Academic Advice and Welfare Projects Officer

Main Duties And Responsibilities:

Academic Advice and Casework

• Provide independent, impartial advice, guidance, and casework support to students on a range of academic matters.
• Manage a caseload of students, supporting them to understand their options, navigate relevant University processes and identify appropriate courses of action.
• Support students to understand and engage effectively with relevant procedures, including helping them prepare for meetings and present their case clearly where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate, confidential and timely casework records to support effective case management, follow-up and service analysis.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant University policies, procedures and developments in academic advice provision.

Advice Service Development and Quality

• Lead the ongoing development of the Students’ Union’s academic advice service to ensure it is effective, accessible, student-centred and responsive to changing student needs.
• Develop, implement and continuously improve the policies, procedures, systems and professional standards that underpin the delivery of the academic advice service.
• Lead the development of service feedback, monitoring, measures of success and evaluation processes to support continuous improvement.
• Develop information, guidance and other resources that help students understand their rights, responsibilities and the support available to them.

Student Welfare, Campaigns, and Rights

• Coordinate and lead the delivery of welfare campaigns, projects and activities that respond to identified student needs.
• Work collaboratively with Student Officers and colleagues to develop initiatives and campaigns that improve students’ understanding of their academic rights and responsibilities and help reduce common issues.
• Use evidence from advice casework, student insight and emerging trends to identify opportunities for targeted awareness, education and preventative activity.

Insight and Organisational Learning

• Monitor and analyse casework trends and emerging student issues, using evidence from the advice service to strengthen organisational understanding of the student experience.
• Produce and contribute to reports, analysis and insight that inform Student Officers, staff and relevant organisational priorities.
• Identify opportunities to improve University policies, processes and the wider student experience based on evidence from casework and student feedback.
• Work with relevant colleagues to ensure insight from the advice service informs wider Student Voice, campaigning and organisational activity.

Partnerships and Referral Pathways

• Develop and maintain effective relationships, referral pathways and working arrangements with relevant University services and external organisations.
• Work collaboratively with stakeholders to improve coordination of support and ensure students can access appropriate specialist services where required.
• Work with stakeholders to identify and address barriers to support, particularly for underrepresented students.
• Build relationships with relevant organisations, students’ unions and professional networks to share learning, identify good practice and explore opportunities for collaboration.

Other Duties And Responsibilities:

• The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards.
• The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their post. This job description is a guide to the work you will initially be expected to undertake. It may be changed from time to time to meet changing circumstances.
• Supporting the aims and ethos of Undeb Bangor and Bangor University throughout the course of their duties.
• Acting as a public advocate of the organisation, promoting the work of the Students’ Union to external stakeholders in the wider community.
• Supporting the relevant democratic structures within the Union.
• Willingness to adopt a flexible approach to work hours including evening, weekend and remote working where necessary.

Person Specification:

Qualifications / Training

Essential

• Educated to A level or NVQ level 4 in a relevant subject area or possess equivalent relevant experience.

Desirable

• Educated to degree level or equivalent or possess equivalent relevant experience.

Experience and Knowledge

Essential

• Experience of providing advice, guidance or casework support, including managing sensitive or complex cases and maintaining accurate and confidential records.
• Experience of interpreting policies, procedures or regulations and explaining them clearly to others.
• Experience of developing or improving services, processes, procedures or resources.

Desirable

• Experience working in a Students’ Union, Higher Education, or membership-led organisation.
• Experience of providing academic advice or casework within higher education, a students’ union or a similar setting.
• Knowledge of university academic procedures, such as appeals, complaints, academic misconduct and extenuating circumstances.
• Experience of planning and delivering welfare, rights-awareness or preventative campaigns.
• Experience of coordinating or supporting student staff, volunteers or elected representatives.

Essential

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to manage difficult or sensitive situations in a calm and empathetic way.
• Ability to manage a varied workload, prioritise competing demands and work independently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear guidance, correspondence and reports.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with students, colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Ability to analyse information, identify trends and use evidence to support service improvement.
• Confident use of Microsoft Office and relevant digital systems.
• The ability to speak and write confidently and fluently in both Welsh and English in a wide variety of situations is essential for this role.

General:

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for