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.

About ENSA

Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association (ENSA) exists to enable our 20,000 student members across Edinburgh and around the globe to make the most of their university experience. We do this by representing, supporting and developing Edinburgh Napier University students to be successful in their studies; to try out new things; to engage in, and contribute to, university life; to be healthy and happy; to bring about positive change; and to have fun.

About the role

As our Chair has now come to the end of her term in office, we are looking to recruit a new Chair with the skills and experience to lead the Board of Directors, promoting good governance and providing effective and empowering line management to support our CEO. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who has the strategic focus, governance understanding, leadership experience and time to support and develop a committed Board and ensure ENSA delivers the best experience for students.

Please see the Job Description and Person Spec for full details.

About ENSA’s Board of Directors

The Board is collectively in charge of ENSA, for upholding its values and aligning it to the Association’s charitable aims. It has overall responsibility for ENSA’s governance: budget-setting and financial reporting, health and safety, human resources and legal compliance.

The Board is made up of 12 Directors: six External Lay Directors (including the Chair) appointed through a competitive process for their professional expertise; three Student Lay Directors who are registered students of Edinburgh Napier University and appointed through a competitive process; and three Sabbatical Officers who are elected by the student body.

In line with charity law, all ENSA’s Directors (elected and appointed) have equal status. Directors have a variety of experience and skills which offer different perspectives, and are all, jointly and severally, liable for the governance of the charity. Directors are expected to take their responsibilities seriously, attend meetings, and manage any conflicts of interests appropriately.

We are recruiting for an Academic Rep Co-ordinator to be located on our Glasgow Campus of Glasgow Caledonian University. You would ideally have experience of being a student rep or volunteer at university or college and should be motivated to support academic reps and ensuring their ability to be effective in their role. You should have a positive, welcoming and can do attitude.

We are interested in capable employees of any age and welcome applications from people from a range of backgrounds, to reflect the diversity of our members. We want to foster a diverse and inclusive working environment.

Employees receive 46 days annual leave (that includes bank holidays) and we have other enhanced benefits and policies to support employee wellbeing, care responsibilities and flexible working. You may choose to opt into the Flexi-Time Policy and work from home at least one day per week.

ProjectScotland, part of the national charity Volunteering Matters, supports young people to get on in life through the power of volunteering. Brighter futures work with pupils (aged 13-16) over the course of the year. These are disadvantaged young people who the councils We Matter Team have identified as needing some additional support in progressing onto their next steps in their life. The aim is to get them to experience a volunteering placement with local charitable organisations that will build their confidence and allow them to grow and learn new things in a different environment out with school. We also support the young person to receive a qualification through this which as well as offering all young people the opportunity to have a mentor.

The young people that we support on this project are all care experienced and will be living in one of the cities residential units. They will often face multiple barriers and have experienced trauma. Our support helps them to achieve positive outcomes for their future.

We’re looking for a patient and engaging Youth Engagement Manager to join the Brighter Futures team in Edinburgh working hand in hand with Edinburgh City Council to support care experienced young people living in residential care.

The right candidate would be someone who can work flexibly and demonstrate an understanding and total commitment to our organisational values.

A full Job Description and Person Specification is available for download below.