Information and Outreach Advisor

Background

Deafness Research UK is the only national charity dedicated to research into hearing
loss. Our achievements include helping to bring digital hearing aids to the general
public, improving cochlear implants to restore hearing to profoundly deaf people and
developing a simple, painless test that allows deaf babies to be identified at birth.

We provide evidence-based medical information on a wide range of hearing

problems to deaf and hard of hearing people, their families and health professionals
involved in their care.

We also have a unique educational show called the Bionic Ear show which tours the
UK raising awareness of the way in which hearing works, how it can be damaged,
what help is currently available and how research might help in the future.

The Deafness Research UK Information Service and Bionic Ear Show

The Deafness Research UK Information Service was launched in 2004. Since then it
has been developing and expanding, providing appropriate guidance and information
to enquirers on medical aspects of hearing loss, covering a wide range of topics
including hearing aids, cochlear implants, tinnitus and glue ear.

In 2008, the charity piloted an exciting new initiative, the Bionic Ear Show. This
unique, interactive Show has already reached over 13,000 children and adults in
schools, science festivals and other venues and achieved a media reach of over 26
million. We have now successfully obtained funding to launch a three-year
programme which builds on the pilot. The Information and Outreach Adviser will be
central to the Bionic Ear programme’s aim of offering an integrated educational and
advice service, attending shows to provide information, advice and guidance on
hearing healthcare to enquirers.

Job purpose
The key role of the Information and outreach advisor is to respond to enquiries to the
Deafness Research UK Information Service, as well as attend Bionic Ear shows
around the UK to provide information for adult audiences.

Line management and other working relationships

The Information and outreach advisor will report to the Communication Manager and
work closely with:
• Communications staff/ agencies
• Bionic Ear project staff
• The Research team
• The Fundraising team
• Expert medical and scientific advisors to the charity

Externally, they will be expected to deal with all enquiries, both directly to the service
and when attending Bionic Ear Shows. This will include those from deaf and hard of
hearing people, their friends and family, health professionals, community groups,
other charities and information providers.

Information and Outreach Adviser March 2010

Key tasks and responsibilities

- Deal with all enquiries to the Information Service, answering calls to the
freephone helpline and responding to emails, website requests, letters and
faxes in an appropriate and efficient manner

- Send out leaflets and factsheets as well as research requests for information,
using the charity’s information materials and library of responses

- Liaise with colleagues and external medical and scientific advisors to ensure
that, where necessary, enquirers receive information specifically tailored to
their needs

- Fulfil orders from groups, organisations and healthcare workers for

information materials, which will include issuing invoices

- Travel around the UK to Bionic Ear shows for adult audiences, providing
information and advice to audience members

- Prepare supplies of materials to make available to people attending shows

- Assist people at the shows to test their hearing using portable hearing
screeners. Provide information to those who show difficulty hearing in the
test. Answer questions and talk about the work of Deafness Research UK

- Assist the presenter of the show as necessary

- Issue, process and analyse completed Information Service and, as

necessary, Bionic Ear project, feedback forms

- Maintain supplies of information materials – (photocopying information

sheets, leaflets, order forms and feedback forms)

- Maintain accurate records of all enquiries using the Raiser’s Edge database,
to ensure the charity has up to date statistics relating to enquiries received in
order to monitor and evaluate the service

- Work with the Communications Manager to identify gaps in current provision

and contribute to the updating of information materials

- Update the organisation's website using a content management system

- Identify enquirers that might be willing to share their story of hearing loss and
participate in media campaigns, or become ambassadors for the charity

- Support a programme of promotion of the Information Service to health

professionals and others as necessary

- Represent Deafness Research UK and the Information Service at appropriate

events

- Work with the Communications Manager and Bionic Ear Project Manager to
research and establish outreach clinics in the UK for the provision of
information and advice in the community

Information and Outreach Adviser March 2010

 - Assist with supporter group enquiries and administration

The Information and Outreach Advisor will be expected to undertake any other duties
commensurate with the post and this job description may be reviewed from time to
time, in consultation with the post-holder, to take account of the charity’s changing
priorities.

Terms and conditions of service

Salaries and other conditions of service are determined by the charity's trustees.

This post is offered initially under a three year contract.

Office hours: 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. However, the post-holder will
be required to travel throughout the UK and work outside of these standard working
hours.

Salary: Circa £25,000 per annum

Holiday entitlement: 26 days per year (inclusive of six extra-statutory days linked to
those of University College London and taken around Bank Holidays).

Details of other Terms and Conditions of service are available on request.

Training: External training will be offered as appropriate, including deaf awareness.

Equal Opportunities
The charity is committed to fair and equitable treatment of all staff and applicants. It
does not accept or tolerate any form of harassment, prejudice or unfair discrimination
on the basis of gender, race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital status religion,
age, disability or anything not related to an individual's ability to carry out their work.

This job description may be reviewed from time to time in consultation with the post-
holder to take account of the charity's changing priorities.

Information and Outreach Adviser March 2010