Student Adviser

Student Adviser
Temporary 12 Month Fixed Term Position
£25,627 Per Annum (Grade 5.1)

The role offers an excellent working environment and benefits package including generous personal development opportunities and 34 days annual leave, plus eight paid public holidays. During the initial training and probationary period, the post holder will be asked to engage with training to ensure they are comfortable and competent in role. The post holder will also be given support to undertake an Institute of Leadership and Management Diploma. Full training and supervision will be provided.

The Organisation

Cardiff University Students’ Union (CUSU) has a vision of working with every Cardiff student to enhance their university experience. As a student-led, independent part of the university, CUSU represents students and provides a diverse and inclusive range of activities and services that enrich student life. These include advice, training, skills development, volunteering opportunities, employment and other services that promote inclusion, friendship and personal development. CUSU supports over 200 student societies and 60 sports clubs that boast more than 10,000 members. CUSU is also the recognised voice of students at Cardiff University, joining students in campaigning about the issues important to them. 

CUSU is based on Park Place and at the Heath Park campus, employing over 100 permanent staff and 300 student staff. The trading subsidiary of CUSU, Cardiff Union Services Limited, manages a purpose-built facility in the centre of Cardiff and operates cafes, shops, bars and events that help fund CUSU’s charitable activities. The organisation achieved 1* accreditation and ranked 56th in the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Not-for-Profit organisations 2020, and featured in The Best Companies to Work For in Wales 2020 top 30 list. CUSU has achieved Investors in Diversity Stage 3 and ranked 65th in the National Centre for Diversity (NCFD) Top 100 index in 2020.  CUSU aspires to have a positive impact on the wider community in Cardiff, and won the Best Students’ Union in Wales in the NUS Awards 2020, and UK third place in the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2020). 

Student Advice 

The Student Advice departments provides free, confidential and independent advice, guidance and information to the students of Cardiff University. The service empowers students with objective information, and explains options, so that they may make decisions in their own best interests. Our team also accompany and represent students through University disciplinary and regulatory procedures.

The Student Advice team champion student wellbeing through the delivery of a range of prevention-based initiatives, campaigns, workshops and peer-support opportunities. Our passionate team work closely with an enthusiastic and committed team of in-house student volunteers, and we provide support and development for larger networks of welfare-based Student Led Services. The team works closely with our elected Sabbatical Officers and University colleagues to ensure the voices of students are heard and our clients' experiences inform policy creation and bring about positive change to the student experience.

Full Time Hours 

The successful candidate will be required to engage with 35 hours of work per week. These hours must generally be worked Monday – Friday 09:00 – 17:00, with an hour per day unpaid for lunch and breaks. The role requires occasional work outside of this working pattern to support events, campaigns, undertake personal/professional development and other commitments commemurate with the post. 

The Role 

This is a central post within the Student Advice department. Under the direction of the Head of Student Advice & Wellbeing, the post holder will provide specialist, high quality, independent and confidential advice, guidance and representation to the members of Cardiff University Students’ Union. Utilising specialist knowledge and experience the post holder will advise on a variety of difficult academic, disciplinary, housing, employment consumer and wellbeing matters. This position is expected to provide support and problem solve with students with complex needs and circumstances. At the heart of our service we seek to empower students with knowledge of their options, through guidance and coaching. You will be required to operate in accordance with strict case management protocols, and in compliance with the policies and procedures of the Students’ Union. 

Using a person centred approach the holder of the role will advocate for and represent clients through formal university processes, protecting and defending those client’s interests, and where possible using situational judgement to facilitate the student’s own voice. Where clients disagree with the outcome of a formal process, this role will also work with those clients to seek review of the decision from Senior University Staff and the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education. Such cases will often be legally and emotionally difficult, and will require professional strength and experience. 

In addition, the post holder will work closely with colleagues and partners to coordinate and facilitate a framework of initiatives, projects, events and activities that promote the interests and wellbeing of students. As well as supporting students, the post holder will need to work closely with the elected sabbatical officer team to ensure the voices and experiences of Student Advice clients are understood. The successful candidate will supervise and support junior career staff, casual staff and volunteers. 

The Person

As the successful candidate, you will be able to demonstrate experience in advising and supporting a broad range of clients through a range of academic, housing and/or socio-legal matters. 

You will have a background working in a relevant legal or advisory environment, where you will have provided advice, guidance or representation to customers or clients. 

You will be resilient and confident in representing and advocating for your client through formal university processes. You will be a powerful and transformative representative for students. 

You will be passionate about promoting the rights and interests of our students. You will understand the University experience and will have experience in a dynamic environment that strives for excellence. 

You will have exceptional interpersonal skills and appreciate the importance of emotionally intelligent customer service. You will have exceptional written and verbal communication skills 

You will be assertive where necessary, but willing to find resolution, manage conflict and will be able to bridge understanding between different people, with different perspectives. 

You will appreciate the importance of working as part of a team and will be someone your team will look forward to seeing and working with every day. 

You will relish an opportunity to solve problems and enjoy the challenge of getting the most out of resources through effective planning.  You will be comfortable managing multiple deadlines and conflicting priorities and will strive for excellence in everything you commit yourself to. 

You will have exceptional ICT skills and be willing to learn new software packages. 

You will be conscientious and ambitious, with a commitment to personal and professional development. You will have initiative, energy and enthusiasm. 

Most importantly you will be genuinely excited by the prospect of having a positive impact on student welfare and improving the student experience of 33,000 students. 

For further information and to apply for the role, please visit: https://www.cardiffstudents.com/about-cusu/workforus/vacancies/

Please note, we reserve the right to close this position early. We would urge candidates to submit an application as early as possible.

The closing date for applications for this position is Sunday 16 May 2021.