Job Purpose:

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Reports to: Representation & Advice Manager

Responsible for: Temporary PT Student Staff and Volunteers

Department: Membership Services

Duties and key responsibilities

Elections

• Lead on delivering representative and engaging Elections in Terms 1 and 2 by creating project plans
• Deliver successful Elections by managing good relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Coordinate the Elections Project Board by acting as a secretary of the meeting, ensuring meetings’ paperwork is completed and distributed in good time
• Under the direction of the Deputy Returning Officer, communicate relevant events to candidates and organise training and support as necessary.
• Under the direction of the Deputy Returning Officer, communicate key Elections information to the wider SU and University community by providing briefings in multiple formats
• Provide on-the-ground support and some out of hours work during Elections period
• Support Elections evaluation and reporting

Democracy

• Support the Students’ Union’s democratic processes, including a Democracy Review
• Lead on communicating progress and opportunities for engagement to Union membership by working closely with the Marketing & Communication team
• Ensure other departments in the Union are supported to increase number of active participants in democracy
• Support the Representation & Advice Manager in any other areas relevant to the delivery of a Democracy Review

Engagement & Insight

• As directed, create and run surveys, focus groups, discussion panels and interviews with students and stakeholders relevant to the student experience to strengthen the SU understanding of student needs and experiences
• Create and maintain student participation databases as directed by the Insights Manager
• Summarise data gathered into reports designed to inform and shape SU and departmental strategy/policy.
• Assist with the maintenance and development of online data gathering tools
• Ensure that the insights and reporting needs of sabbatical officers, membership services, and commercial teams are met

• Provide insight into the engagement of key student demographics by supporting and developing Liberation (BAME, Disabled, LGBT, and Women) focused activity at the SU.  

Representation

• Support the fulfilment of officer manifestos by assisting with campaigns, events and activities working with the Representation Team and other relevant members of staff.
• Facilitate communication between the Students’ Union leadership and members by supporting regular opportunities for consultation.
• Promote and report the impact of elected representatives by working with the Marketing and Insights team

General Responsibilities  

• Create a network of contacts at NUS, other students’ unions, and other relevant organisations to keep up-to-date with national and local campaigning trends and topics.
• Represent and be an ambassador for the SU
• Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position
• Maintain and improve competencies through continuous professional development
• Abide by organisational policies, codes of conduct and practices
• Support and promote diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace
• Treat with confidentiality any personal, private or sensitive information about individual organisations and or clients or staff and Project data
• Any other duties commensurate with the accountabilities of the post

Person Specification

EXPERIENCE

• Relevant experience working in the charity or higher education sector, or with a youth or membership organisation.
• Working with a range of stakeholders and partnership working.
• A track record of supporting others (individuals or groups) to achieve objectives.
• Effective administration and excellent organisational and time management skills

SKILLS AND ABILITIES      

• Clear communication skills face to face, on the phone or email, and with new media.      Ability to identify and communicate appropriately to a range of audiences.
• Ability to develop and implement metrics for engagement.
• Ability to troubleshoot nuanced or difficult situations, and deal with them calmly, efficiently and effectively.
• Writing skills – produce reports and ability to write succinct documents on complex areas.
• Project management skills from development to implementation
• IT skills at a level that supports report writing, email, internet and database.        
• Time management and organisational skills that are reliable under pressure.     
• Ability to engage and motivate others, in the context of focus groups, roadshows, and 121 meetings.   
• Self-motivated with the confidence to work alone but can also work co-operatively and flexibly as part of a team.
• Ability to stay focused and efficient in the face on changing priorities.

KNOWLEDGE         

• Demonstrated awareness of democracy and importance of representation in membership organisations
• Awareness of the role of Students’ Unions and an understanding of today’s students and the barriers to engagement
• Familiarity with data management and/or reporting methods

EDUCATION/TRAINING        

• No one specific qualification is required, but evidence of recent continuing professional development in a professional area relevant to the post is required. For example, time management and organization, effective administration, delivering training, coaching and mentorship, reporting methods

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND REQUIREMENTS

• Able to travel extensively within the Borough and Region
• Able to work some evenings and weekends and stay overnight where necessary
• Works well in a team with a flexible approach to work
• Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities
• An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work
• Commitment to the values and ethos of the SU