Student Partner

Position
Ambassador/Activator
Vacancy Type
Temp
Employability Skills:
Team Work

Job Description

Job Title: Student Partner 

Team: Diversity and Cultural Change (DCC) 

Location: ARU - Chelmsford, Cambridge, Peterborough & Writtle (HE) campuses 

Working Hours: Flexible hours (see below) 

Pay rate: £12.60 per hour

 
 Job Role: Student Partners are a core part of ARU's commitment to embedding meaningful student voice in university decision-making. Sitting within the Diversity & Cultural Change (DCC) team, Student Partners will work alongside staff as co-creators, shaping initiatives, policies, and services that affect the wider student community.
 This role is important because it ensures a wide range of student perspectives and lived experiences influence ARU's strategies and culture.We welcome applications from all students and are especially keen to hear from those whose voices are often underrepresented in university decision-making. This includes (but isn’t limited to) students who:
  • Are Black, Asian, GTRSB, or from other racially or ethnically minoritised backgrounds
  •  are LGBTQ+
  •  are disabled or neurodivergent
  •  have caring responsibilities
  •  are mature students
  •  are care-experienced or estranged
  •  come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds (e.g. IMD 1 or 2) or are the first in their family to attend university
  •  are international students
  •  or who have experienced marginalisation in other ways 

For students, this is a chance to build skills in leadership, consultation, and inclusive practice - and to see tangible change result from your input. For ARU, it’s a valuable opportunity to learn from students’ lived experience, centre diverse voices, and ensure our strategies and services reflect the realities of our whole student community.

You don’t need any formal experience or to see yourself as a “student leader” to apply. If you care about improving the student experience and are open to learning and collaborating, this role is for you. We’ll provide all the training, support, and guidance you will need.

 
Key Responsibilities: As a Student Partner, you may be invited to:
  •  Participate in focus groups and consultation sessions
  •  Join co-design workshops with staff to develop or refine initiatives
  •  Provide feedback on university policies, services, and campaigns
  •  Support the design and delivery of student surveys or peer engagement
  •  Contribute to student-staff forums and stakeholder events
  •  Help foster inclusive and respectful collaboration in all activities 
 
Working Hours: This is an ad-hoc engagement role with flexible hours. Student Partners are invited to participate in opportunities as they arise, depending on your interests and availability. On average, we expect most Student Partners to contribute around 4 hours per month, though this can vary; some months may be quieter, while others could involve multiple focus groups or co-design workshops.
 
What we're looking for:
  •  A current ARU student studying at Chelmsford, Cambridge, Peterborough, or Writtle (HE) campus.
  •  Passion for improving the student experience
  •  Willingness to share insights and lived experience to support inclusive change
  •  Openness to listening, giving constructive feedback, and working respectfully with others
  •  Comfort engaging in conversations with curiosity and care
  •  Commitment to the values of inclusion, respect, and collaboration
Desirable (but not required):
  •  Experience contributing to student-led initiatives, campaigns, or projects
  •  Confidence in giving feedback and participating in group discussions
 
What you will gain from being a Student Partner
  •  Paid experience contributing to real change within the university
  •  Opportunities to develop transferable skills in communication, leadership, consultation, and advocacy
  •  Connections with like-minded students and staff
 
How to apply:
 

To apply for the role of Student Partner, please submit the following by 22 September 2025.

  1. A short cover letter (maximum one page) that addresses the points below
  2.  A simple summary of your studies, work, volunteering, or other experiences - Please add this to your cover letter
 
In your cover letter, please make sure to cover the following:
1 - Your details:
  • Which ARU campus you are based at (Cambridge, Chelmsford, Peterborough, or Writtle)
  •  Your year of study (e.g. 1st year undergraduate, final year postgraduate, etc.)
  •  Your faculty (Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences; Business & Law; Health, Education, Medicine & Social Care; or Science & Engineering) 
2 - Why you are interested in becoming a Student Partner? (Tip: consider what motivates you to apply for the role)
 
 
3 - What perspectives, skills, interests or experiences you would bring to the programme. (Tip: this could include things youve done in your studies, work, volunteering or everyday life)
 
 
4 - An example of a time you worked with others to achieve a goal. (Tip: consider including, what was your role and what did you learn from it?)
 
 
5 - We want the Student Partner group to reflect the diversity of our student community. We are especially keen to hear from students whose voices are often underrepresented in university decision-making, for example, students who are racially or ethnically minoritised, LGBTQ+, disabled or neurodivergent, have caring responsibilities, are mature students, are care-experienced or estranged, come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, are international students, or who have experienced marginalisation in other ways. If you would like, you can use this space to share anything about your background, lived experience, or perspective that you think would help us understand what you could bring to the role. This is completely optional, please only include what you feel comfortable sharing. This information will be kept confidential and will only be shared with ARU Temps and the Diversity and Cultural Change team.
 
Tips for your application:
  • You don’t need to have been a “student leader” or have formal experience; we are interested in your passion, perspective, and willingness to collaborate.
  •  Everyday experiences (like caring responsibilities, group coursework, or community activities) are just as valuable as formal roles.
  •  If you’re unsure how to write a short summary of your study/work/volunteering experiences or a cover letter, keep it simple - bullet points are fine. 
Role Expiry Date: 10th October 25

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