Student Support & Scholarships Advisor

We're looking for a Student Support & Scholarships Advisor to join our Student Success team. In this role, you'll provide practical support and guidance to students facing financial, personal, wellbeing, and study-related challenges. A key focus of the role is supporting students with financial hardship assistance, StudyLink processes, and access to support services that help them succeed in their studies. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference while working with a diverse student community. About Us The unification of Unitec and Manukau Institute of Technology is transforming vocational education in Auckland, creating a stronger and more connected learning environment that supports the aspirations of our learners, industries, and communities. What You'll Be Doing Provide pastoral care and support to students experiencing personal, financial, wellbeing, or study-related challenges. Assist students with financial hardship applications, emergency assistance, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. Support students to navigate StudyLink processes and access financial assistance. Respond to informal student concerns and support positive resolution outcomes. Connect students with appropriate internal and external support services. Support food security initiatives, including maintaining food cupboards and managing food supplies. Build effective relationships with students, staff, and community organisations. Support student engagement activities, orientation programmes, and graduation events. Maintain accurate records and contribute to continuous improvement activities. What You'll Bring Experience in student services, social services, community support, welfare support, education, case management, or a related field. Strong relationship-building and communication skills. A genuine passion for supporting people to achieve positive outcomes. Experience supporting people experiencing financial, personal, wellbeing, or study-related challenges. Strong organisational and administrative skills. Experience working with diverse communities, including Māori, Pacific, disabled, neurodiverse, and culturally diverse learners. Confidence using databases and digital systems. Understanding of, or willingness to learn, te reo Māori, tikanga Māori, and kaupapa Māori principles. Experience providing hardship assistance, advocacy, or StudyLink support would be advantageous. Why Join Us? This is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of students while being part of an organisation helping shape the future of vocational education in Aotearoa. You'll join a supportive team committed to learner success, equity, inclusion, and creating opportunities that change lives. Every conversation and every student success story will be a reminder of the impact you're making. Apply Now If you're passionate about supporting student success and want to be part of a team that makes a genuine impact every day, we'd love to hear from you. Submit your CV and a short cover letter outlining what excites you about this opportunity. Applications close Thursday 27 August at 5.00pm, however we will be reviewing applications as they are received and may progress with suitable candidates ahead of this date. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Emma Derbshire, Talent Acquisition Business Partner, at ederbyshire@unitec.ac.nz . Please note this email address is for queries only and should not be used to submit applications. Manukau Institute of Technology and Unitec are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and celebrate diversity and are committed to building a supportive and inclusive environment for all.