Could you make a difference to student lives at Coventry University Students' Union?

Are you an enthusiastic, committed, and reliable student with an interest in charity governance and strategy?

We are looking to appoint up to 3 students to fill the role of Student Trustee and join our Board of Trustees for a 2-year period.

The position is an exciting voluntary role (unpaid) but can be undertaken alongside your studies. It is a unique opportunity with significant responsibility and the chance to develop valuable skills, which will help make your CV and LinkedIn page stand out from the crowd.

Why is this role so important?

Your Students' Union is a charity dedicated to improving the lives of students studying at the Coventry University Group. We are a student-led organisation with students at the heart of our decision making. Student Trustees ensure that the Board and its Committees understand issues from a student perspective. You will ensure that student feedback is listened to and that the decisions the Board make are in the best interests of students and help to fulfil our Mission of ‘Supporting Student Success’.

What’s a Trustee?

Your SU is overseen by our Board of Trustees. This is a collection of our elected Officers, Students, University Staff, and External Professionals that ensure the Union remains sustainable in terms of finance, legality and reputational status. Trustees make decisions on behalf of the charity ensuring the activities of the SU remain within their charitable objectives and that operations remain compliant within the law. They set the overall strategy and are accountable for the management of the permanent Union Staff.

Have a look at these useful guides from the Charity Commission on the key elements of being a Trustee.

What do I have to do?

It is important to have the time and willingness to undertake the role.

You will be expected to attend Board of Trustee meeting 4 times per year, these will be a mix of in person and Teams meeting. You will also be expected to support one sub-committee of the Trustee Board (3-4 times per year) as well as complete training and induction.

Trustee meetings are typically held on a Friday afternoon 1pm-4pm (dates will be confirmed). The majority of the meetings are online, although you would be offered travel expenses for any face-to-face meetings (and hybrid meetings are usually offered if you do need to join remotely.)

You should be able to manage your time to allow for pre-reading of reports and other documentation before meetings.

Who can apply?

The role is for 2 years, and you must still be an enrolled student at Coventry University Group until the end of this period.

We are happy to receive applications from all students including undergraduate, postgraduate, home, international, full-time or part-time as well as those based on campuses outside of Coventry.

Focus on Diversity and Inclusion

We aim to have diverse representation on our Board, and welcome applications from students who have experience of or identify with under-represented and liberation groups.

We are actively committed to promoting equality and diversity, and expect all staff, students, and volunteers to share this commitment.

What skills should you have?

1. Understanding of the current issues that students are facing in higher education
2. Enthusiasm for enhancing the student experience at Coventry
3. Knowledge of Your SU
4. An appreciation of Your SU’s mission statement and values and how these guide and inform our activities
5. An interest in governance and leadership
6. The ability to communicate confidently yet diplomatically
7. A commitment to confidentiality
8. The time and willingness to undertake the role

It would be helpful to also have:

- Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the trustee role

- An understanding of how charities work

However, experience of being a trustee is not essential. We are keen to see your enthusiasm and willingness to learn as support and training will be provided.

How to apply:

The selection process is via an application form and interview process.

In your application you will be asked to provide succinct answers to three questions:

1. What experience, whether paid, voluntary or lived, do you have that apply to the role of Student Trustee?
2. What motivated you to apply to be a trustee for Your Students' Union?
3. Anything else that you'd like to add to demonstrate that you have the skills needed for the role?

The applications that most closely match the skills and experience needed in the role (8 skills listed above) will be selected for interview.

When you are ready to apply, please click "Apply for Role" at the bottom of this page.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application or interview process, please contact governance.su@coventry.ac.uk.

If you have any questions or would like an informal conversation before applying please contact governance.su@coventry.ac.uk.

Application closing date:  09:00am on Wednesday 4^th December 2024

Interview date: Interviews are expected to take place in w/c 9^th December or w/c 16^th December 2024 - if selected for interview you will receive further information at that time.

Charity Trustee Declaration

Below is a list of circumstances which may prevent you from becoming a Trustee.

Please note to be a trustee you can’t be a paid employee of Your SU so unfortunately, we are unable to receive applications from our existing student staff such as Welcome Desk staff or paid Reps.

If you are in any doubt about your eligibility to act as a Trustee, please get in contact by email to governance.su@coventry.ac.uk or you should either seek your own legal advice or contact the Charity Commissioners.

You are not allowed to be a Trustee if you:

• Are under 18 years of age
• Have been convicted at any time of any offence involving deception or dishonesty, unless the conviction is legally regarded as spent
• Are an undischarged bankrupt
• Have made compositions with your creditors and have not been discharged
• Have previously been dismissed from employment at the SU
• Are not willing to devote the necessary time and effort 
• Have failed to make payments under the County Court Administrators’ orders
• Have at any time been removed by the Charity Commissioners or by the Court in England, Wales or Scotland from being a trustee because of misconduct
• Are disqualified from being a company director

Find out more about Your Students' Union here: https://yoursu.org/