Decolonise Advocate

Warwick Students’ Union is a vibrant charity. We are a professionally run, independent organisation, with Warwick students at our centre.

What’s on offer:

Hourly Rate: £11.44 plus holiday pay calculated at 15.55% (equivalent of 35 days paid leave per year)

Duration: Fixed Term Contract until 28^th June 2025 (subject to a 24-week probationary period).

Hours: An average of 10 hours per week during term time; although we cannot guarantee these hours.

Location: Warwick Students’ Union, Coventry, with possibility for some remote working.

Closing Date: 9am on Wednesday, 6^th November 2024 - This vacancy and advert will be closed earlier if sufficient applications are received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you submit your application as soon as possible.

Assessment Centre:    Week commencing 11^th November 2024 (via MS Teams).

What’s the role?
Working as part of the Student Voice team, Decolonise Advocates will champion the decolonisation and liberation of the University of Warwick’ curricula and identify opportunities for improving its inclusivity for all students.

Who are you?
We are looking for team members who commit to Warwick SU’s values of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, with a passion for work in the areas of equity, anti-racism, intersections of class and gender, widening participation and bridging the awarding gap. You will also be able to:

• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal), with an ability to approach topics with tact and sensitivity
• Conduct research, interpret data and prepare reports
• Work collaboratively and have a flexible approach
• Be reliable and well organised

Knowledge and competence with Microsoft Office and general IT skills are required for this role

Why apply?
The SU is a vibrant, student-focused environment and you are excited by the thought of being part of the Student Voice team within your Students Union.

If you are passionate about building a more inclusive and equitable educational environment and want to advocate on behalf of marginalised groups, this role if for you. You will be at the forefront of transformative change to deconstruct colonial curricula and support the development of inclusive education action plans to enhance the student experience. 

It is an exciting role where you will collaborate across campus, gain excellent teamworking skills and be part of the impactful Membership team.

Full training is provided that will help and support you in both this role as well as future opportunities.

We’re committed to equality of opportunity for all. We welcome applications from individuals regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender, or disability status. We want to support diverse and inclusive work environments and are actively looking for people who share our values.

Any queries please contact jobs@warwicksu.com.com

JOB DESCRIPTION

RESPONSIBLE TO: Student Voice Manager and through them to the, Director of Membership, the Chief Executive, and Board of Trustees

RESPONSIBLE FOR: None

WORKING CLOSELY WITH: Students, Student Voice Team, VP for Education & Projects and Campaigns Team and University Departments

MAIN PURPOSE FOR JOB: To champion the decolonisation and liberation of the University curricula and to identify opportunities for improving its inclusivity. 

To empower, challenge and support student voices around decolonial matters within the University curricula and experience.

To identify areas to improve inclusivity and wider liberation for all students. 

MAIN DUTIES (in priority)

• To engage and interact with students and University staff to support the University Inclusive Education team to develop action plans to improve the inclusive education experience at Warwick University.
• In conjunction with academic, SU staff, Full and Part-time Officers, and other student representatives passionate about decolonisation, share learning with relevant stakeholders via meetings, departmental evaluative research report and presentation
• In collaboration with students and the Full and Part-time Officers, identify opportunities to embed change, and to develop an inclusive curricula and student experience at Warwick University
• To actively participate in training and learning opportunities
• Pool resources for Union data on decolonisation happening across Union campus and the wider Higher Education sector
• Provide administrative support in supporting the wider academic representative structure when necessary,
• To liaise, support and help deliver a decolonial manifesto for the Union in conjunction with Full and Part-time Officers
• Advocate for the belonging of marginalized groups through particular events, research and action around decolonial and anti-racist matters

The above duties to be discharged in line with the letter and spirit of organisational policy on equality of opportunities and health and safety.

EXPECTED STANDARDS

• Able to locate relevant information quickly
• Filing systems, ensuring they are up to date and meet requirements of all departmental staff and officers
• A polite and informative service is given at all times, making appropriate referral when necessary
• Following procedures accurately, on time, and in the correct format

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE/COMPETENCIES

• Reliable and well organised
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral)
• A commitment to Warwick SU’s ethics and values in relation to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• Ability to conduct research, interpret data and prepare reports
• Demonstrate a collaborative approach and an ability to work cooperatively and effectively to deliver equality objectives
• A passion for the work in the field of diversity, widening participation, bridging the awarding gap, and inclusion in Education
• Confident and capable of enthusiastic outreach work which involves speaking to students
• Have a flexible approach to work and to undertake any other reasonable duties which may be required.
• Ability to deliver high level of customer care
• Willing to undertake further training as required by the needs of the job
• Knowledge and competence with Microsoft Office and IT skills in general

DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE/COMPETENCIES        

• Demonstrate ability to use initiative and take an evaluative and creative approach to equality and diversity
• Ability to deal with challenging situations with tact and sensitivity