Hear from a group of Kent alumni working in the public and private sectors in diverse organisations such as a Marketing Consultancy, Ofwat, the FCO, AXA Insurance and the Institute for Public Policy Research.
Date: Thursday 14 November
Time: 7pm
Location: Sibson Lecture Theatre 1 (SibLT1)
Panel talk followed by Q&A and networking.
Working for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO)
Careers Event
The FCO is the UK government department responsible for protecting and promoting British interests around the world, through the FCO in London and diplomatic posts in 168 countries and territories. Roughly a third are UK-based British Civil Servants; and around two thirds are employed locally in British Diplomatic missions overseas (such as an Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate).
Dr. Jennifer Medcalf who is Head of the Defence and International Security Research Group (DISRG) at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is joining us on campus to discuss the range of career options they offer to students and graduates:
Date: 19th November 2019
Time: 4pm-5pm
Location: COLT 2 (Cornwallis Octagon Lecture Theatre 2)
All students are welcome to attend.
Join us on 12 November at 16.15
Cornwallis East – Seminar Room 2
Wednesday 6th November, 2pm – 4pm in Grimond LT3
Interested in a career that’s rewarding and makes a difference? This is your chance to hear from leading public sector employers, including Kent alumni, who work / have worked within Government, public bodies and local government. They’ll share their career backgrounds, experiences of working within the public sector and career tips, followed by a Q&A with the audience.
Book your place here: https://careers.kent.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=4855&service=Careers+Service
Earn 15 Employability Points!
Panellists:
Amy Perkins, Assistant Parliamentary Counsel, Cabinet Office
Amy’s role as an APC is to assist in drafting and handling Government bills and provide legal and procedural advice to Government departments. This is a training role, which can lead to the role of Parliamentary Counsel (who take the lead on drafting and handling bills, and providing the necessary advice).
Martin Parr, Principal Consultant, The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
Martin’s work focuses on identifying where major public projects are working well, and where they are not, in their journey from feasibility though to full maturity; and to help the key stakeholders of these projects to understand how complexity impacts on their project. To assess complex projects and transformation activities so that the key issues and decisions can be dealt with in an evidence-based way. To assess technology in our major projects and consider how changes in technology or environment might impact on a system in the future.
Perry Holmes, Chief Legal Officer, Medway Council
Perry is an experienced local government leader, with particular expertise in local government law and elections. He has practiced as a solicitor for 25 years, moving to local government in 2001 and has worked at County, District and Unitary Councils. He has over 10 years’ experience as a Monitoring Officer ensuring that Councils and Councillors work within the law. He joined Medway Council in 2012 and is very proud to lead a set of excellent teams; the Capital projects, Category Management, Democratic Services, Elections & Member Services, Legal & Licensing and Property teams. He has developed close strategic links with the University of Kent, and in 2016 was delighted to receive their “External Innovation Champion” award.
Daniel Pollitt, Project Manager, Network Rail
Daniel is currently responsible for developing the ‘On Network Sections’ (everything at surface level/not in a tunnel) of Crossrail 2. This involves managing a team of design consultants, and working very closely with TfL and the DfT to develop a business case, and prepare a hybrid Bill to submit to parliament. He is a Kent alumni, who graduated from Kent Law School.
Paul Smart, Former Senior Government Policy Maker, Scottish Government
Paul retired from the Scottish Government in December 2018 with twenty years’ service, his last post being Deputy Director of the Colleges, Young Workforce and Scottish Funding Council Sponsorship Division. Prior to this Paul spent time helping deliver over £300m of CAP investment in Scottish farming, three years as programme director for establishing Historic Environment Scotland, and several years working in the Justice Directorate of the Scottish Government. During his time with Justice he was Head of Operations at the Scottish Tribunals Service during which time he led the merger of five tribunal administrations into a single administrative unit. Still with Justice, Paul started as Head of the Victims and Witnesses Unit before becoming Deputy Director for Victims, Witnesses, Parole and Life Sentencing. Previously he headed-up the Scottish Executive’s Race Equality Team, following a secondment as Chief Press Officer for Environment and Rural Development and, before that, was Head of Rail Policy. Before joining the then Scottish Office in 1998 Paul held a number of posts with Scottish Homes, the then national housing agency, after spending several years as an academic, finishing up as a lecturer in the Politics Department at Edinburgh University during which time he gained his PhD. He graduated from UKC (Eliot) in 1979 with a BA Hons in Politics and Government.
The School of Politics and International Relations has been invited to send six student delegates to represent the University at a Model NATO conference being run by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Fifteen UK universities will be taking part in the Model and each university will represent two NATO members.
Model NATO will take place at the main Foreign Office building in central London on Monday, 2nd December 2019. The event will conclude with a reception hosted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the early evening.
All travel expenses will be covered.
APPLICATIONS
Students in their second year and above, including post-graduate are invited to apply.
To be considered for this exciting opportunity please email no more than 100 words explaining why you would like to attend to:
N.V.Lanfray@kent.ac.uk and R.Whitman@kent.ac.uk
By midnight on the Monday 28th October.
Successful applicants will be informed on Tuesday 30th October and will be required to attend a briefing meeting with the FCO in Rutherford College on Friday 1st November.
MODEL NATO IN ACTION
The business of the Model NATO committees and their working methods will be explained to the selected participating students in a separate document to be sent in the coming weeks.
In brief, the Model will be principally concerned with reacting to a crisis scenario. That crisis will be presented at the beginning of the working day and elaborated upon by means of news and intelligence injects as the day proceeds. The committees will replicate NATO’s working methods – including, importantly, the requirement that decisions are reached by consensus.
Each NATO member delegation at the Model will be split between three committees: the North Atlantic Council (the NAC), the Military Committee, and an ad hoc Crisis Response Committee. Each university will have two people on each of these three committees – representing two separate NATO members.
The task of the Model is to respond to the crisis by mobilising NATO’s political and military resources. In undertaking that response, delegations will need to act in accordance with known national policy positions.
To assist the students in this endeavour, you will be sent:
On the day of the Model, academics, staff from the FCO and NATO officials will be on hand to offer specific advice.
To arrive at an agreed response will be the test the students will face on the day – debate and negotiations in committee will be the means by which that test is met.
Each student will also receive a certificate of participation. There will be a small number of awards given separately to outstanding delegates/delegations. The day will conclude with a reception in the Foreign Office building.
Model NATO is intended to have experiential learning benefits for the participating students.
The Model will raise students’ awareness of NATO and give them direct exposure to an activity that replicates inter-governmental negotiation and policy making.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY: NATO ENGAGES
Two of the selected participating students will be invited in advance to attend ‘NATO Engages’ on the following day, 3rd December 2019 immediately prior to the NATO leaders’ meeting in London at Westminster Central Hall.
The consortium running NATO Engages includes Kings College London, the Atlantic Council, the Munich Security Conference, RUSI and Globsec.
For more information about NATO Engages please visit:
https://nato-engages.org
The two students will have accommodation provided for them in central London on the night of the 2nd December at the Travelodge Covent Garden.
These students will have the opportunity to further analyse the outcome of the Model held the previous day, and potentially meet heads of state/government at the event.
The NATO Public Diplomacy Division are providing a grant which will meet all the students accommodation and travel costs.
Please note: that once a student receives an email invitation from our partner Globsec to attend the event, the registration process will take around 45-60 minutes and includes a questionnaire and uploading a photograph for the conference ID. Given the likely presence of heads of state/government at the event, the process also entails some background security checks. Notification on the success of a registration comes within a couple of days usually. If your registration is declined on security grounds and any such outcome will be outside of our control.
For EMPFEST 2019 hear from a panel of School alumni who will share the secrets of their career success in Politics and International Relations.
Date: Wednesday 16th October 2019
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Location: KLT3
Please signup at https://careers.kent.ac.uk/
You will gain first-hand information and practical advice on various careers paths. Our alumni are able to share invaluable career tips through open, honest dialogue with the students who attend.
At this event, we aim to highlight unique career possibilities that exist for School of Politics degree holders, helping you envision possibilities for yourself you may never have considered. The event wraps up with a networking session where attendees can mix and mingle with all of the panellists.
Alumni Speaker Biography’s
Kami Asamani
Business Manager Arts Sub-Saharan Africa, British Council
Kami was appointed as Head Business Management Arts SSA at the British Council in February 2018. Prior to this, Kami worked as Programmes Manager Ethiopia and from 2009-2015 as a Project Delivery Manager in the British Council’s Education and Society business unit. Kami has long been associated with and interested in the creative sector and is excited by seeing young people gain access to new skills. Kami has a BA in Politics and International Relations and an LLM in International Law and International Relations, both from the University of Kent at Canterbury. Kami is passionate about learning about other cultures, especially African countries and Japan. She loves cooking and eating healthy food whilst sharing creative food ideas @kamiasamani.
Joseph Dutton
Policy Adviser at E3G
Joseph Dutton is a Policy Adviser at energy and climate change think-thank E3G, working on UK and EU energy, infrastructure, and climate change policy. He previously worked as an Associate Research Fellow at the University of Exeter Energy Policy Group on the politics of UK and European energy policy and renewable energy development. He has held a number of roles in the energy, including in academic research, market analysis, and consultancy. He completed his undergraduate in Conflict, Peace and Security (2008) and MA in International Relations and European Studies (2010).
Kevin McNamara
Freelance Digital Communications and Campaigns Expert
Since graduating from the University of Kent, Kevin has been a parliamentary candidate on several occasions and worked on a number of campaigns, including being one of the organisers who got Catherine Bearder re-elected in 2014, as well as playing leading roles in successful Liberal Democrat campaigns in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Kevin has since turned his attention to working on other projects with social good at their heart, supporting projects like Nature 2030 and Empower as well as volunteering as a governor for his local NHS Trust which has a budget of over £300m.
Tom Spare
Executive Officer for Transitions and Engagement with Student Support Services, Cardiff University
I graduated from University of Kent in 2013, studying a BA in Politics. My career, thus far, has been in Universities, working at two Students’ Unions in student representation, education and policy, and now at Cardiff University as Executive Officer (Transitions and Engagement). I help oversee International Arrivals for around 750 international students and run events to help integrate international students in the wider university community. I also engage with vulnerable groups such as estranged students, student carers and care leavers, asylum seekers and Armed Forces Veterans. I work within the Student Support and Wellbeing Division that assists in every element of student life, from careers to counselling, from money advice to study abroad. Ask me questions If you are interested in a non-academic career in HE or want to understand what it’s like working for a University/Students’ Union.
Misha Upadhyaya
Stakeholder and Engagement Officer at Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime
After completing her undergraduate degree and Masters at Kent, Misha left to join Thames Valley Police as a Civilian Counter Terrorism Officer. For over two years Misha led on Police work for the Government’s Prevent programme which aims to safeguarding vulnerable people away from radicalisation and extremism in the Thames Valley area. She worked extensively with the community to safeguard individuals from a myriad of risks. After this, Misha joined NHS England as the London and South of England’s Regional Prevent Coordinator where she oversaw the implementation and safeguarding legislation in the form of the Prevent statutory duty in over 150 health care organisations. Misha now works for the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime where she leads on engagement and policy for the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan’s, Countering Violent Extremism programme. In her free time Misha volunteers as a co-opted School Governor for safeguarding for at her local primary school.
As part of EMPFEST 2019 there are a number of careers & employabilty events for POLIR students.
Civil Service Fast Stream: Meet the Fast Streamers
Wednesday 9th October, 3pm
Three current Fast Streamers on the Civil Service Fast Stream graduate programme will be coming to the University of Kent to give a talk about their experiences both applying for and being on the Fast Stream.
How to Get a Job in International Development
Thursday 10 October, 10am, room tbc
Webinar on how to get a job in international development. I’ll discuss the following: 1) What skills / background are required 2) How to know where you have a chance and where you don’t 3) How to get informational interviews / network 4) Where to focus your attention in your job search 5) The basic application. Plus Q&A
Careers in Law for non-Law Students
Thursday 10 October, 17.00 in CW SE LT2
For any students considering a law conversion, our team will talk them through the practicalities of the courses but also highlight the career options ahead and how to achieve this.
Fast Stream Skills Session
Tuesday 15 October, 11.15 and 1.45 time slots
This will be a taster of a half-day assessment centre that selects graduates with the calibre and potential to join the Fast Stream. Research shows that assessment centres make more accurate predictions about how you will perform at work than other recruitment methods. Fast Stream standards are high and to have reached the assessment centre is a significant achievement. You now have the chance to show that you have the skills and personal qualities to be a successful Fast Streamer.
POLIR Alumni Careers Panels for EMPFEST
Listen to POLIR Alumni talk about their careers since graduation followed by a Q&A and networking
Wednesday 16th October 2019, 2pm – 4pm, Location: TBC
Crown Prosecution Service Careers
Wednesday 16th October, 1pm in KLT6
Find out what it is like to work for Crown Prosecution Service, career paths and the range of opportunities available for graduates.
Unlocked Graduates – Leading Change on the Inside
Wednesday 16th October, 2pm
The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) University Outreach Team cordially invites up to 10 students from your university to attend our ‘working in government’ insight day on 13th of November 2019, at 1 Victoria Street conference centre.
BEIS employs around 3,000 staff who work in our offices in London, Aberdeen and around the UK. BEIS is supported by over 40 agencies and public bodies including Companies House and the UK Space Agency. For more information about the department and the work we do, please click here.
Led by a budding group of young professional volunteers, the day will consist of six hours of ‘fun and interactive’ sessions leading students through what life is like as a Civil Servant in the department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
There will also be time for networking with recent graduates working at the department.
To register, we simply ask for 100 words from interested students detailing why they would be interested in attending the workshop, and a potential future career as a civil servant. A member of your university’s careers service can also attend, if interested. We will be in touch with successful applicants in due course.
We can only accept up to 10 students from your university to allow a wide variety of students to attend from across different London universities. However, further events will be put on in the future over the course of the academic year.
While not a recruitment day, and led solely by volunteers, attendees will learn more about the Civil Service and methods of obtaining employment in departments such as BEIS.
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR 100 WORD APPLICATION
Volunteer for the East Kent Mencap Street Party – 2 August 2019
East Kent Mencap is a charity that supports adults and children with a learning disability to become more independent.
The charity has run a summer event every year since 2008, with the aim of showcasing the work that they do locally for people with learning disabilities, in order to raise both funds and awareness. There will be food and drink, lots of live music, information stalls and all sorts of fun activities.
Event: Street Party 2019
Location: Foresters Hall, Meeting Street, Ramsgate, CT11 9RT
Date: Friday 2nd August 2019
Timings: Open 10am-pm to the public. For volunteer timings & tasks list overleaf – there is some flexibility in timings and volunteers would be welcomed who can help out for 4 or more hours (to make it feasible to complete inductions, handovers etc while the event is underway).
Number of volunteers needed: 20
Risk assessments / public liability insurance in place: Yes
Refreshments: Drinks & sandwiches provided (please make us aware of any allergens)
Parking: There are several pay-and-display carparks within a 5-minute walk, and some on street parking available on surrounding roads. Volunteers/Public will only be able to access as far as the council carpark. Further down the road surrounding our building will be closed for our event.
Volunteering tasks at the Festival include:
| Times | Tasks to assist with: |
| 8am-10am |
– Construct Marquee for the rear car park – Construct gazebos on front driveway and garden area – Help set up DJ area if necessary – Put up bunting and other decorations – Put up signage – Set up tables and chairs for stall holders – Take time to learn about activities on offer to enable support to stallholders and festival attendees – Set up refreshments in kitchen area – Set up BBQ / seating & eating area in the garden. (BBQ under gazebo) |
| 10am-4pm |
– Offer and deliver refreshments to stall holders – Run/man welcome stall for visitors and ticket sales – Hand out programmes – Marshall / Steward the event – signpost people – Run stalls such as bric-a-brac and clothes sale – Help prepare and serve refreshments from the kitchen – Aid musicians with their transition in/out of building as well as on/off stage. |
| 4pm-5.30pm |
– Take down decorations (bunting, banners, signs) – Help clear away stalls, clearing table and chairs – Ensure indoor areas in use are how they were prior to event – Clear up litter at the end of the day – Help stall holders load vehicles – Help to ensure premises is left tidy. |
Please get in touch to find out more about volunteering at the event: demi.price@eastkentmencap.co.uk
As a mature student or career changer you have a wealth of experience that you can help you to effectively manage your career.
This session will explore how you use these experiences to help you to decide on the right career area for you and to convince employers that you are the best candidate for a role.
