Job Description and Person Specification
Team-Coordinator and Researcher
We are seeking to appoint someone to the role of Team-Coordinator and Researcher for Involve.
2014 will be an exciting time for Involve as we work to strengthen democracy within the NHS, work with
civil society activists to open up decision-making to citizens and bring citizen voice into the heart of
some of the most controversial science and technology policies. The successful candidate will play a
pivotal role, through developing the organisation and contributing to our research, in ensuring that we
are able to build this work to strengthen democracy.
The successful candidate can expect to gain a wide range of skills and experience which will be helpful in
securing future roles as a Project Manager or Researcher either in the field of public engagement and
democratic reform, or more widely in third sector organisations, think tanks or government.
Team coordination: The successful candidate will take satisfaction in ensuring that the Involve office
and finances are well managed. At the start of the role they will be happy to be focussed for the
majority of their time on maintaining and improving the internal functioning of the organisation. They
will work with the Director to ensure the smooth functioning of the board of Trustees and will be
expected to take a level of responsibility in this area, including discussing finances with our Treasurer.
Researcher: They can also expect proportion of their time may be allocated to supporting ongoing
research and delivery of engagement projects, as well as supporting fund raising. They will be interested
in the role that public engagement can play in effective public decision-making and strengthening
democracy. They will enjoy supporting the delivery of public engagement events as well as research
projects and won’t be daunted by writing to short deadlines.
You will be a natural self-starter requiring limited support from colleagues and with an ability to
prioritise important and urgent tasks. To get the most out of this role the candidate will be ambitious
and hard working with the desire to learn about and be involved in the management of a small
charitable organisation focused on involving the public in decisions and services.
It is envisaged that the role will require the successful candidate to spend at least 70% of their time on
team-coordination and up to 30% on research and wider work. Our current operating environment is
very fluid and these percentages may change depending on a range of factors. The successful candidate
must therefore be willing to be flexible. We would expect all their time to be dedicated to the teamcoordination initially until they have learnt this area of work.
Making an Application
The application process consists of:
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A CV of no more than two sides of A4. The CV should include:
- a full education history from GCSE (equivalent) onwards including dates,
Involve, 33 Corsham Street, London, N1 6DR
t: 020 7336 9444 w: www.involve.org.uk
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a full employment history, stating clearly whether employment has been paid or
voluntary,
- an indication of interests and activities outside education and work, and
- two referees with contact details. We may also want to contact one of the referees
before any interview,
An application form
Any CVs that are over 2 sides and any application forms that include answers that are over the specified
word limit may be automatically discounted depending on the volume of applications. CVs and answers
which do not cover what is asked will also be discounted automatically.
Candidates invited to interview will successfully demonstrate in their CV and application, using examples
from their career and volunteering experience to-date, how they fulfil all of the essential and many of
the desirable criteria in the person specification. Candidates are unlikely to be invited to interview if
they: submit standard CVs and cover letters; state they meet the criteria without providing supporting
examples and evidence; or ignore the application instructions above. This post is only open to applicants
who have the right to work in the UK.
Please send applications to jobs@involve.org.uk
Application deadline: 16:00, Thursday, 6th February 2014.
Shortlisted candidates will be notified no later than Monday, 10th February 2014. Interviews will be held
on Wednesday, 12th February 2014. Due to the high volume of applications expected only the successful
candidates will be informed.
Practical Information
Pay:
Hours:
Start Date:
Location:
£18,000 - £23,000
Full time – 35 hours a week
preferred mid-March 2014
Involve, 33 Corsham Street, London, N1 6DR
About Involve
Involve works to create a stronger, more inclusive democracy through opening up decision-making with
citizens through inspiring, innovating and embedding effective citizen engagement. We work at the
local, national and international level across all areas of public policy. We make a practical difference by
supporting governments and other institutions to open-up their decision-making processes to citizens,
through delivering the highest quality public participation processes as well as undertaking rigorous
research and policy analysis into what works.
www.involve.org.uk
Main purpose of Job
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Ensuring the day-to-day smooth running of the Involve Office;
Ensuring the Involve finances are well managed;
Involve, 33 Corsham Street, London, N1 6DR
t: 020 7336 9444 w: www.involve.org.uk
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Ensure the senior management team are aware of financial status of Involve;
Ensuring Involve’s human resources are well managed;
Ensuring the Involve Director’s diary is well managed;
Liaising with the Board of trustees and producing accurate minutes of Board and other
meetings.
Support the delivery of practice and research projects;
Support the production of high quality written reports and briefings
Write regular blog posts;
Support the writing of funding applications; and
Support the creation of a positive work environment in the office.
The successful candidate will enjoy working as part of a dedicated team and will have the opportunity to
experience many aspects of Involve’s work and contribute to the development of the organisation
overall.
Job title:
Reporting to:
Staff supervised:
Team-Coordinator and Researcher
Director
Outsourced finance staff, temporary staff, Interns
Team Coordinator Duties include:
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Meeting with senior managers to review organisational performance
Liaising with, and managing, out-sourced finance staff
Keeping and maintaining personnel records
Overseeing human resources in general, including policies and procedures, recruitment,
induction and management of interns and volunteers
Dealing with complex queries on the telephone, by email and in person
Establishing and maintaining administrative, financial and office systems
Liaising with the landlord with regards to management and maintenance of the office
Reviewing and updating office policies and insurance
Oversight of web based communications including the Involve website and social media activity
Oversight of IT systems and liaising with outsourced IT staff
Organising and coordinating high profile events, seminars and meetings
Corresponding with the Board Members and arrange the quarterly board meetings
Keeping senior management team and Board updated on financial matters
Receiving and coding invoices for payment and creating accounts for new suppliers
Paying suppliers and HMRC by BACS and cheques
Relevant duties as agreed with line manager to enhance the coordination of the Involve team
Research and Communication responsibilities include:
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Research assistant support to other members of the team
Management and organisation of projects including contacting interviewees, venues, identifying
participants, design and delivery of training events etc
Production of blog posts, articles, presentations or publications as required, for example:
research reports, toolkits, policy briefings, web based research updates, blog posts, literature
reviews
Preparing and submitting funding applications and proposals
Involve, 33 Corsham Street, London, N1 6DR
t: 020 7336 9444 w: www.involve.org.uk
Person Specification
Applicants must demonstrate how they meet the following criteria in their application form.
Team Coordinator
Attributes
Essential
Desirable
Method of
Assessment
Knowledge
 Microsoft Windows, all Microsoft Office programmes
and the internet
 Using a database
 Experience of computerised accounting systems
 Specific knowledge of access, Insightly and the use of
Excel as a database
 Of role that public engagement can play in supporting
more effective policy making
 Training in the use of CAD*QAS or statistical analysis
software including NViVO and SPSS
Interview
 Well developed technical literacy on the computer,
phone, fax and photocopier
 Experience writing funding applications and proposals
Interview
Technical/Work-based
Skills
Test
Application
Test
General
Skills/Attributes
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High levels of numeracy
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Pro-active self-starter
Proven skills in communicating simply, effectively and
diplomatically to a wide range of people in a variety of
situations
Involve, 33 Corsham Street, London, N1 6DR
t: 020 7336 9444 w: www.involve.org.uk
 Understanding the role that social media and other
emerging technologies can play both in promoting an
organisation and in engaging the public
Interview
Application
Test
Presentation
Experience
Qualifications
 One year’s paid employment involving the practical
application of research, project delivery or in an
administrative role similar to this one
 Managing the diary of senior member of staff
 Relevant undergraduate qualification
 High Level of numeracy
 Ability to work flexibly and proactively within a small
team
 Regular meeting and events organisation
 Able to manage own time and prioritise tasks
 Three year’s social research experience, project
delivery experience, or post-graduate qualification
 Experience of human resources function
 Organising and taking minutes at meetings, including
board meetings
 Understanding of financial systems for a small
organization
 Experience working in central or local government
 Range of experience and interests, including
volunteering and community work
Interview
 GCSE (Grade C or above) in English Language and
Mathematics, or equivalent
 Bachelors degree
 Masters degree (or equivalent experience) in a
relevant topic area
Application
Involve, 33 Corsham Street, London, N1 6DR
t: 020 7336 9444 w: www.involve.org.uk
Application
Test
Presentation