Research Project Support Officer (Impact and Media) (60% FTE) in Bangor

The Project CAL:ON Cymru is a national centre of excellence for literacy at Bangor University, designed to transform children’s literacy outcomes across Wales. CAL:ON presents a coherent, bilingual, and evidence-based pan-Wales strategy, delivered in partnership with all 22 local authorities. Three interlinked work packages will create lasting impact.

Work Package 1 develops new bilingual professional learning modules (blended asynchronous and synchronous formats) aligned with Curriculum for Wales for primary and secondary schools. Embedded in Initial Teacher Education (ITE), co-developed with educators, these resources and guidance permeate the Welsh education system for a transformative, evidence-based approach to literacy tuition.

Work Package 2 develops and trials effective, bilingual whole class literacy programmes and interventions for ages 4 – 16 years —including adapted versions of the successful NELI and RILL programmes—across the national school network. Robust evaluation via Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT) informs national guidance and rollout.

Work Package 3 responds to the urgent need to identify learners at risk of falling behind by providing new bilingual, co-designed assessment tools at key transition points. Tools support timely intervention while reducing teacher workload and aligning with the Curriculum for Wales ethos.

Purpose of the Job The post is part of a new team working in the area of children’s literacy. The project involves transforming literacy outcomes across Wales. The post holder will be an impact and media research project support officer. The role involves developing and executing media strategies, writing and distributing press releases and social media content, managing social media streams, responding to media inquiries and developing and writing impact case studies.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Research and prepare quotes, releases, reports, briefings, blogs, letters and articles to help promote CAL:ON Cymru’s key messages in the media.
• Develop positive media lines about CAL:ON Cymru.
• Identify, interview and look after suitable case studies for use by the media in publicising key messages.
• Identify and help organise media events and opportunities ensuring key messages are clearly communicated.
• Advise colleagues about how to maximise the impact of CAL:ON through the media.
• Prioritise and deal promptly with media queries.
• Use office systems and media platforms to ensure prompt and accurate responses and the speedy distribution of releases to media outlets.
• Build and maintain media contacts across the broadcast, digital, print, regional and national media.
• Draft media strategies and timelines for individual stories.
• Monitor the news wires and social media for breaking news stories to respond to.
• Reporting: draft progress updates for CAL:ON Cymru.
• Gather data, produce dashboards and monitor performance against KPI’s.
• Cross-team coordination: work with other members of the team – particularly the project manager, the communications research officer, the centre manager and impact leads in the college and university professional services.
• Identify and produce case studies and impact cases, delivering research outcomes, contributing to the research excellence framework (REF).
• Administration of the research project (if required on occasion), actively participate in specific College activities / establish collaborative groups (internal or external) / gain external funding / project management.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder may be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities. The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards. The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments. The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their post.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Training

• Essential: Undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in Psychology, Education or Media.
• Desirable: Media qualification.

Experience/Knowledge

• Essential: Previous experience of research assistant work in a similar area.
• Demonstrate knowledge and interest in specific areas related to the post.
• Previous experience of writing case studies and impact cases.
• Previous experience of creating content for media channels.

Skills/Abilities

• Essential: Demonstrate good verbal and written skills.
• Demonstrate good computer skills, including MS Office, PowerPoint, Excel. This could also include knowledge of specific research related software and media platforms.
• Demonstrate the ability to prioritise workload and work to deadlines.
• Demonstrate good analytical skills, ability to analyse numerical data and present results appropriately.
• Demonstrate ability to work as part of a team.
• The ability to speak and write Welsh fluently in a wide variety of situations is essential for this post.

Other

• Essential: This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.
• Desirable: Driving licence.

General

We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact. All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.

Disclosure & Barring Service This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check. As Bangor University meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions. DBS checks will be updated every 3 years.