Course Rep Co-ordinator

For an application pack contact supersonnel@nottingham.ac.uk or call 0115 8468 775

Job Description

This job description is an outline of the main responsibilities of the post and may be subject to future amendment as deemed appropriate.  It should not be read as, nor is it intended to be, a complete statement of an individual’s contractual duties and responsibilities.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Support to Course Reps

·      Assist Schools and Departments in the election of Course Reps, including the email co-ordination of the elections process, preparing manifestos etc.

·      Liaise with University staff in order to ensure that an effective student representation system is in place at all levels across the University.

·      Keep the Course Rep database up to date, and register all Course Reps for the Students’ Union Moodle module.

·      Review and develop printed materials (e.g. Handbooks, checklists etc) to support Course Reps in their role.

·      In conjunction with the Education Network Manager, deliver effective training to Course Reps.

·      Act as the main point of contact for Course Reps, escalating issues to the Education Network Manager as appropriate.

·      In conjunction with the Communications Team, ensure the Course Reps area of the Students’ Union website is up-to-date and informative.

·      Co-ordinate an effective system of Course Rep accreditation including monitoring attendance at meetings and producing certificates.

·      Undertake administrative work as required to support the work of the department.  This includes distributing information packs, certificate preparation, ordering and distributing clothing orders, and staffing stalls.

Academic Representation

·      Maintain a database containing the outcomes of Learning Community Forum meetings across the University. 

·      Monitor the progress of student issues raised with the University through to completion.  Record this information on a database.

·      Further develop our academic representation activity through specific projects with Course Reps.

·      Analyse the quantitative and qualitative results of relevant surveys to produce reports.

·      Work with relevant stakeholders to promote the National Student Survey (and other surveys when required).  This will include organising a program of Course Rep lecture shout-outs.

Miscellaneous

a)  Carry out the duties in accordance with the policies of the Students’ Union which may from time to time be determined.

b)  Take the initiative on your own self development to update and develop your skills and abilities.

c)  Comply with Health and Safety in line with current Students’ Union policies and procedures.

d) Be responsible for observing and implementing good environmental practices in line with Union/Company Policies.

e)  Use corporate style in production of materials and documentation.

f)  Attend meetings, conferences and seminars as required in relation to the operation of the department, your role and the Students’ Union as a whole.

g) Perform such other duties as may be necessary within the scope of the job to meet the needs of the department and Students’ Union as directed from time to time by the Education Network Manager. 

h) The above responsibilities are detailed for guidance only. The Students’ Union is a dynamic organisation, responsive to the needs of our members. Other tasks will need to be undertaken in order to discharge the responsibilities of the post. Any permanent changes will be incorporated into the job description by agreement.  This job description does not constitute part of the contract of employment.

The Students' Union acts as the recognised representative body of all students at the University, and every student is automatically a member free of charge.  It promotes the interests and welfare of students, supporting and advising them.  It provides social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities, including forums for discussions and debates, for their personal development.  It is an integral and essential part of the University community and, as such, plays a full and active role in managing the affairs of the institution.  In 2010 the Students’ Union became a registered charity.

With an annual financial turnover of around eight million pounds, the Students' Union is very active in all areas of interest to its members.  It provides a comprehensive Advice Service to help students with academic, legal, financial and personal problems; finances Societies, the Athletic Union, a magazine, a theatre company and a radio station; it also has over 3000 volunteers in community projects.  Through its associated company, UNU Services Limited, it runs 3 Shops, a Bar and a Print Shop.

As a charity the Students’ Union is managed by a Board of Trustees which is responsible for the governance, management, strategy and budget of the Students’ Union.  The Trustees consist of 4 of the elected Student Officers and 4 appointed External Trustees.  The daily work of the Students’ Union is directed by an Executive Committee of elected Student Officers, with advice and support from staff.  The Executive is formed of nine Officers, eight of whom are Sabbatical Officers taking a year off from their studies, and employed by the Students' Union on a full-time basis.  One is a non-sabbatical Officer who is still engaged in full-time study.  Each Officer has his/her own individual responsibilities within the Executive.

The Students' Union employs over two hundred staff in its Commercial Services and Membership Services.  Around half of our staff are students who balance work with their studies and social lives.  Other staff work full-time, some are part-time and some are required only during term-time and thus work for just part of the year.  If you like working for and amongst young people, you will enjoy working for the University of Nottingham Students' Union.

The Staff Protocol precludes employed staff of the Students’ Union and UNU Services Limited from commenting publicly upon the policies and work of the Students’ Union and any bodies associated with it. Staff may not sit on any Committee of the Students’ Union other than in an advisory capacity and in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Protocol. Staff may not act as representatives of the Students’ Union. For these reasons it is considered inappropriate for Executive Officers to hold paid employment with the Students’ Union or UNU Services Limited. There also exists the potential for conflicts of interest, either actual or perceived, for Officers involved in the direction and management of staff to be themselves staff. Any person holding such employment would be expected to resign their post prior to taking up Office. There is a specific exemption to this policy in regard to Sabbatical Officers being paid to carry out their duties.

For reasons of continuing potential conflicts of interest, former Executive Officers of the Students’ Union will not be considered for paid employment with the Students’ Union, or UNU Services Limited, for a period of 2 years after their Term of Office has ended. This policy will not extend to former non-Sabbatical Officers taking casual or short-term contract employment. Such an exemption will not apply to former Sabbatical Officers, who are considered to have a greater potential for conflicts of interest because of their detailed knowledge and management of the Students’ Union and its staff.

Other former students of the University of Nottingham, not having been Executive Officers of the Students’ Union, may have had close involvement with particular areas of the Students’ Union and its work. In the event of an application for paid employment being received from a former student within 2 years of their having left the University, and having ascertained that they fulfil the selection criteria for the post, consideration will be given to the closeness of their involvement with the organisation and activities of the Students’ Union. In the case of close involvement such an application will not be considered for paid employment within the period of 2 years.

As a student-led organisation we recognise that working with us is likely to be very different from other organisations where you may have worked.  The Students’ Union is a vibrant place to work. The elected Executive Officers change yearly, and there are always a lot of new ideas to consider.  To work successfully in this role, you must be comfortable with such changes and be ready to adapt accordingly.

The Education Network office currently houses:

• The Education Network Manager (FT 1).

The aims of the department include supporting an effective academic representation system, campaigning for improvements to the student learning experience and developing policy that improves the academic life across the University.

The department supports a network of 1000 academic reps across all of the University of Nottingham UK campuses.  The Education Network office is available for Student Reps to drop in, and there are workstations for their use.

Salary Progression

·           Grade and Salary Scale: Grade 4a point 22 – 28, £18,362 - £21,111 p.a.

·           Starting Salary: £18,362

·           Salary Progression It is the normal expectation that staff are appointed at the first point of the salary scale, progressing incrementally along the scale with experience with the Students’ Union. The automatic increase is granted on 1^st January each year (where staff are in post prior to 1^st October), until the top of the scale is reached, usually within 3 years.  In addition, a cost of living award is made, normally effective from 1^st August each year, although we can never guarantee what the amount will be.

Hours and Status

·           Contract: Permanent

·           Hours: 35 hrs per week, normally Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm with ½ hour unpaid lunch break.

Generous holiday entitlement

·           Annual Leave entitlement:  23 days paid holiday rising with service to 28 days.

·           Additional days leave: As well as the above annual leave entitlement, there is an entitlement to the following: 8 bank holidays per year, approximately 5 University closure days and 2 Union days. 

·           Christmas Holidays: Most of the University closures and Union days (detailed above) fall at Christmas and Easter. As a result, the Students’ Union is usually closed for almost two weeks over Christmas and New Year.

Pension Provision

A Contributory Scheme:  NUSPS

Non-contributory occupational sick pay scheme, dependent upon joining the pension scheme.

For an application pack contact supersonnel@nottingham.ac.uk or call 0115 8468 775