WHAT’S THE JOB?

We’re looking for two enthusiastic individuals to join our Advice Hub on a permanent basis to help us deliver a supportive, timely, and valued service to our students.

The Advice Hub provides independent, to the University, support, guidance, and information to any Heriot-Watt Student who needs help with subjects ranging from Academic, Financial, Accommodation, CAMPUS, health & Wellbeing, and digital access to name a few.

Much of the role will see you being the first point of contact for our students: that could be face-to-face, email, or Teams enquiry.

Your role is to understand students' question(s) and, where possible, help them with an answer from your growing bank of knowledge. There is some keyboard/ computer work as all our cases are maintained on a compliant case management system so any of your authorised colleagues can pick up a case when needed.

For the more complicated enquiries, you will do what you can to gather the necessary information and refer the case to your colleague who will then work with the student to attempt a positive resolution.

While we don't necessarily require experience, it usually helps you stand out if you can talk about how you have helped others in the past, solved problems with your knowledge as well as demonstrating adaptability.

You will also play an active part in the team and wider Union supporting initiatives, events, and meetings during the academic year.

When engaging with our members, any Heriot-Watt student at a UK campus, it can be tough when hearing about their situation. So, empathy and professionalism should always be used. If able to, solutions to their concerns should be signposted.

The two jobs we are looking to fill are both part-time – 21 hours per week (we will try to work around your schedule, but you should expect hours to be split over three - four days). Due to the face-to-face nature of the role the positions will be based at our Edinburgh campus though there may be times when an alternative location (e.g. home) may work for specific tasks.

WHO ARE WE?

We are Heriot-Watt University Student Union. We’re based in Edinburgh and our main goal is to make sure that Heriot-Watt students have THE BEST TIME whilst studying here. We have our commercial outlets as well as Advice Hub, academic representation, societies and community, plus we work with Students to make their time at Heriot-Watt the best it can be.

WHAT’S THE JOB?

We are looking for someone who is empathetic, caring, and a great communicator to join our Student Engagement team within our Advice Hub and make sure students get the best support while at university. The main parts of the role are:

• Giving students advice and support

• Creating new ways to help students help themselves, and helping to digitise our service

• Capturing data and trends so we can proactively improve life for students

What we’re looking for is someone who wants to make a difference and help students who may be struggling. We don’t expect you to come in knowing everything, but the ideal candidate will have an idea of student issues and be keen to learn everything they can to support students effectively.

This is a full-time job – working 35 hours per week, usually Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm, although flexibility is expected depending on what we have going on so some evening and weekend work may be required.

This role is a fixed-term position for 12 months.

WHO ARE WE?

We are Heriot-Watt University Student Union, and we have one simple purpose, putting students first, always. We are led by elected student officers, who are guided and supported by staff to make students are represented across all areas of university life, with opportunities to expand their skills and employability while making meaningful and lifelong connections.

Ultimately our main goal is to make sure that Heriot-Watt students have THE BEST TIME whilst studying here. We live by five values – we are fun, welcoming, brave, empowering and student focused.

You’ll join a friendly, hardworking and professional team and have a real opportunity to make a difference to our members – while having some fun along the way. We have a display of staff baby photos in our office, and a gallery of our photocopied faces which we will probably ask you to add to!

WHAT DO YOU GET?

• Starting salary of £22,432 per year

• Generous holiday allowance starting at 28 days a year (plus you get extra fixed days off for Christmas, New Year and Easter!)

• A generous pension scheme is available

• Staff discount in Liberty’s, Geordies and The Shop

• Access to our Employee Assistance Program

• A fun working environment that is filled with a lot of opportunities for development

• Most importantly...you’ll get that warm fuzzy feeling inside that you’re helping the students of HW make the most of their time at university!

WHAT MIGHT A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?

You start your day by checking the Advice Hub emails. Exam results were released yesterday so lots of enquiries were sent in overnight. You have a quick check in with the other Advisors to discuss how you’re going to tackle the volume of emails, and then you start to reply to them based on how urgent they are.

A student emailed because they haven’t got the results they wanted in their re-sit and they want to appeal their grade. You send them through guidance, but they are very confused. You ask them to try writing their appeal and offer to meet them at 2pm to have a look at it.

It’s 10am so you open the Advice Hub door, there is a student waiting who is struggling for money. You explain the funding available to them through the University hardship funds, clarify how to submit an application and organise a couple of Asda vouchers from the Advice Hub’s Voucher Scheme to help them until they get a response. You update the information on the Voucher Scheme spreadsheet and make a note on the case management system.

Next you have a meeting with the Full-time Officers to explain the three biggest areas students are facing issues: accommodation, disciplinaries & appeals, and cost of living. You give statistics and a few anonymised examples. They have the Student Experience Group meeting with the University later today, so this information is key.

You go back to emails and update the template for academic appeals, so it has the most current information. You check in with the other Advisors to see if anything else needs to be added.

You’re covering the Advice Hub enquiry desk from 1 'til 2pm today so you head for an early lunch. You make sure there’s another advisor to cover the enquiries desk and pop over to the Union building to grab some food and take a break.

You come back to a queue outside the Advice Hub door, so you go to each student in turn and respond to the simple queries. Once the queue is gone you take over the enquiries desk while the other advisor takes their break. Lots of students popping in are picking up free condoms and sanitary products. You also have a few students who are lost, so you show them where to go. Others have more complex issues, so you schedule appointments for them. You keep a track of everyone who is coming in.

It’s 2pm so time for your catch up with the student who wanted support with appeals. You explain the appeals process again, and the evidence they may need to submit. They haven’t written a draft of their appeal yet, so you emphasise that you can’t write it for them, but you will read over it once they’ve completed it - they thank you for your help and head off.

An international student has contacted you because they are having issues with their visa. You empathise with their situation, explain that the Advice Hub can’t offer advice on visas, and give them details for who to contact in the University.

You have a bit of time, so you update the Frequently Asked Questions on the website. You also send the marketing team some information for students about a Therapets event you’re organising in a few weeks.

It’s nearly the end of the day and things have quietened down a bit, so you replenish the condom and sanitary item stock as they are running low.

Phew, another great day over. You spend 5 minutes writing out your to-do list for tomorrow, say goodbye to the other advisors and head home.

IS THIS JOB FOR YOU?

If you answer yes to these questions, then apply now!

• Are you interested in a career within advice, wellbeing, counselling or so on? This role is a great first step to enter this type of career!

• Do you love helping people who are facing challenges?

• Are you empathetic and caring?

• Could you handle difficult case work?

• Do you understand the current issues students might be facing?

• Does working with students and staff from a range of different countries, backgrounds and cultures sound appealing to you?

• Could you digest complex policies and communicate that in a clear way to students?

• Do you like taking on detective work to find the answers to questions?

• Are you good at juggling lots of competing priorities?

• Can you handle answering the same questions over and over, with patience and a smile?

• Can you work on your own initiative and be proactive with tasks?

• Are you a team player who is happy to chip in and help wherever possible?

REGARDLESS OF THE ROLE, OUR TEAM CAN DEMONSTRATE OUR VALUES...

• Make sure everything we do is inclusive to students, regardless of background, culture, or experience by being welcoming

• Be brave and take a few risks to push yourself out of your comfort zone and encourage students to do the same!

• Encourage students’ creativity and empower them to make their ideas a reality

• Enjoy every minute of the job by making sure you have fun

• Make sure you’re student focused in everything you do

If you want to have an informal chat about the job, please contact Genna Nesbitt, Student Engagement Manager: g.nesbitt@hw.ac.uk.

WHO WE ARE

We are 60+ societies, we're a bite to eat in Liberty's, and a pint in Geordies. We are support from the Advice Hub, Therapets, and Class Reps & School Officers. We're Freshers Week, Beer Fest, and volunteering.

We are a lot of things, but our purpose is to put our students first. We aspire to be the best student union in Scotland so that our amazing students receive the experience they deserve. We want to have fun, are open to change and empower our students to make a difference.

We do this by representing, supporting, advising and promoting the interests, health and welfare of students at Heriot-Watt University. We are a charitable company limited by guarantee and run charitable and commercial services including an advice centre, bar, shop, club and café.

We are planning to refresh our strategy, aka our "Big Plan", which will guide us as we shape our Union, its objectives and activities as we continually learn how best to deliver our services in a changing world.This is an exciting time of transformation and we need people like you to help us on this journey.

We are a democratic organisation which means we have an elected student parliament, including four paid full-time student officers who are also trustees and directors. We have a career staff team of about 35 and a senior management team of four, led by the Chief Executive Officer. Our turnover is in the region of £3M with a block grant of around £560k and the remainder made up by trading income.

OUR TRUSTEE BOARD

We have an established and well-performing board which is made up of:

• One President and three Vice Presidents who are all full time elected officers;

• Two student trustees, normally one undergraduate and one postgraduate;

• Between three and six external trustees, one of whom must be an alumni; and

• One university appointed trustee.

Our external trustees come from different backgrounds and bring experience in a range of areas including finance; students and the university sector; human resources and project management.

We are a registered charity in Scotland and our board's role is to ensure that the Union works effectively in how it achieves its aims. We're student-focused but if we spend all our money on Freshers Week and can't open our doors for the rest of the year, then we're not putting students first.

You can find more information about the role of charity trustees on the OSCR web site at

oscr.org.uk

WHAT SORT OF PERSON ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We're looking for people who are passionate about making a difference. You don’t need any other previous experience; we just need you to bring your enthusiasm and we'll bring the support and training.

We're about to embark on reviewing and refreshing our strategy and value the input our Trustees can make in the process.

You will need to be able to make the time commitment, which isn’t huge but shouldn’t be underestimated. Unfortunately, we can’t accept applications from students who work for the Student Union or hold a position on Student Parliament.

If you are appointed we will ask you to confirm that you are legally able to hold the position of Trustee and Director.

Salary

This is a voluntary position (reasonable expenses paid) with training taking place in December and the roles beginning at a mutually agreeable time, ideally to coincide with existing Trustees completing their term in office.

Role Duration

The position is for a maximum of 2, 4-year terms

A full Role Description is available for download below.

WHAT’S THE JOB?

We’re on the hunt for an Academic Coordinator to join our Student Engagement department to support the Union with all things relating to the undergraduate and postgraduate learning and teaching experience.

You’ll work closely with our Vice President Education and Student President, plus you’ll get to train and support our incredible academic reps. You’ll also work with staff in the university to make sure students’ voices are listened to.

It’s basically a brilliant opportunity for anyone who has a passion for student representation, especially on the academic side of things!

This is a full-time permanent job. It’s 35 hours a week, and you’ll be on a salary of £22,101.

WHO ARE WE?

We are Heriot-Watt University Student Union. We’re based at Riccarton (on the outskirts of Edinburgh) and our main goal is to make sure that Heriot-Watt students have THE BEST TIME whilst studying here. We have food & drink venues, a nightclub and shop, plus we work with Students to make their time at Heriot-Watt the best it can be through our Advice Hub, societies, academic representation and a whole load of volunteering opportunities.

You’ll join a friendly, hardworking and professional team and have a real opportunity to make a difference for students.

The role will be based at the Edinburgh campus.

IS THIS JOB FOR YOU?

If you answer yes to these questions, then apply now!

• Do you have experience working with academic representative systems?

• Do you understand a fair bit about learning and teaching issues in a university?

• Are you comfortable talking to a wide range of students and getting them fired up?

• Can you guide and empower students to come up with solutions to problems, and support them to put a plan in place to fix things?

• Can you look at something and think of new and creative ways that will make it even better?

• Does it make you happy to help people, and go home at the end of the day knowing you made a difference?

• Do you want to work with an amazing team of people who are passionate about helping students?

• We will probably ask you for a baby picture and to photocopy your face. You ok with that?

WHAT’S THE JOB?

We’re on the hunt for a Wellbeing Coordinator to join our Student Engagement department to support the Union with all things relating to student wellbeing.

This role is all about working with the Vice President Wellbeing to support students and make sure our students feel included. You’ll work closely with the Vice President Wellbeing to identify and run campaigns and activities that will support and empower our students who are living both on and off campus. It’s a non-clinical role, so you won’t be counselling students!

It’s basically a brilliant opportunity for anyone who is passionate about student wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion.

This role is for 1 year and is part-time, working 21 hours a week, we can be flexible on working hours to suit the right candidate! The salary for these hours is £13,260 per annum (full-time equivalent salary would be Grade 5, £22,101).

WHO ARE WE?

We are Heriot-Watt University Student Union. We’re based at Riccarton (on the outskirts of Edinburgh) and our main goal is to make sure that Heriot-Watt students have THE BEST TIME whilst studying here. We have a bar, café, nightclub and shop, plus we work with Students to make their time at Heriot-Watt the best it can be through our Advice Hub, societies, academic representation and a whole load of volunteering opportunities.

You’ll join a friendly, hardworking and professional team and have a real opportunity to make a difference for students.

The role will be based at the Edinburgh campus. We’re working from home at the moment, but are looking forward to returning to the office when restrictions allow.

IS THIS JOB FOR YOU?

If you answer yes to these questions, then apply now!

· Do you have experience planning and running campaigns or events?

· Do you understand a fair bit about wellbeing issues students face?

· Are you comfortable talking to wide range of students and getting them engaged?

· Can you guide and empower students to come up with solutions to problems, and support them to put a plan in place to fix things?

· Can you look at something and think of new and creative ways that will make it even better?

· Does it make you happy to help people, and go home at the end of the day knowing you made a difference?

· Are you happy spending time with students? It’s ridiculously rewarding – but they can be super demanding!

· Do you want to work with an amazing team of people who are passionate about helping students?

· We will probably ask you for a baby picture and to photocopy your face. You ok with that?

WHAT’S THE JOB?

We’re on the hunt for an Academic Coordinator to join our Student Engagement department to support the Union with all things relating to the undergraduate and postgraduate learning and teaching experience.

You’ll work closely with our Vice President Education and Student President, plus you’ll get to train and support our incredible academic reps. You’ll also work with staff in the university to make sure students’ voices are listened to.

It’s basically a brilliant opportunity for anyone who has a passion for student representation, especially on the academic side of things!

This is a full-time job on an initial three-month contract, with the potential to become permanent. It’s 35 hours a week, and you’ll be on a salary of £22,101.

WHO ARE WE?

We are Heriot-Watt University Student Union. We’re based at Riccarton (on the outskirts of Edinburgh) and our main goal is to make sure that Heriot-Watt students have THE BEST TIME whilst studying here. We have food & drink venues, a nightclub and shop, plus we work with Students to make their time at Heriot-Watt the best it can be through our Advice Hub, societies, academic representation and a whole load of volunteering opportunities.

You’ll join a friendly, hardworking and professional team and have a real opportunity to make a difference for students.

The role will be based at the Edinburgh campus. We’re working from home at the moment but are looking forward to returning to the office when restrictions allow.

IS THIS THE JOB FOR YOU?

If you answer yes to these questions, then apply now!

· Do you have experience working with academic representative systems?

· Do you understand a fair bit about learning and teaching issues in a university?

· Are you comfortable talking to wide range of students and getting them fired up?

· Can you guide and empower students to come up with solutions to problems, and support them to put a plan in place to fix things?

· Can you look at something and think of new and creative ways that will make it even better?

· Does it make you happy to help people, and go home at the end of the day knowing you made a difference?

· Are you happy spending everyday with students? It’s ridiculously rewarding – but they can be super demanding!

· Do you want to work with an amazing team of people who are passionate about helping students?

· We will probably ask you for a baby picture and to photocopy your face. You ok with that?