Student Counsellor – Erasmus University College (0.8 FTE)

The Student Counsellors at Erasmus University College (EUC) provide students with collective and individual guidance on academic and personal circumstances affecting their studies. Student Counselling is the central point of contact for students and staff who wish to discuss students’ personal circumstances, functional disabilities, and the impact of these on their studies. Personal circumstances could include mental health concerns (depression, anxiety, eating disorders), wellbeing stressors (sleeping problems, bereavement, loneliness) or study skills (time management, motivation, perfectionism). Functional disabilities is an overarching term for support needs ranging from physical disability to learning disability including autism and ADHD. When necessary, Student Counsellors will refer students to other pastoral care within Erasmus University or external care.

As a Student Counsellor, typical activities could include:

• Advising students on how they can manage their circumstances within the university environment, via email, in person, or online.
• Discussing support needs and potential adjustments with Course Coordinators, Heads of Departments, the Examination Board or the Management Team of EUC.
• Explaining Academic Rules and Regulations to individuals and the wider student body, for example via our Instagram page.
• Contributing to the mentoring programme at EUC by facilitating a reflection session or offering training on how to have difficult conversations.
• Providing guidance to staff on students’ personal circumstances and advising staff on the relevant practical applications and processes.
• Keeping up to date on developments within EUR to refer students onto, from workshops on procrastination to spiritual counselling.

The Student Counsellors also help design and implement relevant EUC policies, and identify and respond proactively to the needs of student cohorts (i.e. by identifying & sharing academic best practices, giving workshops and/or talks on relevant topics).

The Student Counsellors (a team of 2 at EUC) work as part of the Student Life and Welfare team at EUC. Our aim is to facilitate the best possible development of our students in a safe environment, allowing them to maximize their performance.

The work is done in close cooperation with colleagues both within EUC (such as the Office of Student and Educational Affairs, the Student Life Officer, the Examination Board and the Heads of the academic departments) and EUR (Student Psychologists and study advisers from other faculties) where necessary.

The key skills for a Student Counsellor are to be able to communicate with and an appreciation of the experience and perspective of young people studying in a University College. You will require empathy with students studying and living in a new, different, and sometimes bewildering environment. You will ideally already have extensive experience as an advisor or counsellor within Higher Education, or similar experience in counselling young people, preferably students. We are looking for a candidate:

• With experience in in working with young people (17-25), preferably international and/or students and who is passionate about working with students;
• a Bachelor’s degree or academic qualification, as well as formal training in individual counselling;
• excellent written and oral skills for expressing yourself in English (at least at C1 level in the CEFR, though C2 level is preferred);
• demonstrably empathic, culturally sensitive, open-minded and with high levels of integrity, due to student communication being subject to strict confidence;
• appreciation of the experience and impact of people experiencing mental health issues. While we do not offer therapeutic services, you will need to be able to understand what someone might be experiencing if they are diagnosed with depression, anxiety or experiencing bereavement;
• understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges faced by students in a University College environment;
• able to remain calm in stressful / emotional circumstances and capable of leading by example in setting clear boundaries for students.
• the aim of becoming a proactive member of a stimulating academic and international community that is the hallmark of a university college;
• proficiency in the use of office software (i.e. MS Word, MS Excel & MS Outlook) – experience with Osiris as well as online systems is strongly preferred.

An internationally oriented and varied job in an enthusiastic team, with good working conditions in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU).

The start date of this position is as soon as possible and you will be based at Erasmus University College in Rotterdam. The position is for 0,8 FTE. The salary is dependent on your experience and knowledge and ranges from a minimum of € 2960,- to a maximum of € 4.670,- gross per month on a fulltime basis, in accordance with scale 10 of the CAO-NU. In addition, we offer an 8% holiday allowance, an end-of-year payment of 8.3%, and a very generous paid leave scheme. Furthermore, EUR is affiliated with ABP for the pension provision, and we offer partially paid parental leave, fully paid extended birth leave for partners, a personal career budget, work-life balance coaches, discounted collective health insurance, and more. As an employee, you can also use EUR facilities such as the University library and receive a discount on subscriptions for the Erasmus sports center.

Erasmus University Rotterdam offers a Dual Career Programme (DCP) to assist the life partners of new academic staff (on payroll) in finding employment in The Netherlands. The programme is offered in close cooperation with the nearby universities of Delft and Leiden.

Erasmus University Rotterdam aspires to be an equitable and inclusive community. We nurture an open culture, where everyone is supported to fulfill their full potential. We see inclusivity of talent as the basis of our successes, and the diversity of perspectives and people as a highly valued outcome. EUR provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, functional impairment, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes them unique. We look forward to welcoming you to our community.

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research, as expressed in our mission ‘Creating positive societal impact’. EUR is home to 3.700 academics and professionals and almost 33.000 students from more than 140 countries. Everything we do, we do under the credo The Erasmian Way – Making Minds Matter. We’re global citizens, connecting, entrepreneurial, open-minded, and socially involved. These Erasmian Values function as our internal compass and create EUR’s distinctive and recognizable profile. From these values, with a broad perspective and with an eye for diversity, different backgrounds and opinions, our employees work closely together to solve societal challenges from the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. Thanks to the high quality and positive societal impact of our research and education, EUR can compete with the top European universities. www.eur.nl.

Erasmus University College (EUC) is Erasmus University’s internationally orientated and selective undergraduate college. We offer a Bachelor’s degree programme in Liberal Arts and Sciences based on intensive multi-disciplinary education in four areas of study: Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Humanities and Life Sciences. The college and its city campus are in the centre of metropolitan Rotterdam. The residential character of the college contributes to a safe academic community whose students live and study together. EUC is part of the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences at Erasmus University Rotterdam.

To learn more about the Erasmus University College please visit our website at www.eur.nl/euc.