Contract Policy/Research Jobs in Greater London
About the Foundation:
The Avicenna Foundation was set up in 2023 to to support outstanding young British Muslims by providing them with scholarships for their undergraduate degree. The scholarships are mainly focused on awarding scholarships in the Social Sciences and Humanities for those interested in politics, policy-making and becoming agents of positive change.
Alongside the scholarship, the Avicenna Foundation runs a development programme for the scholars to expand their skills and abilities in various areas like leadership, communication and collaboration.
The Foundation has developed immensely in the first year with the launch of the charity; onboarding of it’s first cohort of 30 scholars and the development of a leadership programme. It now needs propelling into the next stage as the charity develops to ensure a robust charity structure and programme in place.
Key Responsibilities:
Operations:
- Manage the day-to-day operations of the charity, and manage changes required within programmes and activities as a result of changing external landscapes or contexts.
- Implement strategies for advertising the scholarships, receiving and reviewing applications, shortlisting candidates, conducting interviews, and making final selection decisions. Some of these things are already in place and may need reviewing and enhancing.
- Work with the Scholar Development Coordinator to oversee the leadership development programme, provide guidance and help the programme to grow.
- Maintain regular communication with the scholars, their progress, and address any issues or concerns that may arise.
- Ensure programme objectives and outcomes align with the overall strategy and aims of the Foundation, and are realistic and achievable within timeframes and budgets.
- Organise any events, programmes necessary to the scholars.
- Use data to track progress and drive improvement; proactively manage risks; and ensure effective use of the Foundation’s resources and budgets allocated to you.
Governance:
- Provide leadership and guidance to achieve consistency of governance across all of the Foundation’s activities, from development, delivery, measurement and evaluation and reporting perspectives.
- Regular communication and updates to the board, prepare board papers and contribute to Trustee meetings as required.
- Create, maintain and ensure continued adoption of governance frameworks, policies and templates.
- Ensure implementation and maintenance of risk registers for the charity and across all programmes.
- Manage finances, budgeting, reporting, and record-keeping
- Prepare the Foundation’s annual report.
External Engagement
- Lead on strategic communications by developing and implementing an integrated public affairs and communication plan that are consistent with the goals and values of the Foundation.
- Building and cultivating exceptional diverse reciprocal partnerships across a wide range of stakeholder groups, grounded in delivering impact through collaboration.
- Work with educational partners to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the scholarship programme
- Leverage messaging and networks to positively impact the growth and reputation of the Foundation.
- Strengthen our brand reputation to maximise our impact and reach.
- Help identify, create and develop meaningful opportunities for the young people the Foundation works with.
- Establish an alumni network and support continuous professional development for alumni.
- Produce briefings and critical information for internal and external stakeholders, and review reports, submissions, and letters where appropriate.
Experience and Skills
This is not a prescriptive list, and we do not expect applicants to meet every item outlined below. We recognise that it can be hard to find the ideal balance of knowledge and skills for this role. We are open to what this balance is, so if you are stronger in one or the other area but think you could do the job please still apply, and tell us why the role is right for you.
Required
- An appreciation and understanding of the Foundation’s values and vision.
- Outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written, combined with the ability to liaise with senior stakeholders.
- Experience in successful partnership working.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, lead, influence and motivate others.
- Good financial acumen and experience of managing and working within set budgets.
- A proactive, flexible approach, and ability to progress work independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Diplomatic approach and highly self-motivated with a positive and energetic attitude.
- Focuses on what matters most, setting priorities and adapting them where required, with the right level of communication.
- Excellent attention to detail, accuracy and organisational skills.
- Takes satisfaction in delivering work to a consistently high standard, and programmes on time and on budget.
- Communicates clearly and confidently to senior team members, and presents information effectively, at the right time, with the right level of information.
- Plans ahead, anticipates and reacts to change and project needs, and remains flexible and adaptive in the face of change.
- Experience of working to tight deadlines without close supervision.
- The ability to identify personal strengths and weaknesses, and a willingness to develop, adapt and learn
- A passion and interest in developing work streams to support the development of young people.
- A high level of digital literacy to include MS Office, G Suite, social media and other online platforms.
Advantageous
- Knowledge and experience in effective charity governance, with experience working within the charity/non-profit space.
- Understanding of the policy and campaign landscape in the UK as it relates to issues impacting students, young people and Muslim communities.
- Expertise in project/programme management with proven ability to manage complex projects, including the ability to develop and manage budgets, timelines, and resources.
- Structured thinking when working through problems, overcoming hurdles, mitigating risks and dealing with issues.
- Confidence in, and experience in, liaising with a wide range of stakeholders and project participants
- Previous work within areas of young people, local communities, or further education is a plus.
- An understanding of effective safeguarding (training can be provided, but experience an advantage)
- An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a relevant field.
Please note that this job description is a guide to the work you will initially be required to undertake, but does not cover all of the duties the post holder may have to perform. Responsibilities will evolve over time, in discussion with the post holder.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
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The essentials …
- Full-time, Monday - Friday
- 12-month Fixed Term Contract
- Up to £26,775 per annum
- Hybrid working, typically, two days per week in the office, but may vary depending on workload. Some out of hours working may be required, with time in lieu offered.
The Geological Society has a core mission that is focused on supporting Earth & Planetary scientists, grow interest in the natural world, and connect science, the profession and society. Our education and outreach activities support this work across all five of our science themes. Planetary Science is one of these five key themes, and as such, we are working to better engage with our community in this area, and the opportunities that this sector can provide. Our new project, ‘using planetary science & space exploration to inspire future planetary geoscientists’ is generously funded by the UK Space Agency and aims to generate new resources and prospects for those aspiring to enter the planetary geosciences.
The planetary science education assistant will support the work of the wider UKSA project team and Education department to engage and educate new audiences about planetary geoscience and help to reverse the decline in university students taking on geoscience degrees. The assistant may also help to maintain day-to-day activities of the Education department, such as keeping in touch with school contacts, monitoring communication channels, and maintaining educational resources.
Responsibilities
- Lead on the investigation of current educational resources focused on planetary geoscience & space exploration, reporting gaps at different levels across the different subject areas where required. Identify opportunities for new, curriculum-linked resource provision.
- Work alongside the UKSA project team to interrogate the range of career opportunities available within planetary geoscience and space exploration, at various levels.
- Lead on the development of educational & careers resources focused on planetary geoscience and space exploration, supported by the wider USKA project team.
- This will include tactile handling boxes with meteorites, analogue materials, and 3D printed asteroid models and impact craters, as well as paper-based and digital resources.
- Provide administration for the UKSA project team, preparing meeting agendas and taking minutes, along with quarterly reporting on progress against agreed objectives.
- Work with the UKSA project team and external stakeholders to manage relationships and deliver collaborative projects where required.
- Attend external events (such as conferences, science festivals) with the project and/or Education teams, virtually or in person, representing the Society.
- Support the wider Education team in delivering workshops for school visits (primary and secondary age) focused on planetary geoscience & space exploration.
- Support the UKSA project and Education teams in the development and delivery of geoscience outreach via public engagement, particularly focused on planetary geoscience & space exploration.
- Carry out other responsibilities as required by the education and external relations teams.
Person specification
Qualifications:
- Essential – A-level (or equivalent) in Geosciences, Geography, or similar
- Desirable - Degree (or equivalent) in Planetary Science, Geosciences, Geography, or similar
- Excellent oral & written communication skills; speaking to young people and the public both in-person and online.
- Experience of creating educational content for specified audiences, online and in person.
- Demonstrable interest in planetary geoscience (degree, work experience, etc.).
- Demonstrable ability to communicate complex scientific topics to various audiences and through various media.
- Ability to work effectively in a team.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- A passion for public and educational engagement.
- Open minded and creative, willing to take part in discussions and share ideas.
- Commitment to EDIA.
- Organised and able to meet deadlines.
- Intuitive and able to work on own initiative.
- Enthusiastic about Earth & Planetary Sciences.
- Willingness to learn and ability to receive feedback.
- Willingness to take responsibility for a variety of tasks, including administrative work.
The duties and responsibilities highlighted in this Job Description are indicative and may vary over time. As required, post holders are expected to undertake other duties and responsibilities relevant to the nature, level, and scope of the post.
This role is funded by the UK Government, via the UK Space Agency.
To apply for this position, please forward a copy of your CV together with a short cover letter. Please ensure that your cover letter highlights your experience.
We would also be grateful if you could let us know if you will require any special provision as a result of any disability should you be called for interview.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.