Background to USI
USI is the national representative body for 354,000 students in third-level education on the Island of Ireland. We are a membership organisation – our members are our affiliated Students’ Unions around Ireland, North and South. USI is a democratic organisation. The supreme authority of the Union is the Congress, which is representative of each affiliated students’ union, apportioned according to the size of the student body in each union. Each union also sends one voting member to the National Council – the executive body of the organisation. We work across Ireland to represent the views and needs of all students at all levels including to government. We support our member student unions in a range of activities including programmes and campaigns in the areas of education, welfare and equality. Our team of seven full-time and one part-time elected officers are supported to carry out their duties by a small team of six staff.

Background to the Post
In the current housing market, students are competing with those who can pay higher rents where there is already a shortage in housing. This gives rise to homelessness, overcrowding and health and safety risks with a wider impact on labour mobility. Short-term solutions are needed to relieve the crisis and free-up the already overcrowded rental market. USI are seeking to be proactive in alleviating the negative consequences of this issue and with the Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government have been awarded significant funding to begin tackling the crisis.

In developing this area of work, USI is working closely with the Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government.

Purpose of Job
The main focus of the role will be:
With reference to Rebuilding Ireland – An Action Plan for Housing & Homelessness, organising and supporting the development of strategic and operational activities in the area of student housing;
Acting as project manager of the USI “Homes for Study” campaign and related initiatives;
Supporting and coordinating activities and support for member organisations in the area of student accommodation;
Liaising with the Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government to support the development of national policy in the area of student housing.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
Establish, operate, and maintain key functions of homes.usi.ie, including a “search for property” database; a student-focussed “find a roommate” platform; a “find a tenant” service; and an online digs database;
Manage strategic promotional activities, including social media, relating to the “Homes for Study” campaign;
Design, organise, and conduct relevant research on student housing across Ireland;
Provide advice and support to our network of student officers in helping students to find appropriate full-term accommodation;
Liaise with the Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government in the development of policy on student housing under the rubric of the Rebuilding Ireland action plan on accommodation, and to advise on the Student Housing Strategy;
Work with relevant authorised stakeholders to improve and operate dispute resolution procedures for students in digs accommodation;
Work with local authorities, AHBs and housing providers to identify and expand short-term capacity enhancing measures in student accommodation capacity;
Contribute to the development of a range of written resources, policy papers, guidance materials and publications;
Begin the development of an Irish Student Housing Trust;
Identify and undertake necessary duties and activities to deliver the role’s responsibilities;
Carry out other duties and activities as may reasonably be required in order to support colleagues in achieving shared goals;
Actively engage in individual and team professional development activities;
Carry out the responsibilities of the role in a resource-efficient manner;
Adhere to USI policies and practices, and actively support and promote USI vision, mission, and objectives.

To apply for this position, please send a CV and covering letter setting out your suitability for the role, to:
info@usi.ie by the deadline: 19th August 2016 at 5pm.