Community Engagement Officer

Main Purpose of the Job

The John Innes Centre is looking for a Community Engagement Officer to take forward a range of engagement activities in our local community based around our Field Trials Station.
In this role you will devise and develop a range of engagement opportunities, activities and channels for local communities to interact with the world-leading research of the John Innes Centre. You will develop and strengthen links with relevant individuals, communities and local groups who have an interest in engaging with the John Innes Centre and will lead on the organisation of relevant workshops, seminars and events supporting our activities.
We are looking for someone who has experience of public engagement and understands the different ways in which communities can engage with research and research institutes. You will have the ability to develop and support networks, producing long term partnerships with both researchers and public groups.
This role will:

- Communicate the purpose and mission of the John Innes Centre to local communities, groups and stakeholders, through events, school engagement, online, in person and virtual activities, and through media including articles and blogs.
- Build a framework to enable an ongoing relationship with key local stakeholders and to enable continuing dialogue.
- Develop a programme of work to engage local communities, including local residents, interest groups and schools with our research
- Recruit and support John Innes Centre staff and students to deliver engagement activities with local communities.

Key Relationships
- Reporting to: Head of Communications and Engagement
- Internal: Staff and students at JIC, including early-career and senior scientists, Head of Communications & Engagement, members of the Communications and Engagement team, Head of Strategic Engagement & Field Experimentation Manager.
- External: Local residents and community leaders, schools/teachers, farmers & local landowners, UKRI-BBSRC, colleagues across the Norwich Research Park.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Identify, develop, and deliver a range of outreach, engagement and community dialogue activities in collaboration with the Head of Communications and Engagement, Head of Strategic Engagement, the Field Experimentation Manager, academic leads, and the C&E team.

Produce written, digital, and verbal engagement materials that reflect JIC’s brand values and principles of equality, inclusion, and diversity.

Use internal communications channels and events to recruit and support staff and student volunteers in public engagement and outreach events and activities linked with the field trails and our field trial station.

Evaluate and report on impact of public engagement and outreach activities

Build links and relationships with relevant community stakeholders

As agreed with the line manager any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post.

Person Profile

Education & Qualifications

**Requirement**
**Importance**

Essential

Qualification in a communications or public engagement discipline or equivalent

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

**Requirement**
**Importance**

Knowledge of science communication and public engagement

Essential

Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, in particular Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Essential

Proven ability to present to engage audiences using a range of methods

Essential

Understands the different ways in which communities can engage with research and research institutes

Essential

Ability to develop and support networks

Essential

Knowledge of GDPR and its impact on data collection and storage

Desirable

Relevant Experience

**Requirement**
**Importance**

Experience engaging with local stakeholders and/or community groups or networks

Essential

Project management expertise with a proven track record of delivering projects to deadline

Essential

Understanding of the need to maintain confidentiality and security of personal information

Essential

Experience of working or studying in an academic research environment, institute or university

Desirable

Experience of managing complex stakeholder relationships and communicating sensitive or complex issues to a variety of audiences

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

**Requirement**
**Importance**

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to negotiate complex relationships and interact enthusiastically and appropriately with external stakeholders, and internal science and technical leads at all levels

Essential

Essential

Highly organised and efficient, with an ability to prioritise workload and manage time effectively

Essential

Ability to follow instructions/Standard Operating Procedures

Essential

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to present complex information with clarity

Essential

Ability to work as part of a team and establish and maintain good working relationships

Essential

Experience