1. Stakeholder Communication

• To be the Union’s lead member of staff in its communication with members and other stakeholders, including the press
• To develop and administer strategies to improve the Union’s communication with members and stakeholders, including the development and use of social and digital media in particular
• To ensure communications are legitimate, credible and relate to the Union’s core purpose, and not compromise the Union’s reputation or compliance with legislation or best practise, including the development of guidelines and conduct parameters
• To support the Union’s elected officials, staff and departments with communicating their unique and shared messages appropriately for best effect
• To promote a culture of shared responsibility for effective communication within and throughout the Union’s people and activities
• To be the lead member of staff for the development and administration of the Union’s online presence, including specifically the Union’s website and other online communication mechanisms
• To develop systems to encourage, and provide support for the entire Union to communicate effectively and appropriately online, such as developing and maintaining appropriate databases and records
• To be the lead liaison with external suppliers for the Union’s communication mechanisms, including website hosts and suppliers
• To support the press relations of the Union, in particular the elected officials, in reporting successes and achievements of the Union, but also in the handling of press enquiries relative to political developments within the local, regional and national context of Higher Education, and the storage of press releases and publications for future reference

1. Research

• To be the Union’s lead member of staff for the gathering of membership data
• To develop a schedule for the collection of membership data and to administer the Union’s data collection promoting consistency of message without irritation
• To develop a strategy and associated processes to enable the Union to collect the views of members through student-lead consultation exercises
• To make use of modern technologies to capture relevant, valuable and valid data from the membership
• To gather data that is relevant to the Union’s vision and strategies and the needs of Union operations and departmental objectives
• To analyse the National Student Survey annual results to highlight areas for targeted improvement and evidence of impact and improvement
• To support elected officials and departments of the Union in gathering valuable data
• Through leading the research function of the Union support its departments in understanding the wants and needs of the membership as required

1. General duties

§  To uphold and contribute to the health and safety agenda of the Union

§  To support the strategy and direction of the Students’ Union, promoting cross-departmental working with other managers, staff and officers wherever possible

§  To support and advise student officers and representatives in the fulfilment of their duties

§  To contribute to the planning, delivery and review of the Union’s Strategic Plan and the vision set therein

§  To work in close and appropriate collaboration with Student officers to develop new schemes and projects and to help them formulate and achieve their goals and objectives

§  To actively contribute to the positive image of The Union with staff, Student officers, Students, the University and other relevant stakeholders

• To attend and participate in staff and other Union meetings as required
• To attend such training courses, meetings, conferences and events as relevant to the post or otherwise agreed
• To identify, design and provide training sessions for staff and or officers as appropriate to the role
• To fulfil any other duties as reasonably requested
• To contribute to and support Union events such as Student Welcome and Induction events, Summer Balls and other one-off type events across all sites as reasonably required
• To support the wider work of the Representation and Connections Department through such activities as elections, training of student officers, assisting the development of Course Representatives and supporting the work of elected Sabbatical and other officers
• To fulfil any other duties which may be deemed reasonably necessary for the furtherance and efficiency of The Union

Notes

1.    UCSU considers ongoing training as essential for the development of both its staff and the organisation. It is expected that the post-holder will be able to participate in training opportunities that are relevant to his/her duties as outlined above.

2.    This job description is subject to alteration at any point, pending consultation with the post holder.

3.    The nature of the post will, at times, require additional commitment over and above normal office hours, including occasional residential conferences and training events, though it is not envisaged that this will ever be excessive. Payment for these hours is incorporated in the salary offered and time is managed through the flexible annualised scheme.

Some Union roles will require CRB clearance in order to safeguard children and vulnerable people with whom we work as per the relevant Union policies

For more details or to download the application pack please visit www.ucsu.me or contact the Students' Union direct on (01228) 616253 or (01524) 590810