UCDSocietiesCouncil
Deputy Chairperson
ApplicationsareinvitedforthepositionofDeputyChairperson.
UCD Societies Council is the representative body of student societies in UCD. Established in 1992, the Societies Council has a membership of over 90 recognised student societies, and is responsible for representing, advocating on behalf of, and supporting the interests and activities of student societies. The SocietiesCouncilisresponsiblefortheallocationoffundingandgrantstoeachstudentsociety.
UCDSocietiesCounciloperatesasUCDSocieties.
Working in partnership with each student society, UCD Societies support student development and the promotion of student life across campus. This work caters to current and prospective students, as well as other members of the University community. Alongside the dailyworkofpromotingUCDstudentsocieties and the UCD Student Experience, UCD Societies maintains an online events calendar and contributes contenttoseveralUCDpublications.
UCD Societies are committed to supporting student enterprise and building a vibrant and engaged communityexperiencebasedonteamworkandrespect.
TheRole:
The Deputy Chairperson represents the interests of student societies and their members at all levels within theUniversityandmustbeindependentofanystudentsocietyduringtheirterm.
The Deputy Chairperson works closely with the Societies Chairperson and Societies Officertodevelopthe activities of societies on campus, increasing engagement, and raising their profile within and outside the University.
The Deputy Chairperson has special responsibility for training and development, driving personal growth, andenablingsocietyofficerstodeliverthehighestqualityofservicetotheirmembers.
The Deputy Chairperson should haveabroadfocusonthecontinuousdevelopmentofthevariousprocesses and functions of societies and of the Societies Council. This focus extends to improving the resources and facilities available to societies (e.g. enhancing internal operations of theCouncilorcollaboratingwithother units to improve service delivery of student societies). In this way,the Deputy Chairperson shouldseekout potential development opportunities, in part through regular engagement with society officers, society members,andotherstakeholders.
The Deputy Chairperson should be available to provide general assistance to society officers, alongside more in-depth assistanceandcounselonspecificissues,whererequired.Inadditionthe Deputy Chairperson hasspecificresponsibilityfortheguidanceofnewly-recognisedorreactivatedsocieties.
The successful candidate will display a genuine passion and enthusiasm for society activity, a strong work ethic,andaninnovativeapproachtoproblemsolving.
Thisisaone-yearappointment,commencing01July2025,orasagreed.
KeyResponsibilities
Representation
● Membership of and attendance at meetingsoftheStudentActivitiesCommittee,StudentPartnership Forum, Societies Council, Societies Council Recognition Committee, and Societies Council ExecutiveCommittee.
● Intheirabsence,deputisingfortheCouncilChairatmeetingsofothercommitteesandforae.g.UMT StudentExperienceGroup.
● Building relationships and liaising with other units and stakeholder groups on both an ongoing and project-specific basis, including Student Services, UCD Global, Student Advisory, Estate Services, StudentRecruitment,andCampusSport&Leisure.
● Representing student societies and their activities in campus-wide engagement efforts including UCDOpenDayandOrientationWeek.
Support
● AnsweringqueriesfromsocietyofficersthroughSocietiesCouncilemailcorrespondence.
● Providing office hours for society officers to discuss day-to-day issues and seek advice and assistance.
● Availability for more in-depth assistance and counsel on specific problems as they emerge for particularsocieties.
● Producingandupdatingwrittenresourcesforsocietyofficers.
● Providing ongoing guidance to newly-recognised or reactivated societies who require particular assistance,administrativeorotherwise,duringinitialset-up.
● Developing and enhancing the current training regime offered to society officers, including facilitatingtopicorrole-specificworkshops.
Administration
● With the Council Chair, co-managing the UCD Societies website, social media channels, and InfoHubmembershipdatabase.
● Undertaking policy review and revision to enhance the practices and processes of the Societies Councilanditsmembers.
● Supporting and developing the delivery of Societies Council events including Freshers Week and RefreshersDay,inpartthroughseekingstakeholderfeedbackpre-andpost-event.
● Developing medium- to long-term strategy for student societies, informed where appropriate by directstudentengagement.
● Identifying opportunities for improvement in all facets of society activity, including enhancing Council operations and working with otherUniversityunitstobetterfacilitatesocietyactivityacross campus.
● Identifying opportunities to increase both passive and active member engagement, and increase the reachandprofileofUCDSocieties.
PersonSpecification
RequiredSkills
● Thirdlevelqualificationorprogressiontowardsthesame
● Experienceinastudentsocietyenvironment
● Excellentinterpersonalandcommunicationskills
● Strongorganisationalskillsandattentiontodetail
● Excellenttimemanagementwithabilitytoprioritise
● Abilitytoworkindependentlyoraspartofateam
● Experienceofpublicspeakingwithanoutgoingpersonality
● Discretioninhandlingconfidentialinformation
Desirable
● KnowledgeofUCDprocesses,structures,andpolicies
● Experienceonastudentsocietycommitteeorequivalent
● Experienceinaleadershiporteammanagementrole
● Knowledgeofbudgetmanagement
AdditionalNotesonEligibility
ItisintendedthattheroleoftheDeputyChairpersonoftheSocietiesCouncilshouldbeanundergraduate studentorrecentgraduate(notmorethan2yearsuponappointment).Thisguidelineisinplaceto ensurethattheDeputy-ChairoftheSocietiesCouncilremainsconnectedtothecurrentstudentbodyand thatthepositiondoesnotbecomealong-term(orindefinite/permanent)position.
TheDeputyChairpersonmustupholdtheconstitutionoftheSocietiesCouncil.
FurtherInformation
WorkingHours
The position is contracted for 15 hours per week. Flexibility will be required, and work may include unsocial hours and weekends. Overtime will not be payable but time off in lieu may be agreed.Hoursmay besetaroundothercommitments,includingclasses,byagreement.
The successful candidate will be an employee of ‘UCD Campus Sport & Leisure Ltd.’, reporting to the SocietiesOfficer
PayScale
Thesuccessfulcandidatewillbepaid€32,500perannum,prorata.
Contact-InformalenquiriescanbemadetoRobertGrendonatrobert.grendon@ucd.ie
ToApply Applicationsshouldinclude:
1. Proposal (maximum two pages): Outline your understanding of the role within the context of the UCD Student Experience, and your ideas for the development of the role and the development of UCDStudentSocieties.
2. CV: Outline your experience to-date,positionsandprojectsofresponsibility,evidenceofapplication ofskillsandcriterialistedabove.
Applications should be submitted to [societies.jobs@ucd.ie] before the closing deadlineat17:00Friday30 May2025.
InterviewProcess
Candidatesmeetingthespecifiedcriteriamaybeshort-listedpriortobeinginvitedforinterview.
Interviews will be scheduled for early June 2025. This will be a formal interview, totakeplaceintheUCD Student Centre, Belfield Dublin 4. Candidates who wish to availofreasonableaccommodationareaskedto indicatetheirneedswhensubmittingtheirapplication.
FurtherInformation
InformalenquiriescanbemadetoRobertGrendonatrobert.grendon@ucd.ie