HE Experts for Student Interest Board
Location
Remote working – attendance of committee meetings in person (London, Bristol, UK) and online
Salary
An attendance fee of £300 is paid for meetings (including preparation time).
Closing date
5 December 2024
Contract
Fixed term until 31 December 2027
Hours
Part time
Industry
Higher education
Job level
Member of committee
We are seeking to appoint expert committee members to join the OfS Student Interest Board. We are looking to appoint up to six independent members to the board to start in January 2025.
About the OfS
The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of higher education in England. Our primary aim is delivering positive outcomes for students – past, present, and future.
Our objectives are to ensure that all students, from all backgrounds:
About the board
The Office for Students (OfS) Student Interest Board is a committee of the OfS board with the purpose of providing a mechanism for students to be directly involved in the governance of the OfS.
The Student Interest Board will include a mix of students, SU experienced staff and officers from students’ unions, provider staff from providers who work on student issues and others who can represent students’ consumer or longer-term interests. The Student Interest Board meetings will mirror discussions of the OfS board, considering strategic issues in a timely manner, and will also provide intelligence directly to the OfS board and the wider organisation around current themes and issues which matter to students.
The Student Interest Board will be chaired by the student representative member of the OfS board with the Director for Fair Access and Participation also in attendance. Both will represent the Student Interest Board’s perspectives to the wider OfS board to ensure student interest is embedded in our governance and work.
About you
We are looking for board members who bring extensive experience of working on student issues and who can represent students’ consumer or longer term interest.
You will have experience at a senior level of either:
You will be an excellent communicator with experience of influencing decision makers. You will have the ability to collaborate and build coalitions to achieve strategic objectives.
Person specification:
1. To have proven significant experience at senior level of either:
a) providing higher education on behalf of an English higher education provider or being responsible for the provision of higher education by such a provider or
b) leadership in policy related to the student interest in public, private or third sector organisations or
c) services organisations or expert advice in the interest of students.
Examples of the above include pro-vice chancellor of student experience, student union or Guild CEO or senior leader or staff, Head of Student Support Services, senior experience at a specialist or third sector organisation supporting students, for example accommodation provider or advice service.
2. Significant experience in supporting or representing the student interest including both:
a) demonstrable experience of a strong expertise in particular aspect of the student experience
b) ability to engage insightfully across a large range of issues.
3. Significant experience in approaching areas of work in the student interest using an evidence-based and informed approach, in one or more of the following areas:
a) driving institutional change in practice;
b) contributing to the knowledge base in a particular area of the student interest;
c) developing and implementing policies or resources in relation to students;
d) evaluating practice in key areas of the student interest.
4. Proven ability to communicate complex information with clarity and credibility.
5. Demonstrable experience influencing decision makers and/or practitioners.
6. Ability to use evidence and data to make persuasive arguments and achieve stakeholders’ buy-in.
7. Demonstrable ability to collaborate and build coalitions to achieve strategic objectives.
8. Ability to act impartially, dispassionately and without bias.
Desirable
Demonstrable understanding of access, success and progression and issues for students from disadvantaged backgrounds or historically excluded groups.
Other factors
We are aiming to get a range of experience and views and are interested to hear from applicants who can bring different perspectives to the board. We are particularly interested in hearing from applicants who have supported or represented students from Higher Education in Further Education, those who work in small or specialist providers, or those who support postgraduate or international students or students on non-traditional pathways.
Availability
Able to prepare for, attend and participate in five meetings a year. The meeting schedule for successful candidates is expected to be:
Able to take an active part in the work of the Student Interest Board, both in meetings and by online means, and able to attend other relevant events on an ad hoc basis.
Terms of appointment
We are appointing members to Student Interest Board for the duration of the initial term of three years (until December 2027). Members are appointed as individuals and, if they are unable to attend, representatives may not stand in.
Members are expected to conform to the standards set out in the OfS members’ Code of Conduct: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/about/how-we-are-run/who-we-are/our-board-and-committees/.
Members must also register any relevant personal interests.
Meeting arrangements and remuneration
Members are expected to attend five meetings of the Student Interest Board during a year. These will be a combination of online and in-person meetings. In-person meetings may be in London, Bristol or at a higher education institution.
Scheduled committee meetings are expected to last approximately four hours and up to half a day per meeting will also be required for reading and preparation.
A £300 fee for attendance at meetings will be paid.
Travel and subsistence expenses may be claimed in accordance with OfS policies.
Working with us
The OfS regulates the higher education sector on behalf of all students. We value diversity and the wealth of perspectives, experience and ideas that it brings to our work, and we strive to embed equality of opportunity in everything we do.
We encourage and value difference in people and thought and seek to foster equality of opportunity. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition.
Application process
As part of the application process you will be asked to answer four short questions that will allow us to assess your suitability for the role. We will also consider other information that you submit as part of the process so that we can ensure we have a range of experience in the board.
If you think you might have difficulty with any part of the process, and will need reasonable adjustment to help you succeed, please let us know.
Closing date for applications is 5 December.
We plan that interviews will take place online during weeks commencing 6 and 13 January 2025 (subject to change).
For further information contact: student.engagement@officeforstudents.org.uk
or email your queries to: recruitmentteam@officeforstudents.org.uk
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