Responsible To

Union Manager and will in turn be responsible to the Personnel Committee and Trustees Board. The post will have a close working relationship with the Education Officer supporting them in fulfilling their duties, student officers & representatives, the Student Experience Research Co-ordinator, the University Student Engagement Officer, NUS and the University Academic Registry.

Mission

The role of the Student Voice & Campaigns Co-ordinator (SVCis to co-ordinate the Union’s representative structures and policy advice programmes, whilst assisting the elected officers in their roles as representatives. The post holder will also be responsible under the direction of the Union Manager for the achievement of the relevant strategic aims and objectives under the Union’s Strategic Plan.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

1. Representation and Campaigns support
The SVCC will:

• Offer guidance, advice and support to elected officers and committee members, on issues as diverse as representation to practical campaigning and active lobbying. This support will include political advice on how to achieve the aims of any given campaign or political objective. The SVCC along with other relevant staff will help ensure continuity between officers i.e. monitoring and assisting with handovers, providing details of on-going campaigns. This will enable campaigns and lobbying activities to run across years. The SVCC will keep, update and assist in putting together a campaign & lobbying activity plan under the direction of the officers.
• Have regular contact and meetings with the Full Time Officer Team, and know their group and individual priorities, and will assist in the fulfilment of these priorities where possible.
• Provide briefing and committee support to officers attending University committees and relevant external meetings, and attend committees in person where relevant. The SVCC will work in conjunction with the Student Experience Research Co-ordinator where relevant.
• Co-ordinate the training and development programme for elected officers including for; the Executive and College & Subject Reps. It is noted that in this the SVCC will work closely with other relevant staff including the University Student Engagement Officer. The SVCC will be responsible for collating feedback on the training and making relevant future amendments to the programme.
• Provide secretarial support for the Forums and other democratic meetings when required
• Promote the Union’s Democratic Structures and develop ways to increase participation including; elections, Forum attendance and encouraging engagement.
• Be an Assistant Returning Officer for Union elections working alongside the other Assistant Returning Officer and as directed by the Deputy Returning Officer.

2) Subject & College Representation
The SVCC will:

• Work closely with the Education Officer in co-ordinating and supervising the activities of the College & Subject representatives including being responsible for meetings and maintaining regular communication with representatives. The SVCC will also be responsible for all aspects of the recruitment, election and training (including on-linof the representatives.
• Be the main staff contact for the Subject & College representatives and will act as the liaison with the University Student Engagement Officer, academic colleges, departments and Academic Registry.
• Act as Secretary for the Education Forum and College & Subject Representative Forums including setting agendas, taking minutes, monitoring and assisting with the resolution of appropriate issues raised and co-ordinating the organisation of the events.
• Be responsible for the production of publication, reports and material to support the representatives in their roles.
• Monitor attendance at Staff Student Committees and ensure that reports and minutes are collated.
• Research good practice around student representation systems and share best practice within the HE Sector by attending relevant networking events and training
• Support the Education Officer/FTOs through creating systems and procedures to engage with hard to reach groups (including liberation groups)
• Work closely with the University Quality Department in assigning students to University committees.

3) Briefing, Reporting & Promotion
The SVCC will:

• Keep up to date with developments in Higher Education through THE, HEFCW circulars and daily news; this will be done in conjunction with the Student Experience Research Co-ordinator, Publications Editor and PR & Communications Manager. In turn the SVCC will provide relevant information and a briefing where appropriate on these issues to elected officers and staff.
• Provide support and guidance on Union institutional responses to consultation documents to the elected officers in conjunction with the Student Experience Research Co-ordinator
• Be a part of the team that promotes the National Student Survey and other Student Satisfaction surveys. The SVCC will then analyse the results to guide their work supporting campaigns and representative structures.
• Providing key data for the relevant key performance indicators as identified in the Union Strategic Plan (i.e. levels of representation and student engagement)

4) Student Feedback
The SVCC will:

• Enable the Education Officer, Subject & College representatives and relevant staff to gain valuable feedback on relevant issues through advice and guidance.
• Work closely with the Student Experience Research Co-ordinator and relevant staff/groups to ensure that action is taken on the findings of the research and the feedback gathered. They will also ensure that the action taken and feedback is communicated to all of the relevant parties. In communicating this information the SVCC will work closely with the PR & Communications Manager.

5) Other duties
The SVCC will:

• Be the line manager for any staff that are employed in the student voice and representation programmes.
• Be a member of the Student Voice and Engagement Group
• Carry out any other reasonable duty as directed by the Union Manager

The Student Voice & Campaigns Co-ordinator will be mindful at all times of the overall mission and values of Swansea University Students’ Union, of Health & Safety at work legislation at all times, and of the Students’ Union Environmental and Ethical Policies & Procedures.

Glossary

SVCC: Student Voice & Campaigns Co-ordinator
NUS: National Union of Students
FTO: Full Time Officer
THE: Times Higher Education
HEFCW: Higher Education Funding Council Wales
QAA: Quality Assurance Agency

Application Form

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