Science And Policy Projects Manager

Science and Policy Projects Manager

Salary: £31,500-£36,000 FTE
Location: Hybrid, with regular visits to MWC’s office in Bristol 
Contract length: 2 years (with a 6-month probation period)
Reporting to: Associate Director of Sustainability and Innovation
Start date: As soon as possible
Deadline for applications: 11th March 2024, at 12pm

About Mindfully Wired Communications (MWC) 

MWC is a vibrant and unique consultancy working on marine environmental issues and campaigns through bold, values-led communication. We work broadly across issues of marine governance and protection, seafood marketing and the blue economy, and coastal communities. As a small-but-mighty team of scientists, linguists, event pros, policy buffs, and creatives, we use our broad experience and personal values to tell a new story of sustainability.

Our Science and Policy Team work to bridge the gap between science, policy, the fishing and marine environment industries, and the wider world. We work closely with both the Creative and Marketing Team, and Events Team to deliver impact for our clients, creating positive and compelling communications across the board.

• We translate complex projects, language, and ideas into beautifully designed and well-written communications outputs to help our clients share their stories with other stakeholders, and with the broader public. 
• Working with our clients, or on their behalf, we conduct thorough desk-based and interview style research to write comprehensive, evidence-based reports – our design expertise means we can make them look fantastic, too.
• We are facilitators – helping to bring people together to talk about science, policy, fisheries or marine issues, drawing on our diverse experience to ensure all stakeholders are empowered to share their thoughts. 
• We see ourselves as bolt-on members of our clients’ teams – so our clients can make the most of our external viewpoint, diverse expertise and technical skills, when we deliver high-quality communication services for them.

The role

We are looking for a highly enthusiastic, passionate, flexible and experienced project manager and/or policy expert to manage a suite of MWC’s Science and Policy Projects, whilst leading a team of staff at different levels of seniority.

The projects all focus on providing governance and communication services that aim to bridge the gap between Science and Policy, working closely with a diverse client base of policy-makers, academics, the fishing industry and environmental NGOs, to contribute towards evidence-based policy. Central to your portfolio will be a suite of exciting projects featuring pelagic fisheries, sustainable seafood, UK fisheries management as well as others with a marine and environmental focus.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Management – including budget, time and team management – for a wide-ranging portfolio of projects of various sizes at any given time. 
• Overall team management and pastoral care for junior staff at Officer and Senior Officer level – inclusive of effective task delegation, regular quality assurance of the team’s work, and strategic oversight of projects. Day-to-day pastoral support and regular performance management and support for the career development of staff is also required.
• Client management and contact as required for projects in the Science and Policy team, noting this contact is often the responsibility of other team members for certain projects. 

Responsibilities are delivered through the completion of tasks including, but not limited to:

• Writing, copy-editing and digesting complex Science and Policy materials into focussed copy, press releases and research reports for clients, as the lead author or in collaboration with team members and the Associate Director of Sustainability & Innovation.
• Developing concepts and delivering design guidance for graphic-designed reports and infographics, in collaboration with designers internal and external to MWC. 
• Providing secretariat and rapporteuring services, including chairing, facilitating and writing reports for meetings and stakeholder forums.
• Working closely with the Associate Director of Sustainability & Innovation, Science and Policy team members and other staff across MWC, to design and deliver branding or rebranding for clients and their projects. 
• Concept development and working closely with an external WordPress developer and in-house designer to develop modern, engaging websites, campaigns and tools for clients and/or their projects.
• Providing regular clearance and quality assurance for written and design work from Science and Policy team members. 
• Supporting the Associate Director of Sustainability & Innovation with business development for the team, including drafting quotes, managing contracts and planning projects when bidding for new tenders and clients.

Candidate specification

Must-haves

• Excellent writing skills, and the ability to translate complex Science and Policy ideas into concise, broadly approachable, and digestible language. 
• Excellent copy-editing skills, for either scientific and Policy papers, press-style writing and a range of formats suitable for diverse audiences.
• Experience successfully managing multiple concurrent projects, and the ability to effectively manage your own time and tasks delegated to your team in order to meet competing, and ever-changing deadlines across projects. 
• Demonstrable ability to develop and build successful working relationships with a range of external clients, including policy-makers, academics, the fishing and aquaculture industries. and/or the environmental NGO sector. 
• Knowledge of or an interest in UK (or other) government policy, functioning and day-to-day operations. 
• A passion for all things that support the environment, a taste for delicious seafood, and a commitment to working as part of a (very enthusiastic) team of #KeenMarines.
• A degree-level qualification is essential.

Desirables

• A keen eye for design detail, and experience using Adobe suite of software and/or Canva is desirable, but not essential. 
• A degree-level qualification in the fields of marine science, public policy or a similar subject is desirable, but not essential. 
• Experience and/or an understanding of governance processes, including providing Secretariat services for boards, public committees or for discrete projects and programmes. 
• Experience running and supporting a team of highly professional and passionate people. 

Think this sounds like the right role for you? Get in touch!

Applications are open until 12:00 on Monday 11th March, 2024. Please send an engaging one-page cover letter and a CV of no more than two sides to our Associate Director, Sara Mynott, on: recruitment@mindfullywired.org. In the email subject line, please write: “Science & Policy Projects Manager Application: [Your Name]”. 

Due to the volume of applications we typically receive, we won’t be able to confirm receipt - but you will be contacted by Monday 18th March if you have been shortlisted for the role. 

~ To be mindful means to be conscious or aware of something ~

Being mindful is woven through our very roots; it’s who we are and it’s how we’re wired. We’re aware that currently, we all look the same. Every application – no matter age, gender, background, ethnicity or identity – is welcomed at Mindfully Wired. Our communications and ideas will be stronger with a more diverse team. We will consider all applicants who meet most or all of the essential competencies regardless of their identity or background. 

We know that diverse candidates may be reluctant to apply for jobs where they don’t meet 100% of the criteria outlined in the job description - we strongly encourage anyone to apply who can demonstrate the variety of skills and experiences relevant to meeting the requirements of this role.