Job Opening: Student engagement coordinator (part time)

We’re looking for a coordinator to help student groups set up repair cafes or similar initiatives in universities across the UK. This is a new project, so you’ll be part of creating a student network linked with the Community Repair Network and a number of other projects to cut electronic waste.

About the project: Led by the Community Repair Network and hosted by our member The Restart Project, our 10 Year Tech project will aim to reduce electronic waste in Universities. We’ll support student groups to create change through student-led repair and reuse initiatives, campus lobbying, and communications campaigns.  

About the Community Repair Network (CRN): The CRN is a network of voluntary, community based repair groups and networks. This includes Repair Cafes, Restart Parties and Share & Repair. Most members are leading groups or networks in their respective regions of the UK, providing formal or informal support to other community repair groups in our areas. Learn more about the Network here.

About The Restart Project: The Restart Project helps people transform their relationship with electronics by supporting groups to teach repair at community events, developing fixing spaces and campaigning for a Right to Repair and better waste policy. We are a team of 9, based in the UK with staff in Belgium and Italy. We started as an all-volunteer organisation and volunteers still play a crucial role in our work. Read about why it’s great to work at Restart.

Closing Date: 10am, Monday 22 May 2023

Who we are looking for

This role reports to: Restart’s Online Community Lead.

Location: The student engagement coordinator can be based anywhere in the UK, with frequent travel.

Working hours: We are offering a 2.5-day/week position (0.5 FTE equivalent), 18.5 hours a week, with some flexibility within our core working hours of 10.30am to 4.30pm, and availability for participation in evening and weekend events.

Contract: Starting in June or as soon as possible, for one year.

Compensation: Between £28,000 – 30,525 (pro-rata) depending on experience. Plus pension contributions and 28 days leave allowance.

Job description

This role will involve:

Project coordination

• Elaborate on and deliver a project plan, with input from the Steering Group.
• Support the Steering Group, including arranging meetings and taking notes.
• Communicate well with all stakeholders including wider members of the Community Repair Network, student groups, project funders and other collaborating bodies.
• Ensure good data is collected to monitor and report on impact to the Steering Group and funders.

Network building

• Build and maintain a relationship with students and staff in priority universities, both through direct outreach and working with repair cafe local connections.
• Respond to interest from other universities.
• Facilitate cross-university networking and sharing.
• Work with university leads to plan and deliver repair and reuse activities, attend relevant activities in priority universities.

Communications coordination

• Support development of a communications strategy, working with PR consultants and guided by the Steering Group.
• Coordinate insight gathering to inform communications planning and monitor impact.
• Content production for the web, social media, email, and print, about the project, including drafting copy, sourcing and editing images.
• Assistance coordinating media requests and appearances at University activities.

Person Specification

Essential

• Ability to engage & communicate with people effectively, both one-on-one and in groups.
• An understanding of communicating and working with young people.
• Experience of working or organising in a university.
• Understanding of open ways of working and fostering diversity in practice.
• Experience in interfacing with the public.
• Experience working with or as a volunteer.
• Highly organised with experience of coordinating projects.
• Good communication and support experience, both in writing and in person.
• Passion for saving the planet, electronic waste, gadgets and/or making.

Great-to-haves

• Experience of supporting a network.
• Event management experience.
• Experience in a “front of house” type role, either in the community or a business.
• Managing grants or contracts, including reporting.
• Experience working with the media and managing requests.
• Experience campaigning and/or movement building.
• Experience using tools like Trello, Slack & project management tools.
• Documentation of practices and learning.
• Experience of remote working.

How to Apply

Apply via email to jobs@therestartproject.org with your CV and a short covering letter or video explaining why you are attracted to the role and how you meet the person specification. Only people already eligible to work in the UK should apply.

Applications will be accepted until 10am on Monday 22 May 2023.