Research Administrative Officer

The Research Administrative Officer will provide day-to-day administrative support to ensure the smooth running of the Research Directorate. The role involves liaising with internal and external stakeholders, coordinating meetings and fieldwork, managing diaries, maintaining effective office systems, and supporting communication via social media platforms and our website. If you are organised, proactive, and thrive in a collaborative environment, we want to hear from you!

BVSC is seeking a dedicated Research Administrative Officer to support the dynamic work of our Research Directorate. This is an exciting opportunity to join a vibrant team committed to working with and for the voluntary sector through innovative research and evaluation projects.

• Provide outstanding support to the team and its partners by managing enquiries and relaying messages.
• Develop and maintain efficient office systems, ensuring documentation is filed and archived appropriately.
• Support diary management and administrative tasks for the Director and team members.
• Coordinate fieldwork arrangements, including liaising with participants and managing consent forms.
• Organise and facilitate meetings (online and in-person), including agenda setting and minute-taking.
• Manage social media activities and assist with website content development.
• Maintain and update mailing and partnership contact lists.
• Arrange travel and accommodation for team members.
• Ensure compliance with Data Protection policies.
• Contribute to BVSC’s corporate activities, including promoting services and supporting funding opportunities.

• Experience: Proven skills in developing office systems, coordinating meetings, and delivering excellent customer service.
• Skills: Strong organisational skills, IT proficiency (Microsoft Office, Teams, Zoom), a good eye for detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Teamwork: A collaborative mindset and ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced environment.
• Values: Commitment to BVSC’s ethos, equal opportunities, and values.

As we work in a fast-paced environment with multiple team members and partners, we are looking for someone who is able to commit to working the 21 hours advertised over four or five days across the week.

• A supportive and inclusive work environment.
• A chance to make a tangible impact within the voluntary sector.
• Flexible working arrangements (where applicable).

BVSC is proud to provide a place to work in which staff feel valued and motivated. Our talented and committed staff team are provided with competitive terms and conditions, and a supportive, flexible, friendly working environment.

Our organisation’s culture is underpinned by our 4 core values – Commitment, Collaboration, Inclusion and Integrity. These values are demonstrated in the work of our staff team, who are integral to the achievement of our mission to support and advocate for a vibrant, resilient voluntary sector in Birmingham.

• 21 hour working week
• 29 days annual leave + bank holidays a year (Pro-rata)
• 5% pension contribution
• 3.5 times salary Death in service benefit
• BVSC is a Living Wage Employer

• Hybrid working, allowing staff to divide their working hours between our city centre office and their home
• Flexible working arrangements available for staff
• A flexitime system is in place for staff
• We offer up to 7 days paid leave per year for undertaking voluntary work or public duties
• We provide generous maternity and paternity pay

• We support staff to undertake training and development, providing funding and time off for study

• We take a values led approach to the full employee journey including values based interview, and values-based supervision and appraisals

• We offer free access to a range of wellbeing platforms
• BVSC offers all employees a suite of wellbeing support

We are looking for candidates that can demonstrate the following BVSC organisational values:

• Commitment: Making a positive difference through passion, innovation and social action.
• Collaboration: Connecting people and organisations to work together to improve lives.
• Inclusion: Empowering and involving everyone in creating a fair and equitable Birmingham.
• Integrity: Building trust through delivering excellent outcomes.

At BVSC, we are dedicated to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in all areas of our work. We actively strive to create an environment where all individuals - regardless of ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other aspect of their identity or lived experience - are welcomed, respected, and valued.

As part of our commitment to positive action, we take proactive steps, where needed, to address underrepresentation and create fair opportunities, particularly in recruitment. We aim to ensure that everyone has an equal chance to progress and succeed.

At BVSC, we believe that diversity drives creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality, fairness, and inclusivity, creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong. We particularly encourage applications from candidates who are underrepresented within BVSC Research, including individuals from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, and those identifying as LGBTQIA+.

We stand in solidarity with all marginalised communities, ensuring that our policies, practices, and culture are inclusive, equitable, and empowering. We are dedicated to challenging discrimination and fostering a workplace where diversity is not only acknowledged but celebrated.

We strongly encourage suitably experienced applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join BVSC. We encourage applicants to think creatively about how they can meet the requirements of the role and person specification if there are essential criteria you do not meet, so please describe this in your application. We are looking for talented individuals who align with our values and support our mission – there are no barriers to how you demonstrate this.

From application to interview, we place inclusion at the heart of all we do. We are a Second Chance Charter employer, committed to ensuring that people with convictions can access employment. DBS checks, if applicable to the role, will be conducted once a job offer has been made and accepted.

If you are ready to bring your administrative expertise to a role where you can make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you! Please send us a CV, and a covering letter detailing how your experience matches what we’re looking for.

Closing date for applications - 3rd July 2025 at 10 am

Interview to take place - 17th July 2025

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by 8th July 2025. If you have not been contacted by the 8th July 2025, you should assume you have not been shortlisted.

To apply for this role, please send your CV and Cover Letter to recruitment@bvsc.org. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

If you would like to discuss the role or find out more, please call Susannah Wilson on 07824 425509.