We are looking for a Student Adviser to join our Advice team, helping students navigate challenges and make the most of their time at UAL. You’ll offer one-to-one and group advice on a range of academic (including appeals, academic misconduct, complaints and extenuating circumstances) and housing issues, signposting students to other useful services when needed. Sometimes you’ll act as an advocate for students in university meetings or help them put together a strong case to get the outcome they’re hoping for. You’ll also play a big role in ensuring our AQS accredited service is a centre for excellence, conducting student outreach activities, creating engaging informational resources and representing student interest in key university committees. While casework will be your primary duty, you’ll be working a varied role where no two days are the same while making a real difference to students’ lives.

You’ll be an excellent communicator who can explain complex regulations in a clear, friendly way. We’re looking for someone who’s approachable, empathetic, and committed to supporting students with experience giving advice or providing welfare or support services. You’ll need to bring exceptional organisational skills to manage a dynamic caseload, staying calm under pressure and handling sensitive information with confidentiality and respect. Knowledge of housing or academic advice is a big plus and an understanding of the issues facing students in higher education will help you hit the ground running. Most importantly, you’ll be someone who genuinely cares about inclusivity and work to ensure that every student feels heard, respected and supported by our service and the wider union.

JOB PURPOSE

Providing 1:1 and group advice to students on areas including but not limited to academic issues, housing and general sign-posting.
Coordinate Advice Service’s College outreach programme.
Contribute to the Advice Service’s strategic and operational planning.
Provide occasional support for student officers on specific projects in line with plans.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for providing 1:1 and group advice to students to students on areas including, but not limited to, academic issues, housing and general sign-posting.
• Undertake casework with students on a 1:1 and group basis which will involve contact with students face-to-face, over the telephone, via email and online.
• Provide impartial advice on a students’ options considering legislation, relevant regulations and University procedures. Assist a student inputting together their case, advising on the best way to achieve the outcome they want.
• Where appropriate, act as an advocate of students in non-legal dealings primarily with the University, and, on occasion with external parties – this will include official meetings and panels help by the university and occasionally writing to the university on behalf of students.
• Provide basic housing and rental advice and information including (but not limited to) deposits, guarantors, disputes and contract/tenancy reviews.
• Provide individual feedback on student submissions, not limited to extenuating circumstances, appeals and complaints
• Contribute to Advice Service’s College outreach
• Host colleague drop-in session/appointments across UAL’s multiple London sites, often alone when it’s safe to do so.
• Work closely with other teams in the SU to deliver and improve the Advice Service’s college outreach.
• Contribute to timely interventions through resources, activities and/or events on common advice issues to support students.
• Liaise with Union and University staff to support student community building across the colleges.
• Contribute to the Advice Service and wider organization and strategic
• Provide information relating to advice work for key reports and meetings as required by the Advice Service Manager.
• Contribute to strategic planning discussions by putting forward and implementing ideas for improvements to the Advice Service based on evidence.
• Contribute to operational planning by planning specific tasks and projects that contribute to the work of the Advice Service.
• Contribute to the promotion of the service – including the creation of publications, resources and emails.
• Contribute research projects relating to the Advice Service and students, including running surveys, collating secondary research, and investigating areas where there are knowledge gaps in service provision.
• Contribute to information packs and briefings in relation to the University’s regulations or the regulations of an external body.
• Contribute to the equality, diversity and inclusion of the Union by putting forward and implementing ideas for improvement based on evidence.
• Provide occasional support for student officers on specific projects in-line with plans
• Advise student officers on how to plan and undertake specific projects as delegated by the Advice Service Manager.
• Provide student officers with briefings ahead of key university meetings and/or debriefs as delegated by the Advice Service Manager.
• Undertake specific elements of a project which may include arranging meetings, ordering publicity, finding specific information or statistics.

Benefits and perks:

Our staff enjoy working in a dynamic and supportive environment that prioritises their personal and professional development. Our annual staff satisfaction survey shows that staff value the opportunities they have to learn and grow within their roles. We perform highest in the areas of personal development, relation- ships with managers, work atmosphere, and relationships with colleagues.

Generous holiday entitlement (over 40 days)
A summer 4 day working week
Family Friendly policy
Cycle to Work scheme
NUS TOTUM staff discount
Flexible working
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Long service award
Free staff places on UAL short courses

Check our website for the JD & PS – https://www.arts-su.com/union/jobs/careers/