At a Glance
- Tasks: Empower students by delivering wellbeing services and supporting advocacy campaigns.
- Company: Join the vibrant Students’ Union at Queen Margaret University.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, collaborative environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to engage in exciting university events.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in student lives while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Passionate about student support with strong interpersonal skills.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ per year.
As the go-to person in the Students’ Union for student advocacy and wellbeing, you’ll be at the heart of our mission to empower and support the student community at Queen Margaret University.
No two days are the same in this multi-faceted role, whether you’re delivering vital wellbeing services, helping students navigate university life, or supporting campaigns on academic and welfare issues, your work will have real impact.
QMUSU is a close-knit organisation led by a team of two elected Student Presidents with support from the CEO and seven dedicated staff.
We value collaboration, flexibility, and creativity, especially in a role like this, where you’ll wear many hats and contribute across various areas of SU life.
What You’ll Do
- Manage the delivery and continuous improvement of the Help Zone service
- Work hand-in-hand with elected officers to deliver engaging campaigns
- Coordinate and deliver relevant wellbeing information to students
- Liaise with students, staff, and external partners to ensure high-quality support
- Take initiative, adapt to new challenges, and support the wider SU team
- Occasionally work evenings or weekends (with time off in lieu)
Who We’re Looking For
You’re someone who thrives in a busy, student-centred environment. You’re organised, approachable, and passionate about making a positive difference. With your flexible attitude, strong interpersonal skills and solutions focused approach to work, you’ll be a key part of what makes QMUSU a supportive and vibrant place for all students.
This role reports to the Deputy Manager and offers an excellent opportunity to develop a broad skillset while working at the intersection of education, wellbeing, and student life.
- Key Functions
- To co-ordinate, promote and deliver the work of the Help Zone, supporting students throughout their experience at University.
- To support elected officers to run effective campaigns focused on academic / welfare matters to support / advocate for their needs.
- To maintain regular delivery of Wellbeing initiatives and messaging throughout the year
- To produce reports based on Help Zone usage to share insights with senior management and elected officers.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
- STUDENT SUPPORT
- Co-ordinate, promote and deliver the work of the Help Zone
- Advise and support students on a one-to-one basis on matters relating to Academic Appeals, Complaints, Disciplinaries and Fitness to Practice.
- Record student enquiries, producing data driven reports on local usage and trends
- Attend with and/or advocate for students in meetings with the University as appropriate
- Keep up to date with developments in local policy or procedural changes at QMU and in the national Higher Education sector ensuring reference material and information is relevant.
- Promote the QMU Wellbeing Adviser and Counselling Service to students.
- Coordinate relevant wellbeing messaging, initiatives, events and campaigns to the student body.
- Actively seek student feedback on what is relevant and important to the student body with regards to Wellbeing and student concerns.
- Undertake welfare casework: assessing each individual student’s requirements and providing appropriate advice, or referrals to specialist agencies, either within the University or externally.
- Ensure casework information is entered into and stored effectively to facilitate monitoring and evaluation.
- Research and develop multi-platform resources to provide information and guidance to students on key issues
- Support student officers to develop and implement welfare / academic campaigns.
- Provide a C-Card Service to students through the Help Zone.
- Additional responsibilities
- Develop and maintain partnerships with staff at Queen Margaret University for the benefit of students
- Use a range of technologies to deliver services
- Work collaboratively and flexibly across the organisation, contributing as necessary to wider work of the Students’ Union
- Support the work of large Students’ Union events / activities as appropriate, contributing to events such as Welcome Week, Star Awards, Grand Ball etc.
- Key work relationships
- Deputy Manager
- CEO
- Elected Officers
- University support services
- University academic staff and administration
- Service Users
- Other Students’ Union staff as appropriate
- External partners/contacts, including NHS Lothian, Shelter Scotland, Police Scotland etc.
- Deadline for Applications: Monday September 7th @ 9am
- Interviews: To be held in person on campus on Thursday the 17th of September
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Student Advocacy & Wellbeing Coordinator employer: Queen Margaret University Students' Union
At Queen Margaret University Students' Union (QMUSU), we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and vibrant environment for our staff and students alike. Our close-knit team values collaboration, flexibility, and creativity, ensuring that every day brings new opportunities for personal and professional growth. With a focus on student advocacy and wellbeing, you will play a crucial role in making a positive impact while enjoying the unique advantages of working within a dynamic educational setting.
Contact Details:
Queen Margaret University Students' Union Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Student Advocacy & Wellbeing Coordinator
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Queen Margaret University Students' Union.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Queen Margaret University Students' Union!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Queen Margaret University Students' Union, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Queen Margaret University Students' Union or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Student Advocacy & Wellbeing Coordinator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Queen Margaret University Students' Union:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Queen Margaret University Students' Union! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Queen Margaret University Students' Union
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
