Education And Public Engagement Manager

The School of Biological Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast, is currently seeking to recruit a talented Education and Public Engagement Manager.

The post holder will lead and implement the Education and Public Engagement (EPE) agenda within the Sustainable and Resilient Food System Co-Centre, an exciting new venture, funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), UKRI and DAERA and managed jointly by Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), University College Dublin (UCD) and the University of Sheffield (UoS). Working closely across the 3 jurisdictions, the EPE Manager will be responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing an ambitious and integrated EPE programme to enhance the public understanding of food systems and its impact on society. They will be responsible for ensuring the achievement of the Co-Centre’s EPE KPIs and for securing additional external funding to expand all EPE activities. They will link closely with the funder(s) EPE Programmes and support the Co-Directors in the development and maintenance of positive relationships with key stakeholders including industry leaders, education, statutory and funding bodies, charities and patient advocacy groups, government, politicians, and policy makers.

The Co-Centre is committed to developing Education and Public Engagement activities that will inspire, excite, and motivate an interest in science and technology to help lay the foundations for a new generation of scientists and this will be driven by the EPE Manager.

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following criteria:

• Honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in any subject.
• Significant relevant experience within a Public Engagement, outreach, or communications in a STEM environment to include:
  • Knowledge of EPE methodologies and evaluation methods.
  • Experience in the development of departmental strategies and action plans to maximise competitive advantage.
  • Experience of creating Public Engagement programmes which translate the impact and significance of research to a lay audience.
  • Experience in leading a team of engagement professionals, directing operational activities in line with desired outcomes.
  • Proven track record of leading, organising and planning a broad range of multiple, complex, and long-term activities and events in short, medium, and long term to include training courses, meetings, and seminars.
  • Success in managing a project team of both internal and external resources and to effectively deliver on project objectives.
  • Evidence of strong interpersonal and networking skills with the ability to deliver professional advice and support to potential stakeholders and to engage and interact with people at all levels.
  • Experience of developing relationships at a senior level with key internal and external stakeholders.
  • Experience of publication management, including overseeing design, print, copy writing and editing.
  • Experience of acting as an institutional ambassador at external events.
  • Experience of developing and writing promotional materials. Web content development and management experience.
  • Experience in preparing and producing statistical reports.
  • Experience of interpreting and analysing data to provide recommendations which inform strategic plans.

Please note the above are not an exhaustive list. For further information about the role including the essential and desirable criteria, please visit our website.

This post is available on a fixed term contract available until 31 December 2029. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

At Queen’s our people are at the heart of everything we do. As a staff member you will become part of a vibrant organisational culture, which will provide you with the opportunity to achieve your full potential and enhance your career through a continuous focus on learning and development.

We offer an excellent employment package that includes:

• Great terms & conditions
• Pension schemes
• Flexible working by enabling you to design your working week in collaboration with your manager through a blend of remote and office working
• Family-friendly initiatives
• Career development opportunities
• Support for health & mental wellbeing
• Generous holiday entitlement of 8.4 weeks a year (made up of 23 days annual leave, 10 closure days and 9 bank holidays)

Queen’s University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We have created an inclusive culture by establishing staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.

We also subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI in addition to Athena Swan. For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit our website.