Academic and Welfare Adviser

Applicant Information and Job Description and Person
Specification

Summary

Aston Students’ Union (SU) is a membership organisation for students studying at Aston
University. The SU is led by elected student officers supported by a staff team. It is an
independent charity and company that exists to impact positively on the life of Aston University
students. The SU provides a range of services to enhance the student experience. Services
are varied and include advice and support, a student representation framework, over 100
clubs and societies, an accommodation service, headline annual events alongside much more.

Job Summary

We are looking for an experienced, committed and dynamic individual to join our advice team
who are responsible for providing advice to 18000 students at Aston University. Experience of
providing advice or working in higher education along with excellent communication skills are
required to deliver high quality and empowering advice on academic, housing and money
issues affecting students. Academic appeals, complaints and disciplinary matters make up the
majority of the caseload. As a result, a key part of the role will be advising students on the
University’s academic policies and procedures.

Principle Purpose of Job:

To support the Union’s advice service to provide Aston
students with professional, impartial, confidential and
high-quality advice on a range of issues related to their
academic studies as well as housing and money
management

Work Location:                            Aston University Campus: Aston Students’ Union, B4 7BX

Responsible to:                          Head of Advice, Wellbeing, and Accommodation Support

Academic and Welfare Adviser Job Description and Person Specification

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Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity

Aston Students’ Union is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity
and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind
based on Race, Age, Disability, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Reassignment,
Religion or belief, Marriage and Civil Partnership or Pregnancy and maternity or any
other protected characteristic. If you require any reasonable adjustments to assist you
in the application or interview process, please get in touch to discuss your needs.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

a)  To provide Aston students with professional, impartial, confidential and high quality
advice on a range of issues related to their academic studies as well as student
accommodation and money management.

b)  To advise clients face to face, by telephone, email and through virtual and online

services.

c)  To provide high quality advice and information on a range of academic issues including

but not limited to academic appeals, academic offences, complaints, disciplinary,
exceptional circumstances, fitness to practice, progression and withdrawals.

d)  To provide high quality advice to students regarding their rights and responsibilities in
matters related to housing and student accommodation including student’s rights,
tenancy agreements, deposits, disputes, rent arrears and liability.

e)  To provide a tenancy agreement checking service for students
f)  To occasionally provide basic money advice and assistance with personal budget

sheets and income maximisation

g)  To accurately record advice and case information confidentially using our case

management system in a timely manner

h)  Advise students on other issues related to their student life including but not limited to

harassment and hate crime

i)  Accompany students to meetings and hearings to provide support and/or

representation where appropriate.

j)  Proactively develop and lead projects aimed at improving the wellbeing of Aston

students

k)  To  assist  with  the  promotion  of  the  Advice  service  to  Aston  students  and  throughout

the University

l)  To create engaging digital content for our various communication channels i.e. social

media, website and newsletters

m)  To ensure the advice sections of the SU website are up to date and relevant.
n)  Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of Aston University’s policies and procedures, higher

education, student welfare matters and best practice in advice

o)  Undertake any administrative tasks or duties as required that are commensurate with

the status and role and support the working of the SU.

General Responsibilities:

a)  To undertake other duties reasonably required by the Head of Advice, Wellbeing, and

Accommodation or Senior Management Team.

b)  Where required to attend meetings with the University and other stakeholders related

to student advice areas.

c)  Keep up to date with changes in union, university and national policy that impact on the
work of the union or on the student membership, and support others to understand
such changes.

Academic and Welfare Adviser Job Description and Person Specification

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d)  Ensure that equal opportunities, diversity and data protection policies are adhered to in

all activities.

e)  To attend all training and supervision sessions when required.
f)  To monitor and update the relevant areas of the Students’ Union website.
g)  To undertake other duties that may be assigned by the employer, as might reasonably

be expected within the grade of the post.

h)  Ensure that day to day activities embrace sustainability through monitoring the social,

economic, environmental and human rights impact of the Students’ Union

i)  Ensuring that day to day activities embrace sustainability and reduce the impact upon

the environment by minimising waste and maximising recycling; saving energy;
minimising water usage and reporting any electrical faults, water leakage or other
environmental concerns to the facilities or line manager etc.

Standards

A.  The  post  holder  will  be  expected  to  both  professionally  and  personally,  display  a

positive image of Aston SU.

B.  The  post  holder  will  be  expected  to  uphold  the  values  of  Aston  SU  and  demonstrate

high standards of professionalism, respect for others, integrity and accountability.

C.  To actively demonstrate commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
D.  The post holder will be expected to abide by the Union’s various policies such as the
Equality and Diversity policy and the Anti Bullying and Harassment policy at all times.

Academic and Welfare Adviser Job Description and Person Specification

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Person Specification

Essential

•  Be educated to a high standard, including Maths and English at least to GCSE or

equivalent.

•  Significant experience working as an adviser or caseworker or an equivalent role

working with students in higher education

•  An understanding of the principles of a free and confidential advice service
•  Experience of using a case management system
•  Knowledge and understanding of managing data protection in an advice service
•  Ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing or verbally
•  Ability to manage working time effectively and prioritise workload appropriately
•  Good information gathering and research skills
•  Ability to work independently and as part of a team
•  Attention to detail
•  Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written)
•  Excellent  IT  skills  including  experience  with  Microsoft  Office  and  using  social  media

platforms

•  Proactive with a “can do” positive attitude to challenges
•  Committed to the principles and practices of equality and diversity
•  Ability to work in line with data protection and GDPR legislation

Desirable

•  Good working understanding of a representative and democratic environment.
•  Experience working in a higher education institution
•  Knowledge of Aston University

Applicant information

•  Starting salary; £27,319 per annum

•  Job type: Permanent; Full Time: 36.5 hours per week

•  Pension; 7.5% Employer Contribution

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Free NUS Totum Card.

•

If you would like to clarify any information or have an informal chat about the role,

please email  s.hussain30@aston.ac.uk.

•  To apply, please send a CV and covering letter to our HR, Governance and Admin

Coordinator, Shadab Hussain on s.hussain30@aston.ac.uk.The covering letter

should detail how you meet the criteria required for the role.

•  Application closing date: 12 noon on Monday 10th November 2025

•

Interview date: Thursday, 20th November 2025

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