Researcher

About the role | Job Description | Person Specification | Pay & Terms | How to apply

About the Role

This is a great opportunity to be involved with a project that will provide key information for the Institutional Review. The Review will inform and influence long term University policy for improving the student experience and have a strong bearing on the reputation of the University.

The Institutional Review is carried out every few years by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) to review the standards of the University of Southampton services and the student experience as a whole. The next Institutional Review at the University is due to be carried out in October 2012, and as a part of the preparations, SUSU must provide a 6,000 word Student Written Submission (SWS), which acts as an independent quality assurance document for comparison with the University’s submissions.

The SWS has to be evidence based and measures have already been taken to gather relevant data, including National Student Survey data from 2011 and the University of Southampton’s ‘iBarometer’, a quantitative survey which was sent to all students who are not in their final year, including postgraduates and international students. In addition, SUSU’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) have conducted qualitative research into assessment feedback. There will also be a thematic issue announced in March 2012 requiring further research including qualitative research with students. It will be the responsibility of the successful candidate to carry out this research and draft the SWS. Although expected to work on their own initiative and largely without supervision, support and direction will be provided by the Advice and Representation Manager. Further support will be provided by the VP Academic Affairs and the Policy and Representation Co-ordinator. The post holder will also be required to write reports and present them in both formal and informal settings.

The post will finish at the end of June 2012, with the possibility of up to a week’s additional work during October 2012 in order to have a presence while the QAA is conducting the institutional review, and to report recommendations to the University. The exact timing and number of the days in October depends on the QAA and is not yet known.

About the Advice & Representation (A & R) department

With the pending increase in tuition fees, it is critical that SUSU consistently and effectively delivers on its role of ‘watchdog’, representing student interest and delivering on well thought through campaigns that impact where they need to. The A & R department has recently been restructured to deliver on this aim, ensuring SUSU effectively delivers the best possible service to our members in the challenges of the political and economic climate whilst empowering students to benefit from the best possible student experience.

The new department will deliver on the following key aims:

• Support for the elected officers in delivering a powerful student voice culminating in real change
• Development and maintenance of a strong platform on which our representatives are fully supported and inspired to carry out their role with courage and conviction
• Provision of an independent and confidential quality advice and support service on welfare and academic issues which is easily accessible to all students, wherever they may be, firmly placing students at the centre of everything we do
• Understand and promote change for better student life
• Proactively support our representatives in the research, creation and implementation of policy
• Provision of a constantly evolving research library to inform campaigning
• Development and provision of a system to ensure tight and efficient cross referral of issues across the Union
• Plan and deliver effective campaigning for change
• Deliver a pro-active and responsive service, dedicated to overcome barriers to success

The A & R Department consists of the following staff:

• Advice and Representation Manager
  • To manage the Advice & Representation department
  • To ensure the Advice & Representation department delivers the departmental Plan
  • To support the elected officers to deliver an effective student voice
• Policy & Representation Co-ordinator
  • To provide and co-ordinate support, advice and training for student academic representatives
  • To support officers, student representatives and student groups in the delivery of well researched, engaging and relevant campaigns
  • To support the officers in the development and implementation of Union policy
• 4 Student Advisers
  • To provide an information, advice and representation service to students
  • To monitor, research, analyse and advise on relevant local, national and global policy
  • To maintain an up to date knowledge of relevant legislation and procedures
• 2 Administrative Assistants with Student Staff as required
  • To provide a professional welcome for visitors to the Advice & Representation Department
  • To provide administrative support for the Advice & Representation department
  • To maintain files and records of Advice and Representation processes