At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead communications and engage with partners to capture and share impactful stories.
- Company: Join the DiSSCo UK team, a pioneering initiative in digitising natural science collections.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, flexible working, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Other info: Opportunities for travel and networking at events and conferences.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the world of natural sciences while developing your professional skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in partner engagement and excellent communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 37841 - 37841 £ per year.
SALARY: £37,841 Per Annum
HOURS: Full time or Part time (minimum 0.8 FTE)
CONTRACT TYPE: 3 years Fixed Term
LOCATION: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire
ABOUT US
The Distributed System of Scientific Collections UK (DiSSCo UK) is a £155.6 million investment for a national infrastructure programme to digitise 37 million natural science specimens. To deliver this exciting new programme, AHRC, alongside their delivery partner the Natural History Museum (NHM), are developing a DiSSCo UK delivery team to manage the programme on a day-to-day basis. This new team will be based at Swindon (with strong links to London) and will be responsible for managing the contract with the external evaluation supplier, leading on benefits management, engaging with relevant communities, measuring the impacts of the programme, and ensuring that impacts, outputs and outcomes are reflected upon, reported and communicated in a timely and effective manner. Some of the key activities for the team will be supporting grant holders, designing, and delivering future funding opportunities, and capturing programme and project level impacts.
PURPOSE
The DiSSCo UK Impact and Engagement Manager will ensure AHRC and NHM work closely on the programme to capture and communicate impacts and outcomes. This role will include communication activities and community engagement with both active grant holders and the wider DiSSCo UK consortium. The role also requires support for grant holders who are due to start post-confirmation of the DiSSCo UK Business-Case. There will also be development of the next phase of funding for digitisation activities involving collaboration with the AHRC Operations team to deliver the grants. As this role will involve interaction with grant holders and stakeholders, as well as attendance at events and conferences, the role will involve regular travel, including overnight travel. The role also offers opportunities for professional development, and the chance to build knowledge of partner engagement, communications, and evaluation.
Main outputs and activities
- You will lead on AHRC communications for the DiSSCo UK programme. This will involve working with delivery partner NHM and UKRI central communications to draft news stories, blogs and press releases, and working with funded projects and the Investment Officer to capture impact stories.
- You will support partner engagement, maintaining a good awareness of key funders, organisations, researchers, government bodies and others working within digital research infrastructures and natural science collections.
- You will attend appropriate meetings and conferences, representing AHRC and the DiSSCo UK programme and identify opportunities for involvement.
- You will lead on the delivery of cohort and community events, such as workshops, visits, and tours.
- You will support the Senior Impact Manager in coordinating the programme level monitoring and evaluation, setting up meetings with the evaluation supplier and other interested parties.
- You will work collaboratively and effectively with DiSSCo UK colleagues at NHM, adapting and communicating to ensure shared goals are met and staff feel supported.
- You will be involved in cross-team working with delivery partners NHM, and the AHRC Research and Innovation Infrastructure Team on related portfolios.
- You will work with NHM colleagues to support the work of the DiSSCo EU European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC).
- You will support on the delivery of future programme approvals including Gate Reviews.
- You will co-manage the Investment Officer, providing line and task management, and support their professional development.
Shortlisting Criteria
- Experience of engaging with partners, including identifying the key organisations and contacts for a particular sector or project (S&I).
- Experience of fostering networks, formally or informally between colleagues or other individuals to encourage peer support (S&I).
- Experience of delivering or supporting events, workshops, or visits online and in person (S&I).
- Ability to collect and present data with accuracy and sensitivity (S&I).
- Excellent communication skills, including experience of writing for internal and/or external audiences and providing clear written and verbal information (S&I).
- Good team working skills, including collaborating with colleagues to prioritise tasks and maximise resources (S&I).
- An interest in arts and humanities, heritage, natural science, the environment or a related field (S).
To apply you must attach your CV (2 pages max.) and a covering letter (2 pages max.), ensuring that your cover letter addresses the essential shortlisting and interview criteria.
Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning! A list of benefits below:
- An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
- 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
- Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
- Flexible working options.
- Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!
For further information on our benefits please see: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer. Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org
DiSSCo UK Impact and Engagement Manager in Swindon employer: UKRI
At DiSSCo UK, based in the vibrant Polaris House in Swindon, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values employee growth and well-being. With a commitment to continuous learning, we offer a generous benefits package including 30 days of annual leave, a defined benefit pension scheme, and flexible working options, all within a supportive and collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and community engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land DiSSCo UK Impact and Engagement Manager in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the field. Attend events, workshops, and conferences related to natural science and digital research infrastructures. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your communication skills! When you meet potential employers or partners, be ready to share your impact stories and experiences. Tailor your pitch to highlight how your background aligns with the DiSSCo UK programme's goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after meetings and events! A quick email thanking someone for their time can go a long way. It keeps you on their radar and shows that you're genuinely interested in collaborating or working with them.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application, so make sure you submit it directly. This way, we can keep track of your interest and ensure your CV and cover letter get the attention they deserve.
We think you need these skills to ace DiSSCo UK Impact and Engagement Manager in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Make sure your cover letter speaks directly to the role of Impact and Engagement Manager. Highlight your experience with partner engagement and communication, as these are key for us at DiSSCo UK.
Showcase Relevant Experience:When writing your CV, focus on your past experiences that align with the job description. We want to see how you've successfully engaged with partners and delivered events, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your CV and cover letter clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your materials and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI
✨Know Your Impact
Before the interview, dive deep into DiSSCo UK's mission and recent projects. Understand how the role of Impact and Engagement Manager contributes to their goals. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you can enhance community engagement and measure impacts effectively.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves a lot of communication, prepare to demonstrate your writing and verbal skills. Bring examples of past communications you've crafted, like blogs or press releases, and be ready to discuss how you tailor messages for different audiences.
✨Engagement is Key
Think about your experience in engaging with partners and stakeholders. Prepare to share stories of how you've built networks or fostered collaboration in previous roles. Highlight any events or workshops you've organised and the outcomes they achieved.
✨Be Ready for Data Discussions
As the role requires collecting and presenting data, brush up on your analytical skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've handled data in the past, ensuring accuracy and sensitivity. Consider bringing a sample report or presentation that showcases your ability to convey complex information clearly.
