Charity registered in Scotland SC046142
The Highlands and Islands Students' Association (HISA) represents around 40,000 students across the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).
The Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (the Students’ Association) is a representative body for students at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), one of the most exciting education providers in the country with a focus on tertiary education.
It's an exciting time to join the Association: we have just recruited a new CEO, due to start in December, and following a restructure, this role (Director of Student Engagement and Representation) and the role of Director of Operations were created with staffing changes to other roles within the Student Engagement department too.
If you are passionate about changing the lives of students and ensuring they are integral to enhancing the student experience, this could be the role for you… The role will provide strategic leadership, direction and drive in relation to the Students’ Association’s services, representation and opportunities for members. The successful candidate will be responsible for student representation – both in terms of democratically elected Representatives and Class Reps, democracy and governance. You would be responsible for supporting and coaching the staff as well as empowering student leaders to achieve excellence, fostering a culture where staff and students can create positive change.
UHI is unique in its geography; this role will have oversight of the development of each of the regions whilst developing and maintaining positive relationships with each of the Academic Partners.
We need a CEO with exceptional communication skills and sound emotional intelligence to provide outstanding leadership, managerial support, and to build conducive relationships with our academic partners.
About HISA
The Highlands and Islands Students’ Association is a charitable membership organisation. Our mission is to represent all students studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and its twelve partners, spanning a 550+ mile geographic range.
UHI possesses a distinctively inclusive educational model. It enables students to begin their academic journey with no qualifications and progress through every academic level, up to and including attaining a PhD. Given the range of courses, variety of locations and educational backgrounds, our student members are notably diverse in their identities, wants and needs.
Over the last decade, we have secured investment and expanded our team from 3 to 30 staff members. This expansion enables us to work intimately with our 21 different elected officers and provide the necessary support for them to be effective in their roles.
We focus on addressing the specific needs of our students at the grassroots level, regardless of their location but have also a key role to play at a regional level, amplifying the student voice to UHI centrally as well as locally.
As an organisation aiming for further growth and operational enhancement, it is crucial that we continue to evolve. We aim to do this while staying true to our core objectives – supporting class representatives, elected leaders, clubs, societies, and leading campaigns.
About the role
In addition to providing leadership and managerial support to our internal teams, we need a Chief Executive who can promote collaborative and collegial relationships with the leadership teams at UHI and our twelve delivery partners.
Who we are looking for
Our ideal Chief Executive should possess exceptional communication skills, emotional intelligence, and have the capacity to serve as an ambassador for a variety of senior stakeholders.
Our people are our greatest asset. We pride ourselves on fostering a positive, welcoming, and inclusive work culture.
It is imperative that our Chief Executive is an inclusive leader who can guide with integrity, exemplifying positive values and behaviours.
Important information: a successful candidate will be expected to work from one of the relevant campuses part of the week. This role is hybrid with home working & on-site at Perth (SVA Perth) or Thurso, Dornoch or Alness (SVA North Highland)
Main Purpose of Role
HISA is a membership-led organisation, and its primary purpose is to be the recognised representative of students to the University of the Highlands and Islands. To do this effectively, it is crucial that the student voice of our members is strong and heard by the institutions.
The main purpose of the Student Voice Assistant role is to facilitate and empower the student's voice and engage with students, elected officers, and external stakeholders to further the improvement of the student experience.
The role will also be a key point of contact for HISA activities at the local Academic Partner, which is supported by our Regional teams and Assistant Voice Managers.
Key Responsibilities
Student Voice and Student Engagement
Stakeholder Engagement
General
Benefits
- 27 days of annual leave (pro rata)
- Bank Holidays & Christmas Closure days off
- Enhanced Occupational Sick Pay
- Flexible & hybrid working patterns
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- CPD & training support opportunities
- paid travel & accommodation for events and in-person meetings
- Office HQ in Inverness
Notes
IMPORTANT
Please download the Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form prior to clicking Apply!
Please review the Person Specification from the Job Description & Person Spec document and complete the application according to the requirements.
Main Purpose of the role:
HISA is a membership-led organisation and its primary purpose is to be the recognised representative of students to the University of the Highlands and Islands. To do this effectively, it is crucial that the student voice of our members is strong and heard by the institutions.
The role of Assistant Voice Manager will provide front-line support to our Local Officers and support the delivery of Students’ Association activities on a local level. In addition to overseeing Local Officers, this role will also involve managing three part- time members of staff. Inverness College and two specialist establishments- Highland Theological College and Centre for Health Science. The role will involve setting workloads for staff and having regular one - to - one sessions.
As Assistant Manager, you will offer guidance and support to local officers in a busy, student lead office environment, helping student leaders to be as impactful as possible. You will also support engagement in high - level meetings, such as Board of Management meetings and provide briefing and meeting support where needed. You will also encourage engagement at all levels through communications and activities.
Key Responsibilities
Officer Support
• Coordinate the induction, training, and development of elected officers and provide practical research and advice to representatives on the development of their campaigns and policy priorities.
• Facilitate meetings and communication with key members of college staff, and key external stakeholders on behalf of the local officers.
• Support the local elected officers in the operational running of events, campaigns and activities and their day to day roles.
• Help prepare local officers for Board of Management meetings and other committees.
• Assist in the production of reports from the local officers.
Student Voice
• Work in partnership with the local UHI Academic Partner to support the activities, communications and running of the HISA Student Voice system.
• Coordinate the training and development of Student Voice representatives, supporting them to engage in the Quality Assurance structure of the College at all levels.
• Coordinate and support the delivery of election campaigns, encouraging all students to participate.
Student Engagement
• To support and help develop local clubs, societies and activities.
• Be a permanent point of contact and liaison between the local officers and the UHI Academic Partner; and through this build good relationships and promote partnership working with college staff
• Coordinate the delivery of local communications with members, ensuring regular, relevant and accessible information is shared through a range of channels.
General
• To adhere to all relevant HISA policy, procedures and governing documents at all times.
• To undertake appropriate training and development as required for the role.
• To undertake any other duties appropriate to the role, role grade and organisation, within their competence as required by management, to provide operational cover or support for colleagues including absence and periods of peak workload as required.
• It may be necessary for the post-holder to work out of hours on occasion e.g. to cover events and extended office opening hours. A system of time off in lieu will operate to cover this.
• A degree of travel between campuses will be expected.
Person Specification
Qualifications, Training and Experience
Essential:
• Education to HND level or equivalent experience
• Experience of working in Further/Higher Education or with young people.
• Experience of running democratic or membership activities/events.
• Experience of managing a team of staff, or volunteers
• Experience leading projects
Desirable:
• Experience of working with and supporting volunteers or elected individuals
Skills, Knowledge and Ability
Essential:
• Knowledge of current issues affecting students and Further/Higher Education
• Able to communicate and maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of people at all level
• Able to present information clearly and concisely in written oral format
• Knowledge of meeting administration, including experience supporting participants to engage
• Excellent interpersonal skills including communication, leadership and negotiation with people at all levels
Desirable:
• Good knowledge of IT programmes such as Microsoft Office
• Able to deal with multiple deadlines and conflicting priorities
Values
Essential:
• Student-Driven
• Supportive
• Sustainable
• Inclusive
The role of Student Voice Assistant will be the main point of contact for all HISA activities at the local Academic Partner, supported by our Regional teams. A successful candidate will join the local team and will be supporting communications and activities for all students at the Academic Partner, encouraging engagement at all levels.
Main Purpose of the role:
HISA is a membership-led organisation and its primary purpose is to be the recognised representative of students to the University of the Highlands and Islands. To do this effectively, it is crucial that the student voice of our members is strong and heard by the institutions. The role of Student Voice Assistant - UHI North Highland provides front-line support to our local UHI North Highland officer and supports the delivery of Students’ Association activities.
By supporting the local officer, you will assist in helping them to be as impactful as possible during their year in their elected role. Assistance is needed in support of the engagement in high-level meetings, such as Board of Management meetings, by providing briefing and meeting support where needed.
The role will also be the main point of contact for all HISA activities at the local Academic Partner, supported by our Regional teams. They will provide communications and activities for all members at the Academic Partner, encouraging engagement at all levels.
Key Responsibilities
Officer Support
Student Voice
Student Engagement
General
Person Specification
Qualifications, Training & Experience
Essential:
Desirable:
Skills, Knowledge & Ability
Essential:
Desirable:
Values
Essential:
Sport and physical activity is an important part of developing healthy individuals, along with creating a thriving community and developing the employability of our students.
The role of the Sports Development Coordinator will develop the foundations to transform, create and deliver a sustainable Sporting Community. This will include increasing opportunities for students to take part in Sport and Physical activity across the Highlands and Islands and supporting Sports clubs to develop greater resilience and sustainability. The Coordinator will also play a key role in signposting and encouraging students to develop an active lifestyle, working with both internal and external partners to increase the awareness of physical activity initiatives.
Key Responsibilities:
Student Engagement
General
Person Specification
Qualifications, Training and Experience
Essential:
Desirable:
Skills, Knowledge and Ability
Essential:
Desirable:
Values:
The role of Student Voice Assistant - UHI Perth will be the main point of contact for all HISA activities at the local Academic Partner, supported by our Regional teams. They will provide communications and activities for all members at the Academic Partner, encouraging engagement at all levels.
Main Purpose of the role:
HISA is a membership-led organisation, and its primary purpose is to be the recognised representative of students at the University of the Highlands and Islands. To do this effectively, it is crucial that the student voice of our members is strong and heard by the institutions. Student Voice Assistant role provides front-line support to our local UHI North Highland officer and supports the delivery of Students’ Association activities. By supporting the local officer, you will assist in helping them to be as impactful as possible during their year in their elected role. Assistance is needed in support of the engagement in high-level meetings, such as Board of Management meetings, by providing briefing and meeting support where needed.
The role will also be the main point of contact for all HISA activities at the local Academic Partner, supported by our Regional teams. They will provide communications and activities for all members at the Academic Partner, encouraging engagement at all levels. In addition, the post will be responsible for administration duties and assisting the Assistant Voice Manager in daily tasks.
Key Responsibilities
Officer Support
Student Voice
Student Engagement
General
Person Specification
Qualifications, Training and Experience
Essential:
Desirable:
Skills, Knowledge and Ability
Essential:
Desirable:
Values
Essential:
HISA is a membership-led organisation and its primary purpose is to be the recognised representative of students to the University of the Highlands and Islands. To do this effectively, it is crucial that the student voice of our members is strong and heard by the institutions.
Main Purpose of the role:
The role of Student Voice Assistant provides front-line support to our Local Officers and supports the delivery of Students’ Association activities at a specific Academic Partner. Student Voice Assistant will provide support to Local Officers, helping them to be as impactful as possible during their year in Office.
They will support the engagement in high-level meetings, such as Board of Management meetings, by providing briefing and meeting support where needed. The role will also be the main point of contact for all HISA activities at the local Academic Partner, supported by our Regional teams. They will provide communications and activities for all members at the Academic Partner, encouraging engagement at all levels.
Key Responsibilities:
Officer Support
Student Voice
Student Engagement
General
Student Voice Manager will be responsible for the delivery of our academic representation system, which supports the quality assurance mechanisms within our Academic Partners. The Association plays a key role in recruiting, training and supporting our Student Voice Representatives to help students enhance and develop their own experience, both academically and holistically. Utilising partnerships with key academic and professional staff within our Academic Partners, alongside locally deployed HISA staff and officers, this role ensures the system is working effectively.
This role also supports the democratic aims of the Students’ Association, ensuring that our Student Leadership is elected each year. This includes delivering several elections throughout the academic year, allowing our members to choose their representatives and the direction of the Association.
Key Responsibilities:
Academic Representation
Governance & Democracy
Student Voice
General
HISA is a membership-led organisation and its primary purpose is to be the recognised representative of students to the University of the Highlands and Islands. To do this effectively, it is crucial that the student voice of our members is strong and heard by the institutions.
North Highland UHI (Thurso & hybrid working) - 21 hours per week
Main Purpose of the role:
The role of Student Voice Assistant provides front-line support to our Local Officers and supports the delivery of Students’ Association activities at a specific Academic Partner. Student Voice Assistant will provide support to Local Officers, helping them to be as impactful as possible during their year in Office.
They will support the engagement in high-level meetings, such as Board of Management meetings, by providing briefing and meeting support where needed. The role will also be the main point of contact for all HISA activities at the local Academic Partner, supported by our Regional teams. They will provide communications and activities for all members at the Academic Partner, encouraging engagement at all levels.
Key Responsibilities:
Officer Support
Student Voice
Student Engagement
General
HISA is a membership-led organisation and its primary purpose is to be the recognised representative of students to the University of the Highlands and Islands. To do this effectively, it is crucial that the student voice of our members is strong and heard by the institutions.
West Highland College UHI (Fort William or any WHC UHI location & hybrid working) - 21 hours per week
Main Purpose of the role:
This role provides front-line support to our Local Officers and supports the delivery of Students’ Association activities at a specific Academic Partner. Student Voice Assistant will provide support to Local Officers, helping them to be as impactful as possible during their year in Office.
They will support the engagement in high-level meetings, such as Board of Management meetings, by providing briefing and meeting support where needed. The role will also be the main point of contact for all HISA activities at the local Academic Partner, supported by our Regional teams. They will provide communications and activities for all members at the Academic Partner, encouraging engagement at all levels.
Key Responsibilities:
***Officer Support***
***Student Voice***
***Student Engagement***
***General***
HISA is a membership-led organisation and its primary purpose is to be the recognised representative of students to the University of the Highlands and Islands. To do this effectively, it is crucial that the student voice of our members is strong and heard by the institutions.
There are 4x Student Voice Assistant roles available in 4 locations:
Main Purpose of the role:
This role provides front-line support to our Local Officers and supports the delivery of Students’ Association activities at a specific Academic Partner. Student Voice Assistant will provide support to Local Officers, helping them to be as impactful as possible during their year in Office.
They will support the engagement in high-level meetings, such as Board of Management meetings, by providing briefing and meeting support where needed. The role will also be the main point of contact for all HISA activities at the local Academic Partner, supported by our Regional teams. They will provide communications and activities for all members at the Academic Partner, encouraging engagement at all levels.
Key Responsibilities:
***Officer Support***
***Student Voice***
***Student Engagement***
***General***
HISA is a membership-led organisation and its primary purpose is to be the recognised representative of students to the University of the Highlands and Islands. To do this effectively, it is crucial that the student voice of our members is strong and heard by the institutions.
The role as Assistant Manager will provide front-line support to our three Local Officers and support the delivery of Students’ Association activities on a local level.
In addition to supporting Local Officers, this role will also involve managing three part time members of staff. Each member of the team is a Student Voice Assistant located at one of the three Colleges within this region: North Highland College, West Highland College and Lews Castle College. The role will involve setting workloads for staff and having regular one to one sessions. This role will also support the Rural & Islands College merger process, which is aiming to merge the three Colleges named into one larger organisation.
As Assistant Manager, you will offer guidance and support to local officers in a busy, student led office environment, helping student leaders to be as impactful as possible. You will also support engagement in high level meetings, such as Board of Management meetings and provide briefing and meeting support where needed. You will also encourage engagement at all levels through communications and activities.
As this role will be working with the three Colleges listed above, we would like the role-holder to be within a commutable distance to one of the campuses, which would be their main working location. There will be an expectation that travel to the other campuses and learning centres will be undertaken as and when needed.
Benefits:
HISA is a membership-led organisation and its primary purpose is to be the recognised representative of students to the University of the Highlands and Islands. To do this effectively, it is crucial that the student voice of our members is strong and heard by the institutions.
There are 2x positions of Student Voice Assistant available in 2 locations:
1. Highland Theological College UHI (Dingwall & hybrid working) - 12 hours per week
2. West Highland College UHI (Fort William & hybrid working) - 21 hours per week
Main Purpose of the role:
This role provides front-line support to our Local Officers and supports the delivery of Students’ Association activities at a specific Academic Partner. Student Voice Assistant will provide support to Local Officers, helping them to be as impactful as possible during their year in Office.
They will support the engagement in high-level meetings, such as Board of Management meetings, by providing briefing and meeting support where needed. The role will also be the main point of contact for all HISA activities at the local Academic Partner, supported by our Regional teams. They will provide communications and activities for all members at the Academic Partner, encouraging engagement at all levels.
Key Responsibilities:
***Officer Support***
• Assist the coordination of induction, training, and development of elected officers.
• Administration of meetings and keeping communication with key members of college staff, and key external stakeholders on behalf of the local officers.
• Assist in supporting the local elected officers in the operational running of events, campaigns and activities and their day to day roles.
• Help prepare local officers for Board of Management meetings and other committees.
• Assist in the production of reports from the local officers.
***Student Voice***
• Work in partnership with the local UHI Academic Partner to support the activities, communications and running of the HISA Student Voice system.
• Assist in the training and development of Student Voice representatives, supporting them to engage in the Quality Assurance structure of the College at all levels.
• Support the delivery of election campaigns, encouraging all students to participate.
***Student Engagement***
• To support and help develop local clubs, societies, and activities.
• Be a permanent point of contact and liaison between the local officers and the UHI Academic Partner; and through this build good relationships and promote partnership working with college staff.
• Signpost students to specialist advice and guidance or elected officers and staff as appropriate.
• Coordinate the delivery of local communications with members, ensuring regular, relevant and accessible information is shared through a range of channels.
***General***
• To adhere to all relevant HISA policy, procedures and governing documents at all times.
• To undertake appropriate training and development as required for the role.
• To undertake any other duties appropriate to the role, role grade and organisation, within their competence as required by management, to provide operational cover or support for colleagues including absence and periods of peak workload as required.
• It may be necessary for the post-holder to work out of hours on occasion e.g. to cover events and extended office opening hours. A system of time off in lieu will operate to cover this.
• Travel between campuses will be expected.
HISA is seeking to recruit an External Trustee to join the Trustee Board of the incorporated charity. HISA is a membership organisation aligned with the University of the Highlands and Islands and is the primary representative channel between the University and its students. Our aim is to improve the lives and experiences of all students across the UHI Partnership and we do this through a dedicated team of staff and representative Officers. The Board is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organisation and ensuring that it is well managed and administrated. External Trustees, of which there are four in total, bring skills, knowledge and experience from other sectors to support and develop HISA to achieve its charitable objectives.
As part of the recruitment process, Appointments & Remuneration Committee have reviewed the current skills and experience of the Trustee Board and are seeking applications from candidates with the following areas of knowledge and experience.
We are seeking a committed and engaged individual who will be able to contribute up to 2 days per month to the role. We also welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and from typically under-represented groups within our communities. We also encourage applications from the Highlands and Islands area.