Position Title:
Vice-President, Advocacy & Awareness
Reports to:
Executive Committee, and ultimately the Board of Directors
Salary:
Starting at $29,992.00 (may be subject to change with inflation)
Education:
Attaining a post-secondary degree
Qualifications (per NUSU By-Law):
- A current student at Nipissing University;
- In good standing with Nipissing University and NUSU (per the NUSU By-Laws);
- Be at least eighteen (18) years of age on the final date on which Executive Election Packages can be submitted (to be determined each Academic Year, but is normally in mid-January);
- Not be an undischarged bankrupt; and,
- Not be incapacitated.
Summary of Position:
The Vice-President, Advocacy & Awareness is the Chief Diversity Officer and Secretary of the Corporation, as well as the head of the Communications Department. Their role is primarily focused on the advocacy of academic needs for the student body. The Vice-President, Advocacy & Awareness holds the position of Chief Student Senator within the Nipissing University Academic Senate, and is responsible for overseeing the NUSU website, social media platforms, public and medial relations and the implementation of awareness campaigns.
Duties & Responsibilities:
The following is a list of duties and responsibilities that pertain to the role of the Vice-President of Advocacy & Awareness. This includes, but is not limited to:
Advocacy
- Act as the Chief Student Senator, and be one of the voting members of NUSU on the Nipissing University Academic Senate and advocate on behalf of students on academic topics and issues;
- Represent NUSU on the Nipissing University Board of Governors as an Official Observer;
- Developing and providing various ideas, and strategies to improve academic advocacy on campus, while researching other strategies that have been employed by other universities;
- Oversee academic petitions and provide assistance to those who have experienced academic grievances;
- Work with Nipissing University faculty and administration to ensure that the needs of students are upheld;
- Meet regularly with the Dean and Associate Dean of each faculty to discuss matters related to academic grievances, as well as student engagement; and,
- Providing volunteer opportunities for students.
Website & Social Media
- Work with the Communications Department on communicating the organization of various events, news and information to the student body;
- Oversee the updating of all media platforms and the organization’s website; and,
- Provide recommendations and conduct research on how to effectively communicate relevant information to the student body.
Awareness Campaigns
- Responsible for the coordination, organization, planning and implementation of various awareness campaigns that relate to social issues, health and wellness, and green initiatives;
- Attend any Canadian Federation of Students general meetings or caucus meetings in lieu of the NUSU President should they be unable to attend; and,
- Responsible for planning and organizing the annual Shinerama campaign. This includes collaborating with the Vice-President, Student Life on Orientation Week Shine Day as well as during the Academic Year.
Media & Public Relations
- Assist the Communications Department and other executives with all public and media relations such as press release, official statements and public stances on matters; and,
- Be the secondary liaison, regarding communication, with the North Bay Community, Nipissing University, and students on campus.
Food Bank
- Oversee and raising awareness for the NUSU Student Food Bank, in conjunction with the Vice-President, Finance & Administration; and,
- Work with the Services and Communications Departments on developing fundraising initiatives for the NUSU Student Food Bank.
Supervisory
- Head of the Communications Department, overseeing all employees who work in the Communications Department;
- Ensure that all employees within the Communications Department are fulfilling their job descriptions to the best of their ability; and,
- Effectively and regularly communicate with the members within the Department, while also meeting regularly.
Collaboration
- Meet regularly with the other Executives and Staff;
- Effectively communicate and inform the rest of NUSU on all related business;
- Develop working relationships with various parties within Nipissing University to promote responsible and feasible decisions;
- Openly receive feedback from other members of NUSU, the Nipissing University community, while establishing and maintaining working relationships;
- Promote effective communication and collaboration between all NUSU Departments when required;
- Plan and develop a strategic operational plan for NUSU, both long term and short term;
- Maintain all employee and volunteer personnel files, ensuring information is accurate and up to date with the NUSU Executive Committee;
- Effectively oversee and supervise the formal disciplinary process, performance evaluations, and general treatment of all volunteers and employees of NUSU;
- Endorse all cheques and purchase orders with the Vice-President, Finance & Administration;
- Work with members of the North Bay Community on awareness campaigns; and,
- Complete any other tasks assigned by either the Board of Directors and/or the Executive Committee.
Terms of Office of all Executives
The Term of all Executives is one (1) year, starting on May 1 and concluding on April 30 of the following year. All Executives are required to work full-time during the Spring/Summer semester and part-time hours in the Fall and Winter semesters. They are also required to complete a minimum number of hours prior to the start of their Term (May 1). These requirements are as follows:
- Starting May 1 and ending at the end of the week preceding Labour Day Weekend, work thirty-five (35) hours per week;
- Starting the week after Labour Day Weekend and ending April 30, work twenty (20) hours per week between the days and hours of Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm EST; and,
- Starting after their successful election and before the start of their Term (May 1), work a minimum of thirty-five (35) hours with their current postion’s Executive, as well as with other members of the Executive Committee and full-time staff.
- These hours will be tracked, approved, and paid out on a biweekly basis, in line with NUSU’s payroll schedule.
Ideal Qualities & Expectations of all Executives
Ideal qualities for an Executive include but are not limited to:
- Leadership, delegation, and supervisory skills;
- Time-management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills;
- Communication, relation-building, and interpersonal skills;
- Emotional intelligence and maturity;
- Committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusivity;
- Highly motivated and exemplary work ethic; and,
- Ability to commit and contribute to a co-operative work environment.
The individual shall also act with a respectful degree of professionalism, and shall strive to achieve the following:
- Act in the best interest and in accordance with all by-laws, policies, and procedures of NUSU;
- Prepare or assist with various reports and documentation for the Board of Directors and Executive Committee;
- Develop suitable Department goals, both long-term and short-term;
- Maintain proper financial practices and be fiscally responsible within budgetary restrictions;
- Maintain proper office hours;
- Be prepared to work outside your contracted hours, including evenings and weekends when necessary, and occasionally traveling to attend conferences and training; and,
- Coordinate, monitor, review, enhance, and implement various strategies in order to improve the overall operation of NUSU.
Don’t meet every single role's qualities? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At NUSU we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to run anyways. You may be just the right candidate for the job!
As part of NUSU’s commitment to accessibility, accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the application process as per the guidelines of the Accessibilities for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you wish this information in a different format, please contact hr@nusu.com.