3 Full-Time Paid Jobs Available at ENSA Next Session
ENSA is looking for students to stand for election as Co-Presidents for 2026/27 — these are full-time, paid leadership roles where you can make real change, gain invaluable work experience, and grow in confidence, skills, and purpose.
Whether you’re graduating this summer or considering taking a year out of your studies, this could be a powerful next step for your career. You don’t need to have “done leadership before” – you just need to care about students and want to make things better.
You’ll be supported, trained, paid, and trusted to lead.
The Roles Available
All three Co-President roles are equal and collaborative. You’ll work closely together, while each focusing on an area of student life you care about most.
+President Societies and Community
If you care about belonging, inclusion, and student life beyond the classroom, this role puts you at the heart of it. As Co-President for Societies & Community, you’ll:
- Help students feel connected, represented, and proud of their university
- Champion student-led societies and community initiatives
- Represent student concerns to senior university leaders
- Speak at graduation ceremonies and key events
- Represent students in the wider community
- Sit on the University Court, helping shape major decisions
This role is ideal if you’re passionate about people, community, and making sure every student feels like they belong.
Get more details here.
+ Co-President Education & Employability
If you want to improve the academic experience and help students feel prepared for life after uni, this job is for you. In this role, you’ll:
- Campaign to improve teaching, learning, and assessment
- Represent students on high-level academic committees
- Ensure the student voice shapes university policy
- Support and lead Programme Representatives across all campuses
- Help students feel more confident about their future careers
Perfect for anyone who wants to influence change and improve the student experience from the inside.
Get more details here.
+ Co-President Sport & Wellbeing
Care about sports, mental health, and physical wellbeing? This job focuses on helping students thrive. In this role, you’ll:
- Help shape the University’s commitment to sport and wellbeing
- Support sports clubs and major events like Varsity and the Awards Ball
- Champion student mental and physical wellbeing
- Campaign on student safety and health
- Sit on the University Court and Sports Forum
Ideal if you’re passionate about sport, wellbeing, and creating healthier student communities.
Get more details here.
What do ENSA’s Elected Officers actually do?
You’ll represent over 20,000 Edinburgh Napier University students and take on three key responsibilities:
- Student leaders — representing student concerns and pushing for positive change
- Full-time paid staff — yes, this is a proper job for a term of 1 year
- Directors of ENSA — helping govern and shape the Students’ Association
You’ll also help deliver major campaigns and events, including Welcome Week, and student-led initiatives such as Napier Film Festival, Cost of Living support, Inclusion Day, Feel Fab Feb, and Movember.
What Skills Will You Gain?
This role is a powerful career launch pad. You’ll develop skills in:
- Leadership and decision-making
- Communication and public speaking
- Confidence and self-awareness
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Representation and advocacy
- Strategic thinking and governance
- Project Management
No prior leadership experience is required — full training and ongoing support are provided throughout the year.
The Practical Details
- Salary: £24,536 per annum
- Annual leave: 38 days over the year (including 10 days when ENSA’s offices are closed)
- Hours: 35 hours a week
- Term: 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 (with the possibility to run for a 2nd term)
- Location: You will be based at ENSA’s Merchiston Office, with regular visits to Craiglockhart and Sighthill campuses, and off-campus events
- Eligibility: Any student currently registered at Edinburgh Napier University, who is actively pursuing their studies towards a qualification in Edinburgh (as confirmed by Edinburgh Napier University), and has been actively engaged in a programme of studies for at least 1 full trimester, is eligible to stand for office.
If you’re an international student, Edinburgh Napier's Visa & International Team will support you throughout the process.
How to Apply
+Step 1: Check your eligibility and the Election Timeline
First make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria and check out the timeline in the Election Rules.
+Step 2: Prepare your manifesto
You will then need to write a short manifesto (maximum 300 words) to tell people why you're the best person for the job. Need help writing your manifesto? Check out our manifesto writing tips.
+Step 3: Prepare your photo
Your photograph will appear on the ENSA website and on the ballot pages. It should have your full head and shoulders visible, against a plain, light background with nobody else visible in the photo (similar to a passport-style photograph, only you are allowed to smile). If you need any help, we can take a photo for you if you drop by B34 Merchiston.
+Step 4: Prepare your video
This step isn't compulsory but it is highly recommended to help your campaign. Shoot a short video in portrait mode (Instagram Story style) to convince people to vote for you. This must be a maximum of 30 seconds long, so keep it brief and to the point. What are your experiences as a student? What do you hope to change? What would your priorities be? Don't add any overlaid text or logos as ENSA will do this for you.
+Step 5: Complete the Application Form
Once you have these ready, you can fill in our online application form (link below). You will be asked to upload your manifesto, photo and video as part of the process. This will take some time to complete, so don't leave it until the last minute!
Apply Now
When do applications close? 12 noon (midday) on Thursday 19 February.
Selection will be made by the students via a cross-campus online ballot. Elections will be held over the week commencing Monday 9 March.
Still Unsure?
Many students hesitate because they don’t feel “ready” — but growth happens in the role, not before it. If you care about students, want to make change, and are open to learning, this role could be for you!
We're happy to arrange a confidential chat about any of the roles above or about how the election process works. Please get in touch with Daniel at D.Wright@napier.ac.uk.
Drop-In Sessions and Workshops
We're running a series of drop-in sessions and workshops throughout January and early February to give you some advice and information. If you have any questions or are uncertain about anything, come along to any of these and learn more!
+Elections Drop-In Sessions
Informal drop-ins for students to discuss running in the student elections and ask any questions that they may have.
- Monday 19 January: 10am at 3/59 Craiglockhart
- Monday 19 January: 3pm at B34 Merchiston
- Tuesday 20 January: 3pm at 1.C.30 Sighthill
- Thursday 22 January: 10am at 1/47 Craiglockhart
- Tuesday 27 January: 11am at B34 Merchiston
- Wednesday 28 January: 3pm at Sighthill 2.D.15
+Election Breakfast: Could you be a Co-President?
Come along for an informal chat about running in the Elections, the roles available and how you could lead ENSA next year.
- Tuesday 3 February: 10am at 2/07 Craiglockhart
+Candidate Workshops
No-commitment workshops on running in the Elections, with tips from previous Officers, and general advice on manifesto writing and campaigning.
- Wednesday 4 February: 2pm at C18 Merchiston
- Thursday 5 February: 10am at 2/117 Craiglockhart