Student
Services
Department.
Outreach and Widening Participation, Student Recruitment and Admissions,
Student Services
Role: Outreach Ambassador
Overview
The University is involved in a wide range of Outreach Projects, working with local schools
and colleges, and is currently recruiting 100-200 students to work as Ambassadors across
a number of schemes between June 2016-June 2017. The role is paid and offers flexibility
in terms of time commitments as work is available on an ad-hoc basis. Applicants would
need to be great communicators, friendly and approachable, and we expect high levels of
punctuality, professionalism and reliability from all successful applicants.
Ambassadors would be expected to work with pupils in Years 9 to 13 who have the
potential to access higher education but do not have a family tradition of going to
university. Pupils are also from the “most able, but least likely” cohort and are recruited
from schools across Yorkshire, North Derbyshire and North Lincolnshire.
Student Ambassadors are a crucial part of our work, acting as positive role models and
sharing their experiences of student life. This enables the pupils to find out what
University is really like from the experts and be inspired by the possibilities a University
education can open up for them. All events are interactive and activities are provided at a
stage in young people’s educational journeys so it will be of most help. Activities are
designed to inspire and enthuse them about what University has to offer. We also provide
opportunities for the pupils to develop their life, team building, communication and
enterprise skills as part of our schemes.
You may be asked to support:

On campus visits

Visits to schools

Residentials

Long term Outreach programmes

Subject specific workshops

Study skills workshops

Mentoring

Campus tours
All activities encourage young people to develop confidence, problem solving skills and
their ability to work with others. In other words, the skills necessary to be successful at
University!
Job Description
Main Duties and Responsibilities

Provide support to small groups of participants from target schools in the delivery of
activities on campus and in schools

Communicate enthusiasm for learning whilst being aware of the issues and challenges
facing young people, especially those where there has been no previous tradition of
going to university

Provide support and guidance to young people on various aspects of higher education
including your own personal experiences of applying to and studying at university

You will demonstrate the necessary skills to work as part of a team, and also the ability to
use your own initiative

You will be friendly and approachable, and possess excellent communication and listening
skills, with the ability to empathise and help other people

You should be punctual, reliable, well organised, conscientious, thoughtful and helpful

You will be a positive role model, progressing well academically, with evidence of making
the most of your own student experience

You will demonstrate the ability to relate to young people and a desire to help guide
them in their decision making

All other duties, commensurate with the level of the post
This post is only open to current students at The University of Sheffield who will be
studying during the academic year 2015/16, 2016/17 and beyond.
Person Specification
Applicants should provide evidence in their applications that they meet the following
criteria. We will use a range of selection methods to measure candidates’ abilities in
these areas including reviewing your on-line application, seeking references, inviting
shortlisted candidates to interview and other forms of assessment action relevant to the
post.
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Knowledge
1.
Knowledge of personal and educational issues facing
X
young people
2.
Understanding of Widening Participation in the
X
context of Higher Education
3.
Knowledge of the educational process experienced
X
by young people in the UK
Skills
4.
Ability to relate to young people and a desire to
X
support them in their personal progress and learning
5.
An excellent communicator and active listener
6.
A reliable and committed individual, with the ability
X
to adapt to new circumstances
7.
An approachable and non judgemental individual
X
with the ability to empathise with others
8.
A proactive individual with the ability to work alone,
X
under their own initiative, or as part of a team
8.
A mature approach to dealing with confidential and
X
sensitive situations and issues
Experience
10.
Personal experience of the UK school and
X
qualification system at GCSE level and above
11.
Experience of communicating with people from a
X
wide range of backgrounds
12.
Experience of working with young people
X
Qualifications
13.
A current student at the University of Sheffield
X
studying towards a higher education qualification
14.
Grade ‘C’ or above in GCSE Mathematics, and
X
English Language and/or English Literature
Applications are welcomed from all who meet the above criteria. However, priority will go
to applicants who are from a widening participation background; groups that are underrepresented in Higher Education and from those who, through personal experience, can
demonstrate the ability to overcome adversity and motivate others.
Further Information
Work opportunities are available periodically throughout the year, including over the
summer. Successful candidates will be notified of employment opportunities via email.
Rate of pay: £8.19 per hour plus holiday pay.
No previous experience is necessary, as appropriate training will be given, although
evidence of active participation in university / school / community life is strongly
preferred.
Enthusiasm and a positive outlook are essential! All successful candidates will be required
to attend child safeguarding training before they work an Outreach event, and may be
asked to attend campus tour training and specific role related training.
Due to the nature of the role, all successful candidates will be required to undergo a full
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
The recruitment process is run in conjunction with recruitment for the US in Schools
Mentoring programme and is advertised with the Student JobShop via MyVacancies.
There is a shared application form for these programmes so you can apply for whichever
one(s) you are interested in - just tick the relevant boxes to declare your choices.
If you are interested in applying, we strongly recommend that you attend one of our preapplication Recruitment Briefing sessions where you will have the opportunity to meet the
programme co-ordinators and find out more details about the various roles available.
For further information, briefing times and to apply, please go to:
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/schools/student-ambassadors/recruitment
Closing date for applications is 18 April 2016
Please contact outreach@sheffield.ac.uk if you have any questions.