within Universities
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X
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A, I & P
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Experience of writing analytical reports, researching evidence, conducting surveys, making presentations to a wide range of audiences.
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X
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A, I & P
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Experience in the design, delivery and evaluation of training
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X
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A & I
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Experience in managing and supporting change projects
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X
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A & I
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Competencies &
Skills
(e.g. effective communication skills, initiative, flexibility, leadership etc)
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Ability to lead, motivate and inspire sabbatical officers and volunteers
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X
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A, I & P
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Effective creative problem-solving skills
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X
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A, I & P
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Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
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X
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A, I & P
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Ability to develop and maintain complex stakeholder relationships
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X
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A & I
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Ability to mentor and support the professional development of sabbatical officers and volunteers
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X
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A, I & P
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Effective time management and prioritisation skills
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X
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A & I
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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.
How to Apply
Applications by CV and covering letter should be sent to: Union Building, St Mary’s Place, St Andrews, KY16 9UZ. Email: [email protected], tel: 01334 462700.
The University of St Andrews Students’ Association is committed to promoting diversity and equality for all and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We particularly aim to include perspectives from people with disabilities, from BAME backgrounds, and those with diverse sexualities or marginalised gender identities.
Closing date: 27th June 2021
The University of St Andrews Students Association is a registered charity, charity no: SCO19883.