Public Engagement Coordinator (SLASH and the Institute of Education): Job Description

Job Title: Public Engagement Coordinator

Department: Public and Cultural Engagement

Salary: £33,686-£40,716 Inclusive of London allowance

Grade: 7

Job purpose

This post will report to the Head of Public Engagement in UCL’s Public Engagement Unit. They will support public engagement in the School of Laws, Arts and Humanities, and Social and Historical Sciences (SLASH) and the Institute of Education (IoE) through guidance, training, mentoring and brokerage activities. They will also contribute to public engagement training programmes across UCL and support our public engagement funding schemes.

Reports to

The post reports to the Head of Public Engagement, Department of Public and Cultural Engagement.

Responsible for

Occasionally consultants and freelancers, UCL staff on projects.

Working with

Colleagues within the Public Engagement Unit and across the wider department of Public and Cultural Engagement. Also working with colleagues across UCL, particularly academics and researchers in SLASH and the IoE participating in public engagement programmes, as well as colleagues in Professional Services in other capacities such as the Volunteering Services Unit, Communications and Marketing Office, Office of the Vice-Provost (Research), Estates and Facilities Department, Development and Alumni Relations Office, and partner organisation representatives.

Principal Duties

·  Contribute to the development of the Public Engagement Unit’s strategy and work with the Head of Public Engagement Unit and the rest of the team to remove barriers to public engagement within UCL.

·  Act as a central reference point for UCL staff and students undertaking public engagement activity within SLASH and the IoE, and co-ordinate activity across a range of areas, bringing practitioners together.

·  Work with the Public Engagement Coordinators for the School of Life and Medical Sciences (SLMS) and the Bartlett, Engineering, and Mathematical & Physical Sciences (BEAMS) to support the development of the Public Engagement Unit’s Public Engagement Network and support appropriate public engagement networks within SLASH and the IoE.

·  Provide guidance on public engagement activity for staff and students in SLASH and the IoE and support them in developing their own engagement activities, based around research and teaching, as well as feeding them into existing opportunities.

·  Work with internal and external individuals and organisations to broker opportunities for engagement with the staff and students from SLASH and the IoE.

·  Design, deliver and organise public engagement training for staff and students from SLASH and the IoE, liaising with other UCL training providers as appropriate.

·  Contribute to public engagement training programmes across UCL, co-ordinated by UCL’s Public Engagement Unit.

·  Support delivery of funding schemes operated by UCL’s Public Engagement Unit.

·  Develop and maintain relationships with academic/research and Professional Services Staff, as well as students within SLASH and the IoE, and across UCL where appropriate.

·  Support the Evaluation Officer (Public Engagement) to design and deliver monitoring and evaluation programmes

·  Support the Events Coordinator (Public Engagement) and other Public and Cultural Engagement colleagues to involve UCL researchers in public events and activities.

·  Create content for Public and Cultural Engagement webpages.

·  Contribute to central records of public engagement work and the Public Engagement Unit’s contacts with staff.

·  Prepare written reports for other UCL staff.

·  Support the writing of applications for research and public engagement funding.

·  Represent UCL’s Public Engagement Unit at, and give presentations to, Faculty and Departmental meetings, and at external conferences and meetings, as necessary.

·  Support the production of departmental responses to university and nationwide initiatives.

Additional points

·  As duties and responsibilities change, the job description will be reviewed and amended in consultation with the postholder.

·  The postholder will carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager.

·  The postholder is required actively to follow UCL policies including Equal Opportunities policies.

·  The postholder will maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health and Safety Regulations.

Estimated breakdown of activity

·  Brokering and liaison work, meeting internal colleagues, external partners and new contacts 30%

·  Support for funding applications (internal and external) within SLASH and the IoE 20%

·  Training staff and students within SLASH and the IoE, mentoring and coaching 20%

·  Contributing to Public and Cultural Engagement webpages, and other communication activities 10%

·  Support for Public and Cultural Engagement projects 10%

·  Administration supporting duties 10%

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential / Desirable
Training and Qualifications
Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience) / Educated to postgraduate level, in appropriate subject
Experience
Working with academics, and an understanding of the context in which academics operate / Working in an academic environment
Working with consultants and freelancers / Working with multiple organisations and partners
Working in successful teams with members from varied disciplines / Working on cultural programming
Giving presentations to a variety of audiences
Public engagement, especially using current best practice / Evaluation of public engagement or other programmes of work
Project co-ordination / Organisation of public events designed to reach specific communities
Use and understanding of social media / Use of content management systems – (editing webpages)
Budget management / Working with databases and spreadsheets
Ability to train staff and students in public engagement skills
Knowledge, Skills and Aptitude
Understanding of best practice and research into the effectiveness of public engagement / Understanding of existing barriers to academic public engagement
Commitment to public engagement model that reflects UCL’s strategy
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Commitment to supporting other people’s projects / Knowledge of research funding landscape
Excellent administrative skills and organisation
Ability to communicate complex ideas to a variety of audiences
Facilitating the development of others
Positive approach to work
Good time management is essential

Training

Training and personal development will be available, and encouraged.