LET'S TELL YOU MORE ABOUT WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR...

WHO WE ARE

We are 60+ societies, we're a bite to eat in Liberty's, and a pint in Geordies. We are support from the Advice Hub, Therapets, and Class Reps & School Officers. We're Freshers Week, Beer Fest, and volunteering.

We are a lot of things, but our purpose is to put our students first. We aspire to be the best student union in Scotland so that our amazing students receive the experience they deserve. We want to have fun, are open to change and empower our students to make a difference.

We do this by representing, supporting, advising and promoting the interests, health and welfare of students at Heriot-Watt University. We are a charitable company limited by guarantee and run charitable and commercial services including an advice centre, bar, shop, club and café.

We have our strategy, aka our "Big Plan", which guides us as we shape our Union, its objectives and activities as we continually learn how best to deliver our services in a changing world. This is an exciting time of transformation and we are looking for a trustee with HR expertise to join our Board and help us on our journey.

We are a democratic organisation which means we have an elected student parliament, including four paid full-time student officers who are also trustees and directors. We have a career staff team of around 25 and a senior management team of four, led by the Chief Executive Officer. Our turnover is in the region of £3M with a block grant of around £845k and the remainder made up by trading income.

OUR TRUSTEE BOARD

We have an established and well-performing board which is made up of:

• One President and three Vice Presidents who are all full time elected officers;

• Two student trustees, normally one undergraduate and one postgraduate;

• Between three and six external trustees, one of whom must be an alumni; and

• One university nominated trustee.

Our external trustees come from different backgrounds and bring experience in a range of areas including finance; students and the university sector; human resources and project management. It is someone with HR experience that we are keen to see join the Board.

We are a registered charity in Scotland and our board's role is to ensure that the Union works effectively in how it achieves its aims. We're student-focused but if we spend all our money on Freshers Week and can't open our doors for the rest of the year, then we're not putting students first.

You can find more information about the role of charity trustees on the OSCR web site at

oscr.org.uk

WHO ARE WE SPECIFICALLY LOOKING FOR?

We are looking for an individual with HR/People experience, passionate about making a difference. We are keen to talk to individuals who have expertise in Human resource management, organisational design, reward and employment legislation.

You'll sit within our wider board of trustees, as well as being a subject matter expert in your area. If you bring your enthusiasm, we will provide the procedural support and development opportunity.

You will need to be able to make the time commitment, which isn’t huge but shouldn’t be underestimated.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept applications from students who work for the Student Union or hold a position on Student Parliament.

If you are appointed, we will ask you to confirm that you are legally able to hold the position of Trustee and Director.

TIME COMMITMENT

The Trustee Board meets about four times a year in the evening,

usually between 5:30pm and 7:30pm.

You are sent papers for the meeting one week in advance.

There is usually a planning meeting day around January

You are invited to attend the Union AGM which takes place around March.

Occasionally you will be asked to contribute to a specific discussion

or decision by email.

WHAT USUALLY HAPPENS AT A TRUSTEE BOARD MEETING?

The Trustee Board meeting usually follow the same format. You will receive reports on the Union’s financial performance and also reports from the Full Time Officers and Leadership Team.

There are also usually items of business on strategic projects ranging from strategy to operational issues. Occasionally there are parts of a Trustee Board meeting that take place in camera and are therefore confidential.

However most of the business of the meetings is made public through the minutes and can be viewed at hwunion.com/reference/trustee-board-minutes.

WHAT DO I GET FROM BEING A TRUSTEE?

Being a Trustee and Director is an excellent opportunity to develop a number of valuable skills that will be useful for your CV.

You will develop:

• Communication and team work

• Understanding and using financial statements

• Strategic thinking and developing strategic plans

• Understanding of legal and business matters

• Governance and compliance

• Problem solving

• Time management

• Decision making skills

• Meeting skills and confidentiality

As a member of the Board you will also join a group of experienced and influential people who have a broad range of skills and industry contacts.

JOB DURATION

The position is for a maximum of two, 4 year terms.

Edinburgh University Students' Association is looking to recruit a Student Opportunities Officer (Peer Learning and Support) to join our Student Opportunities team.

Edinburgh University Students’ Association is an award-winning organisation, which exists to provide diverse services, representation, and welfare support to the community of over 49,500 students at the University of Edinburgh. By providing opportunities, helping to create change and offering support, we're here to help students get the most out of their time in Edinburgh. We have five venues around the University of Edinburgh campus – Teviot Row House, King’s Buildings House, Potterrow, the Pleasance and Edinburgh College of Art’s Wee Red Bar – which house our offices, cafés, bars, clubs, spaces for students to meet, study and socialise. These spaces transform into some of the most well loved Edinburgh Festival Fringe venues throughout the month of August each year.

We are a registered charity and all of the income we generate from our commercial activity goes back in to supporting our members. We’re also an organisation with a strategic commitment to support and empower all our staff, and have some exciting plans for the future. There's never been a better time to apply and join our organisation.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. Edinburgh University Students’ Association is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment and encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination.

Our Student Opportunities team of 10 supports a range of student community-building and student led activities, including 370 student societies, 50+ Peer Learning and Support groups, student community volunteering, and international/intercultural activities. We support 1000s of student volunteers who create activities, events and communities for all students at the University of Edinburgh, and work collaboratively with colleagues across the Association and in the University in order to do so.

The Role:

The Student Opportunities Officer (Peer Learning and Support) is responsible (as part of a team of 4) for supporting the development and expansion of peer-led activity across the University of Edinburgh, enabling all students to enhance their experience. This will include supporting and facilitating student-led peer-to-peer activity throughout the University, encouraging students to take a holistic and autonomous approach to their learning and development.

This is a collaborative role which sits within the wider Student Opportunities team (10 in total), with a specific remit of supporting the development of Peer Learning and Support. This involves contributing to the forming of a community of learners (both staff and students) locally and across the University.

The Student Opportunities team sits within the wider Membership, Engagement and People Development Directorate at the Students’ Association (which also includes The Advice Place, Student Voice, and People and Development teams), and works collaboratively with colleagues in relation to a number of events, initiatives and activities related to student support and development.

The Person:

A confident and experienced trainer with excellent communication, interpersonal, organisational and IT skills. The post holder will have a proven track record of providing both administrative and operational support for volunteers. A student focused individual with a consistently professional approach to their duties and keen attention to detail. A person with high expectations of themselves and others, who takes pride in their work and that of their team.

Plus, a generous benefits package:

• 35 days per year holiday entitlement
• Company pension with 14.5% employer contribution
• Enhanced company sick pay, leave and loan policies
• A comprehensive package of support via our Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to money saving discounts from hundreds of retailers via our Pluxee Discounts Hub
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Discounts on food and drink across our venues

*Close the Gap is operating a hybrid working model, with the option to work from the Buchanan Street office or from desk space in Edinburgh. An expectation to work from the office one day per week.

Responsible to: Head of Equally Safe at Work

Close the Gap values diversity in our workforce and particularly encourages applications from disabled people and racially minoritised people, who are currently underrepresented.

Flexible working options are available for this role, and we’re open to part-time and jobshare applications.

Purpose

To work with employers across the public and third sectors in Scotland to progress gender equality and prevent violence against women, by engaging with Close the Gap’s Equally Safe at Work accreditation programme. To support and influence employers to take action, and support the development of innovative approaches to meet the programme criteria. To build capacity in employers and relevant stakeholders on key topics related to women’s labour market equality.

Role

Equally Safe at Work is Close the Gap’s innovative, world-leading employer accreditation programme which enables organisations to develop improved gender-sensitive employment practice, and prevent violence against women. Initially piloted with a group of early adopter councils, Equally Safe at Work has proven to be an effective vehicle for change with 18 employers now accredited, and almost 40 organisations engaged in the Equally Safe at Work community of practice.

We’re looking for someone who’s enthusiastic about being part of this exciting change-making programme. You’ll understand how to make a persuasive argument for action, and how to convey new concepts and information to different audiences. You’ll be an integral part of the team, who’s proactive about getting things done, and able to think creatively in doing the job.

This is a really exciting time to join the team, as Equally Safe at Work has recently opened up to new employers.

Organisation profile

Close the Gap is Scotland’s expert policy advocacy organisation working on women’s labour market participation. Our vision is for a Scotland where all women have a good working life. We do this by influencing policymakers to develop and implement gender-competent policy around women’s labour market participation; developing research and insight into women’s diverse experiences of employment; producing guidance, products and services that will enable and influence employers to address the causes of gender inequality in their workplace; and designing guidance and tools to build capacity in trade union reps to advance women’s workplace equality. Close the Gap has over 20 years’ experience of influencing change and delivering improved outcomes for women in Scotland.

The ALLIANCE has an exciting opportunity for a Human Resources Officer to join our team and play a significant role in a value-focused organisation. This is a key post at the ALLIANCE with the successful candidate having responsibility for supporting the generalist and specialist HR functions within organisation.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Good current knowledge of employment law
• Ability to deal with all aspects of HR function within an organisation
• Experience of full resourcing lifecycle including onboarding and induction process
• Ability to form and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, third parties and others
• Able to streamline and improve operational processes
• Enthusiastic and self-motivated
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proficient in IT, using Microsoft 365 and BreatheHR, with an understanding of the importance in providing accurate management information on these systems

As an ALLIANCE employee you will benefit from:

• 210 hours annual leave (pro rata)
• 91 hours public holiday (pro rata)that can be taken flexibly
• Additional leave between Christmas and New Year
• Enhanced contributory pension scheme
• Open to flexible working (formal and informal)
• Hybrid working – opportunity to work from home for part of the week
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Enhanced sick pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Learning and development opportunities
• Time off in lieu
• Cycle Scheme
• Carer Positive Employer

The ALLIANCE is a healthy working lives employer and encourages a healthy work life balance and is happy to talk flexible working.

The ALLIANCE recognises that in real life, great people don’t always ‘tick all the boxes’. Even if you don’t meet every point on the job description, if this role and our organisation feels like a good fit for you, we still want to hear from you.