Volunteer

Description

Apply through this Microsoft Form.

In today’s fast-paced world, the global community faces a myriad of economic, environmental and societal challenges. From climate change to resource depletion, the need for sustainable solutions has never been more urgent. At the forefront of this battle for a more sustainable future are the students of today, who possess an unwavering passion for sustainability, and a profound understanding that they hold the key to a better tomorrow.

UL Student Sustainability is now accepting applications to join the core team responsible for delivering the programme for 2023/24. The 2023/24 year will see the team focus on the development of a weekly structured, extra-curricular programme for the wider UL student community, along with the development of our online communities to promote awareness and action for sustainable development.

Unlike many sustainability programmes, extensive knowledge of sustainability or sustainable development is not a requirement for applicants. What is required is a willingness to learn, evidence of role-specific ability, and an adaptive and collaborative mindset.

Applications close Monday, August 21, at 23:59 Irish Summer Time (GMT+1). Applications are only open to current UL students, and positions are on a volunteer basis.

Is training provided?: Yes

Tasks that the volunteer(s) will be expected to undertake:

Students will join one of the streams of the programme's delivery team:

Action-oriented Communities

Dive into the practical side of sustainability with our 'Action-Oriented Communities' strand. Get hands-on experience in developing ideation and inspiration to pressing sustainability challenges through activities like ideation sessions and town halls.

This role entails:

• Co-designing and facilitating workshops to gather ideas and engage students in what they want to see UL do for sustainable development.
• Working with other student societies and bodies to provide space for student voices and ideas to come to the fore in an action-oriented, enjoyable way.

Communications

Highlight the work of UL Student Sustainability through our ‘Communications’ strand. Work with the team to promote and highlight the various initiatives and events that the programme offers, providing students with the knowledge and inspiration to become active participants in shaping the Student Sustainability experience.

This role entails:

• Developing strategies and campaigns to effectively highlight and promote sustainable development in UL for students. This includes event promotion, raising awareness, and developing student-centric campaigns.
• Social media co-ordination, from content and caption creation to managing the various platforms of UL Student Sustainability.
• Capturing and editing video and audio content from the various programming, along with any sustainability campaigns developed by the Communications team.

Conversation Series

Explore the practical aspects of sustainability through our ‘Conversations Series’ strand. Set the stage for candid discussions with expert guest speakers who bring real-world insights into pressing sustainability issues.

This role entails:

• Organising guest speaker sessions, from speaker outreach, moderator and question preparation, and event management.

Critical Thinking and Discourse

Expand your horizons and engage in thought-provoking dialogues with our 'Critical Thinking and Discourse' strand. Here, we foster an environment where diverse perspectives on sustainability come together, creating a space for intellectual growth. Challenge your viewpoints and engage in constructive debates as you explore the complexities of sustainable development.

This role entails:

• Co-designing and facilitating sessions that bring students together for lively dialogue and discourse, such as panel discussions and debates.
• Working with other student societies and bodies to open the conversation as widely as possible, gathering unique and sometimes unheard perspectives in the field of sustainable development.

Student Mission Projects

Embark on developing the infrastructure for student-led projects in advancing UL’s Sustainability Framework 2030. As this is a new initiative, timelines and deliverables are to be determined as this strand advances.

This role entails:

• Exploring how student-led projects should be developed, supported, and implemented in UL through Student Sustainability.

Sustainable Living

Bring everyday sustainability to UL students with our ‘Sustainable Living’ strand. Implement skills-based workshops and online educational content that provide students with the knowledge and abilities to become more sustainable in their everyday lives.

This role entails:

• Co-designing and facilitating skills-based workshops with internal and external partners that focus on everyday sustainability practices that students can engage with.
• Co-designing online educational content for students to learn more about sustainability and how they can be stewards of its development.

Open Roles

Are you ready to shape the sustainable development landscape in a way we might have overlooked? If you possess a skill, passion, or perspective that doesn't fit within the above, this is your chance to carve out your niche. Whether it's art, technology, culture, or any uncharted territory, we're open to embracing innovation. Let's co-create a role that taps into your potential and enriches UL Student Sustainability.

Skills required for this role:

Teamwork: The current progress of UL Student Sustainability has been built off the back of the initial cohort of students, who worked effectively and collaboratively with one another, in a positive and uplifting environment. Sometimes ideas or initiatives don’t work out, or opinions differ - the most fundamental requirement of this programme is working together in a collaborative, collective manner, for the common good of UL students. This dynamic will be expected of the team for the forthcoming year.

Time: At UL Student Sustainability, we focus on quality of time, not quantity. Team members are expected to provide Five Quality Hours on a weekly basis to achieve the programme’s aims. Discussions will be held frequently with individuals and teams to manage workload effectively, and to balance it with other non-programme commitments that arise during the academic year. A one-hour weekly team meeting will occur with team members, so it is vital that members attend and participate except for exceptional circumstances.

Adaptability: This is the first full academic year of programming for UL Student Sustainability. As such, an adaptable mindset and work style will be crucial to move with an ever-changing landscape of sustainable development programming.

Professionalism: As members of the team, you will be the face of UL Student Sustainability in many aspects. As such, members will be expected to maintain professionalism and a respectful demeanour throughout their engagement with the programme.

Details of time commitment needed for role:
In order to deliver this programme, weekly team meetings will take place with all team members. This weekly meeting will be one hour in total, provisionally set for 6pm on Mondays in UL Library, subject to discussion with the incoming team. Role-specific meetings and independent work will be required on a weekly basis also.

Minimum time commitment per week:
5 hour p/week

Additional screening required for this role:
Applications are accepted through this link: https://forms.office.com/e/0zaX4g6KCb.