National Research Organisations Secretariat and Engagement Coordinator in Lancaster

This role(s) is offered as a secondment opportunity to staff employed by a current NRO member organisation, with support from their home organisation and line manager for the proposed time commitment and working pattern.

Depending on skills, experience and time available, the secondment could work as one blended role (1 FTE) or be shared between two part-time secondees with complementary strengths (0.6 FTE x 2).

Location: Flexible - Remote or hybrid.

Are you interested in working in a national science policy environment and supporting engagement with senior leaders across research organisations and government? This secondment offers a practical opportunity to support the National Research Organisations (NRO) Group at a time when the UK’s research and innovation landscape is evolving.

The NRO Group brings together organisations with public responsibilities and capabilities across the UK research system. The NRO Secretariat coordinates the Group’s communications, engagement and shared activity, helping members work together and raise the visibility of their collective contribution. www.nrogroup.org

TheNROSecretariatandEngagementCoordinatorsupportsdelivery of the NROGroupobjectivesby strengthening the Secretariat’s capacity to communicate clearly,operateprofessionally and coordinateengagementactivity.The role supportsthe Secretariat tomaintainclear and consistent communications, keep working groups and engagement activity moving, gather examples of NRO impact, and support the day-to-day operations needed to help NRO deliverand increase its visibility.

The final balance of responsibilities will be agreed with the successful candidate(s) depending on skills,experienceand time available.

Your main responsibilities will include:

Communications and content

• Supporting NRO communications, including content planning, trackingopportunitiesand coordinating inputs from member organisations.
• Drafting first-pass content for member updates, web copy, newsletters, social media, eventmaterialsand stakeholder communications.
• Gathering updates, examples, case studies and evidence of NRO activity and impact from member organisations.
• Helpingmaintainagreed templates, keymessagesand shared materials so communications are clear,consistentand usable.

Engagement and events

• Liaising confidently and professionally with member organisations, seniorstakeholdersand Executive Assistants to coordinate meetings, informationrequestsand routine engagement.
• Supporting the NRO Communications Working Group, including meeting preparation and follow-up.
• Helping coordinate events, workshopsand external engagement activity asrequired, including practicallogisticsand supporting materials.

Secretariatcoordination and delivery

• Supporting Secretariat inbox triage and follow-up where this relates to communicationsandengagementactivity, membershipor wider NRO activity.
• Maintaining contact lists, shared content trackers, documentlibrariesand collaboration spaces so information is organised, accessible and up to date.
• Supporting other NRO working groups or Secretariat-led activity where communications, engagement ormembershipcoordination input is needed.

Whatwe’relooking for:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear,accurateandusable content.
• Strongorganisational skills, with confidence managing multiple priorities,deadlinesand follow-up actions.
• Good interpersonal skills, with the confidence torepresentNRO professionally andbuild positive working relationships acrossmultiple organisations.
• Good attention to detail, including keeping records, actions, contactlistsor shared information organised.
• Some practical experiencesupportingcommunications,engagementorproject coordination.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office,Teamsand shared collaboration platforms.

Helpful experience depending on role emphasis:

• Experiencedrafting content forwebsites, newsletters, socialmediaor member-facing communications.
• Experience coordinating events, campaigns,or stakeholder engagement activity.
• Experience supporting project coordination, including tracking actions, deadlines,decisionsor risks.
• Experiencemaintainingshared inboxes, document libraries, actiontrackersor contact lists.
• Interest in the research and innovation landscape, publicpolicyor cross-organisational collaboration.
• Ability topreparecontentandmaterials using agreed templates,formattingandapproval routes.

Reporting and Working Relationships

The role would sit within the NRO Secretariat and report to the Head of NRO Secretariat, with day-to-day coordination and tasking agreed alongside the NRO Secretariat Operations Lead. The secondee would work closely with both roles, with priorities shaped around Secretariat needs, the candidate’s skills, experience and available time.

The post would not be funded by the NRO Secretariat, but IT access and agreed travel and subsistence expenses would be covered by UKCEH as the host organisation for the NRO Secretariat. Practical working arrangements would be agreed with the candidate and home organisation, including time commitment, priorities and reporting. The role could be undertaken remotely or on a hybrid basis, with occasional attendance at a UKCEH site for IT onboarding, equipment collection or support.

Development Opportunity

This would be a genuine development opportunity to build practical experience in communications, engagement, stakeholder coordination and Secretariat delivery in a national science and research policy context. The secondee would gain exposure to senior networks across NRO member organisations and government-facing activity, while bringing learning, contacts and insight back to their home organisation.