Want to get more involved in an international development organisation?

Here at the U8 Global Student Partnership for Development, the work is made possible by an annually-recruited crack team of passionate students and graduates. The time has come (sadly for us!) to bring on board a new set of Directors and over the coming month we will be welcoming applications for Managing Director, Communications Director, University Links Director, Research & Learning Director and Finance Director. Becoming a U8 Ltd. Director is a uniquely rewarding experience; you will develop a range of key managerial skills essential for careers cross-sector. U8 Directors build networks and work with a range of governmental, international, corporate and NGO contacts. Finally, and most importantly, you will facilitate the work of U8 – helping students from across continents inform themselves, voice their valuable contributions and make a tangible difference to this World.

Managing Director

The Managing Director is the senior coordinating director for U8 activities. Working with a team of directors, the MD is the person ultimately responsible for the organisation. This position requires a high level of energy, commitment and organisation. The candidate will be able to juggle tasks, build good working relationships and see the overall picture of U8 activities and how that fits into the vision of U8. The candidate will be willing to go that extra mile but the reward is considerable – unbeatable experience as head of an international organisation.

Each of the below positions have a team of “coordinators” in their department to implement plans in each area.

Communications Director

The Communications Director is in charge of our dealings with other organisations – NGOs, student or international organisations. Maximising U8’s impact relies on a series of solid partnerships, all of which are nurtured and identified by the Comms Director. With a team of colleagues, the Director will be guarding and strengthening the U8 brand and image and producing publicity materials and resources. The candidate will be professional, personable and motivated. The Comms Director often represents the U8 with key contacts and at conferences, gaining access to valuable networks and events.

University Links Director

The University Links Director coordinates contact with all of the member groups in universities globally. You will have a team of regional coordinators to manage and to help you keep in touch with the students who make up our network. This position is pivotally important to helping us as an organisation provide for the needs of our members and hear about the successes and struggles. The candidate will enjoy connecting people with each other, be approachable, as well as able to build good working relationships. The Uni Links Director gets a great opportunity to work closely with students from countries from Bulgaria to Ethiopia to the UK.

Research & Learning Director

The Research & Learning Director plans, identifies and oversees the research activities of U8, finding the most meaningful and impacting relationships and opportunities to get the research of our members into the development and policy arena. The candidate will be an “ideas” person, motivated and with some personal research experience.

Finance Director

The Finance Director is responsible for ensuring our financial wellbeing and a bright and happy future for U8. This position involves building professional contacts, strategising for funding and sponsorship and some accounting/ working with budgets. The Finance director gains unparalleled practical experience.

Please send a CV and cover letter to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

U8 are partnering with the Global Poverty Project for their September/October UK University Tour!

To get the issue of extreme poverty into the minds of the public, the Global Poverty Project are touring UK universities with 1.4 Billion Reasons, a high-impact multimedia presentation that breaks down complex issues of global poverty and demonstrates how we can all take action to make change happen.

This is a FREE presentation delivered by expert presenters, which is a perfect way to kick start a new term of activities in your U8 group! If you are interested in making your group a part of this exciting launch tour or would like to find out more about incorporating the presentation as part of a lecture series or as a public event later in the academic year, go to www.globalpovertyproject.com/pages/uni_tour. Alternatively, you can contact Matti Navellou at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Oxford Forum for International Development (OxFID) is the UK's keynote student-led conference that brings together practitioners, academics and professionals from across the world to discuss contemporary international development issues.  OxFID is a world-class inter-disciplinary forum that attracts over 450 participants from the UK and across Europe.

Taking place over 3 days (5th - 7th February 2010) at the Said Business School in Oxford, this year's conference will focus on the theme 'Development in Crisis and Conflict'.  The central focus will be on how development can survive and flourish in areas of military conflict, natural disaster, and humanitarian and social crisis.  Our speakers will address these issues in their own distinctive ways; creativity, innovation and spontaneity will be the defining features of the conference.

For more information and to book tickets visit www.oxfid.weebly.com