Job Descriptions & FAQs

Every year, students at UCA collectively decide who is going to lead their Union and improve the lives of students where it matters most.

The search is on for students who are passionate about making positive change; whether it’s tackling the cost of living, fighting for a more inclusive campus or ensuring that students have the best possible experience at University. This matters now more than ever!

You could act on behalf of thousands of students as one of our Presidents, leading your Unions campaigns and work to represent students to the University, regionally, and nationally. Or, as a continuing student you could run for a Campus Officer role and sit on Union Council. If you care about your University and the students who study here, it’s time to speak up and make a difference.



Roles Avaliable in our Annual Elections

President

There are two full-time President positions within your Union; one predominantly Kent based, and the other in Surrey. Presidents represent all UCA students and are expected to travel to all campuses regularly (your Union financially supports your travel for work). Presidents are the figureheads of your Union, trustees and help to oversee our strategic direction.

What does a President do?

  • Main student representation for the entire UCA student body seeking and taking their feedback to the highest levels in the university.
  • Deliver on elected manifesto points and lead on campaigns
  • Liaise directly with UCA’s Senior Leadership Team building strong communication skills
  • Active representative on University committees and working groups including Access & Participation, Student Experience and Sexual Violence & Misconduct
  • Sit on your Unions Board of Trustees; this is where decisions such as strategic direction are made as well as ensuring we are financially viable

Why you should run for President
Being President gives you the incredible opportunity to lead a charity with over a half million pound turnover, be responsible for elevating the voice of thousands of students as well as delivering on projects and campaigns that matter to you. You’ll learn transferable skills such as negotiation, communication, self-awareness, conflict resolution and much more - all of these will look great on your CV, not to mention the experience you’ll gain to back them up. On top of this, you’ll also be paid a salary of £20,000, receive 25 days holiday (excluding bank holidays), have training opportunities and get to work with a fantastic and supportive staff team.

Download the full job description here.

 

Campus Officer

There are 9 Campus Officer roles at your Union. You must be a continuing student into the 2023/24 academic year:

3 x Campus Officer CANTERBURY
3 x Campus Officer EPSOM
3 x Campus Officer FARNHAM (including the Maidstone Studios)

Campus Officers represent issues from their respective campuses as well as the wider student body. They sit on your Union Council and make significant changes by voting on motions put forward by other officers and/or students. They support the Presidents and staff with events and the student voice, as well as having staff support with their own manifestos.

What do Campus Officers do?

  • Member of Union Council; this all student committee, made up of Presidents and part-time (Campus Officers and Identity Community leaders), discuss both Union and University matters as well as create and vote on motions that impact the running of your Union
  • Student representation for not only their respective campus’ but the entire student body, taking feedback from students to Union Council and higher
  • Get involved with the planning and running of Union events and activities

Why you should run for Campus Officer?
You have a fantastic opportunity to be directly involved with your Union, have a say in how events are run, be responsible for elevating the voice of thousands of students as well as delivering on projects and campaigns that matter to you.
In this voluntary position you’ll learn invaluable transferable skills such as communication, how to influence others, teamwork and much more - all of these will look great on your CV, not to mention the experience you’ll gain to back them up.
You’ll have the support of a great staff team as well as the two Presidents and we can provide training and social opportunities to benefit.

Download the full job description here.

 



How does it work?

Nominations

We open a nominations period which is when you can put yourself forward as a candidate. You’ll be asked to submit a manifesto about what you plan to do if elected. This is where students know why they should vote for you! Once nominations close, your Union publishes a list of all candidates and manifestos on our website and social channels.

 

Campaigning and Voting

Students have one week to cast their vote so candidates need to get the word out that they are running for election.
Voting is based on a system called the Single Transferable Vote. Students vote in order of preference:

  • #1 for their first choice candidate
  • #2 for their second choice candidate
  • #3 for their third choice candidate
    • And so on
This means if a voter’s preferred candidate doesn’t receive enough votes, they get knocked out of the running. For this reason, you should ask voters to mark you as #1 first, but #2 if they already have a preferred candidate! This way, if a students preferred candidate gets knocked out of the running, you will receive their vote in the next round. This system means students still get a say on who is elected even if their first choice doesn’t receive enough votes.

 



Requently asked questions

CAN I RUN FOR PRESIDENT AS A FIRST OR SECOND YEAR STUDENT?

Absolutely! If you are elected, the University allows you to take a year out of your studies to work full-time!

 

CAN I RUN FOR ANY POSITION?

Nearly any position. Campus Officers must be continuing their studies on their relevant campus.

 

WHAT EXPERIENCE DO I NEED?

None. People from all different backgrounds run in the elections. What matters most are your ideas for improving the student experience at University. Whatever role you’re interested in, you will get training and support from your Union staff who will help develop your ideas and get the most out of your year.

Candidates sometimes feel like they don’t know enough people to run, but we work hard to give everybody an equal platform to ensure students hear about you and understand your ideas. You don’t have to be a Big Name On Campus to win!

 

ISN’T IT JUST A POPULARITY CONTEST?

No! Candidates sometimes feel like they don’t know enough people to run for election, but we work hard to give everybody an equal platform and ensure students hear about you and your ideas. You don’t have to be a Big Name On Campus to win!

 

I WANT TO RUN BUT MY I DON’T THINK MY IDEAS ARE GOOD

Don’t worry! Concentrate on the issues that matter most to you and chat to your current officers or and Union staff to explore how you could address them in your manifesto. We have workshops you can attend throughout the nominations period which include information on writing a manifesto so you can see how best to present your ideas!