What you'll do

• Represent student views on issues such as mental health, wellbeing, and accessibility. Broader more encompassing way of saying this e.g. Represent the views and needs of members in relation to their welfare at the University of Essex, including mental health, wellbeing, physical health, accessibility, safety and financial welfare.
• Ensure that the Students’ Union understands and addresses members' welfare issues, collaborating with the University and external bodies as needed.
• Improve the University’s welfare support to prioritise members' best interests.
• Work with student groups to manage night safety and escalate concerns to the appropriate staff.
• Collaborate with the University, SU Advice, and the SU to promote current student welfare issues locally and nationally.
• Represent the Students’ Union on relevant committees.
• Advocate for student views on mental health, wellbeing, and accessibility. Act as the appeals officer for “SU emergency loans”.
• Work with all the Student Community Officers (from all relevant campuses) and relevant Students’ Union staff to ensure that they are supported in their work and that the communities are represented to the University effectively.
• Support all Student Community Officers to be an effective active part of relevant committees.
• Work closely with and support SU Advice Centre including but not limited to drop-ins, casework, campaigns and supporting students in university panels.

As an Essex Student Leader, you'll also:

• Adhere to the Union’s governance, bylaws, policies, and accountability procedures.
• Represent the Students’ Union on any relevant committees. Specifically, committees that will directly or indirectly impact our student communities and international students.
• Represent the voice of student communities and international students on all relevant committees.
• Monitor and implement SU policy while upholding the Students’ Union’s reputation.
• Fairly represent SU members’ opinions and interests internally and externally.
• Encourage member participation, lead campaigns, and support initiatives based on student feedback.
• Attend relevant meetings, report activities, and represent the Students’ Union on internal and external committees.
• Sit on Council and update annual plans.
• Collaborate with staff to achieve goals set by the Trustee Board and Student Council.
• Fulfil duties as a Union trustee and work towards organisational objectives.
• Collect issues and concerns from the Student Community Officers and relay them to the appropriate individuals within the University and Students’ Union to ensure that they are dealt with swiftly and effectively.
• Ensure that there is regular, clear, and engaging communication with our members in relation to engagement and communities’ activities and events.
• Agree targets and remit of the Students’ Union annual plan with Students’ Union staff.
• Inform and influence the process of feedback collection as part of the creation of the Annual Plan.
• Play an active part in the creation and delivery of central campaigns where relevant.
• Foster good working relationships with key individuals and departments within the university. Including but not limited to: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team, Inclusivity Champions, Staff Forums and Networks, Faith Centre.
• Have flexibility in working hours to ensure that events held in the evenings are fully attended and covered as required within the role.
• Participate in Union wide projects such as events and campaigns throughout the year.
• Prepare a comprehensive handover document for your successor.