Student Support Advocate (International)

UCSA Haere-roa | Permanent | Full time

Are you passionate about advocating for students, ensuring their voices are heard and helping them navigate challenges with confidence? Do you have strong interpersonal skills, cultural awareness and the ability to work through complex policies and processes?

Our Advocacy & Welfare Team plays an important role in supporting students to succeed, feel included and make the most of their university experience.

As our Student Support Advocate (International), you'll provide independent advocacy, guidance and welfare support to UC students, with a particular focus on the needs of our international student community.

From navigating academic and non-academic matters to accessing hardship support and adjusting to life in New Zealand, you'll help students understand their rights within the university processes, explore their options and achieve fair and positive outcomes.

This is a varied and rewarding role where you'll work closely with students, university staff and external organisations to deliver accessible, culturally responsive and inclusive advocacy services.

What You'll Do

• Provide independent advocacy, guidance and welfare support to students, including representation in academic and non-academic matters.

• Support international students in navigating university policies, processes and challenges associated with studying and living in New Zealand.

• Assist students experiencing hardship or complex personal circumstances, connecting them with appropriate services and resources.

• Support the fair and respectful resolution of student-to-student conflict, applying established guidelines and processes.

• Build strong relationships with students, university staff and external organisations to ensure coordinated and effective support.

• Promote advocacy and welfare services across campus, ensuring students understand the support available to them.

• Identify emerging student issues and trends, providing feedback to inform improvements to university policies, processes and the overall student experience.

About You

We're looking for a compassionate, confident and culturally aware advocate who is passionate about making a meaningful difference in students' lives.

You'll bring sound judgement, strong problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate sensitive or complex situations with professionalism and diplomacy. You're approachable, empathetic and able to build trust with people from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

You'll also be organised, proactive and comfortable managing competing priorities while maintaining confidentiality and a student-centred approach.

Importantly, you'll understand the unique challenges international students may face and be committed to ensuring they feel supported, respected and empowered throughout their university journey.

Key Skills & Experience

To be successful in this role, you'll bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification, ideally in law, psychology or a related discipline.

• Previous experience in advocacy, mediation, student welfare, international student support or a similar advisory role, ideally within a tertiary education environment.

• Fluency in English and at least one additional language, both written and spoken, with Mandarin Chinese particularly desirable.

• Strong knowledge of policy, regulations and procedural fairness, with the ability to interpret and apply complex information.

• An understanding of university policies and processes, or the ability to quickly develop this knowledge.

• Demonstrated cultural competence and the ability to support students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and relationship-building skills, including the ability to manage sensitive conversations.

• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

Above all, you'll be motivated by the opportunity to advocate for students, champion inclusive practices and contribute to a positive and supportive university experience.

About UCSA

Nau Mai Ki Te Rōpū Akonga ō Te Whare Wānanga ō Waitaha

Welcome to The University of Canterbury Students’ Association (UCSA)

Established in 1894, the UCSA is a registered not-for-profit organisation that supports UC students to succeed and belong.

Our organisation is governed by an elected Student Executive, and we employ over 300 staff. Together, we dish up a range of student-focused services, including advocacy and welfare, representation, subsidised dental and optometry, early learning centres, club support, events, and media.

At UCSA, we’re here for students. You’ll be part of a passionate team dedicated to helping students succeed and belong, in an organisation that values innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration.

How to Apply

Please apply through our careers site.

We will be reviewing applications as they are received, and applications will close upon the appointment of a successful candidate.