Overview
The UCL Department of Risk and Disaster Reduction (RDR) is an exciting cross-UCL department that leads research, knowledge exchange and teaching in risk and disaster reduction and humanitarian action. It operates within the Faculty of Mathematics and Physical Sciences (MAPS) but works across all UCL faculties, spanning natural and social sciences, mathematics and statistics, engineering and development planning, global health, anthropology, the humanities, ethics and laws, and contributes to UCL's Grand Challenges. It has a leading role in the UCL Humanitarian Institute and is strongly international with partnerships with universities in China, Japan, South Asia, the Middle East and South-east Asia. The RDR runs a PhD programme in risk and disaster reduction, masters programmes in risk, disaster and resilience and risk and disaster science, and an undergraduate programme in global humanitarian studies, with a diverse and cross-disciplinary international intake. The BSc Global Humanitarian Studies educates and trains future humanitarian leaders in the theory and practice of humanitarian action. A key offering of this programme is the option to undertake an internship in the UK or internationally to connect academic learning with skills in the humanitarian workplace. The department also enhances partnerships to embed student research projects in real-world issues and offers valuable internships to support training and career prospects.
Responsibilities
* Run a specialist internships programme for RDR students (with opportunities for all 2nd year undergraduates and other students in the department) by supporting students in their career development and building relationships with employers/hosts to create opportunities.
* Work as part of a team to connect the department to external partners.
* Support the line manager in selected projects, including delivering engagement events.
* Build the RDR network for student careers opportunities, liaising with employers/hosts and UCL and RDR alumni. Build and maintain relationships with intergovernmental, governmental and non-governmental organisations, universities, the public sector, consultancies and the private sector in the UK and internationally.
* Liaise with UCL departments that can provide internship leads, such as Alumni Office, Innovation & Enterprise, academic departments and divisions of Professional Services.
* Assess prospective internship opportunities to ensure they meet standard requirements and legislation, and are appropriate; liaise with recruiters to modify proposals as appropriate.
* Ensure relevant documentation is sent to employers/hosts and students, and that essential documents are returned within appropriate deadlines.
* Support projects facilitating external participation in departmental activities.
* Manage employer/host internships for RDR students and manage contractual arrangements with partners including due diligence, ethical approval, data security and risk assessments; liaise with the RDR Finance Officer over payments and scholarships.
* Liaise with relevant officers within UCL on logistical, legal and compliance issues (HR, Finance and UCL Legal Team as necessary).
* Develop and promote an annual RDR Employability series for students, including support, events, internships, and signposting to UCL and external opportunities and resources.
* Provide high-quality advice to students through group presentations and one-to-one meetings. Discuss internship applications (including CVs and cover letters) with students, helping them make informed choices and take action; refer students to careers consultants for discussions linking internships to longer-term career aspirations.
* Support students to source and apply for internships by providing information on a wide range of employers/hosts and promote opportunities to RDR students regularly through various media.
* Be the point of contact connecting students, employers/hosts and academic staff, and an emergency point of contact to students on internships.
* Identify funding opportunities and administer internal funding allocations.
* Monitor student uptake of internships, gather feedback from employers/hosts and students, analyse information, and suggest changes to services in consultation with the RDR team and UCL Careers.
* Enable student participation in careers and development opportunities.
Required qualities
The postholder will have strong relationship-building skills and be able to initiate and develop connections with external organisations to create opportunities for students and the department. They will be experienced in managing projects and events and working to tight deadlines. They will be committed to providing a responsive and helpful service for students, offering support and guidance for internship projects and career development, and assisting with applications and CVs. They will be a confident communicator, able to present to groups of students and lead meetings with stakeholders. The post holder will have strong IT and social media skills and be able to track and manage data accurately. They should be creative, adaptable, able to work independently and as part of a team, and capable of implementing systems to deliver results for our students and internships programme.
Context
The Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MAPS) comprises eight high-profile departments: Chemistry; Physics & Astronomy; Space & Climate Physics; Mathematics; Science & Technology Studies; Earth Sciences, Risk and Disaster Reduction and Statistical Science. It also hosts an interdepartmental undergraduate degree in Natural Sciences and supports research centres and institutes that enable interdisciplinary work across MAPS and related areas (e.g., Engineering Sciences, Life Sciences).
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