Student Assistant

Job Description

The Queen's University Widening Participation Unit (WPU) require Student Assistants to provide support for a range of events and activities across our key programmes. These programmes are delivered with WPU key stakeholders, including but not limited to, primary and, secondary school pupils and current Queen's University students and cover a range of activities including; campus visits, summer residentials, and university Taster days. The majority of events run throughout the academic year between the hours of 9.00 am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. WPU also deliver Summer Residential activities outside Term Time. Full training for the role will be provided. Please note that the hours of the role will be dependent on scheduled events. 

Posts are available from 1st April 2025 to the 14th September 2025 in the first instance, with the possibility of extension into academic year 2025/2026, subject to a continuing right to work in the UK, active registration on Qwork, re-registration with the University in September 2025 and being a registered student of the University for the full duration of the post.     

Working variable hours, as and when required, up to a maximum of fifteen hours per week during term-time with the potential for additional hours outside of term-time based on the study level (UG/PGT/PGR) of the candidate appointed.   

Student Assistants act as a role model and ambassador for Higher Education and support the work of the Widening Participation Unit in the delivery of aspiration and attainment raising programmes. This includes:   

Engaging with pre-entry students, ranging from P7 to Year 13 ? 14 pupils (referred to hereafter as programme participants) involved in Queen's Academy and/or other post-primary schools in addition to students from colleges and Community Education Centre's participating in the various WPU programmes;   

To act as a role model and ambassador for Higher Education to programme participants providing potential students with an enthusiastic insight into life at Queen's;   

To provide assistance to Widening Participation Outreach Officers through facilitating small group discussions and activities on subjects relevant to programme participants;   

To assist in motivating and encouraging programme participants to engage fully in all aspects of the delivered programmes;   

Dealing with queries to include signposting programme participants to suitable sources of help, support and guidance (training will be provided for the purposes of this duty);    

To have knowledge of the Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Groups Act (training also to be provided by Widening Participation in line with QUB code of practice and good conduct policies);  

Carry out any other duties which are appropriate to the post as may be reasonably requested by the supervisor. 

The requirements of these posts are that applicants must be currently registered and attending a course at Queen's University, Belfast. Students applying for this post MUST be able to evidence in writing how they meet the essential and desirable criteria outlined below. Students who DO NOT provide evidence will not be shortlisted and the application will not be considered.    

Registered students (undergraduate and postgraduate) at Queen's University Belfast for academic year 2024/2025.  

Essential Criteria:   

Registered students (undergraduate and postgraduate) at Queen's University Belfast for academic year 2024/2025.  

All students for whom English is not their first language must have achieved a minimum pass mark of 7.0 in the writing and speaking band of IELTS (International English Language Test Score) or equivalent. (Please note a copy of your IELTS results will be requested by email to your QUB email address following submission of your application). 

An understanding of the issues and barriers pupils from Widening Participation backgrounds face when considering or applying to Higher Education;   

Experience of working within a team;   

Experience of working with young people;   

Applicants should have knowledge and an awareness of a range of Queen's University Schools/ Departments and Services    

Interested in assisting and motivating young people from disadvantaged backgrounds progress to higher education;   

Desirable Criteria:   

Experience of working effectively in a supportive capacity with young people through engagement as a volunteer or as member of a social organisation;    

Knowledge and/or experience of the Widening Participation Programmes currently offered by Queen's University;   

Experience in leading and managing groups of young people;   

Experience in facilitating small group discussion;   

Knowledge of the Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Groups Act and experience of applying that knowledge.