Casual – Disability Student Advocate (UH Students ONLY)

Rate of Pay: National Living Wage - £11.44 per hour plus 12.07% accrued holiday per total value

Working Hours: Part-Time – Approximately 5-7 hours per week

Duration: Fixed Term for 1 year – October 2024 until October 2025

As part of its continuous commitment to providing professional and specialist support services to the University Community, the Dean of Students Office is investing substantially in the growth and expansion of its dedicated team to reach out and support as many students as possible. The Dean of Students Office is also a key source of support and guidance to colleagues across the University, working together to enhance and support the student experience.

To be eligible to apply for the role applicants must be registered to study at the University of Hertfordshire during the academic year of application.

Main duties & responsibilities:

The role of the Disability Student Advocate is to work with an academic school to help them to understand the experiences of students with disabilities, and to contribute to developing inclusive practices, both in the curriculum and as part of the wider student experience. This is a key role where you will make a direct contribution to the University's work to advance inclusion and to share and develop best practice.

Duties will include:

• Working with staff to improve inclusive approaches to learning and teaching or the wider student experience. For those working in Academic Schools, this may include helping with module site reviews, student facing communications, social media presences and in person events.

• Within the role there may be opportunities to work alongside some of the professional strategic business units (SBU) on individual projects (e.g. Careers, Dean of Students, Marketing)

• To gain insight into the experience of disabled students' and gather student feedback through discussion, poll, survey and/or focus groups.

• To use and disseminate student experience and student performance data in an appropriate and sensitive manner.

Relationship with Academic School / SBU

• To attend school and department meetings to represent disabled students' perspectives, raise issues of concern and share good practice for ideas for change and discuss student performance data.

• To raise awareness of the Student Disability Advocate role and responsibilities.

• To update students and staff on activities and findings.

• To play an active role in the UH Disabled Students Network and other committees or Forums tasked with improving access and inclusive practices.

Community and belonging for disabled students

• To create safe spaces so that disabled students across the University can voice any concerns, seek guidance and support, and share their experiences of studying at UH.

• To support events and opportunities aimed at students who identify as disabled.

• To raise awareness amongst the student body about issues faced by disabled students.

• To support and develop campaigns related to issues faced by disabled students.

• To perform other duties as determined by Senior Disability Adviser.

Skills/Qualifications Required:

• To have your own experience of disabilities, or experience of working with or supporting disabled people

• Good communication skills and ability to openly discuss matters relevant to the role with a range of employees at the University and peers within your school of study

• Ability to work effectively alone and as part of a team

• Ability to deal with sensitive material with strict confidentiality

• Ability to collect, process and present data

• Knowledge of working with social media to promote events

• To have a passion for improving student experience

• Previous experience of administration and Proficiency in Microsoft Office package

• Knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Awareness of University policy and regulations specifically related to Disabilities and inclusive practices is desirable

Closing Date: 1st August 2024

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Emma Diston [email protected]

Reference Number: 060336

Please note we may close this advert early should we receive sufficient response.

Our vision is to transform lives and UH is committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, and building a diverse community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics.

The University is required to meet UKVI visa regulations. Applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK will have to satisfy UKVI regulations before they can be appointed.