Download Student Mentors Scheme (name to be played with

Green Impact Project Assistant for 2012/2013
The University of East London Environment Team are offering an opportunity for students to gain
skills in project management, communications and leadership by volunteering as a Project
Assistant with Green Impact, an exciting programme run by the National Union of Students more
than 60 Universities across the UK.
Objective:
Encourage, motivate and support an assigned Green Impact team in implementing environmental
actions in its department or area of work.
Aims:
 Increase the individual support available for Green Impact Teams, by providing creative
input, leading where necessary and taking on specific tasks from the Green Impact
workbook
 Increase student-staff collaboration within Green Impact
 Support the Green Impact auditor process
 Equip project assistant with useful skills for future employability
Background information on Green Impact:
Green Impact is a departmental environmental accreditation scheme with a competitive streak. This
vibrant scheme is aimed at celebrating and recognising environmental achievements whilst also
providing a framework to improve the environmental performance of the university.
Teams in departments across the University use an online workbook with bronze, silver and bonus
criteria to help them create a more sustainable workplace. Each criterion is simple, clear and easy
to implement. They are supported with resources and examples of good practice, not only from
within the university but also from the other universities and colleges taking part. All participating
teams will be rewarded for their efforts and depending on their performance will achieve a Bronze,
Silver or Gold award. Read more at www.uel.ac.uk/greenthing/greenimpact.htm.
What will the role involve?
 Attend a presentation and brief training to be familiarised with the Green Impact project
 Meet with staff in allocated team and discuss working arrangements; continue to meet
with them at least once a month
 Support the team in its Green Impact actions according to its requirements and the
agreed goals
 Communicate with other student mentors to support each other
 Communicate with the Environment Team on the progress of the assigned team
 Work with the team to ensure that its workbook is submitted on time
 Participate in the Green Impact auditor training
 Conduct at least one audit for a different team from the one supported
 Depending on the teams’ requirements and the project assistant’s availability it might be
possible to support more than one team.
Commitment:
 1 hour a week equivalent over five months (November- April)
 3 hours training and 2 hours auditing in March
Key competencies needed for this role (desirable):
 An interest in environmental issues (a knowledge of this area is preferable but not
essential)
 Good organisational skills
 Ability to work as part of a team
 Ability to use own initiative
 A commitment to the Green Impact project and its aims
Key skills, knowledge and experience gained from this role:
 Experience of communicating using a variety of different means
 Leadership
 Project management
 Ability to support and encourage others to perform
 Insight into effective behaviour change methods
 Knowledge of environmental management of offices and academic institutions.
 Experience of working on a national project
How to apply:
Download a short application form from www.uel.ac.uk/greenthing/students.htm, fill it in and
return it to Emily Hamilton [email protected] and we will contact you to arrange an informal
interview.
Please also direct any questions regarding the application or the role itself to Emily either via
email: as above, or by telephone: 020 8223 4057.