Associate Vice President, External Affairs

The Alma Mater Society (AMS) is the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) student society, and works to improve the academic, social and personal lives of the 56,000 UBC students at its Vancouver campus. The AMS also runs nine food and beverage outlets, a catering and conference operation, and the AMS Student Nest, providing on-campus employment opportunities and generating revenue that goes directly back into supporting the students at UBC.

**Position title**: Associate Vice President, External Affairs (2)

**Reports to**: Vice President, External Affairs

**Employee status**: Hourly Exempt, Appointed

**Length of term**: May 1 - April 30 (1 year)

**Hours per week**: 20

**Compensation**: Tier 4 - $18.00 per hour

The Position

The Associate Vice President (AVP) External will act as lead researcher, advisor, and right-hand person to the Vice President (VP) External. The AVP External will spearhead research, prepare lobby documents, support campaigns, and lead other political and administrative duties in conducting student advocacy at the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government. The AVP External will work collaboratively and in partnership with the VP External to support the entire External portfolio.

**Responsibilities**:

- Conduct mixed-methods research projects as assigned in support of a data-driven and research-based advocacy model
- Prepare lobby documents and research briefs that could directly impact government policy and that will be used to lobby selective levels of government
- Develop a strong grasp on issues such as post-secondary education affordability, student financial aid, transit accessibility and funding, domestic and international student issues, and other undergraduate and graduate student issues
- Work with UBC Enrolment Services to respond to U-Pass inquiries from students, including but not limited to exemption, eligibility, subsidies
- Work with the Funds and Grants Administrator to approve U-Pass subsidies on a tri-annual basis
- Coordinate, engage, and consult with student groups on campus, especially marginalized communities, to create and inform advocacy through an equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) lens
- Work with the AMS executive, campus organizations, and off-campus groups to create partnerships
- Help organize and lead events, conferences, and long term projects/campaigns directed around post-secondary issues
- Sit on both related UBC and AMS committees and working groups at the request of the VP External
- Attend meetings on behalf of the VP External as required
- Attend and speak at City Council, Mayor’s Council, Translink meetings, and U-Pass meetings with the VP External, where necessary
- Assist in scheduling, organizing, and planning meetings and other administrative duties as required
- Works within the AMS mission statement and values to operate a successful department
- Other duties as required

Qualifications and Experience
- Must be a currently registered student at UBC Vancouver or one of its affiliated colleges
- Experience in policy development and/or planning
- Able to research and write high quality policy papers and briefing documents
- Experience with issue-based advocacy organizations
- Knowledge of municipal, provincial and federal levels of government and their policies is encouraged but not required
- Knowledge of issues at UBC and general post-secondary education is encouraged but not required
- Education and/or experience in working on EDI is an asset
- Great emphasis on taking initiative in both creating and forwarding projects
- Independent, self-motivated, goal and results oriented, and reliable
- Able to research and write high quality position policy papers, research papers, briefing notes, and media releases
- Able to execute tasks quickly, efficiently, and diligently
- Interest in pursuing initiatives and lobbying priorities of the VP External in line with their Executive Goals
- Efficient team player who can coordinate and collaborate with multiple people on projects
- Strong strategic and critical thinking skills that translates to tangible work
- Strong organizational and logístical planning skills
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and is able to both lead and work within a team
- Strong creative point of view

**To Apply**:
Please submit your resume and cover letter.

**Application deadline**: 11:59pm Friday, April 14.