Application Information Pack - Cambridge University Students ...

CUSU-GU Student
Advisor
Recruitment Information Pack
Thank you for expressing interest in the Student Advisor position for the
Cambridge University Students’ Union and Graduate Union Student
Advice Service.
This information pack has information about CUSU and the Graduate
Union (GU), and the Student Advice Service and explains how the role of
the Student Advisor is central to the service-delivery of the Student
Advice Service.
In this pack you will find:
Information on CUSU, the GU and the Student Advice Service (pages 3-4)
The role and how it interacts with the Advice Service Manager and elected officers in the
delivery of the Service and in support of campaigns (page 5-7)
Job Description and Person Specification (pages 8-11)
Summary of terms and conditions for the post and recruitment information for
applicants (pages 12-15)
To apply for the post please submit an application form, a Curriculum Vitae and a cover letter
explaining what motivated you to apply for the post (max 500 words).
Applications should be submitted electronically to vacancies@cusu.cam.ac.uk or via post
(addressed to Mark McCormack) to: Cambridge University Students' Union, Old Examination Hall,
Free School Lane, Cambridge, CB2 3RF.
For an informal discussion about the job, or for materials in a more accessible format to you,
please contact Mark McCormack, gm@cusu.cam.ac.uk or 01223 333 313.
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Application deadline: Friday 12 th July 2013, 12noon BST
Interviews will be held: Friday 19 th July 2013
Please contact us in advance at vacancies@cusu.cam.ac.uk if you foresee the interview dates
being problematic.
Cambridge University Students’ Union is an equal opportunities employer: we welcome
applications from anyone and value diversity.
Introduction
The University of Cambridge has over 20,000 students in 31 colleges and has two Student Unions;
Cambridge University Students’ Union (CUSU) represents and supports all undergraduate and
postgraduate students of the University of Cambridge and the Graduate Union (GU) is the only
students’ union in the UK that works exclusively for graduate students (including all
postgraduates, mature students, affiliated students and undergraduates in their fourth year of
residence).
Both Unions are dynamic and creative student-led organisations working to support, represent
and campaign for students in Cambridge in order to improve every aspect of the student
experience. The Unions run a range of events and services, sit on University committees and work
with local charities and organisations as well as the City and County Council. Importantly, CUSU
and the GU work with elected student officers in University departments and in Junior Common
Rooms (JCRs) and Middle Common Rooms (MCRs) in each college, which represent and support
undergraduates and graduates respectively.
CUSU and the GU share over 11,000 members and identify student support and welfare as the
strongest joint priority. The Student Advisor role was added to the team of students and staff in
2010. This has proven to be an exciting and positive step in the direction of improving student
support, advice and representation for all students in Cambridge by giving them access to a
professional, confidential and impartial support service run by sabbatical officers and the Student
Advisor.
The atmosphere at both Unions is friendly and informal, and if you enjoy working for and amongst
students of any age, you will enjoy working for the GU and CUSU.
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Cambridge University Students’ Union (CUSU)
www.cusu.cam.ac.uk
The CUSU sabbatical officers (President, Coordinator, Access, Women’s, Education and Welfare &
Rights Officer) lead and coordinate the activities of CUSU and work with the CUSU team (over 40
part time student officers and seven staff members) to campaign in the interests of students and
provide academic and welfare support, services, widening participation activities, events and
representation both in Cambridge and nationally. Sabbatical Officers also support, train and work
closely with elected student officers in each college (JCR/MCR Committees) and faculty reps.
CUSU places great emphasis on equality, diversity and widening participation. The CUSU Access
Officer leads efforts to actively encourage students from non-traditional backgrounds to apply to
Cambridge, while the CUSU Autonomous Campaigns (representing Black Students, LBGT, Women,
International Students and Disabled Students) campaign for and represent groups of students
who are traditionally disempowered or have special needs.
Cambridge University Graduate Union (GU)
www.gradunion.cam.ac.uk
The GU provides a wide range of services aimed solely at graduate students. The GU recognises
that many graduates get involved less with college life than a typical undergraduate might, and
furthermore 40% of graduate students are international students, and as such, the GU focuses
extensively on providing centralised social events and providing support on graduate student and
international student issues. The GU also represents GU members on committees, and works
closely with graduate representatives from colleges and faculties.
The sabbatical GU President leads a Board of full-time graduate students to carry out GU
activities. The Board consists of a Treasurer, Secretary, Academic Affairs Officer, Welfare Officer,
Families Officer, International Officer, Events officer and Environmental Officer. The GU/CUSU
Welfare & Rights sabbatical officer works as a member of the GU Board as well as being a CUSU
officer.
The GU also has a centrally located building with study space, meeting rooms, printing/binding
facilities, a shop and a café.
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Student Advice Service
The Student Advice Service team includes five members – one part-time (Advice Service
Manager) and one full-time staff member (Student Advisor), and three sabbatical officers (CUSU-
GU Welfare & Rights Officer, CUSU Education Officer and CUSU Women’s Officer). The CUSU-GU
Welfare & Rights Officer is the sabbatical officer who is responsible for the Student Advice
Service. The Advice Service Manager and Student Advisor work very closely with the Welfare &
Rights Officer in coordinating the Student Advice Service on behalf of elected officers and with
Advice Officers (sabbatical roles delivering advice and working on casework for student users of
the Service).
All members of the Student Advice Service provide confidential and impartial support to all
students on welfare and academic issues. The Student Advice Service is one of the most used
services CUSU and the GU provide. Officers and staff in the Service work with the University
Counseling Service and Disability Resource Centre as well as Tutors in colleges, nurses, GPs, the
City Council and local charities and organisations to ensure students have access to a range of
sources of advice, information and support. Over the last few years, CUSU and the GU have
improved the quality of support available for students by training sabbatical officers, ensuring
they have support, developing policy and publicising the service.
The Student Advisor, Advice Service Manager and the Welfare & Rights Officer are based at both
the GU and CUSU.
Current Team
Kate Jones
Our current
Student Advisor
Susy Langsdale (Women’s Officer), Chris Page (Welfare and
Rights Officer), Sam Wakeford (Education Officer), and Lisa
Déry (Advice Service Manager)
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The Role
You will work under the supervision of, and assist, the Advice Service Manager in the running and
daily delivery of the Student Advice Service as an exemplary service for students. As part of your
role you will work with CUSU and GU Sabbatical Officers recommending best practice, supporting
sabbatical officers, and your primary focus will be to provide professional, impartial and
confidential support to all students.
The Student Advisor position is a diverse and dynamic role that requires dedication to improving
the student experience and providing confidential and impartial support. You will join the
student-led team of sabbatical officers and staff in CUSU and the GU, work on welfare issues and
collaborate with elected student officers in CUSU and the GU as well as in colleges, University
organisations and groups in the local community. Welfare issues that come under your remit
include student complaints, issues of discrimination and harassment, disability and mental health
issues, equality, examination concerns, difficulties with colleges, faculties and other students,
student finance and accommodation among other things. Overseen by, and in cooperation with,
the Advice Service Manager, you will play a key role in providing information for students by
working with the Welfare & Rights Officer on relevant CUSU and GU publications, to ensure these
resources reflect student needs.
Most importantly, the Student Advisor will ensure a high degree of professionalism and will use
their experience and expertise to work with sabbatical officers to address the root causes of
welfare issues in the University and continuously improve the representation work that is central
to the activities and importance of CUSU and the GU.
The Student Advisor will be responsible, in the first instance, to the CUSU/GU Advice Service
Manager on behalf of both organisations. The Advice Service Manager is responsible for service
development of the Advice Service: ensuring processes and procedures are fit-for-purpose and
are in line with best practice, that the standard of advice provided in the Service is exemplary, and
that students are offered the best and most supportive service possible (within the confines of
the Service’s remit and ethos) and that this is properly communicated and safeguarded
throughout the University community in practice and reputation.
Due to the Advice Service Manager’s role in developing the Service, the Student Advisor will
ensure proper performance of processes designed and implemented by the Advice Manager, for
example by maintaining our record-keeping and confidentiality procedures. The Advice Service
Manager will often delegate cases and tasks to the Student Advisor as appropriate to the role’s
functions.
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Interaction with elected officers and staff: service delivery and
campaign support
Staff roles supporting the Student Advice Service are primarily focused on the provision of an
exemplary and effective service for service-users. As explained, the Advice Service Manager leads
this aspect of the Service and the majority of the Advisor’s interaction regarding the provision of
service will be via the Advice Service Manager.
In sustaining a strong service-level, the Advisor will be expected to assist the Advice Service
Manager in supporting the elected Advice Officers (CUSU/GU Welfare and Rights Officer, and
CUSU Education and Women’s Officers). Such activity will include providing training and guiding
officers through procedures, casework, and the management of casework.
Whilst the Advice Service Manager position has a central focus on service-delivery and will
support and oversee your work, the Advisor role will take a lead in assisting elected officers in
utilising information received via the Advice Service in order to enact positive change on behalf of
students. Your Manager will be involved in this work from a strategic level, and will enable and
support you in this work, and under your manager’s supervision you will be responsible for
assisting elected officers in making campaign and project plans and taking these forward. The
Advisor will be responsible for ensuring the correct and proper following of internal procedures in
this activity (ie confidentiality), for ensuring service-provision and campaign conflicts are
successfully and suitably managed and, whilst ensuring activities are always student-led, assist
elected officers in taking forward key issues within the University community as may be identified
in the Service throughout casework. Such support will require the engagement of the wider
sabbatical team, the development of action plans, and work with the wider CUSU staff team in
supporting goals and campaigns of the elected officer team.
Key relationships and CUSU-GU Staffing Structure
(see overleaf for diagrams)
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CUSU-GU Student Advisor
Job Description
Salary: Starting at £24,000 - £26,000
Responsible to:
CUSU/GU Advice Service Manager
Functional Relationships: Students (ie users of service), Advice Service Manager,
Student Officers (sabbatical and non-sabbatical), all CUSU and
GU staff, relevant University and college staff, Trustees of
CUSU
Place of work:
Cambridge University Students’ Union and the Graduate
Union
Contract:
Fixed-term for twelve months
Job Purpose
The CUSU/GU Student Advisor will provide professional, confidential and impartial advice,
support and information to all students of the University of Cambridge; the provision of
casework to student users, in line with procedures and best practise as advised, will be the
primary focus of the role. The role will work alongside the existing Advice Service Manager
as a non-elected employee of the Student Advice Service. They will work with, and support,
the Advice Service Manager and elected Sabbatical Officers to lead the coordination and
exemplary service-delivery of the Student Unions’ Student Advice Service.
Specific Duties
1. Student Support and Advocacy
1.1. Provide students with non-directive, confidential advice and guidance via
telephone, email and face-to-face. Be the primary point of contact and referral for
all CUSU/GU Student Support enquiries.
1.2. Provide advice, as stated above, to a high quality, and always act in the interests of
the user as guided by the user.
1.3. Provide in-depth advice and information on relevant college, University and
national regulations, procedures and policies.
1.4. Maintain and share knowledge of national best practice, legislation and initiatives
in higher education that are relevant to student support in Cambridge University.
1.5. Participate in regular meetings to discuss relevant issues, ensure best practice;
review student support at the institution, ensuring appropriate oversight from
your line-manager, and with the CUSU-GU Welfare & Rights Officer, the CUSU
Education Officer, CUSU Women’s Officer. Maintain records of these meetings,
ensure communication and circulation to relevant colleagues, and take forward
and/or support actions arising.
1.6. In consultation with your line-manager, identify regular or pertinent issues
affecting students (that can be properly and reasonably evidenced), for use in
planning for either a) development of the Student Advice Service, led by the
Advice Service Manager, or b) development of campaigns, policies and/or
initiatives by elected officers.
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1.7. In consultation with and under guidance from your line-manager, present
information on regular or pertinent issues affecting students to the elected
officers for their consideration in a clear, accessible, comprehensive manner; act
on decisions made, or initiatives taken, by the elected officers and ensure
appropriate communication with the entire Advice Team. In consultation with,
and under the direction of, elected officers, produce or otherwise support action
plans for Officer-led campaigns related to the development of campaigns, policies
and/or initiatives arising from Advice Service business. Support officers in utilising
information received via the Advice Service in order to enact positive change on
behalf of students, ensuring appropriate Service oversight by the Advice Service
Manager via regular liaison and input.
1.8. Provide support to the Advice Service Manager in the development of the Advice
Service as directed by the Advice Service Manager or General Manager.
1.9. Undertake tasks and take responsibility for casework, in a prompt and
communicative fashion and to a high quality, as directed by your line-manager.
2. CUSU/GU Student Advice Service
2.1. Manage sensitive and confidential information and maintain accurate, up-to-date
and confidential records and statistics of casework.
2.2. Produce reports, as required, on use of the Student Advice Service and issues
relating to advice provision, including contributing to the planning, design and
delivery of Advice Service reports (or as otherwise requested by your linemanager).
2.3. Contribute to the development and updating of policies relating to the CUSU-GU
Student Advice Service (e.g. Confidentiality Policy). Maintain and uphold these
policies, and undertake actions as may be required to effectively review policies or
procedures as directed. Assist with the production of Student Advice Service
literature, as directed.
2.4. Maintain up-to-date and accurate information in Service resources, positively
contribute to information provided to students from the Service, including the
Student Advice Service website.
2.5. Identify new publications, leaflets and information that might be of use or interest
for students, and develop communications at request.
2.6. Update relevant sections of the Student Advice Service, CUSU and GU websites.
3. Supporting Sabbatical Officers
3.1. Support and advise sabbatical officers in their own casework, the continuing
improvement in quality of casework, and the management of their own casework.
3.2. Support and advise sabbatical officers in the performance of Advice Service
processes, necessary for exemplary running of the Service.
3.3. Coordinate the involvement of the whole sabbatical team in regular and/or
pertinent issues concerning students arising from information received by the
Advice Service (as arising from discussions with Advice Officers and guided by your
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line-manager), ensuring confidentiality is retained and sensitive information is
protected..
3.4. Organise and facilitate handover activities and regular training for CUSU and GU
sabbatical officers on issues relating to student support; such activity will be led, in
the first instance, by the Advice Service Manager.
3.5. Prepare reports, briefing papers and relevant information for sabbatical officers in
preparation for relevant University committees.
3.6. Support the Advice Service Manager and/or sabbatical officers in the design,
successful delivery and evaluation of training for student volunteers related to
welfare or Advice Service work, ensuring the involvement of relevant colleagues.
4. University and External Liaison
4.1. Maintain links and working relationships with relevant student organisations (e.g.
Linkline) and University bodies and staff (e.g. the Disability Resource Centre, the
University Counselling Service, college nurses).
4.2. Maintain contact with local GPs, Primary Care Trusts and other local health
organisations as well as a thorough knowledge of support services, including
charities that support students, in Cambridge and nationally.
5. Other Duties
5.1. Consent to any relevant checks required for the role such as Disclosure and
Barring Service checks or equivalent.
5.2. To abide by the Student Advice Service’s’ code of practice, procedures and policies
at all times.
5.3. To abide by the Unions’ constitutions, procedures and policies at all times.
5.4. To demonstrate a commitment to equality of opportunity, together with an
understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post.
5.5. To have a flexible approach to duties and work, and, in particular, adopt and
promote a teamwork style with departments and activities across the Unions.
5.6. To maintain proper records and management.
5.7. To ensure that procedures for confidentiality and the security of all documents are
maintained effectively.
6. General Duties
6.1. To deliver targets outlined in the Unions’ strategic plans where appropriate.
6.2. To contribute and assist in the Unions’ planning processes and the review of
performance and systems in relation to student support.
6.3. To attend meetings, training events and conferences where necessary and
appropriate.
6.4. To liaise as required with University and college personnel and appropriate
external organisations.
6.5. To portray the Students’ Unions in a positive, proactive and professional manner.
6.6. To contribute to publications and informational materials.
6.7. To be involved with Union wide events for both Unions.
6.8. To undertake own typing, filing, photocopying etc.
6.9. To provide cover, where appropriate, for other staff during holidays, sickness etc.
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CUSU-GU Student Advisor
Personal Specification
Qualifications
A first degree or relevant professional experience
A relevant professional qualification - NVQ level 3 or 4
Essential
X
Desirable
X
Experience
One year’s experience of advice work, preferably within the last three years
Experience of working within a Students’ Union, or similar charitable/third sector
organisation, or within a University/Higher Education environment
Experience in handling sensitive and confidential matters
Experience of designing and delivering training programmes relevant to student support
X
X
X
X
Skills
Communication
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
IT literacy and excellent record keeping skills
Report writing, including some basic statistical analysis
Interpersonal
Highly developed interpersonal and advice-giving skills, both face-to-face, by email and
by telephone
Ability to work effectively in a team
Ability to develop and maintain good working relations with elected officers
Advice provision
Ability to understand complex systems and cases; and ability to identify the best course
of action for specific cases
A diplomatic, sensitive, non-judgmental approach to students using the Student Advice
Service
Ability to listen to and communicate effectively with a diverse range of students,
responding to differing needs and perspectives
Knowledge
A demonstrable understanding of current guidelines, legislation and best practice relating
to student support, advice and guidance
A demonstrable understanding of themes/issues relevant to Cambridge students
An understanding of one or more of mental health, sexual health, eating disorders,
disabilities, student safety, pregnancy, racism, harassment, bullying
Values & Attitudes
Able to work independently, without supervision
Enthusiastic and flexible
Self motivated, innovative and positive about change
Commitment to equality of opportunity with an understanding of issues related to
diversity
Commitment to working within a democratic, student led environment
Able to show leadership
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
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CUSU-GU Student Advisor
Summary Terms & Conditions
Job title:
Contract type:
Hours of work:
Location of work:
Salary:
CUSU-GU Student Advisor
Temporary (twelve-months fixed term) –queries as to the possibility of extending this
contract to a permanent basis, please do so via vacancies@cusu.cam.ac.uk.
This post is full-time and contracted hours are 36½ hours per week, plus additional
hours as necessary (although these are expected to be minimal). Specific times of work
will be agreed with the postholder - due to the nature of the post the majority of the
work will be completed during office hours Monday to Friday. Requests for flexibility
will be considered and accommodated where the post allows for this.
You will normally work from Graduate Union or CUSU offices in central Cambridge
(Mill Lane and Free School Lane respectively) and may need to attend meetings
elsewhere within the University of Cambridge and its Colleges. Occasionally the
postholder may be required to work away from Cambridge, potentially including
overnight stays.
The starting salary for this post is £24,000 - £26,000 per annum, depending on
experience.
Probation period: This post is subject to a 3-month probationary period, with 1-month and 3-
monthprobationary reviews.
Annual leave:
Pension:
The post holder is entitled to 36 days of annual leave inclusive of bank/public holidays
(and any closed days as communicated to staff by the General Manager or sabbatical
team).
We will make arrangements for direct payment of your employee pension
contributions to a scheme of your choice. We will pay employer’s contributions equal
to a maximum of 5% of your salary into a scheme of your choice.
Equality of opportunity:
Management arrangements:
Cambridge University Students’ Union (CUSU) and the Cambridge University Graduate
Union are committed to creating organisations in which all members and employees
are respected, discrimination is not tolerated and diversity is encouraged. All
members and employees will be treated fairly and with respect. Selection for
employment, promotion, training or any other benefit will be on the basis of aptitude
and ability.
The Student Advisor will be responsible, in the first instance, to the CUSU/GU Advice
Service Manager on behalf of both organisations.
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The Recruitment Process
Completing your application form
Included in this pack is the job description and person specification. Please read these very
carefully before completing your application form as applicants will be marked against this
criteria. The job description lays out the specific tasks to which the Student Advisor post will be
expected to perform; the person specification lists competencies and values for which the GU and
CUSU have defined as essential or desirable for the post to perform successfully.
The application form gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your suitability to the post in the
Personal Statement section.
To be considered for interview, applicants will have to demonstrate to the short-listing panel that
they fulfill all criteria deemed essential; applicants should do this by drawing on their own
personal experiences to explain their skills, attributes and personal values. It is important to
consider all your experience, whether it references previous employment, voluntary positions or
otherwise.
This pack has also given contextual information relating to the background of the post and the
expectations of both the GU and CUSU, therefore it is advised to consider this information
carefully before completing your application form. Applicants will find plenty of information on
the GU and CUSU web pages, which may give applicants a better understanding of how both
organisations operate. The Student Advice Service website will be of particular use to applicants.
Please ensure your CV is up-to-date, is adequately tailored to the job (where possible) and can be
easily referenced when the short-listing panel are reading your completed form.
We request the equalities monitoring form be included with your application, however it will not
form part of the selection process and is not mandatory.
Further information:
www.gradunion.cam.ac.uk
www.cusu.cam.ac.uk
www.studentadvice.cam.ac.uk
To discuss this opportunity with someone at CUSU or the GU, please contact
vacancies@cusu.cam.ac.uk with your contact details.
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Submitting your application
The closing date for applications is 12 th July 2012 at 12noon; applications received after this date
will not be considered. We prefer forms to be received electronically, however they can be posted
(addressed to Mark McCormack) to: Cambridge University Students' Union, Old Examination Hall,
Free School Lane, Cambridge, CB2 3RF.
Applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their application via email (please ensure an
email address is included in posted forms).
Selection
Applications will be assessed against the essential criteria in the person specification. Where
many candidates meet the essential criteria, the panel will consider desirable criteria in the
person specification and job description. Only information contained within the application form
will be considered in the short-listing.
Short-listed candidates will be notified via email or telephone shortly after the closing date.
Candidates invited to interview will be given sufficient information at the time in order to prepare
for the interview. The GU and CUSU will be as accommodating as is practicably possible to the
recruitment process with all candidates. Candidates will be required to bring along evidence of
their qualifications and official documentation proving Right to Work (see Right to Work section
below).
Complaints
CUSU and the GU want to know if any applicants feel unfairly treated during the course of the
recruitment process. This application pack seeks to assure potential applicants of the due and fair
process both organisations have for recruitment and would welcome feedback where applicants
feel it is needed. To complain or comment on any part of the recruitment process, please email
the CUSU Coordinator, Dom Weldon, at coordinator@cusu.cam.ac.uk.
Data protection
The information included, and provided by you, within your application for the post of CUSU-GU
Student Advisor will be used for to assess your suitability for the specific post; it will only be
viewed by those involved in the recruitment process. Applicants’ information will be shared with
those persons delegated by the GU and CUSU to take part in the recruitment process and, as
such, this will necessitate that two organisations have access to applicants’ private data contained
within their application form. Due to the nature of the post (being employed by CUSU, however
working under the direction of the GU and CUSU) this cannot be avoided.
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The application form of the successful candidate will be retained by CUSU; the forms of
unsuccessful applicants/candidates will be destroyed after six months, except in cases where
there is a dispute (in such cases applicants will be notified that their form is still on file).
By submitting the equalities monitoring form you accept and consent to CUSU and the GU
keeping and using this data for statistical analysis and monitoring within the organisation (which
will be anonymous) so that we can continually improve our equal opportunities practises.
Right to Work in the UK
CUSU and the GU are required to undertake checks to ensure that all prospective employees are
entitled to live and work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Nationality Act (2006) prior
to the successful candidate starting work. Candidates will need to provide official documentation,
such as a passport, which proves they are entitled to work in the UK. For further information,
please see www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk or email vacancies@cusu.cam.ac.uk if
you have any questions.
Disclosure of criminal convictions and the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups
Act 2006
Details of any unspent criminal convictions must be communicated in the application process as
defined in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Having a criminal record will not bar any
employee from CUSU or the GU; all applicants will be assessed fairly and indiscriminately on the
strength of their abilities as described in their application form.
CUSU and the GU welcome applicants with previous offences. We treat all applicants equally and
fairly and we comply with the DBS Code of Practice (formerly CRB code of practice). From time-totime
employees at CUSU and the GU may come in to contact with vulnerable groups; the Student
Advisor is a position for which this extremely likely and as such will be expected to submit a
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure form (formerly CRB) on starting employment with
CUSU. Should this DBS disclosure prove problematic for any reasons connected to the post (ie a
conflict in the post-holder’s ability to perform elements of the job description), a risk assessment
will be produced to assess whether the successful applicant can continue in post. The position will
only be able to stay in post if risks identified can be reduced dramatically without negatively
affecting GU or CUSU resources.
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