Role Description
Position Title:
Peer Writer (Casual Position)
Position Location:
Student Learning
The Peer Writer must work in the best interests of the University including its community of
students and staff.
The Peer Writer must also assist the University to meet its mission, and strive to behave in a
manner that reinforces the University’s values.
OUR MISSION
We play a leading role in shaping New Zealand’s future by:
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Adding significantly to the knowledge and understanding of natural phenomena, society, culture and
technology through research, teaching, and interdisciplinary perspectives
Engaging with local, national and international communities in creating, disseminating and applying
knowledge that has scholarly or societal impact
Developing graduates with skills in leadership, communication, and critical and creative thinking.
OUR VALUES
Our values guide and inform our strategic goals, policy and practice. They are the principles behind our
actions, a means of creating and sustaining an environment of trust and mutual understanding.
Academic freedom:
 We protect academic freedom and defend the autonomy of Victoria University of Wellington.
Excellence in all of our activities:
 We are committed to developing and recognising excellence in research, creative activity, scholarship,
teaching and learning and administration.
Knowledge and expertise:
 We strive to advance pure and applied knowledge and expertise, and to disseminate both through teaching
and research.
The Treaty of Waitangi:
 We are committed to using the Treaty to guide our obligations to Māori as tangata whenua and Treaty
partners.
Internationalisation:
 We are committed to our participation in the international community of scholars and to the pursuit of a
global perspective in our learning, teaching, research and services.
Accountability:
 We effectively manage and account for our resources and apply them to the maximum benefit of Victoria.
Honesty and respect:
 We require ethical behaviour in all our activities and interactions.
Equity:
 We are committed to equity of opportunity for all our staff and students.
A strong university community:
 We encourage the active participation and contribution of academic and general staff, students, alumni,
benefactors and friends in the life of the university.
Community engagement:
 We seek active engagement with the communities we serve and value the benefits we bring to each other.
Sustainability:
 We strive for an environmentally sustainable university and society.
Purpose of the Organisational Unit
The role of Student Academic Services is to effectively, efficiently and securely provide a range of
management, professional and academic services. These services are focused on enhancing both
the student experience and academic achievement from recruitment through to graduation in a
supportive and safe community environment
Student Academic Services staff work as a team to achieve quality outcomes in the area of student
and academic service provision and all staff are expected to contribute to and support the
achievement of, the University’s Strategic direction and the Unit’s goals and objectives. Student
Academic Services staff will adhere to and respect the organisational values.
Student Academic Services staff are expected to collaborate with the University community, leading,
advising and contributing to discussions on strategic change, relevant policy and regulations as well
as system and process improvement. Student Academic Services will explore innovative solutions
that improve services to students and staff through technology, best practice and integrated delivery.
The role of the Student Learning is to provide academic skills programmes to support the learning
needs of students at Victoria University of Wellington.
Role Purpose and Scope
The Peer Writer is required to meet with students (mainly International) by appointment on a one to
one basis to assist them with the preparation of essay and assignments - more specifically providing
writing skills to assist them with the final editing of their written work. It will not be necessary for the
Peer Leaders to be familiar with the subject matter involved although this may be helpful in some
instances.
The Peer Writer will also be required to assist with some student leadership and support roles within
the university.
Key Result Areas
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Provide assistance and academic writing skills by working with individual students to encourage
independent learning and develop specified English written skills on an individual basis.
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Peer Writers will be expected to keep a record of the hours worked and (where appropriate)
record client notes for those they have been assisting.
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Contribute and attend Peer Writer training and meetings.
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Effectively and competently undertake any student leadership roles such as student help desks,
prepare and facilitate small study groups, Orientation, administration, computer skill teaching and
other duties as required
Health and Safety/Emergency Management
For all staff:
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Each year complete the University’s e-learning module Health & Safety at Victoria, including
the assessment.
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Be able to demonstrate actions in an emergency situation that are specific to the workplace
and are designed to keep individuals safe.
Challenges
The Peer Writer will operate in an environment where there may be significant demands on their time
during busy periods.
The Peer Writer will be required to work with students with diverse language and cultural needs. To
help meet these challenges training and Student Learning staff are available.
Key Relationships
The Peer Writer reports to the Assistant Manager, Student Learning.
The Peer Writer will be expected to interact positively with:
 All Student Learning staff
 Students who seek writing assistance and skills and/or appropriate university support
 Fellow Peer Writers
Key Competencies
CORE COMPETENCIES
CLIENT FOCUS
Individuals who display this
competency understand and
believe in the importance of
client service. They listen to
and understand the needs of
internal and external clients.
They meet and exceed client
needs to ensure satisfaction
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SELF M ANAGEMENT
Individuals who display this
competency effectively plan
and organise their work to
achieve desired outcomes.
They are proactive, remain
focused, take action to
overcome obstacles and
follow through to completion
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Deals effectively with clients by displaying a professional, courteous, and
empathetic approach
Thinks about issues from the clients perspective, understanding their area of
work and their needs
Continuously looks for better ways to meet or exceed client expectations
Liaises with other areas of work to ensure a seamless client service
Seeks feedback on the quality of service to clients and takes action to
improve services
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Takes personal responsibility for making things happen
Identifies, allocates and manages time and resources required to achieve
outcomes
Identifies strategies for and takes action to overcome barriers
Successfully adapts to changing demands and conditions
Remains calm and is able to continue with the primary task and work
effectively when faced with heightened levels of pressure/stress
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INTEGRITY
Individuals who display this
competency are open, honest
and consistent in behaviour
and can be relied upon. They
generate confidence in others
through their professional and
ethical behaviour
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INNOVATION
Individuals who display this
competency question the
way things are done, learn
from past mistakes and
generate new and creative
ideas to improve the status
quo
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Sets and maintains high professional standards
Deals with others in a respectful and fair way
Displays ethical and professional behaviour in all situations
Follows established organisational policies and procedures
Demonstrates openness and honesty when dealing with issues, day to day
tasks and people
Displays a positive attitude towards and is receptive to Maori and
multicultural issues
Follows through on commitments
Does not compromise own standards, despite pressures
Does not use information or their position for personal gain
Thinks in terms of opportunities and possibilities
Considers past mistakes and practices and learns from them when
considering and developing new ideas
Encourages the discussion, free-debate and generation of creative ideas
and solutions
Generates new and creative ideas – is not afraid to think ‘outside of the box’
ROLE SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
COMMUNICATION
Individuals who display this
competency effectively
communicate with a wide
range of people in all
situations, both orally and in
writing
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Checks for mutual understanding
Demonstrates effective listening skills
Adjusts communication style to suit the needs of the audience
Communicates key points clearly and concisely
Presents ideas in a logical sequence
Uses non-discriminatory language
Reinforces key messages to ensure the correct message is received
Communicates without using inappropriate jargon or phrases
Actively seeks feedback on communication style(s)
Demonstrates understanding of cultural differences in regard to
communication
TEAMWORK
Individuals who display this
competency show a genuine
intention to work cooperatively with others in a
team setting in order to
achieve results and team
goals
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Contributes to and supports team activities
Demonstrates respect towards all other team members
Participates effectively in group discussions and activities and encourages
others to do the same
Supports team values and decisions, and models expected behaviours
Is open minded, listens to others points of view
Demonstrates behaviour in the team, which recognises and is consistent
with VUW’s EEO principles and practices
Displays an awareness of, and sensitivity to, the group dynamics
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RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
Individuals who display this
competency are concerned
with building and maintaining
positive working
relationships and networks
useful to achieving the
organisations objectives
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Builds and sustains appropriate positive and productive working
relationships
Creates and sustains an appropriate image and profile of the area of work
Demonstrates credibility with stakeholders
Demonstrates an acceptance of and sensitivity towards different people and
cultures.
Education, Experience and Knowledge required
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Peer Writers will be high achieving postgraduate students.
Proven ability to demonstrate that they have achieved the highest standards in essay and assignment
writing.
Proven ability to communicate with excellent written and spoken English.
Demonstrated experience in working with speakers of other languages is desirable.
Knowledge of challenges facing diverse language and cultural needs.
Knowledge of the University environment, education sector and organisation would be an advantage.
Special Role Requirements (delete section if none)
In an emergency, the Peer Writer will need to take responsibility to evacuate shared learning spaces
and ensure the safety of the group members.
Peer writers may be required for evening work.
Delegations
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none
Performance Criteria
 The main duties will be to meet with students by appointment on a one to one basis to assist them
with the preparation of essays and assignments – as well developing skills to assist them with the
final editing of their work. It will not be necessary for Peer Writers to be familiar with the subject
matter involved although this may help in some instances.
 Staff from Student Learning Support will be involved in the appointments process for the Peer
Writer positions and in the training of Peer Writers. The work of the Peer Writers will be
supervised and evaluated.
 Appointment to these positions is for a fixed-term period only and appointments terminate at the
end of Trimester 2, 2015. Appointees will be eligible to apply for any similar positions advertised
in 2016.
 Applicants should note that the amount of work is dependent on the number of students using the
service. This means that positions cannot be regarded as providing a regular and on-going source
of income. The positions will suit people who are based at the University, students in particular.
 Additional student leader work, reception duties or computer skill teaching will receive the same
hourly rate as the peer writer position.
 During the Trimester, students making use of the Peer Writer service may be asked to complete a
questionnaire evaluating the assistance they have received from their perspective.
Weekly hours of work and rates of pay:
 Peer Writers will be required to work on a casual basis for up to eight hours each week depending
on demand.
 Peer Writers will be expected to keep a record of the hours worked and (where appropriate)
record the clients they have been assisting. The hours Peer Writers work each week will be
flexible enough to fit in with lectures and responsibilities but the availability of the applicant at the
most desirable times will be an added recommendation in their appointment. Applicants are asked
to supply a copy of their timetable for Trimester 1 along with their application.
 The hourly rate for Peer Writers will be $16 per hour. Timesheets will be completed fortnightly.
 Peer Writers will be paid the hourly rate for the time spent in training sessions.