AI and Innovation Project Officer (6 month FTC)
Department: Operations, Delivery and Change
Employment Type: Contract / Temp
Location: London, UK
Compensation: £30,000 - £40,000 / year
Description
The Project Officer will support NatCen's Innovation and Methods Hub in advancing AI transformation and innovative research practices. This role involves a mix of desk research and project coordination activities. You will produce briefings on emerging methods and potential partners, organise stakeholder meetings and training sessions, and help guide researchers through innovation pathways and AI adoption processes. The position requires adaptability, structured thinking, and a proactive approach to turning open briefs into actionable plans.
Key Responsibilities
Specific Duties & Responsibilities:
* Coordinate innovation and AI projects, including planning, scheduling, and tracking progress across teams.
* Conduct desk research to produce briefings on potential partner organisations, emerging research methods and recent releases from our technology partners.
* Organise and coordinate stakeholder meetings, internal project meetings and training sessions, ensuring smooth delivery and follow-up.
* Guide researchers through innovation pathways and AI adoption processes, providing practical support and signposting resources.
* Support task allocation across relevant teams, updating stakeholders regularly on progress and changes.
* To perform any other reasonable duties that NatCen may require that are consistent with the broad nature of the job.
Requirements of the Role: Essential:
* Ability to quickly learn and apply new concepts in AI and innovative research methods.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage confidently with stakeholders including senior colleagues and subject matter experts.
* Proactive and self-directed, with the ability to work independently in ambiguous situations and turn open briefs into structured, deliverable plans. Experience in organising complex activities, including meetings and training sessions, and developing clear delivery plans.
* Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to turn open briefs into actionable plans.
* Experience of conducting desk research and synthesising complex information into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.
Desirable:
* Knowledge or experience of social research methods and/or survey research processes.
* Demonstrable interest in and understanding of AI adoption in the workplace.
* Familiarity with project management principles or qualifications (e.g. Agile, Prince2).
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
* Maintain high ethical standards
* Demonstrate knowledge and awareness of all responsibilities in relation to maintaining confidentiality with both written and oral communication
* Actively conform to the legislative and procedural requirements in relation to the collection, management, storage and destruction of data
* Follow the requirements of our Operating Standards, and also to meet the requirements of all our ISO standards
* Other duties which may be required from time to time
This job description may be changed from time to time at the discretion of management.