This pack contains:

Welcome from the President

Guide to Middlesex University Students’ Union

Working for the Students’ Union

MDXSU Strategic Plan and KPIs

Job Description & Person Specification

Application Form

Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

Application Process

WELCOME FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Student, Thank you for your interest in becoming a Team MDXSU Intern! Middlesex University Students’ Union supports around 23,000 students studying at Middlesex University and we’re piloting a new Intern delivery scheme, where you as students, will be given the chance to deliver activities across all schools, whilst getting paid the London Living Wage rate of £8.55 an hour. This is an incredibly exciting time to join us. Becoming a Team MDXSU Intern is one of the most varied but exciting roles, so we are looking for students to work on exciting Union wide initiatives and help champion the Students’ Union across all schools. Ideal Interns will have strong interpersonal skills, project management skills, the ability to communicate with people from a diverse range of backgrounds and will be fun, friendly and focussed. Working in a vibrant, student focused, and motivated organisation like the Students’ Union is a truly rewarding experience. We view our staff as our most valuable resource. According to our recent Staff Survey in May 2013, the students that we employ feel: • Their jobs make them feel good about themselves (100%) • They feel inspired to do their best (100%) • They feel that their work contributes to the MDX SU’s performance (100%) • They are acquiring skills and knowledge that will benefit their future careers (100%) • They receive the training necessary to do their jobs effectively (100%) • They are encouraged to learn and develop to achieve their potential (100%) • Other colleagues value their contribution (100%) In the past 12 months the Students’ Union has been through a significant period of change and transition. With additional University funding secured, a new website, new premises, a new brand, a new Director, a new constitution, a new team of sabbaticals, a new staff structure and a new strategic plan. This is a really exciting time for the Students’ Union as we begin to change the lives of our members. Last year we ran 3 events to welcome new students to the University; this year we are running 59 events which is physical evidence of the changing ambition and scale of the SU. Joining our team at such an incredible time will allow you to build upon this momentum in the coming years. This year is going to be about supporting students of Middlesex to take hold of their education, experience and future employment and to make them their own, through our Union. I hope you find this information pack useful. If you need any additional information or if you would like to speak to someone about the role please contact the Office Manager, Aadam Ali – A.Ali@mdx.ac.uk. The deadline for applications is 12 noon, Monday 7th October 2013. We look forward to receiving your application.

Sayed Alkadiri President

GUIDE TO MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ UNION Middlesex University Students’ Union (MDXSU) provides support, activities and representation for over 23,000 students studying at Middlesex University in North London. The University provides higher education to around 40,000 students in total studying in London, Dubai and Mauritius. The University is made up of several specialist schools which are: Health & Education, Art & Design, Media & Performance, Science & Technology, Business, Law, and the Institute for Work Based Learning. MDXSU is an independent student-led charity that exists to improve the student experience through representation and services. How is MDXSU run? MDXSU is run by a group of elected students who have been democratically elected by the student body. On a day to day basis we are run by 4 full time student officers; President, Vice President Business & Law, Vice President Art Design Media and Performance, Vice President Science Technology Health and Education. All student officers and student volunteers are supported by a dedicated enthusiastic and professional staff team. The highest decision making body within MDXSU is the Trustee Board who meet throughout the year to oversee our strategic progress and organisational health. MDXSU also enables students to influence our day to day decisions through a variety of democratic functions including through elections and policy making. What does MDXSU do? We exist to improve the student experience and we do that through a combination of representation and services: Advice Service MDXSU has an advice service that is independent and free to Middlesex students. Professional staff provide students with advice, information and advocacy on a range of issues with a focus on academic issues. The most common issues we deal with include situations where a student wishes to appeal grades or a university decision, and situations where students have been accused of some sort of misconduct by the university. Representation & Campaigns One of MDXSU’s core aims is to help students affect change within their university. Alongside our democracy, we also support students and student officers to run campaigns for change. To enable students to influence long term developments within the university we also support a course representative scheme. This scheme involves supporting at least one student representative per year group per course to represent their classmates on a wide range of issues related to their education. MDXSU is also a member of the National Union of Students (NUS) and engage in representing Middlesex students at a national level on a wide range of national and international matters. Student Activities We support students to run and participate in a range of extra-curricular activities. Students form groups around any number of themes – we have religious groups, activity societies, political and charity groups, and groups bringing students from countries around the world together. Most of our activities are run by students for students and MDXSU provide the students with the skills, knowledge and administrative support they need to succeed. Participating in student activities offers students the chance to socialise, build networks, and develop new skills. Student Media MDXSU offer students the chance to gain hands on experience in the production of our radio station and newspaper. In the MDXSU Media Centre students have access to equipment, resources, and staff support

as they gain valuable experiences and make friends. Several students who have been involved in MDXSU media in the past have gone on to careers in national radio stations and newspapers – sometimes students find their passion through the activities they participate in outside of the classroom! Employment opportunities Times are tough for many students and lots choose or have to work whilst studying. We believe that students are best placed to be the face of MDXSU and as such we provide a range of part-time employment opportunities in administration, media, events and activities to Middlesex students. Volunteer support & development Our volunteers are our strength and as such we go to great lengths to support them. Staff working alongside volunteers provide expert training, guidance, motivation and support throughout their time with us. We think it’s really important to celebrate the work that student volunteers do and have many ways of doing this throughout the academic year.

WORKING FOR THE STUDENTS’ UNION “Being an Intern for MDXSU would be a fantastic opportunity. Being part of the team and working as a team player with your input being valued by staff members allowing you to see you take control of your SU's future, while gaining lots of essential experience which will come in useful after leaving University! With fantastic training being provided by staff and an environment where you always feel motivated and feel like you can do your best, this is an opportunity not to be missed!” Nick Patel, BSc Business Information Systems Team MDXSU Member 2012-2013 “Working for MDXSU is a motivating and rewarding experience which coincides along side University life. You are pushed to meet targets and achieve goals within an environment that is constantly motivating you whilst gaining new skills and enhancing ones which you already possess. Even the smallest task is recognised and acknowledged as valuable within the MDXSU structure. The job enables you to tackle obstacles which you didn't know you could tackle and achieve results effectively and the whole time you are working amongst incredibly talented and enthusiastic individuals, which creates a truly unique and extraordinary work environment.” Joel Fleming, BA Fine Art Team MDXSU Member 2012-present “Working for MDXSU, I have developed a newly found confidence in talking to people, effective problem solving independently and feel that I have contributed to the growth of the Students’ Union. There are so many opportunities to learn new skills, but also learning how a Students’ Union operates, benefitting from seeing what goes on behind the scenes and the hard work that goes into every event, campaign and impact that MDXSU aims to make. There is such determination to succeed within the organisation that it makes me strive to do the same whilst at work and during my course at the University.” Wayne Newell, BA Film and Television Production Team MDXSU Member 2012-present “Not only is this role totally flexible, making it possible to work and study at the same time, tasks are delegated accordingly, making it easy for everyone to know what tasks they're doing in advance. In addition, we get to participate in events where we are given the opportunity to talk to students about the role of the Student’s Union and upcoming events that are planned. Working at the Students’ Union has really built up my self confidence, I can now approach anyone without the fear of what they are going to say and it has also improved my presentation and interpersonal skills.” Victoria Aiyeola, BA Business Management Team MDXSU Member 2012-2013

MDXSU Strategic Plan 2013-2018

Our new strategy has been developed in response to the changing needs of Middlesex students and the opportunities presented by the University’s new direction. With a focus on the quality and quantity of engagement with our members, the top level section of our strategy below should give a good idea of where we are going.

Middlesex University Students’ Union

Strategic Plan 2013 – 2018

Our Mission

We are an independent student-led organisation that exists to improve the student experience through representation and services.

Our vision

By 2018 all Middlesex students will have a ‘real’ university experience.

Strategic Aims

Theme: Employability & Skills

Aim 1: We will make sure that every students’ employment prospects are maximised through their course either through work experience or links with industry

Aim 2: We will make sure that every student has the opportunity to gain skills and to network outside of their course

Theme: Community, fun and friendship

Aim 3: We will facilitate support & friendships networks to increase students’ sense of belonging and satisfaction

Aim 4: We will create a vibrant social & extra-curricular scene involving large numbers of students

Theme: Our Strength

Aim 5: We will build a highly skilled highly motivated staff and officer team

Aim 6: We will build organisational legitimacy and clout by increasing engagement with students

Key Performance Indicators

Aim 2018 KPIs 2013/14 KPIs

Aim 1: We will make sure that every students’ employment prospects are

maximised through their course either through work experience or

links with industry

NSS scores on employability increased for MU

MU graduates link their course experiences and extra-curricular experiences with their

career progression

50 case studies gained from MU graduates on their experiences getting jobs

Recruit panel of 12 MU graduates to use as sounding board for ideas, reports, and to keep up to date with

progress post MDX

MU agree to run a more detailed Graduate Destinations Survey

Aim 2: We will make sure that every student has the opportunity to gain skills and to network outside of their

course

8,000 students engaged in gaining skills and networking outside of their course

All students have the opportunity for skills

gained through extra-curricular activities to be formally recognised

300 1st year students buddied (60 2nd, 3rd yr volunteers)

400 students engaged in one-off networking

activities

1500 students engaged in total in skills and networking activities

50 students’ skills formally recognised through pilot

Aim 3: We will facilitate support & friendships networks to increase students’ sense of belonging and

satisfaction

1700 1st year students buddied 3000 students engaged in networking activities

– we are able to demonstrate a balance of bonding and bridging activities

300 1st year students buddied (60 2nd, 3rdyr volunteers)

400 students engaged in one-off networking activities

Produce evidence based report on the current reach of our advice service

Demonstrate the impact that involvement in Union activities can have on students’ sense of belonging &

satisfaction

Aim 4: We will create a vibrant social & extra-curricular scene involving

large numbers of students

8,000 students engaged in the welcome programme

2,000 students engaged in the welcome programme (at least 1,500 of which should be engaged in

activities outside of Freshers Fair)

6,000 students engaged in Union-facilitated extra-curricular activities

5,000 students engaged in a diverse

programme of social activities

2,500 students engaged in Union-facilitated extra-

curricular activities

1,500 students engaged in a diverse programme of social activities

Produce in depth research-based paper with

recommendations for the future of skills development, opportunities, and fun at MU

Aim 5: We will build a highly skilled highly motivated staff and officer

team

Union is recognised nationally as excellent

Union staff are used to support other SUs

Union Sabbaticals reflect the diversity of the student body

Staff & Officer satisfaction is high in all areas

Start Students’ Union Evaluation Initiative

Undertake the Investors In People scheme

Sabbaticals receive ‘360 feedback’

Improve staff & Officer satisfaction levels (from 2012/13) – specifically improve satisfaction in the

staff/sabb relationship

Aim 6: We will build organisational legitimacy and clout by increasing

engagement with students

Union influences University strategy, policy and procedures at all levels

Union is known for its evidence led approach

to representation

80% of students recognise the Union as having had a positive impact on their lives

Establish clear account of what the MU committee structure now looks like (formal and informal) and

where Union reps are within it

All Union reps are briefed and prepared for every MU meeting they attend

Course Reps ‘issue tracking’ process is established

5 evidence based change papers are submitted to

MU committees by the Union

Sabbatical Officers have spoken to all students at least once

JOB DESCRIPTION

STUDENT VOICE INTERN (6 positions- 1 per school)

Accountable to: Executive Assistant and Office Manager Salary Band: £8.55 per hour Hours: 1 day a week (either 1 full day or 2 half days) Contract: Fixed hours contract until end of term 2 (approximately May 2014) Location: Normally located on the Hendon campus, North London JOB PURPOSE

1. To deliver on campaigning activity, particularly on welfare and academic campaigns. 2. Championing the Students’ Union across Middlesex University

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To deliver on campaigning activity, particularly on welfare and academic campaigns.

Liaise with the Project Manager and Full Time Officers to develop and deliver campaign activity

Establish a campaigns action network across the relevant school

Assists Full Time Officers with being first point of contact to talk to students to develop campaign ideas that have been provided on an online platform

Support Union wide campaign activities

Develop and promote a social media platform/initiative for Union campaigns

To feedback to the Project Manager key information relating to union campaigns

2. Championing the Students’ Union across Middlesex University

Be an ambassador for the Students’ Union

Encourage Union involvement with peers in the relevant school on all levels

Feedback all relevant data/statistics/information from work to the Line Manager

PERSON SPECIFICATION

CRITERIA Requirement

QUALIFICATIONS

Current enrolled student and studying at Middlesex University Essential

EXPERIENCE

Experience of managing projects Essential

KNOWLEDGE

Understanding and/or experience of democratic, member led organisations Essential

ATTRIBUTES/SKILLS

IT competent with a strong working understanding of Microsoft packages Essential

Ability to meet strict deadlines Essential

Proactive and able to work using own initiative Essential

Excellent communication skills verbal and written Essential

Strong interpersonal skills Essential

VALUES AND ETHICS

Positive attitude and enthusiasm about Middlesex University and MDXSU Essential

Interested in working with students Essential

Good team player Essential

APPLICATION FORM

Type or write clearly using black ink. Return the form by email to A.Ali@mdx.ac.uk The closing date is 12 noon Monday 7

th October 2013.

(Where a cross is required in a box please highlight the box and type an X)

Application for the post of:

Closing date:

A. Personal Details

Surname: Forenames: Name you wish to be ‘known as’ if not your forename or if you prefer a shortened version of your name: Student Number: School (e.g. Business, Law etc): National Insurance Number: If you are currently in employment: May we contact you at work? YES NO Work Tel No: Ext.

E-mail address:

Title: Mr Mrs Ms Miss Dr Prof. Other (please specify)

Address:

Postcode:

Email: Home Telephone Number:

Mobile:

Are you a UK/EEA national? YES NO

If you are not a UK/EEA national do you have a visa to work in the UK? (e.g. a Tier 1 visa) YES NO

Are you applying under the Tier 2 PBS? YES NO

B. Employment

Name and Address of current or most recent employer:

Post held:

From: To: Salary/Grade: Please state notice period and/or earliest start date:

Tel No: Reason for wishing to leave or for leaving:

E-mail address:

Please summarise the main duties and responsibilities in your current or most recent job:

Previous Employment (Please give details of previous posts held and include any relevant voluntary or unpaid work. Continue on a separate sheet if required)

Past Employer(s) most recent first Post held and main role(s) Dates From To Reason for Leaving

Additional Information in support of your Application

This part of the application form will be used for shortlisting. Please give details of your relevant qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills demonstrating how you meet each of the criteria on the person specification. Give detailed answers and examples where appropriate. Continue on a separate sheet if required.

Education and Training

(If you have attended a place of further or higher education, information concerning schools and school examinations may be omitted). You will be required to produce original certificates/qualifications.

a) Secondary education OR Further and/or Higher education, giving most recent qualification first

School/College/University/Other Qualification and subjects(s) Level Grade Year obtained

b) Qualification(s) currently being undertaken

Institution/Provider

Qualification/level

Subject(s)

Exam/finish date

c) Relevant Training and Non-Qualification Courses Attended

d) Membership of Professional Body(ies)/Professional Qualification(s) (If more than one, please list all)

Name of Professional Body(ies)

Qualification(s)

Membership level

Registration No.

Date obtained

F. Disclosure of a Criminal Record/Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (to be completed by all applicants)

If the post you have applied for is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and requires a Standard or Enhanced Disclosure (as indicated on the job description), you must disclose all convictions (whether spent or unspent), cautions, reprimands and final warnings on your criminal record. (Please read the guidelines carefully)

If the post is subject to either a Standard or Enhanced Disclosure, you must answer the following question:

Have you ever been convicted by the courts or cautioned, reprimanded or given a final warning by the police? YES NO

If the post is subject to Enhanced Disclosure, you must also answer the following question:

Are you aware of any police enquiries undertaken following allegations made against you or do you have any pending prosecutions, which may

have a bearing on your suitability for this post? YES NO

For all other posts: Do you have any unspent criminal convictions? YES NO

(If you answer yes to any of the above questions, please give details of offences, penalties and dates on a separate document (which should be

signed and dated), and sent to A.Ali@mdx.ac.uk. Include your name and the job title in the document.)

Have you worked for Middlesex University Students’ Union before? YES NO

If yes, please state dates employed and job title:

Please indicate if you are applying for this post on a part-time/job share basis YES NO If yes, please state (a) number of hours you wish to work per week (b) do you have a job share partner YES NO

G. Disability (To be completed by all applicants)

The Equality Act 2010 defines a disabled person as anyone who has or has had a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Taking this definition into consideration, do you consider you have a disability? : YES NO Please describe any special requirements/reasonable adjustments which will help you participate in an interview or to carry out this post if appointed:

H. References

Please give names and addresses of THREE referees, not related to you, who are willing and able to provide up-to-date information on your qualifications, experience and skills. One of these must be your line manager from your current or most recent employment or if you have not been employed, a referee related to relevant voluntary or community work or, if appropriate, your head teacher or lecturer/tutor from your last school or college or university.

We reserve the right to contact your present/last employer if an offer is made and accepted. References may be taken up prior to interview, unless you have specifically requested otherwise in the section below.

Name 1. 2. 3.

Position

Working relationship (if any)

Address

Post Code:

Tel No:

Fax No:

E-mail address:

May we contact prior to interview?

YES NO YES NO YES NO

I. Declaration

I understand the Students’ Union reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment or to terminate my employment with or without notice or payment in lieu in cases where: (a) it is discovered I do not have the claimed qualification or experience (b) I do not obtain, for whatever reasons, any appropriate examination or licence; (c) I become disbarred from the appropriate Regulatory Body or Authority.

I understand that an offer of appointment will be subject to references satisfactory to the Students’ Union.

I understand that, if the post is subject to Standard or Enhanced Disclosure, I must disclose details of any criminal record, including convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings and (for Enhanced Disclosure) any other information that may have a bearing on my suitability for the post.

I understand that providing false or misleading information will disqualify me from appointment or if appointed will render me liable to dismissal without notice.

I declare that the information I have given is, to the best of my knowledge, true and complete.

I agree that the information given may be used for registered purposes under the Data Protection Act 1998.

Has anyone else completed this form on your behalf YES NO

Signed (please insert electronic signature or leave blank):

Date:

Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form Application for the post of: CONFIDENTIAL - FOR MONITORING PURPOSES ONLY

We aim to ensure that all applicants for posts receive equal treatment irrespective of their age, gender, ethnic origin or disability. In order to monitor the effectiveness of this policy we should be grateful if you would complete this section.

This section will be separated from your application form when received and retained in Human Resources.

Family Name: Forenames:

Date of Birth: Age:

Ethnic Origin

Your ethnic origin is not your nationality, place of birth or citizenship but refers to your colour and broad ethnic group. I would describe my ethnic origin as:- (Please highlight the relevant box and type X) White Gypsy or Traveller Black or Black British - Caribbean Black or Black British - African Black - Other Asian or Asian British - Indian Asian or Asian British - Pakistani Asian or Asian British – Bangladeshi Chinese Asian - Other Mixed - White and Black Caribbean Mixed - White and Black African

Mixed - White and Asian Mixed – Other Arab Other Ethnic Background

Gender Identity Is your gender the same as the gender you were assign at birth? Yes No

Legal Sex Male Female

Sexual Orientation Bisexual Gay man Lesbian Heterosexual Other Prefer not to say

Religion or Belief (What is your Religion?) No religion Buddhist Christian Hindu Jewish Muslim Sikh Spiritual Any other religion or belief Prefer not to say/Info refused

Nationality:

Disability

As some of the recruitment process is decentralised, a section on disability appears both in the main application form so that managers are made aware of any reasonable adjustments required during the process and in this tear-off part which is used by Human Resources to monitor equal opportunities.

The Equality Act 2010 defines a disabled person as anyone who has or has had a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

Taking this definition into consideration, I would describe myself as disabled: YES NO

Nature of Disability:

How did you become aware of this vacancy? Students’ Union website CharityJob.ac.uk NUS Connect Other website

I declare that all information given in this application is, to the best of my knowledge, complete and correct.

Signed (please insert electronic signature or leave blank): Date:

APPLICATION PROCESS Key Dates Applications will be received until 12 noon Monday 7th October Successful applicants will be invited to interview by 5pm Tuesday 8th October Interviews will take place between Wednesday 9th-Tuesday 15th October Training for successful candidates will take place on the 17th and 18th October Applications returned to Applications can be submitted electronically only to: Aadam Ali – A.Ali@mdx.ac.uk The interview day Our interviews are designed to put candidates at ease and get the best out of them on the day. We also want to ensure that candidates have opportunities to ask questions about us. The interview will consist of a panel interview. We anticipate that the process will take no longer than 45 minutes. Location All applicants should come to the Students’ Union offices on the Middlesex University Campus, The Burroughs, London NW4 4BT. We are a 10 minute walk from Hendon Central tube station and a 15 minute walk from Hendon train station. Buses run from both stations directly to the campus or if you prefer to walk it is a straightforward route. A map can be found here. Queries If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact Aadam Ali either by email A.Ali@mdx.ac.uk or by telephone on 020 8411 6450.