THE ROLE OF POLICY ASSOCIATE IS OPEN TO CURRENT OXFORD UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ONLY.

Oxford SU Transformation

In 2024/25, Oxford SU is going through a Transformation. We’re reviewing every aspect of what we do, why we do it and how we do it. We’re looking for innovative, creative, and intellectual staff to support us through this process – people who can think big whilst also making sure that the day-to-day gets done.

Oxford SU is a student-led organisation. You’ll be working with exceptional elected leaders and student volunteers across a wide range of projects – balancing your experience and expertise with active student representation and input. We work in a high-support, high-challenge environment – we are a small and relatively flat staff team which means our staff use their initiative and work together as a high performing team.

We are looking for three Policy Associates. Each will have their own specific policy remit looking at one of the following three areas which have been identified as priority areas for the University and Oxford SU. Whilst these will be the long-term policy areas, there will likely be short-term or ad-hoc areas of research and analysis that we’ll need help with.

The three areas are:

- Diversity and inclusion, and specifically the experiences of racialised students and students of faith

- Undergraduate educational experience, including student’s experiences of assessment and the real cost of studying

- Postgraduate education experience, including student’s experiences of suspensions & extensions

You’ll be a part of the Policy & Representation team at Oxford SU; line managed by a Policy & Representation Coordinator who will mentor and support you, and provide you with access to the tools and training that you need to develop relevant skills. You’ll also have access to other opportunities across the Union as they arise.

Please read the full job description here

Contract and Working Hours 

This is a zero hours casual contract which will vary depending on the work required. However, we anticipate the hours averaging at around 4 hours a week. We know that some students may not get permission to work during term time and we will factor this in for the right candidates.

Pay

Oxford Living Wage, £12.49 per hour

How to apply

To apply for this role, you need to submit an application form and a separate proposal document answering the following: 

"The elected Officers have been asked to represent students in a review of additional course costs across the University. Please put together a proposal (of no more than 1 side of A4) outlining how you would equip the Officers with a briefing on this. The purpose of this is to see how you would approach this task and your understanding of where we might get information and data from, there is not a right or wrong answer."

You will find the full job description, application form and equality monitoring form below. Please return your completed application form, proposal, and equality monitoring form to jobs@oxfordsu.ox.ac.uk by the deadline of 12pm on the 14th of October. Interviews are currently scheduled to take place on the 23rd of October. 

If you have any questions regarding the role, please email emilie.tapping@oxfordsu.ox.ac.uk.

Job Description

Application Form

Equality Monitoring Form

Our commitment to diversity

The SU sector needs a wide range of skills and experiences, and we’re committed to ensuring our workforce reflects the diversity of the world and community we’re based in. We positively encourage applications from all individuals irrespective of their gender, age, home country, ethnic background, sexuality, religious beliefs or disability.