We are looking for a Student Adviser to join our Advice team, helping students navigate challenges and make the most of their time at UAL. You’ll offer one-to-one and group advice on a range of academic (including appeals, academic misconduct, complaints and extenuating circumstances) and housing issues, signposting students to other useful services when needed. Sometimes you’ll act as an advocate for students in university meetings or help them put together a strong case to get the outcome they’re hoping for. You’ll also play a big role in ensuring our AQS accredited service is a centre for excellence, conducting student outreach activities, creating engaging informational resources and representing student interest in key university committees. While casework will be your primary duty, you’ll be working a varied role where no two days are the same while making a real difference to students’ lives.
You’ll be an excellent communicator who can explain complex regulations in a clear, friendly way. We’re looking for someone who’s approachable, empathetic, and committed to supporting students with experience giving advice or providing welfare or support services. You’ll need to bring exceptional organisational skills to manage a dynamic caseload, staying calm under pressure and handling sensitive information with confidentiality and respect. Knowledge of housing or academic advice is a big plus and an understanding of the issues facing students in higher education will help you hit the ground running. Most importantly, you’ll be someone who genuinely cares about inclusivity and work to ensure that every student feels heard, respected and supported by our service and the wider union.
JOB PURPOSE
- Providing 1:1 and group advice to students on areas including but not limited to academic issues, housing and general sign-posting.
- Coordinate Advice Service’s College outreach programme.
- Contribute to the Advice Service’s strategic and operational planning.
- Provide occasional support for student officers on specific projects in line with plans.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Responsible for providing 1:1 and group advice to students to students on areas including, but not limited to, academic issues, housing and general sign-posting.
- Undertake casework with students on a 1:1 and group basis which will involve contact with students face-to-face, over the telephone, via email and online.
- Provide impartial advice on a students’ options considering legislation, relevant regulations and University procedures. Assist a student inputting together their case, advising on the best way to achieve the outcome they want.
- Where appropriate, act as an advocate of students in non-legal dealings primarily with the University, and, on occasion with external parties – this will include official meetings and panels help by the university and occasionally writing to the university on behalf of students.
- Provide basic housing and rental advice and information including (but not limited to) deposits, guarantors, disputes and contract/tenancy reviews.
- Provide individual feedback on student submissions, not limited to extenuating circumstances, appeals and complaints.
Contribute to Advice Service’s College outreach
- Host colleague drop-in session/appointments across UAL’s multiple London sites, often alone when it’s safe to do so.
- Work closely with other teams in the SU to deliver and improve the Advice Service’s college outreach.
- Contribute to timely interventions through resources, activities and/or events on common advice issues to support students.
- Liaise with Union and University staff to support student community building across the colleges.
Contribute to the Advice Service and wider organization and strategic
- Provide information relating to advice work for key reports and meetings as required by the Advice Service Manager.
- Contribute to strategic planning discussions by putting forward and implementing ideas for improvements to the Advice Service based on evidence.
- Contribute to operational planning by planning specific tasks and projects that contribute to the work of the Advice Service.
- Contribute to the promotion of the service – including the creation of publications, resources and emails.
- Contribute research projects relating to the Advice Service and students, including running surveys, collating secondary research, and investigating areas where there are knowledge gaps in service provision.
- Contribute to information packs and briefings in relation to the University’s regulations or the regulations of an external body.
- Contribute to the equality, diversity and inclusion of the Union by putting forward and implementing ideas for improvement based on evidence.
Provide occasional support for student officers on specific projects in-line with plans
- Advise student officers on how to plan and undertake specific projects as delegated by the Advice Service Manager.
- Provide student officers with briefings ahead of key university meetings and/or debriefs as delegated by the Advice Service Manager.
- Undertake specific elements of a project which may include arranging meetings, ordering publicity, finding specific information or statistics.
General Duties:
In addition, all staff have the following general duties in their job descriptions:
- To deliver and develop targets outlined in the Union’s strategic plan.
- To contribute and assist in the Union’s planning processes and the review of its performance and systems.
- Contribute to the positive and professional image of the Union and not act in such a manner as to bring the Union into disrepute.
- To observe and uphold the requirements of the Union Constitution and act at all times in accordance with policies including equality of opportunity.
- To undertake your own administrative duties.
- Undertake any other duties appropriate for the grade and responsibilities of the post that may from time to time be reasonably requested.
- To take ownership of, their Induction, Personal Development, their role within Departmental Meetings and be responsible for carrying out duties with full regard to the rules, policies and procedures and conditions of service contained in the Staff Handbook, and within Departments of the Students’ Union.
- A condition of employment is that all staff are expected to assist in key events throughout the year e.g. Fresher’s and welcome festivals and any other key event, including elections, if necessary. Staff are expected to portray a positive image, both internally and externally of the Students’ Union by displaying high standards of service, integrity, punctuality, politeness and professionalism.
- Where you are required to work with volunteers you must support and manage them appropriately in line with the Students’ Union volunteer policy
- Environmental consideration and environmental best practice is the
- responsibility of all Students’ Union staff
- Any other tasks that would be deemed suitable within this role as directed by line manager
Benefits and perks
Our staff enjoy working in a dynamic and supportive environment that prioritises their personal and professional development. Our annual staff satisfaction survey shows that staff value the opportunities they have to learn and grow within their roles. We perform highest in the areas of personal development, relation- ships with managers, work atmosphere, and relationships with colleagues.
- Generous holiday entitlement (over 40 days)
- A summer 4 day working week
- Family Friendly policy
- Cycle to Work scheme
- NUS TOTUM staff discount
- Flexible working
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Long service award
- Free staff places on UAL short courses
Check our website for the JD & PS – https://www.arts-su.com/union/jobs/careers/
