PSRB Sustainability Reform Advocate x 2

SOS-UK is looking for two new PSRB Sustainability Reform Advocates to support our advocacy work influencing Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs) to better integrate sustainability into their work. 

Role Specifics

Location:  Homeworking in the UK 

Working patterns: 7 hours per week. Occasional UK-wide travel, evening calls and weekend commitments. 

Pay: £12.60 per hour (UK real living wage), £13.85 for staff in London 

Closing date for applications: 27 March 2025 

Interview dates: 10-11 March 

Preferred start date: 1 April 2025 

Minimum age for applicants: 16 years old 

Introducing SOS-UK 

SOS-UK is a student-led education charity focusing on sustainability. We know environmental sustainability cannot be achieved in isolation, so our work spans across issues of climate justice and wellbeing as well. We believe in lifelong learning and work on sustainability across all forms of education from early years to workplace learning. We act as a support crew - facilitating, encouraging and mentoring people wherever they are on their journey in sustainability. 

Our vision is to see: more students leading on, and learning for, sustainability; an education system repurposed around the climate emergency and ecological crisis; and sustainability that is more inclusive, so it is for everyone.  

About the role

Following the St George’s House consultation in February 2024, SOS-UK is hoping to lead the way in supporting Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs) to better integrate sustainability into their work. The event produced a report including several key action points at three levels: internal PSRB organisational change for sustainability, enabling student leadership and empowerment in this area, and advocating for system change in the systems and structures that govern and influence the education and political sectors. 

These roles will build on the progress achieved so far on these recommendations, including finalising our student-led reviews of Quality Assurance Agency’s (QAA) subject benchmark standards and serving as advocates for student leadership within review processes of the QAA and PSRBs, providing challenge and accountability regarding the agility of these processes. You will also work alongside SOS-UK staff to further engage PSRBs on sustainability, which may include support with organising events, as well as implementing other recommendations of the St George’s House consultation report. The roles may also include, but is not limited to, writing blogs and newsletters; reaching out to new PSRBs and organisational partners; and speaking at key sector body events and conferences. 

Key responsibilities include: 

1. Finalising student-led reviews of Quality Assurance Agency’s subject benchmark standards, publishing them online and utilising them as an advocacy tool
2. Providing a key student voice to influence conversations around the adaptation of benchmark standard review cycles, and provide challenge and accountability regarding the agility of these processes 
3. Working alongside SOS-UK staff and partner organisations to implement other recommendations of the St George’s House consultation report, which may include, but is not limited to, promoting ideas such as a sustainability ratings scheme, sustainability inclusion in global quality metrics, delivery of training, and co-mentoring of key staff within PSRBs 

Please read the full description of the role’s responsibilities and person specification (knowledge, skills, attributes, qualifications and experience). 

Equal Opportunities

We’re fully committed to equality and opportunity for all. We welcome applications from individuals regardless of their age, disability, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, as they are currently under-represented within SOS-UK.

We recognise that people from Black, Asian, Minoritised Ethnic backgrounds, and disabled people are under-represented in our organisation, and that there are often additional barriers present for people from these groups when applying for roles in the charity sector and beyond.

We are committed to taking proactive steps to enhance the diversity of our team. If you meet all the essential criteria for this role and identify as a person of colour or as someone with a disability, you may qualify for a guaranteed first-stage interview under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme.

To participate in this scheme, please check the relevant box on the application form. This guarantees an interview for applicants our recruitment panel score as meeting all essential criteria and opt into the scheme. However, the final hiring decision will be based solely on the suitability of each candidate, irrespective of any protected characteristic.

Participation in this scheme is entirely voluntary. Please also note that while the scheme is called the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, it does not guarantee an interview if essential criteria are not met.

Feedback

Please note, unfortunately we are unable to provide feedback to candidates who do not progress to the interview stage unless they have opted into the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. Candidates who opted into the scheme but did not meet all essential criteria may request feedback on their application.

Find out more about what it’s like working for SOS-UK. If you would like to speak to a member of SOS-UK staff not involved in the interview process about how your experience might meet the requirements of the role, please get in touch.

Please apply via our online application form, we are unable to accept CVs. If you are unable to complete or application due to accessibility needs, please contact HR@sos-uk.org.