Closing date

03 January 2025

Student Life Advisor; UCA

Department: School of Arts and Sciences

Reports to: Senior Manager of Student Affairs

Duty Station: Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic

Grade: B

Deadline: 03 January 2025

UCA Background:

The University of Central Asia (UCA) was founded in 2000 as a private, not for profit, secular university through an International Treaty signed by the Presidents of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, and His Highness the Aga Khan; ratified by their respective parliaments,and registered with the United Nations. The Presidents are the Patrons of the University and His Highness is the Chancellor. UCA’s mission is to promote the social and economic development of Central Asia, particularly its mountain communities, by offering an internationally recognised standard of higher education, and enabling the peoples of the region to preserve their rich cultural heritage as assets for the future. UCA brings with it the broader commitment and partnership of the Aga Khan Development Network. For more information: www.ucentralasia.org

Summary of Position:

UCA is seeking Student Life Advisors (SLA) who will help develop, coordinate, and maintain programs within and beyond the residence hall with the aim of providing a positive intellectual, emotional, and social living environment for students. The SLA is a peer leader to students who supervise students living in UCA’s residence halls and is often the first point of contact for students with institutional, extracurricular, academic, or personal questions. The main responsibility of the SLA is to provide support, encouragement, and leadership to their campus community and to help build a strong, welcoming, and inclusive campus community while encouraging an immersive English language environment. 

The SLA will serve as a supportive and helpful resource, providing academic, and personal advice and guidance to students. The SLA will be responsible for the design and implementation of various programs that can be but are not limited to the following: (1) Athletics, Wellness, and Recreational Programmes; (2) Student Clubs and Student Leadership Programmes, (3) Community Service Programs, (4) and Special Events. The SLA will support Residence Life, help to resolve and/or mediate roommate disputes; provide after-hours emergency assistance to residents; ensure adherence to the Student Code of Conduct, Residence Rules and Regulations, and assist with orientation of newly admitted students. Student Life Advisors will be required to live in the dormitories of the UCA campus.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Programming:

  • Provide meaningful, educational, co-curricular, experiential, and social programming to support students' growth, development, and relationship building. 
  • Lead in the implementation of all athletics (e.g., sports teams, fitness programs, outdoor activities, etc.), student clubs (e.g., Debate Club, Model United Nations, Theater Club, Research Club, etc.), student leadership (e.g., Student Association), diversity and inclusion activities, community service, and academic support (e.g., tutoring) on campus. 
  • Lead orientation programs for first-year students to ensure they are properly settled into campus life and are comfortable living away from home.
  • Offer programs that orient students to the university resources available to them, and those that will help students find their niche in the wider campus community. 
  • Assist with organizing university-wide events, floor events, training and guidance to student groups, event planning, financial management, procurement, etc.
  • In some instances, support academic programs. 
  • Create diversity and inclusion programming that could include workshops or events and encourage a daily practice of tolerance and understanding.
  • Help establish a campus community to create an ethically sound student body.

Rules and Policies:

  • Encourage an immersive English language environment, which will be critical for the success of students in UCA’s academic programs.
  • Educate residents on the policies and procedures of the Student Code of Conduct, Residential Life, Academic Policies, and the university overall. 
  • Hold residents accountable for their behavior. 
  • Act as a mediator in conflicts among residents and staff.

 Facilities, Amenities and Administrative Tasks:

  • Keeping track of student residents.
  • Document policy violations, create reports, and survey analysis.
  • Report maintenance and facility concerns, conduct health and safety inspections, and dormitory walk-throughs.
  • Procure items for students and handle logistics queries.

 Student Liaison:

  • Assist residents in developing relationships with each other.
  • Promote student involvement in university activities and events. 
  • Act as a positive role model for both fellow staff members and residents by not participating in questionable and unethical behaviors and by following the highest standards of personal conduct. 
  • Counsel residents regarding personal and academic concerns. 
  • Be visible, regularly available, and accessible to address residents' needs or concerns.
  • Be ready to work evenings and weekends to monitor student programming or events.

 Wellness and Academic Support: 

  • Build one-on-one relationships with students with the goal of helping them develop as well-rounded individuals. 
  • Provide support related to study skills, time management, reasoning, etc.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

  • A Bachelor's Degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Student Affairs, Higher Education Administration, or a related field. A Master’s Degree in any of these areas would be highly preferred.
  • Minimum of 2-4 years of experience working in higher education or in the upper years of high school, preferably in student affairs, residential life, counseling, or a related student services role. 
  • Experience as a Resident Advisor (RA), Residential Director (RD), or similar roles is particularly valuable.
  • Experience working with or leading one or more of the following programs for students: 
  • Athletics Programmes
  • Student Clubs and/or Student Leadership Programmes 
  • Academic Support Programmes 
  • Residential Life
  • A history of planning, coordinating, and executing student-focused programs, events, and initiatives.
  • Demonstrates sensitivity to and interest in people, neutrality, respect for dignity and open-mindedness on issues. 
  • At least two years of on-campus living at a college or university is an asset.
  • Self-disciplined and empathetic; interested in people on an individual basis and aware of the feelings, needs, and rights of others; interested in group living and in promoting positive aspects of community life on the floor and in the hall.
  • Able and willing to fulfill all management functions; committed to student growth and the concept that student life facilitates educational and personal development; committed to a flexible work environment.
  • Experience working in a multicultural environment or studying/working abroad. An understanding of cross-cultural communication and the nuances of working with international students is beneficial.

Desired Skills and Qualifications 

  • Demonstrates initiative and is a self-starter.
  • Event planning skills are highly valuable. 
  • Passionate about the quality of life for all residents. 
  • Approachable and accessible to residents.
  • Discreet with respect to confidentiality guidelines, and has demonstrated tact, good judgment, maturity, and a high level of conduct when dealing with others.
  • Good listener and possesses an ability to communicate effectively.
  • Effective in helping residents to understand/resolve their problems and will refer them to a professional resource/counselor as needed.
  • Works well in a team setting.
  • Convey a positive attitude towards the SLA position and its duties and responsibilities.
  • Can work in a flexible work environment.

Language:

  • Advanced written and spoken English (C1/C2) is required.
  • Knowledge of Kyrgyz, Tajik, Kazakh, and/or Russian would be an asset. 

How to Apply:

Please submit your application (cover letter, CV and contact information of three references) on https://tinyurl.com/3s8pdjkm by 03 January 2025.

Candidates from the founding countries of UCA: Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan are encouraged to apply for the position.

Applications will be reviewed when received. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Review other job vacancies at: https://ucentralasia.org/career-opportunities.