Who is UKCISA?

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) is a national advisory body dedicated to supporting international students and the institutions that work with them. Established in 1968, UKCISA is a charity and membership organisation comprising over 400 members, including universities, further education colleges, and students' unions across the UK.

UKCISA provides expert advice, guidance, and information on various aspects of the international student experience, such as immigration, fees, mental health, and cultural integration. They also offer training and events for professionals working with international students and engage in policy advocacy to ensure that international students' voices are heard in areas affecting them.

The UKCISA Annual Conference 2025 is scheduled for 25–27 June 2025 at the University of Manchester. This flagship event is designed for professionals working with international students, offering opportunities to network, develop skills, and stay informed about the latest policy developments.

About the role

We’re looking for friendly, proactive, and reliable individuals to support the smooth running of UKCISA's upcoming conference as Conference Assistants. This is a brilliant chance to gain hands-on experience in events and customer service, boost your CV, and work alongside a supportive team in a fast-paced, professional setting.

Key Responsibilities

As a Conference Assistant, you’ll help ensure the event runs smoothly and delegates feel welcome and supported. Duties will include:

• Registration Setup – Preparing name badges and delegate packs

• Venue Preparation – Setting up seating, signage, and tech equipment

• Speaker Support – Checking in speakers and uploading presentations

• Registration Desk – Welcoming guests, issuing badges, and materials

• Cloakroom Management – Monitoring and managing attendee belongings

• Directional Guidance – Assisting attendees in navigating the venue

• Information Desk – Answering queries about the schedule and facilities

• Accessibility Support – Helping attendees with mobility or other access needs

• Room Monitoring – Ensuring sessions start/end on time and aren't overcrowded

• Technical Assistance – Supporting with microphones, projectors, and setups

• Q&A Facilitation – Passing microphones and assisting during sessions

• Food & Beverage Coordination – Monitoring and restocking catering areas

• Crowd Control – Managing queues and preventing congestion

What We’re Looking For:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• A calm and confident demeanour

• Good timekeeping and reliability

• A team player with a ‘can do’ attitude

• Willingness to take initiative and solve problems on the spot

Details

Dates: you must be available to work 8am-5pm on 25th, 26th and 27th June 2025

Location: University of Manchester campus

Hours: approximately 10-15 hours over 3 days

Wage: £12.60 per hour

Training: 1 hour of online training must be completed prior to the conference (you will be paid for this)

Eligibility: you must have the right to work in the UK and you must be a current UoM student

Employer: you will be recruited and employed by the University of Manchester Students' Union, but working on behalf of UKCISA

Recruitment Guide

We have a guide that explains our full recruitment process. We recommend reading through this before beginning an application. 

If you are invited to interview with us, we will share our interview questions in advance so you can prepare your responses. We’re more interested in hearing about your experiences and ideas than in testing your memory, and so we want you to feel as prepared as possible. 

Inclusivity and Accessibility

We are committed to equality of opportunity, and we work hard to ensure we appoint based on skill and values. 

We particularly encourage applications from Disabled or Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African candidates as these groups are currently underrepresented in our staff team. 

If you have any accessibility requirements or require adjustments to support you to apply to work with us, please get in touch. We can offer reasonable adjustments at all stages of our recruitment process. 

Recruitment Timeline 

Applications opened: 30th May 2025

Applications close: 6th June 12pm 2025

Interviews: 12th and 13th June 2025

Role Commencing: 25th, 26th and 27th June 2025 only

We may close applications early if we receive a high volume of applications. We recommend that you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. In this case, all applicants who have started an application will be contacted 2 hours before we close the role. 

Contact

You can contact the JobShop team with any questions regarding this vacancy or our recruitment process. 

Email: jobshop@manchester.ac.uk