ResLife Co-ordinator

Job Summary

As our ResLife Co-ordinator you will support the ResLife and Student Help Point Manager in leading the ResLife programme at Robert Gordon University.

You will provide effective management to the ResLife Advisor and Volunteer ResLife Wardens, as well as working to recruit, train and supervise our ResLife team, a team of student volunteers made up of ResLife Assistants (Community) and ResLife Assistants (Residences). You will also be responsible for ensuring that students settle quickly into their new residences, enjoy a fulfilling experience of accommodation and develop living and life skills during their student journey.

You will develop, organise and deliver a pro-active social and pastoral programme throughout the residential year taking into account the diverse nature of RGU’s student population. You will also develop and promote a cohesive living/learning student community in which cultural diversity and inclusivity is promoted. These activities will focus on the development of students' broader life skills, as well as promoting access to – and awareness of – the University’s support services to promote academic achievement and personal wellbeing. 

You will be educated to degree level (or have equivalent experience), have paid or voluntary experience within a similar support environment and have a full UK driving license. You will also have excellent interpersonal skills, an outgoing personality, the ability to motivate and inspire young adults, as well as experience in stakeholder management, working with volunteers, social media and the planning of events/activities.

You will be required to work 35 hours per week on a flexible basis to meet the needs of the role and activities. In keeping with RGU's commitment to work/life balance you will have the opportunity to work from home for a portion of the working week and also benefit from a generous pension scheme, 46 days annual leave (including statutory days) an onsite nursery and sports centre, as well as a range of voluntary health and travel benefits.

This post is subject to a Disclosure Scotland check. For more information visit: https://www.mygov.scot/basic-disclosure/

To apply, please submit your CV along with a covering letter detailing your suitability for the role against the requirements set out in the person specification.

Job Description

RESPONSIBLE TO: ResLife and Student Help Point Manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Line management of ResLife Advisor and management of volunteer ResLife Wardens and ResLife Assistants

PURPOSE OF POST: The purpose of the post is to be a central point for the co-ordination of non-academic student engagement, primarily – but not exclusively – for students living in University accommodation. You will also work to support the onward living experience of halls residents, and support students living in other residential sectors, throughout their student journey at RGU.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

ResLife Team and Management

• Provide effective line management to the ResLife Advisor, supporting them to effectively deliver alternative accommodation support to students at RGU.

• Work with ResLife and Student Help Point Manager to line manage the ResLife Wardens, supporting day-to-day on-site team co-ordination.

• Recruit, train and manage a team of ResLife Assistants (Residences) and ResLife Assistants (Community), ensuring they understand their role and responsibilities, to continually monitor performance and that appropriate action is taken to address issues of under-performance.

• To develop, support and offer guidance with more serious issues that may arise in the performance of the ResLife team’s duties.

• Monitor the use of allocated funding and liaise with the ResLife Advisor, ResLife Wardens and ResLife Assistant teams to ensure residents receive maximum "added value" from available funding.

Events, Marketing & Promotion

• Organise and contribute to the successful development and delivery of a varied and creative programme of events aimed at (but not exclusive to) students living in university residences.

• Ensure programmes encourage socialisation and integration, promote community, enhance students' living experience and be diverse to encompass culture/interests across a wide spectrum to maximise student engagement and provide opportunities to enhance personal and professional development.

• Support the ResLife Advisor to co-ordinate RGU ResLife’s communication channels, including social media profiles and accommodation focussed articles.

• Ensure up-to-date information is available on alternative accommodation options for RGU students wishing to live out with RGU owned accommodation, as well as those looking for family accommodation in the city.

• Create feedback opportunities from residents of events to inform future planning.

Welfare, Wellbeing & Student Behaviour

• Promote welfare and wellbeing of residents living in Halls to proactively minimize withdrawals from the University, by engaging with students throughout the year to provide pastoral advice and support when required and signposting to appropriate professional University support services where necessary.

• Review incident reports of anti-social behaviour impinging on other resident’s living experience.

• Liaise with ResLife Wardens and ResLife Assistants, investigate and recommend appropriate disciplinary measures to ResLife and Student Help Point Manager.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop relationships across the University, and work collaboratively with departments and other organisations, including the RGU:Union, RGU SPORT and other Student Life welfare support services.

• Identify and develop a network of existing organisations that promote interaction/involvement and develop citizenship and life skills for residents.

• Develop relationship with external Purpose-Built Student Accommodation and Private Rented Sector providers and agencies.

• Seek opportunities to generate income streams from external stakeholders.

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience

Knowledge

• Knowledge of issues related to life for students in all residential sectors.

• Awareness of theories of student development and their application to residence life.

• Knowledge of Health & Safety requirements when arranging or managing events, social or educational activities or programmes.

Experience

• Paid or voluntary work experience within a support environment or similar, e.g. pastoral or welfare support, support young adults, advice work.

• Excellent IT skills including the use of Microsoft Office packages (Excel, Outlook and Word).

• Experience of managing social media account profiles and other marketing activities.

• Experience of managing or supervising others and preferably of working with volunteers.

• Experience of successful stakeholder and relationship management.

• Experience of organising or managing events, social or educational activities.

• Experience of working with people from diverse backgrounds.

Other Requirements

• Full UK Driving Licence

 

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

• Other Management, Marketing or Event Management qualification.

• Mental Health First Aid qualification and Trained Trainer qualified or willingness to become a trained trainer.

Knowledge and skills

• Knowledge of equality legislation and its relevance for students.

• Presentation and training skills with ability to deliver information clearly and concisely to various audiences.

Experience

• Experience of working in Further or Higher Education and working to develop and enhance the experience of Further or Higher Education students.

• Personal experience of living / working in a student / communal residential environment.

• Proven record in responding appropriately to distressed, angry or unwell students and remaining calm and professional in a crisis.

• Ability to deal with issues of confidentiality and sensitive situations.

• Organising events for young adults.

• Experience of working with young adults in a pastoral care environment.

• Promoting of events and communication through web and social media formats.

• Proven record of providing and developing social, sporting, wellbeing and educational support programmes to young adults.

Behaviours

Behaviour 1: Service Delivery – Experience of giving customers a positive and satisfactory service, by providing accurate and up to date knowledge of services available in own and related areas of work

Behaviour 2: Pastoral Care and Welfare – Experience of calming and reassuring those with work/study related problems who may be experiencing distress

Behaviour 3: Communication – Ability to receive, understand and convey straightforward information in a clear and accurate manner

Behaviour 4: Team Development – Experience of providing advice or guidance to new starts delivering training or instruction to others on specific tasks or activities

Behaviour 5: Liaison and Networking – Experience of circulating information in an accurate and timely manner, working across team boundaries to build and strengthen working relationships and leading and developing internal networks to pursue a shared interest