Application Open:
Full-Time
Job Purpose:
The Student Housing Specialist enhances student life at MBZUAI by fostering leadership, teamwork, and community through a variety of residential and community programs. Reporting to the Student Housing Manager, this role supports the delivery of the student residential experience and co-supervises the Residential Student Leader program (Residential Life Assistants and House Captains) jointly with the Manager. Key responsibilities include supporting day-to-day housing operations, delivering residential life programming, and providing pastoral support to residents. By driving student engagement and wellbeing, this role contributes to a dynamic and inclusive university experience.
Key Responsibilities:
Accommodation Advisory Services
- Provide guidance to prospective and current MBZUAI students on accommodation options, application procedures, policies, legal requirements, and best practices for both on-campus and off-campus housing.
- Promote MBZUAI campus housing through various channels, including the university website, social media, and webinars, in coordination with Student Recruitment and MarComms.
Campus Housing Operations
- Support the development and updating of policies, procedures, and the residents’ handbook to ensure smooth housing operations, compliance with regulations, and resident awareness of available services, rights, and responsibilities.
- Support accommodation allocation and the issuing of offers and contracts in line with MBZUAI policies while considering special requests, preferences, and gender policies.
- Coordinate with General Services to develop personal evacuation plans for students of determination and ensure emergency preparedness.
- Oversee room key issuance, student check-in procedures, and student accommodation inspections to maintain cleanliness, safety, and compliance with residence rules.
- Liaise with General Services to address maintenance needs, resolve safety concerns, and facilitate prompt service requests.
- Ensure campus housing security through access control, fire drills, security personnel, and emergency response planning.
- Facilitate check-out procedures, final room inspections, and coordination with Finance and the Registrar’s Office regarding security deposit returns.
- Support the administration of contracts with external housing providers, including room allocation and student welfare matters, when applicable.
On-Campus Residential Life
- Provide mentorship and support to student residents, assisting with personal and community living adjustments while referring to university support services as needed.
- Co-supervise the Residential Student Leader program (Residential Life Assistants and House Captains) jointly with the Student Housing Manager, supporting recruitment, training, scheduling, and day-to-day guidance for the undergraduate student leader team.
- Participate in the Student Life after-hours on-call rotation, providing support and guidance to students outside of normal working hours.
- Oversee the development and delivery of residential programming, events, and initiatives for undergraduate residents, working with the Residential Life Assistants and House Captains to foster student engagement, community building, and inclusivity.
- Encourage and support student-led social events to sustain an inclusive and welcoming residential atmosphere.
- Mediate interpersonal conflicts among residents and facilitate open communication to maintain a positive living environment.
- Manage crises and emergencies within the residential community, providing immediate assistance and referrals to relevant MBZUAI support services.
- Ensure resident compliance with MBZUAI accommodation policies, offering guidance and clarification as needed.
Off-Campus Housing Support
- Maintain a database of suitable off-campus housing options for students and support coordination with approved landlords, agents, and accommodation providers.
- Assist students with housing searches and provide general guidance on rental processes and lease requirements, escalating contractual concerns to the Student Housing Manager.
- Administer the financial support scheme for housing deposits. Maintain administrative records related to off-campus student housing, including housing allowances and deposit support.
Documentation and Reporting
- Maintain accurate records of all residential services data while ensuring compliance with MBZUAI information security policies.
- Document and report inspection findings, identifying issues and recommending service improvements.
- Prepare incident reports for emergency situations in accordance with university protocols.
- Gather and analyze student feedback on housing services to inform continuous improvement initiatives.
Other Duties
- Contribute to university-wide programs, including orientation, wellbeing initiatives, global observances, leadership development, and personal growth activities.
- Perform all other duties as reasonably directed by the line manager that are commensurate with these functional objectives.
Qualifications and Criteria:
Essential:
- At least four years’ increasingly responsible levels of experience working in relevant fields including—for example—in hospitality, property management, facilities management, or university accommodation services.
- At least two years’ experience working in university accommodation services including a large-scale residential property in a university.
- Demonstrable knowledge of best practices in the provision of residential life services to students.
- Willingness and ability to live on campus in MBZUAI accommodation.
- Flexibility and adaptability to work irregular hours to provide out-of-hours pastoral support to residents.
- Proven experience effectively managing residential operations, including accommodation applications, property/room assignments, inspections, and resolving maintenance issues.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills with proven ability to provide a warm and nurturing residential environment for students including effective pastoral guidance and crisis intervention.
- Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
- Strong leadership abilities that demonstrate the capability to lead, motivate, and support a team of Residential Life Assistants and House Captains to provide pastoral support and foster a positive community environment.
- Familiarity with software systems and database management for effective residence operations.
- Demonstrable proficiency in problem-solving and conflict resolution.
- Excellent organizational abilities to manage schedules and administrative tasks efficiently.
Preferred:
- Experience working in the UAE.
- Experience providing support and guidance to international students.
- Professional credentialling in a relevant discipline such as coaching or counseling.
- First aid certification.
- Experience monitoring expenditure and administering student-facing financial processes, such as deposits, allowances, or support schemes.
- Exposure to and understanding of Middle Eastern business and cultural practices.
