APPLY TO BE PART OF THE UJS SABBATICAL TEAM 2026-27

Application process 

Applications open: Monday 19th January 2026 

Application deadline: 12pm on Friday 6th February 2026 

Group Interviews:  Wednesday 18th February 2026 (first year applicants only) 

Individual Interviews: 4-6th March 2026  

All interviews will be held in person in London. 

If you need reimbursement of travel expenses to interviews, please contact Matt Plen ([email protected]) well in advance, before making travel arrangements. 

To apply: 

Send your CV (max 2 pages) and cover letter (max 800 words), to [email protected] by 12pm on Friday 6th February. 

Your cover letter should address the following questions: 

1. Why do you want to be a UJS Sabbatical officer? 
2. What skills, knowledge and experience will you bring to the role? (provide examples to demonstrate how you fit the criteria set out in the person specification) 
3. What do you think are the key issues facing UK Jewish students and what should UJS do to address them? 
4. Which areas of work are you most keen to focus on, and what would you hope to achieve in these areas? (Use the list of work areas above for reference, and please note that allocation of responsibilities will be at the discretion of the UJS President) 

Please also confirm you are available for interview on the dates set out above, and let us know if you are unable to attend on any of the dates. 

If you would like to discuss your application further or have any questions, please contact Matt Plen at [email protected]. All applications are confidential and will be reviewed by Raphi Leon (President 2026-27), Mervyn Kaye (CEO), Matt Plen (Interim COO).  

About UJS – The Voice of Jewish Students 

Over 100 years of leading, defending and enriching Jewish life on campus  

Who we are 

• We represent the 10,000+ Jewish students who are studying in the UK and Ireland. There are over 80 Jewish societies (JSocs) affiliated to UJS. 

• We are the democratic representative body of Jewish students. We are the only peer-led Jewish student organisation in the UK.  

• We build Jewish campus communities that are run by students for students.  

• We empower and enable Jewish students to live active, involved and safe Jewish lives on campus.  

• As a minority community, we understand and promote the rights of other minorities to express their identities, free from hate or prejudice.  

• We are cross-communal: reform, orthodox, left, right, beyond and anything in between, UJS unites Jewish students.    

What we do 

• Initiate campaigns about issues of concern to Jewish students.  

• Run a wide variety of programmes, bringing people together to enjoy Jewish life on campus.  

• Provide facilities including: accommodation, kosher food, suitable and safe spaces for our JSoc activities.  

• Organise careers and networking opportunities.  

• Support the welfare of Jewish students on campus.  

• Run national events that bring students together from across the UK and Ireland.  

• Support JSocs in running projects on campus involving a range of areas including social action, Holocaust education, interfaith and Israel.  

• Run a range of overseas educational trips for students.  

Why choose us? 

Whether you’re passionate about supporting and representing Jewish students on a national and international level, or you want to join an organisation that will maximise your initiative and creativity, there are lots of reasons to join the UJS team. 

You’ll be joining one of the strongest Jewish Student Unions in the world. You’ll work with outstanding colleagues in a dynamic and creative team, receive extensive training, gain new skills, enjoy career development opportunities, and have a high level of responsibility from the very beginning.   

Most importantly, you’ll be impacting the lives of thousands people across the country, and inspiring Jewish students to take on leadership and activism roles within the Jewish community and beyond. 

Contract and Benefits  

• Dates: 11-month fixed term contract July 2026 – May 2027 (for 2nd years – 12-month contract June 2026 – May 2027) 

• Salary: First year sabbaticals - £26,455 for an 11-month contract (London Living Wage rate, equivalent to £28,860 annual salary); VPs/Second years - £31,169 for a 12-month contract; plus allowances for out-of-London candidates needing to relocate 
• Annual Leave: 20 days plus public and Jewish holiday (pro-rata)

• Location: Based at UJS’s London office with frequent travel around the UK 

Other benefits: 

• Development training.  

• A dedicated external mentor from a field of work of your choice.  

• If you are 22 or above during your time working for UJS, you will automatically be enrolled into our pension scheme unless you choose to opt out.  

• You will have the opportunity to participate in high-profile meetings within the community, as well as other organisations, stakeholders and institutions such as universities, regulatory bodies and Government.  

• You may be able to travel as part of a UJS delegation to conferences abroad. Previous delegations have visited Switzerland, Belgium, Hungary, Israel and the USA.   

• Careers guidance through 3rd party professional advisors 

• Mentorship to support your work and career progression 

• Travel and accommodation expenses paid when travelling for work 

• Birthday Day (extra day’s leave for your birthday not from your leave allowance, to be taken within 2 weeks) 

• Access to charity worker discounts with your work email address 

• CV and job application support 

• Community and wider networking opportunities 

Job Description  

Sabbatical officers 

The Sabbatical Officer role will focus on one or more of the following areas, alongside student engagement, J-Soc support and campus fieldwork: 

• Campaigns and public affairs 

• Careers and world of work 

• Digital engagement 

• Equality and inclusion 

• Holocaust education 

• Interfaith 

• Israel engagement 

• Jewish enrichment 

• Leadership development 

• Mental health 

• National events 

• School and 6th form engagement 

• Social action 

• Sport 

You will lead individually and as a team member on specific projects based on UJS’s priorities and your own skills and interests. 

Vice Presidents 

We are also recruiting for ‘Vice President’ positions, for example VP Campaigns and VP Membership Engagement. These roles will be responsible for managing groups of sabbatical officers and working with the President on strategic direction, as well as   deputising for the President where appropriate. Strong priority will be given to second year candidates. 

The following role and person specifications relate to sabbatical and VP roles; specific VP responsibilities are indicated with ‘(VP)’. 

Responsibilities  

• Design, manage and deliver a variety of projects including national events, educational and training courses, political campaigns and publications.  

• Train, support and build relationships with JSoc committees and Jewish Students. 

• Raise the profile and activities of UJS both on campus and online. 

• Create opportunities for unengaged students to participate in Jewish student life, enhancing inclusivity and accessibility. 

• Work closely with communal partner organisations to maximise support and resources offered to Jewish students.  

• Support the UJS President in enacting their manifesto and delivering their year plan. 

• Manage groups of sabbatical officers and work with the President on strategic direction - set team goals and priorities and support team members to achieve their goals (VP) 

• Deputise for the President and/or represent UJS externally where appropriate (VP) 

Regular Tasks  

• Write and deliver sessions for UJS programmes, trips and national events. 

• Attend J-Soc events and regularly visit campuses or students you directly support – including frequent weekend work and travel around the UK. 

• Attend UJS national events. 

• Recruit students for UJS projects and events. 

• Utilise social media for regular online engagement as well as writing and sourcing blogs and articles. 

• Produce reports for funders and other audiences about the events you have managed. 

• Participate in regular line management meetings, team meetings, training and away days. 

• Carry out administrative and logistical work to ensure effective delivery of projects and to support colleagues as required. 

• Be an active and engaged member of the UJS team, assisting and collaborating with other sabbaticals and permanent staff members as required. 

• Run regular team meetings and 1-to-1s with team members (VP) 

Person specification 

Below is a list of key competencies for this role. You are encouraged to apply even if you do not meet every criterion. UJS is committed to staff training and development.