Campaigns and Equality Coordinator RECRUITMENT PACK February 2019
WELCOME Thank you for your interest in the position of Campaigns and Equality Coordinator at Kent Union. We have achieved a great deal in the last few years, more than doubling in size to our current £12million turnover, 500 employees and 2,000+ volunteers. We were re-accredited with Investor in People Gold status in December 2014, and were accredited with Leaders in Diversity in 2013; we were the first student’s union in the UK to achieve Investing in Volunteers status and we have been included in the Sunday Times 100 Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work For, for 9 years, placed 38th for 2018. The Representation and Democracy Department is fundamental to Kent Union, giving our members a voice in the University, their local community and nationally. We represent their interests and campaign on important issues both with and for them. The department has had significant change over the last three years with the review of our democratic systems this past year that has led to a reconstruction of our full time and part time officer team. Campaigning is at the heart of what we do. From the Anti-Apartheid Movement in the 1990’s to our current work on sexual assault and harassment, standing up for students is part of our ethos and something we are proud to champion. As Campaigns and Equality Coordinator you will support our Full and Part-Time Officers in their campaigns, with a particular focus on coordinating liberation activity. You will also provide guidance to the organisation on equality, diversity and inclusivity issues and will support and advise the Union’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee. The successful candidate will have up to date knowledge of equality, diversity and inclusivity policy, and demonstrable experience of supporting liberation campaigns. This pack should provide everything you need to support your application. It contains: Job description and person specification Copy of full advert Summary conditions of appointment Summary governance and management arrangements Application and selection process and timetable If you require further information, please contact Jonathan Ako on 01227 824915, email
[email protected] or visit http://www.kentunion.co.uk/careers/ Thanks Jonathan Ako Interim Head of Representation & Democracy
WHY WORK FOR US? We’re Bold You’ll be working for an organisation that is innovative and challenges the status quo to stand up for students and ensure they have the best time at University. You’ll get to directly shape what we do and pioneer new areas of work.
We’re Supportive We offer 37* days of annual leave, time off for volunteering, ability to occasionally work from home and an optional pension scheme. We’re also flexible as we understand that life isn’t 9-5 and we’ll always look at how we can best adapt to meet your needs.
We’re Inclusive We are an organisation that champions equality and diversity and works to embed this in everything we do. We positively encourage applications from all individuals irrespective of their gender, age, ethnicity, sexuality, religious beliefs or disability.
And It’s Great Fun! We are always working hard to improve the student experience but we have a great time doing it. You’ll be joining a team of passionate and friendly people and get to be involved in all the incredibly random fun things we do that make Students’ Unions such amazing and unique places to work.
*Entitled to 23 days’ leave, increasing by 1 day a year to a maximum of 28 days; 6 ‘customary’ days’ leave, normally taken over Christmas; and the 8 statutory leave days for England. Total entitlement is therefore 37 days in year 1, rising to 42 days after 5 years.
THE ROLE Job Description – Campaigns and Equality Coordinator Department: Representation and Democracy Reports to: Interim Head of Representation and Democracy Role Purpose: The post holder will support elected officers in their campaigns and coordinate Kent Union’s equality, diversity and inclusivity activity. Duties and Responsibilities Operational Duties:
1. To widen member participation in all areas of Kent Union’s activity. 2. To develop knowledge of equality, diversity and inclusivity policies and keep abreast of relevant legislation such as the Equality Act. To monitor legislation and issues affecting members providing advice and guidance across the organisation where necessary. 3. Support and advise the Union’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee, through providing reports and attending committee meetings. 4. Provide a key point of contact for the University EDI Officer. 5. Gather and analyse data to support departments in widening engagement. 6. Support elected officers by coordinating liberation campaigns including events such as Black History Month, Disability History Month, LGBT+ History Month and International Women’s Day. 7. Support Full Time Officers in the delivery of their campaigns, through research and best practice, planning, production of campaign materials and co-ordination of events and promotion of the campaign. Particularly our campaign Zero Tolerance against sexual assault and discrimination. 8. Ensuring campaigns and activities are inclusive, reflecting the values in Kent Union’s new strategy for 2017-2020. 9. To ensure the health and safety of volunteers, staff, customers and suppliers at all times, in line with the Union’s Health and Safety Policy, EDI policy, Wellbeing policy and appropriate Health and Safety legislation. 10. To ensure excellence in customer service, making sure that customers’ expectations are exceeded whenever possible 11. To undertake other tasks and responsibilities compatible with the level and nature of the post and in support of Kent Union’s plan, as required by the Interim Head of Representation and Democracy. Expected Behaviours:
1. To attend training sessions, and appropriate meetings as and when required by Kent Union. 2. To contribute to the positive image of Kent Union with students, University and the local community. 3. To demonstrate understanding of the organisations democratic structures.
4. To ensure all systems to reduce Kent Unions’ impact on the environment are adhered to. 5. To act as an ambassador for Kent Union and show loyalty to the organisation, abiding by the Union’s Constitution, policies and procedures at all times. Responsibility for Health and Safety 1. To implement Kent Union’s Health and Safety Policy, ensuring that all volunteers comply. 2. To ensure the health and safety of our members through the completion of training, risk assessments, safety checks, inventories, event planning and trip lists in line with Kent Union’s Health and Safety Policy. Responsibility for Development
1. To work with the Interim Head of Representation & Democracy and Head of Volunteer Management and Graduate Employability to co-ordinate and deliver training and development programmes for part-time officers. Working with Volunteers:
1. To work with the Volunteer Development team in aligning our volunteers behind Kent Unions Charitable Purpose; implementing best practice in volunteer management, including although not limited to inducting and training volunteers, performance management of volunteers, rewarding and recognising volunteers and providing regular support to our volunteers (in particular, Part-Time Officers).
This job description does not form part of the contract of employment.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR Person Specification – Campaigns and Equality Coordinator Essential requirements should be demonstrated before appointment and maintained in post. Desirable elements should be developed and maintained once in post as needed Qualifications Essential Desirable Tested at Tested at Interview application Educated to degree level or equivalent X X Appropriate volunteering qualification X X Appropriate training qualification X X Experience Experience of designing, planning and delivering effective campaigns, both personally and through empowering others, ideally volunteers Experience of working with, supporting and empowering volunteers and/or elected officers to deliver organisational objectives
X
X
X
X
X
Experience of developing, planning and delivering training programmes, in particular soft skills training
X
X
X
Experience of supporting elections in Students’ Unions or similar organisations
X
X
X
Experience of working with volunteers within the representation sector
X
X
X
X
X
X
A thorough understanding of equality, diversity and inclusivity policy and legislation
X
X
X
A good knowledge of how to run effective campaigns utilising a range of tactics and communication tools
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Experience of successfully managing projects to deliver organisational objectives
X
Knowledge
A good understanding of best practice in student representation and engagement in a learning environment Knowledge of campaigns, issues and policy relevant to ‘protected characteristics groups’ as defined by the Equality Act 2010.
X
Skills and Abilities Ability to operate effectively in a complex environment, with the political skills and acumen to develop productive relationships with a range of people
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to relate to and communicate effectively with people at all levels and to explain sensitive issues appropriately. An effective and highly capable individual who is punctual, friendly and has a positive attitude, takes pride in own work and that of team members and provides the highest standards of customer service Values & Behaviors
X
X
X
X
X
X
Evidence of a personal commitment to continuing professional development A commitment to equality of opportunity; someone who builds a culture of inclusivity and removes barriers to diversity A team player, who helps others build a successful team, celebrates others’ success and supports others to achieve individual and team goals A strong commitment to working in a democratic and membership organisation, with the ability to empower and build constructive relationships with elected officers
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
JOB ADVERT Campaigns and Equality Coordinator Annual Salary £19,758 35 hours per week Generous Pension Scheme 37 days annual leave We are a successful, vibrant and exciting organisation with a bright future ahead of us. We have achieved a great deal in the last few years, more than doubling in size to our current £12 million turnover, 500 employees and 2,000+ volunteers. We were re-accredited with Investor in People Gold status in December 2014, and were accredited with Leaders in Diversity in 2013; we were the first student’s union in the UK to achieve Investing in Volunteers status and we have been included in the Sunday Times 100 Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work For, for 9 years, placed 38th for 2018. The Representation and Democracy Department is fundamental to Kent Union, giving our members a voice in the University, their local community and nationally. We represent their interests and campaign on important issues both with and for them. The department has had significant change over the last three years with the review of our democratic systems this past year that has led to a reconstruction of our full time and part time officer team. Campaigning is at the heart of what we do. From the Anti-Apartheid Movement in the 1990’s to our current work on sexual assault and harassment, standing up for students is part of our ethos and something we are proud to champion. As Campaigns and Equality Coordinator you will support our Full and Part-Time Officers in their campaigns, with a particular focus on coordinating liberation activity. You will also provide guidance to the organisation on equality, diversity and inclusivity issues and will support and advise the Union’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee. The successful candidate will have up to date knowledge of equality, diversity and inclusivity policy, and demonstrable experience of supporting liberation campaigns. For an informal conversation about this opportunity, please contact Jonathan Ako on 01227 824915 or
[email protected] . For an application pack, please visit http://www.kentunion.co.uk/careers/ Closing date for applications: Interview:
Monday 11 March 2019 - midday Wednesday 20 March 2019
A BIT ABOUT US Summary Our Belief We believe every student at the University of Kent should have the opportunity to try out new experiences, have fun, make new friends and be part of a community; we believe every student should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential in life, have a voice in society and make a difference. We believe that Kent Union is integral to empowering students to realise this belief. Our Mission We are a charity that supports students at the University of Kent; we:
Stand up for students Help them have the best time at Kent Union Prepare them for life after Kent
Our Values
Bold – we are brave and courageous; we stand up for students’ rights; we are innovative and we challenge the status quo Inclusive - we welcome all people and appreciate their uniqueness; we are champions of equality and diversity Supportive – we look out for people; we want students to succeed in life so we offer transformative experiences for them to get involved in; we ensure our staff have a healthy worklife balance
Legal Status Kent Union is an unincorporated association and a registered charity. The Union has a Board of Trustees, which is legally responsible for all aspects of the organisation. Democratic Structures Kent Union is a membership organisation; all students at the University of Kent are automatically members of Kent Union. The membership provides strategic and political direction through the Union’s democratic structures, including referenda, the Annual General Meeting, Change It, our online platform and seven elected Trustees. The Trustees The Trustees of Kent Union are the five ‘sabbatical officers’, four ‘external’ trustees and four ‘student’ trustees. The sabbatical officers and two of the student trustees are elected each year by and from the student membership of Kent Union. The sabbatical officers take a year out of their studies (or immediately after graduating) to serve as a trustee; they can stand for re-election for a second year if they choose, but can serve for no more than two years. Unlike the trustees of most registered charities, the sabbatical officers are paid a living allowance and work a normal working week. The four student trustees have all the responsibilities of being a trustee, but are still studying and fulfil their duties on a ‘part-time’ and voluntary basis. Two of the four student trustees are elected by cross-
campus ballot and take office on 1 July each year; the other two student trustees are selected via a recruitment process in the October of each year. Staff and Management Structure Kent Union employs approximately 500 staff to provide services for its members. Staff are of two types – approximately 350 student staff, who work whilst completing their studies at the University of Kent; and approximately 150 career staff – professionals who have made working at Kent Union part of their career. The Board of Trustees oversees the work of staff through the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team, who in turn manage staff through the 8 senior managers, each of whom is responsible for one of the Union’s Departments or a strategic function.
THE IMPORTANT HR BIT Summary Salary This role is at Grade 4 point 1 on Kent Union’s pay scale, starting salary is £19,758. Staff normally move up one incremental point annually. Probationary arrangements This post is subject to a 6-month probationary period, with 1, 3 and 6-month reviews. Notice Period The notice period for this position is one month. Annual Leave Entitlement The post holder is entitled to 23 days’ leave, increasing by 1 day a year to a maximum of 28 days; 6 ‘customary’ days’ leave, normally taken over Christmas; and the 8 statutory leave days for England. Total entitlement is therefore 37 days in year 1, rising to 42 days after 5 years. Pension The post holder is entitled to join the Superannuation Arrangements of the University of London (SAUL), CARE pension scheme with salary sacrifice, in which Kent Union contributes 16% and employees contribute 6% of salary. Alternatively, the post holder can join a personal pension scheme through Scottish Equitable, in which Kent Union contributes 6% and employees contribute 3% of salary. Hours of Work The contracted hours are 35 hours per week; additional hours where deemed necessary with occasional evenings or weekends. Work-Life Balance Kent Union is committed to facilitating a healthy work-life balance and has cutting edge flexible working policies, including extensive maternity, paternity and grand-parent leave; generous adoption and parental leave entitlement; facilities for sabbatical leave; the option to work from home on occasion and time off for volunteering. Equality of Opportunity Kent Union is committed to the principles of equality of opportunity and will endeavour to meet the needs of any candidate who fulfils the requirements of the person specification.
HOW TO APPLY Application and Selection Process and Timetable Applications close: Interviews in Canterbury:
Monday 11 March - midday Wednesday 20 March
Applications To apply please download and complete an application form from our recruitment website http://www.kentunion.co.uk/careers/ and email it, along with the Equal Opportunities Monitoring form to
[email protected]; please ensure that you pay particular attention in your application to detailing how you meet the requirements of the person specification. The Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form will be separated from applications prior to short-listing. Completed applications must be received by 11 March midday. Website Kent Union’s website contains further background information about Kent Union to help potential applicants. Potential applicants are encouraged to look at the website prior to applying; the website address is www.kentunion.co.uk Further Information and Questions For an informal conversation, further information or any questions about this opportunity, please contact Jonathan Ako, Interim Head of Representation & Democracy on 01227 824 915.
