Job Description Residence Association Support Coordinator

Job Description – Residence Association Support Coordinator

JOB DESCRIPTION

POST:Residence Association Support Coordinator

SALARY:18,000 - 22,000

ACCOUNTABLE TO:The post holder will be report to the Student Activities Manager

HOURS:35 hours per week

LOCATION:Usually located at the Oxford Road main office but may be required to work on other sites, especially in halls of residence.

PURPOSE:To develop and implement support structures forstudent Residence Associations to ensure that they are student-led, responding to student needs and opinions and building strong communities in halls

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

To provide support and advice to the student-led RA Committees to help them be effective in their roles
To oversee the financial management and governance systems (including elections) of the RAs
To support the planning of events and activities run by RAs to ensure that these make a valuable contribution to life in halls and to ensure the safety of those taking part

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

1.Supporting Volunteers

To advise and support the volunteers leading Residence Associations to achieve in their roles
To attend RA Committee meetings as appropriate
To work with RAs to plan their longer-term development ensuring that each RA grows in impact year on year
In conjunction with the Student Trainer, to plan a programme of training and development activities for RA Committee members
To support RA Committees in accessing resources through the Students' Union and University
To ensure that RA Committee members have an outstanding volunteering experience

2. Finance and Administration

To ensure the provision of fair, democratic and free elections for RA Committee positions in every hall
In conjunction with other members of the Student Activities team, maintain a database of all students involved in Residence Associations, adhering to the Data Protection Act;
To oversee the financial procedures for RAs, ensuring that RAs can use their money for the benefit of students in a timely and accessible manner
To support the Students’ Union’s work towards suitable quality standards for services.

3. Health and safety

To ensure that all risk assessments linked to RA activities are properly recorded and reviewed appropriately
To work with RA Committees to ensure that all relevant health and safety procedures are understood and adhered to
To escalate issues relating to Health and Safety to the Student Activities Manager

4. Partnership Working

To work in partnership with the University residences team to ensure that RAs are contributing to key University strategies and are able to access support and facilities
To form a key part of the wider Students' Union team, engaging in wider planning and ensuring that RAs have opportunities to engage with other Students' Union activities such as RAG and Student Action

5.Media and communications

To contribute to the Students’ Union’s publications and information materials;
To update pages on the Students’ Union Website and other web based sites relating to all student activities as appropriate

GENERAL DUTIES OF ALL STAFF

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;
To contribute to the positive and professional image of the Union and not act in such a manner as to bring the Union into disrepute, and to portray a positive image, both internally and externally of the Union by displaying high standards of service, integrity, punctuality, politeness and professionalism;
To observe and uphold the requirements of the Constitution and Codes of Practice, and act at all times in accordance with policies, including equality of opportunity;
To undertake your own typing, filing, photocopying and other such tasks;
To 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 your Induction, Personal Review Programme, Departmental Staff 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;
To assist in key events throughout the year, including Welcome Festival/Freshers Week and any other key event, including elections, if necessary;
To support and manage volunteers appropriately in line with the Students’ Union volunteer policy; and
To be responsible for environmental consideration and environmental best practice.

PERSON SPECIFICATION – Residence Association Support Coordinator

CRITERIA / Requirement
QUALIFICATIONS
Good general education, typically to the Higher/A level equivalent / Essential
University/College Degree / Desirable
EXPERIENCE
Demonstrable experience of working effectively on own initiative / Essential
Personal experience of volunteering and/or supporting volunteers / Essential
Previous experience of budget holding or financial management/oversight / Essential
Previous experience of University Residence Associations or JCRs / Desirable
Previous experience in a democratically led organisation / Desirable
Previous experience of event management / Desirable
KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge and understanding of volunteer management, including how to motivate volunteers / Desirable
Knowledge of Health and Safety, particularly in the context of events and trips / Desirable
ATTRIBUTES/SKILLS
Ability to work effectively in a busy environment with competing demands and multiple priorities / Essential
The ability to work effectively in a team / Essential
Self starter with can do attitude / Essential
The ability to be creative and innovative / Essential
Exceptional Interpersonal and Communication Skills (Written and Oral) / Essential
Calm disposition especially under pressure / Essential
Able to create and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external partners / Essential
Able to overcome hurdles and problems in a constructive manner / Essential
IT competent with a working understanding of Microsoft Office / Essential
Able to work with a complex external organisation / Desirable
Sound project and event management skills / Desirable
VALUES AND ETHICS
Desire to work within a democratic student-led environment / Essential
Commitment to supporting student-led associations / Essential
Committed, positive, outgoing and approachable with a ‘can do’ attitude / Essential
Understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities / Essential
Desire to work within organisation servicing a culturally diverse membership / Essential
Demonstrably high standards of personal integrity / Essential