Full-time roles

The full-time Exec Officers are four students who are annually elected to make sure that the student voice is heard at the highest level. They provide support, representation, opportunities and campaign on the issues students care about.

Being a full-time Exec Officer

Each of the full-time positions is a three-way role – that of an automatically appointed member of Trustee Board, as an elected student officer with a specific portfolio of work and as member of staff of USWSU. Whilst the differences are not noticeable on a day-to-day basis, there are sets of rules and regulations that govern each of the areas: as an elected officer, there are the Constitution and Standing Orders, as a Trustee, there is charity and company law and, as a member of staff, a contract and a work handbook. These detail what you can and can't do, how to do things, how to be effective in your role and how you may be removed from your job if you are not doing it properly. Knowing the obligations that come with your chosen role should help you understand what you are taking on.

Being a Trustee carries legal responsibilities for the organisation, which will be explained during your induction training. You will also be expected to subscribe to the National Occupational Standards for Trustees and uphold the seven Principles of Public Life (Nolan Principles) as set by the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

Your role as a Trustee

You should read all the information on pages 14 to 17, as it all applies to anyone who has a full-time role.

Your role as an Elected Officer

All the role descriptions for all Student Officers should be viewed as for guidance and general direction, rather than policy of the Students’ Union. The role descriptions should work in conjunction with mandates from the student body and should not restrict Student Officers from undertaking responsibilities based on their skills, experiences, backgrounds and style of working.

In addition, full-time Exec Officers:

• have a legal responsibility to uphold all policies of the Students’ Union

• may be required to become a cheque signatory of the Union and, as such, may be subject to a credit check

• are not able to work for the Students’ Union in any other capacity

Your role as a Staff Member

Even though you have been elected, rather than appointed to the job, it is still a job, just like any other. You will be expected to turn up to work on time, fulfil the hours of your contract and doing the work that you are paid to do. In return for this, you will receive a salary, along with an a benefits package that includes annual leave, a pension scheme and annual Union shutdowns. You will be issued with a Full-Time Officer Handbook that details all of your rights as an employee, as well as procedures for disciplinary and matters of poor performance.

President

Responsible to Student Council, Student Voice Forum and Board of Trustees

Salary

Circa £18,772.22 pa

Term

1st July 2023 – 30th June 2024 (with compulsory handover period from 15th June).

Line Manager Chair of Trustee Board

Hours

1491 in-office hours. Usual office hours are 8.30am until 4.30pm Monday to Friday, but you will need to be flexible, as there will be times when you have to work longer days/in the evenings/weekends/be away from home. Time off will be given in lieu of any extra hours worked.

Location

The position is based primarily in the Students’ Union building on the Treforest campus, but travel between sites will be necessary.

The President provides leadership for elected officers and representatives and is the main ambassador and external spokesperson for the Students' Union. The role includes working with senior members of University of South Wales, local government staff and officers, local MP's and other external stakeholders.

The President is Chair of the Executive Committee and the role includes leading the team of Student Officers (and working closely with the SU’s senior management team) to ensure that the organisation is delivering its charitable purpose and working towards its vision and values. The President is a member of the Trustee Board and a company director.

The President will also sit as a Student Governor on the USW Board of Governors. This role is to be a student voice (not acting on behalf of the Trustees) at the highest level of the University itself. The Board of Governors normally meets four times a year on Monday afternoons from 4.00pm. Student Governors are also members of the Finance and Resources and the Culture, People and Values Committees, which also both meet four times a year. As a member of the Board of Governors, you would be a trustee of the University, which is a registered charity. Training and ongoing support will be provided for this role. More information can be found here.

The ideal candidate will have a mature outlook and the confidence to represent the student voice in the wider higher education arena. Knowledge of the issues and politics affecting the sector would be an advantage, as would be the ability to formulate and drive strategy. There are a lot of meetings to attend, so highly developed communication, diplomatic and negotiation skills are essential, as is the ability to manage time commitments and work with a diverse range of people.