Local Co-ordinator - Shetland & Orkney (HISA)

Breath HR; Lerwick; Hybrid; GBP 16,020 - 19,580; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave plus public holidays

Enhanced leave for parental or caring responsibilities

Training and development related to your role

Job summary

Breath HR is looking for a Local Coordinator based in Lerwick (Shetland) to enhance student engagement at the University of the Highlands and Islands. The role involves supporting students, organizing events, and working collaboratively with academic staff and stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will have a background in student-facing roles and excellent communication skills. This hybrid position includes opportunities for professional development and generous leave policies.

Qualifications

• Experience in facilitating student engagement and activities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills for managing events and activities.

Responsibilities

• Be the first point of contact for students at the Academic Partner.
• Support and create in-person events.
• Manage the Student Voice Representative (SVR) system.

Skills

Student engagement

Communication

Event organization

Education

Relevant experience in student-facing roles

Job description

Vacancy at Highlands and Islands Students' Association

Local Coordinator – Shetland & Orkney

Lerwick (Shetland) with occasional travel to UHI Orkney and other UHI Partnership sites as required.

Vacancy listed: 23/06/2026

Role: Local Coordinator – Orkney & Shetland

Hours: 21 h per week

Location: Lerwick / hybrid (work type is hybrid to allow adequate contact time in person with Students, University of the Highlands and Islands Executive Office / Academic Partners, HISA Employees & External Stakeholders.)

Salary: £13.92 per hour

Main purpose of role

Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA) is a membership‑led organisation and its primary purpose is to represent students to the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), including UHI Shetland and UHI Orkney. To do this effectively, the student voice of our members must be strong and heard by the institutions.

In this role, you will facilitate and enhance student engagement at UHI Shetland (day‑to‑day on the ground support) and UHI Orkney (remote management and occasional travel). This will be achieved through communication with students, elected Student Officers, college staff, HISA colleagues and external stakeholders to improve the student experience.

As the face of the Students’ Association at the local partner, the postholder will be based primarily on the Lerwick campus and serve as the point of contact for all Students’ Association activities at the local academic partner, with support from colleagues elsewhere in the HISA team.

Key responsibilities

• Be the first point of contact for students at the Academic Partner, encouraging them to get involved in the Students’ Association and extra‑curricular activity.
• Support and create in‑person events.
• As directed by the Director of Student Engagement and Representation, support the following activities (non‑exhaustive):
• Support the elected Student Officers, including delivery of their manifestos and priorities.
• Engage students in the work of HISA, including welcome and induction activities, and support to local clubs, societies and activities.
• Manage the Student Voice Representative (SVR) system, supporting students to shape their learning and wider student experience.
• Provide training and support to SVR representatives.
• Develop wider approaches to student engagement in partnership with the colleges, including for elections and feedback on learning.
• Develop relationships with key staff members within the colleges and key external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with other HISA staff members as required to develop wider student engagement work across UHI.
• Provide advice and guidance to students where appropriate, including signposting to HISA, college and external services.
• Undertake key administrative duties such as managing shared email inboxes, tracking finances and maintaining relevant records.

Additional duties may be assigned as deemed appropriate to the role.

General expectations

• Be enthusiastic advocates for student leadership and the organisation’s values:
• • Student‑driven
  • Supportive
  • Sustainable
  • Inclusive
• Promote a positive and professional image of the Association to its members, customers, stakeholders and other external organisations.
• Actively engage in student‑facing projects and activities of all kinds as required.
• Work within relevant legislation, structures, policies and procedures.
• Work cooperatively with other Association staff and Student Officers as appropriate, as well as relevant organisations.
• Adhere to the highest standards, especially of customer service and safety.
• Undertake necessary training and development and attend all meetings as requested.
• Positively contribute to the organisation’s ethical and environmental ethos.
• It may be necessary for the postholder to work out of hours on occasion (e.g., to cover events and extended office opening hours). A system of time off in lieu will cover this.
• Occasional travel between campuses may be expected.

Regulated work

This post entails regulated work with children and Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme membership is required. A check will be made against the list of those barred from working with children and protected adults.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave: 28 days plus statutory public/bank holidays, and a gifted winter holiday break of three to four days each December.
• Enhanced leave beyond statutory requirements to support parental or caring responsibilities.
• Family‑friendly policies.
• Training and development related to your role.

Equal Opportunity Statement

HISA is committed to ensuring that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible, and will provide an interview to applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria for the post.