Department
The Academic Section is part of the University’s Professional Services and is headed by the Academic Registrar. The Section is responsible for managing all aspects of student and academic administration and plays a central role in delivering the University’s commitment to excellence in education across the institution. The main directorates of the Academic Section are: Academic Services and Student Life.
The Student Life directorate is responsible for leading and coordinating many elements of the student experience which support the educational aspects of student life. This includes Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity, Student Services and Student Development. The directorate is predominantly student-facing and the success of its delivery relies on ensuring student benefit is paramount in our approach and that services and support are delivered in a coherent and student-focused manner.
The Student Wellbeing and Inclusivity Service (SWIS) provides a professional and proactive service for students within a safe, healthy and inclusive environment, and supports our students to fulfil their potential as individuals and to enable them to be active participants in their own educational experiences and the transformational opportunities available to them at the University of Essex.
Duties of the Role
You will be required to lead complex casework including the management of crisis, work with local healthcare providers and the voluntary sector in order to make referrals. You will work across the University to develop and promote services, interventions and support for students with mental health conditions, including those from non-traditional backgrounds.
Specific areas of responsibility include managing student-centred support, information, advice and guidance and interventions for disabled students, students with mental and emotional health difficulties and students from non-traditional backgrounds; working across the University to develop and promote services; supporting the development of an inclusive environment; including support to staff who are supporting students.
Whilst this is a permanent, full-time post based at our Colchester campus, applications for hybrid working, with a mixture of on campus and home working, may be considered.
Skills and qualifications required
The successful candidate will utilise their professional expertise, knowledge and experience to make a real and lasting difference to students’ experiences and their success at the University of Essex. This role will require somebody with a positive and professional manner, who is passionate about working to support students with mental health difficulties and has the temperament to cope under pressure and oversee multiple and complex areas of service delivery within tight deadlines. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate an experience and understanding of: how to improve mental health support for students; deliver and develop initiatives; understand the student experience and have experience of working successfully with internal and external stakeholders and will have the ability to lead, engage, persuade, influence and enthuse others.
We are looking for someone who can successfully develop and implement new processes and systems and who can demonstrate their ability to lead the development of proactive services that realise strategic objectives and provide excellent wellbeing support. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills are essential for this post.
Due to the nature of the role, it is essential you can fulfil the staff vetting requirements in respect of University Positions of Trust.
At the University of Essex, internationalism and diversity is central to who we are and what we do. We are committed to being a cosmopolitan, internationally oriented university that is welcoming to staff and students from all countries, faiths and backgrounds, where you can find the world in one place.
To support this commitment we have our Global Forum, a staff-led network that promotes and celebrates the rich cultural diversity among Essex staff, and our Colchester campus based Faith Centre, which hosts regular services, meetings and events organised by our chaplains and faith representatives.
Please see the attached job pack, which contains a full job description and person specification which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role plus more information relating to the post. We recommend you read this information carefully before making an application. Applications should be made on-line, but if you would like advice or help in making an application, or need information in a different format, please contact resourcing@essex.ac.uk
*More information: Working at the University