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Vice President Learning

Job Position:               Students’ Union Vice President – Learning (sabbatical)

Start Date:                  1 August 2024

Hours of work:           Part-time, 15 hours per week, times to be agreed, Monday-Friday

                                     (commitment to work outside of regular working days on occasion)

Location of work:       RAU Campus (hybrid working does not apply) SU office based

Contract:                        Fixed term contract starting on 1st August 2024 and ending on 31st July 2025

Grade/Salary:             £5580 pa

Induction:                   3-4 days during July/August 2023 (compulsory)

                                     Attend NUS Lead & Change – 30th July to 1st Aug 2024

 

Qualification for the role

Must be a current student at the Royal Agricultural University when elected and be a Full Member of the Union. Must also be able to declare legal capacity to serve as a Trustee and Company Director under charity and Company Law.

Main Purpose of the Role

The Vice President – Learning is representative of the academic aspects of the RAU student experience alongside the President.  The Vice President – Learning is also a Director of the company, a Trustee of the Charity and an elected student representative. Together with the President, the Vice President - Learning ensures that students are represented academically at every level within the University, locally and nationally. 

Main Duties

  1. To report to the Students’ Union Executive, representing all students’ academic interests
  2. To sit on the Students’ Union Board of Trustees
  3. To work alongside the Students’ Union President to represent student views relating to all aspects of their academic experience
  4. To work alongside the Students’ Union President to manage the Course Representative system, including elections  
  5. To actively contribute and work towards the development of the Students’ Union strategy and its objectives
  6. To work in partnership with the SU Director to help them achieve the vision and objectives of the organisation and to help drive the strategic planning process
  7. To work in partnership with relevant Students’ Union staff in all areas of work
  8. To co-lead the Student Voice Forum, engaging with Course Representatives, gathering and acting upon academic feedback
  9. To be the lead representative for academic matters including issues relating to postgraduate academic quality, learning and teaching as well as the academic welfare of postgraduate students at the University
  10. To work with key staff within the University to help them understand the academic views and needs of students and to liaise with the University
  11. To be the lead contact for the University on the FFS initiative (Farming & Food Sustainability)
  12. To attend Academic Board, the Learning Teaching and Assessment Committee (LTAC) and other academic committees as appropriate
  13. To actively and regularly campaign on issues relating to students’ academic experience
  14. To meet regularly with key stakeholders from the University and local community
  15. To work with Union staff to actively promote yourself and promote the work of the Students’ Union, encouraging students to engage and maximise the opportunities available to them
  16. To ensure the completion of points raised in your manifesto and run campaigns alongside your fellow Officers
  17. To uphold the core values of the Students’ Union and be an ambassador for the Students’ Union
  18. To support activities such as University open days, Welcome Week and official Students’ Union events
  19. To undertake any other duties commensurate with the post

Benefits of the Role

  • In-depth knowledge of the workings of the Students’ Union and the University
  • Competitive salary
  • Training and personal development opportunities tailored to the individual role
  • Experience of leading, developing and supporting campaigns for change
  • Support from Students’ Union staff
  • Practical real-life experience
  • Develop leadership skills and gain experience of leading an organisation
  • A reference for future employers

As a Trustee you will:

  • Attend and contribute to Board of Trustees meetings
  • Ensure that the Students’ Union acts in accordance with its charitable objectives, constitution and other guiding documents and, in particular, remains true to its Mission, Vision and Values
  • Ensure that the Students’ Union complies with all relevant legislation and regulations, including relevant charity acts and education acts
  • Develop and deliver the Students’ Union strategic plan, policies and procedures
  • Ensure that the Students’ Union does not undertake activities that put its financial stability, members or reputation and undue risk
  • Ensure the Students’ Union keeps proper financial accounts and records
  • Work with other trustees, staff and volunteers in a constructive manner and for the greater good of the Students’ Union
  • Participate fully in Board meetings
  • Seek external professional advice where they may be material risk to the Students’ Union or where the Trustees may be in breach of their duties, or at any other appropriate moment.
  • Add value to the Board and the Students’ Union through generating ideas, challenging the status quo, broadening thinking, and supporting and promoting innovation and creativity
  • Add value to the Board and the Students’ Union through generating ideas, challenging the status quo, broadening thinking, and supporting and promoting innovation and creativity

Eligibility Criteria to be a Company Director and Charity Trustee

Aged 18+ so as to be able to enter into contracts

Must NOT have been declared bankrupt, been party to bankruptcy proceedings or have entered into a composition or arrangement with their creditors which includes an individual voluntary arrangement and must not still be on the Insolvency Service Register

Must NOT have been banned from being a company director by a court / be subject to a disqualification order under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986

Must never have been convicted of an offence involving deception or dishonesty, unless the conviction is spent;

Must never have been previously removed from trusteeship of a charity by the Court or by the Charity Commission

Please also note that students who have been dealt with in accordance with the RAU Disciplinary Procedure are not eligible to stand for any elected position.

This is a description of the post as it is presently constituted. The Students’ Union reserves the right to periodically examine an employee’s Job Description and update or amend it in order to ensure it delivers the need of the Union.