Job Description & Person Specification

JOB TITLE: Science in Society Officer

REPORTING TO: Science in Society Manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR: No staff

BASED: Wellcome Wolfson Building, 165 Queens Gate, London SW7

5HD

TERMS: Full time, 35 hours per week. One year fixed term contract

SALARY: £21,000 to £24,500 per annum depending on experience

Overall Purpose of the job

In 2008, the then Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills launched a consultation
on science and society in the UK which set out to identify how it should develop the UK
skills base, improve science communications and build public confidence in science. The
Science for All Expert Group reviewed the landscape of national and regional science
communication and engagement activities and has produced a report. The report
highlights a vision for a healthy science and society relationship and a substantial set of
actions and recommendations. The Science in Society Officer takes particular
responsibility for supporting the follow-on group, reporting for this work to the Chief
Executive Roland Jackson, to take forward the action plan in the Science for All report.

The Science in Society Officer will also be part of the team delivering and developing the
Science in Society programme of the British Science Association. This programme consists
of regular and occasional activities targeted at three key audiences: scientists, science
communication practitioners and lay publics.

Current projects include:

• the Media Fellowship scheme

• the annual national Science Communication Conference
• Partnerships for Public Engagement workshops
• The European ComScience project
• ‘the x-change’ at the British Science Festival
• Experiment Earth: Geoengineering public dialogue
• Academy of Medical Science public dialogue

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 • Communicating Science workshops

Key responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

• ensure effective communication between the members of the Follow-up Group,

including providing the secretariat for meetings of the Group in concert with the
Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) and supporting effective ways for
electronic contact
• maintain a website presence, including monitoring any discussion on the BIS website or
elsewhere
• monitor and support the implementation of all the actions (and any more that might
develop)
• research and collate information and contacts on activities and initiatives that link to
the actions being delivered, ensuring that the Group is aware of them and working
with other people and organisations as appropriate
• organise a review of progress and a workshop event for interested parties in early 2011
• oversee or support as appropriate any additional activities that might be
commissioned

The role also contributes to the development of a cohesive programme of Science in

Society activities:

• liaising with relevant external bodies as appropriate

• assisting in the planning and delivery of and marketing of events and schemes
• collecting evaluation from scheme participants and producing written reports
• contributing ideas to sharing best practice between activities and those taking part in
them
• other tasks as reasonably required by the Science in Society Manager or the Director
of Programmes

Person Specification

Essential

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• an interest of and knowledge in Science in Society issues and current thinking

• experience in working with researchers
• experience in running events
• excellent interpersonal skills
• an ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing and consider presentation to
be important
• an ability to prioritise tasks effectively and work on numerous tasks in parallel
• an ability to deal with people at all levels, within the organisation and particularly
externally
• an ability to research ideas
• an ability to be a self starter able to work independently and as part of a busy, efficient
team
• computer literacy, particularly Microsoft package

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Desirable

In addition, it is preferable although not essential that the successful candidate will be
able to demonstrate:

• a science communication qualification

• experience of web editing
• experience of Quark or Photoshop

Terms and conditions

The position is offered at a salary of £21,000 to £24,500 p.a. depending on experience.

From time to time the job entails working extended hours and occasional weekends, for
which no overtime payments are made. However, The British Science Association does
operate a time off in lieu policy. Applicants should note that hours during the British
Science Festival, held every year in September, may be particularly demanding.

The Association offers a number of benefits to employees who complete three months
service and probationary period, including a contributory pension scheme and an interest
free season ticket or bicycle loan scheme. All employees are eligible to have death in
service insurance from day one of service.

To apply:

Please send your CV and covering letter that summarises your interest in this post. Please
provide evidence of your ability to match the criteria outlined in the Person Specification
and send it to:

recruitment@britishscienceassociation.org

The closing date for applications is Thursday 22nd April at 5.00 pm

The interviews for this position will be on Wednesday 5 May in London

Due to the number of responses we receive we are unable to respond individually to each
application. If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date then
please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

The British Science Association is an equal opportunities employer and an organisation

committed to diversity. The British Science Association is committed to the fair and equal
treatment of potential and existing employees irrespective of race, colour, nationality,
ethnic or national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, marital status,
ex-offending background or any other potentially discriminating factor.

Candidates selected for an interview will be asked to bring along proof of nationality or
proof to be able to work in the UK. Only applicants who have a legal right to work within
the UK will be considered.

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