Job Description

Who we are:

UP Education is a leading Australasian dual-sector education group, delivering foundation, vocational and higher education to domestic and international students. At UP Education, we are on a mission: to elevate and empower students to unlock their potential. Known for our agility, and responsiveness to the changing world.

What sets us apart from other tertiary providers? It is, quite simply, our people. Our teams come from a wide range of educational and cultural backgrounds and offer a broad diversity of professional experience. But we all have one thing in common – we are all firm believers in the power of education to transform lives, and they all have the drive to make a significant impact in the communities with which they work.

We believe learning should be defined by the exceptional and at UP Education we have an ongoing commitment to the development of our staff.

About AIS and UPIC

Auckland Institute of Studies (AIS) and UP International College (UPIC) are part of UP Education.

Our students come from a wide range of cultural and educational backgrounds, including many international learners. We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and supportive environment in which every student can thrive.

For more information visit https://www.ais.ac.nz/ and https://www.up.education/study/university-partnerships

About the opportunities:

We’re recruiting two empathetic and experienced Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Coordinators:

• One position supporting students at Auckland Institute of Studies (AIS) - Mt Albert
• One position supporting students at UP International College (UPIC) - Auckland CBD

Each position will support the wellbeing, engagement and educational success of students at its respective provider while working collaboratively with the wider pastoral care team.

Working closely with the Head of Pastoral Care and Wellbeing, academic teams and student services, you’ll provide day-to-day support to students experiencing personal, academic, social or behavioural challenges. You’ll have a particular focus on international learners, students under 18 and those identified as requiring additional wellbeing support.

This is a varied, hands-on role encompassing student check-ins, case management, early intervention, critical incident response, safeguarding, referrals and wellbeing initiatives. You’ll also help ensure pastoral care practices meet relevant regulatory and organisational requirements.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing proactive pastoral care and wellbeing support to students.
• Acting as a point of contact for students requiring wellbeing assistance.
• Conducting wellbeing check-ins and following up with students requiring support.
• Identifying and monitoring students who may be at risk or need early intervention.
• Developing and maintaining individual student support plans.
• Connecting students with appropriate counselling, health, academic and community services.
• Supporting student critical incidents and safeguarding matters.
• Maintaining accurate and confidential case notes and student records.
• Monitoring attendance, engagement and academic indicators for potential wellbeing risks.
• Working with academic teams to coordinate appropriate student support.
• Supporting pastoral care-related complaints and disciplinary processes.
• Communicating appropriately with parents and caregivers where consent and privacy requirements allow.
• Coordinating student and parent workshops, surveys and wellbeing activities.
• Supporting orientation and transition activities for new students.
• Contributing to pastoral care reporting, audits and Code self-review activities.
• Participating in continuous improvement initiatives across student support services.

The roles will also help manage the 24/7 student support phone and may occasionally need to respond to urgent wellbeing matters outside standard working hours. Flexibility will therefore be required when emergency situations or operational needs arise.

Qualifications

About you

You’re an empathetic and culturally responsive professional who can build trust with students while maintaining clear boundaries, confidentiality and sound professional judgement.

You’ll be comfortable managing sensitive situations, coordinating support for students with varied needs and working collaboratively with academic and professional services teams.

You’ll bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification, preferably in social work, psychology, counselling, health, education, quality assurance or a related field.
• Experience in pastoral care, student support, wellbeing, safeguarding or a related area.
• Experience supporting people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills.
• The ability to manage sensitive situations with empathy and professionalism.
• Strong organisation, administration and case management capabilities.
• Sound judgement and the ability to recognise when concerns require escalation.
• An understanding of privacy, confidentiality and appropriate information sharing.
• Confidence maintaining accurate records within student or case management systems.
• The ability to work effectively across academic and professional services teams.
• A full New Zealand driver licence.
• The flexibility to respond to urgent student wellbeing matters outside standard working hours when required.

For the UPIC position - Bilingual capability and professional proficiency in Mandarin would also be advantageous, to help support effective communication with students and their families.

Experience within New Zealand tertiary or international education would be highly advantageous, particularly if you have supported international students or learners under 18.

An understanding of the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021, safeguarding responsibilities and the Privacy Act 2020 would also be beneficial.

Successful candidates will be required to complete relevant safeguarding and children’s worker safety checks.

Additional Information

Why work with us?

You’ll join a collaborative team committed to placing student wellbeing at the centre of the educational experience.

These are meaningful opportunities to support learners through important and sometimes challenging moments, strengthen the support available across AIS and UPIC and contribute directly to student belonging, resilience and success.

As part of UP Education, you’ll also become part of a wider network of education professionals committed to helping learners achieve their goals.

To apply

If you’re passionate about student wellbeing and have the empathy, judgement and practical experience to provide effective pastoral care, we’d love to hear from you.

Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience. Please indicate in your CV whether you are interested in the AIS position, the UPIC position or both.

Questions about your identity help us appreciate the diversity of individuals looking to work with us, ensuring we’re attracting applications from people with identities and perspectives that are as diverse as our students.

We are an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to equity, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.