Student Placement - Volunteering Projects Researcher & Organiser

Working for a multi-award winning Students' Union, this year-long placement offers you the opportunity to lead your own research and activities programme.

A year-long placement provides you with the platform to jumpstart your career and stand out from the crowd. Occurring between your second and third year of study, you'll gain real-world experience using your academic skills and boosting your networks - all while getting paid. 

As a student-led organisation, hosting a student placement provides a valuable way for us to directly embed student voice and experience within our services - informing and developing our offer at a pivotal time to make a positive impact on the student experience. 

About the organisation 

Sheffield Students' Union is an independent charity that works closely with the University to achieve a world-class student experience for our members.

Our Students’ Union is more than just an impressive building. We have over 300 student-led societies and committees to support specific student groups including LGBT+, BAME, disabled and international students, as well as an award-winning Student Advice Centre. Our leaders are a democratically elected team of 13 student Officers, who represent the student voice on campus and nationally.

The Community Volunteering and Fundraising Team provide a range of opportunities for students - helping to build a strong sense of community and belonging for students during their time at University, and supporting students to develop valuable skills and experience.

We know that many of our students are experiencing barriers to participation as a result of increased demands on their time, other commitments and pressures, and impacts from the cost of living.

There are also several groups of students who are less likely to volunteer, for example postgraduate students and international students.

About the role

This exciting placement opportunity provides the chance to lead a distinct project involving research, and activity programme delivery and evaluation. 

Based on data and insights already collected, as well as your own research, we are looking for someone to investigate:

• What are the barriers to students volunteering?
• What sort of volunteering opportunities would be attractive to students?
• What can we do to make it easier for students to volunteer - particularly those from under-represented groups (for example, postgraduate, mature, and international students)?

Based on your findings, you’ll then plan a programme of activities and opportunities to be trialled and evaluated over the year, helping inform our programme and long-term offer for students.

You’ll work directly with students and have the support of a number of staff teams across the organisation to deliver your project.

Skills and attitude:

• This role is suitable for undergraduate students looking for a placement as part of their degree programme
• Ability to review and carry out independent research and report on findings
• Some knowledge of the community volunteering/third sector 
• Ability to manage own time effectively, prioritise tasks and meet deadlines
• Good attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills 
• Familiarity with using a range of digital, web and software tools
• Ability to plan events/activities 
• Creative thinker, solution-focussed, with the ability to use initiative 

How to Apply 

To apply please submit a short personal statement and upload your CV. Your statement should tell us why you are interested in the role and any relevant skills, experience and interests, with reference to the role description above and using examples (no more than 600 words).

If you have any questions please contact Helen Giorgi, Volunteering Team Leader:: helen.giorgi@sheffield.ac.uk  

Inclusivity 

Sheffield Students’ Union is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe that everyone should have equal opportunities to thrive and contribute to our organisation. As part of this commitment, we encourage all candidates to share any relevant information about their protected characteristics - this includes, but is not limited to, age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

If you meet the essential criteria for the role and choose to disclose a disability, you will automatically qualify for a guaranteed interview. Our aim is to create a level playing field for all applicants, ensuring that no one is disadvantaged due to their background or circumstances.

We particularly encourage applications from students from underrepresented groups.

What we are currently doing to create an inclusive workplace - 

• Training for Recruiting Managers on Equal Opportunities and Unconscious Bias
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion working group and staff network 
• Flexible working arrangements 
• Inclusive policies and procedures 

We want to support you to do your best during the application process, so please do get in touch at su-people@sheffield.ac.uk  with any questions you may have. Additionally, if you have a disability, mental health condition or any other additional needs (such as dyslexia, autism or anxiety), please do let us know so we can tailor the process to suit you.

Benefits

You will work in an exciting and progressive environment and enjoy great staff benefits: 

• 30 days annual leave per year + Bank holidays 
• Cycle to work scheme and cycle hub
• Flexible working hours and Working from Home opportunities
• Generous workplace pension scheme
• Well being Programme
• Enhanced sick pay 
• Enhanced Maternity / Paternity and Shared Parental Leave pay  

Salary: £22,291 (pro rata) 

Hours: 30 hours per week (Monday-Friday), 38 weeks (September 2024 - June 2025)

Closing date: 3rd May, 5pm

Interviews: To be confirmed

Start Date: September 2024