The Role
We are seeking a motivated and collaborative Engagement Coordinator to support and enhance engagement activity across the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS). This key role will help deliver the University’s Engagement and Place Strategy, ensuring that our research and education connect meaningfully with patients, the public, and our regional and national partners.
You will work closely with the Faculty Director of Engagement and Place, the VOICE team, the Newcastle Health Research Partnership, and colleagues across the University — including leads for Engagement and members of the Faculty and Student Recruitment, Marketing and Communications team — to co-ordinate, deliver and evaluate engagement activity.
You will play a vital role in supporting the development of patient and public involvement (PPI) practice across the Faculty, helping to strengthen collaboration between researchers, students, and the wider community.
To co-ordinate engagement activity for the Faculty of Medical Sciences, in support of the University’s Engagement and Place Strategy and develop patient and public involvement practice across the Faculty. Working closely with the Faculty Director of Engagement and Place, VOICE team, Newcastle Health Research Partnership, University leads for Engagement and other members of the FMS Student Recruitment, Marketing and Communications team to ensure that the Faculty delivers engagement plans within deadlines and to agreed standards.
This is a full time, fixed term position available for the duration of 12 months.
For all informal enquiries please contact:
Key Accountabilities
1. Contribute to the development and delivery of the Faculty of Medical Sciences Engagement and Place Plan, working with the Faculty Director of Engagement and Place and reporting to the Faculty Communications Manager
2. Co-ordinate Faculty engagement project meetings and committees, preparing agendas, papers, minutes and follow-up actions. Co-ordinate engagement projects and working groups as required
3. Co-ordinate the Faculty seed corn funding, the Tilly Hale Awards, including marketing, managing applications, panel review, monitoring and reporting
4. Deliver activity that ensures researchers and educators are aware of the benefits and impact of public and patient engagement, and the involvement of the public in the design and dissemination of research and education
5. Deliver the Faculty’s Engagement Showcase, liaising across the Faculty to ensure a joined-up approach, for example with colleagues in related PPI/E roles
6. Support colleagues in the planning and delivery of participatory engagement events such as through developing event objectives, marketing and communication materials, organisation, evaluation and dissemination of findings and impact
7. Provide day-to-day support for colleagues who wish to undertake engagement and involvement activity by providing information, training and advice on engagement-related queries; hosting drop-in sessions; keeping the Faculty internal and external webpages up to date
8. Disseminate and build awareness of best practice in PPI/PPE strategies across the Faculty, encouraging uptake of relevant opportunities
9. Working with the Director of Engagement and Place, VOICE colleagues and Newcastle Health Research Partnership; establish and maintain effective working relationships with relevant external stakeholders including patient groups, community groups, voluntary sector and the NHS
10. With the Director of Engagement and Place, develop a coordinated approach to engagement within the Faculty, via streamlined processes and effective communications
11. Identify engagement opportunities across the faculty and liaise with Institutes and Schools, providing a cohesive presence at engagement events and activities
12. With the Director of Engagement and Place, develop and maintain a system of recording Faculty engagement activity to produce regular reports to Faculty Executive Board and the University Engagement and Place Committee
13. With the Director of Engagement and Place, manage and monitor the Faculty engagement and place budget
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
14. Proven interpersonal skills including dealing with challenging situations
15. Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to relate to a wide range of people
16. Ability to coordinate activity across a large complex organisation
17. Works independently with minimal direction/oversight
18. Interacts professionally and confidently with all levels of an organisation
19. Excellent IT skills, web authoring and database use
20. Works with high level of accuracy
21. Works calmly and confidently under pressure
22. Excellent planning, organisation and prioritisation skills
23. Experience of event organisation and delivery
Desirable
24. Experience of budget analysis
25. Knowledge of engagement practices between higher education institutions and public bodies
26. Knowledge of structures that support the research and teaching environment
Attributes and Behaviour
Communicating
27. Use clear, concise and accurate communication, tailoring the approach accordingly and encouraging a two-way communication process
28. Encourages and supports a free flow of communication and information across the institution and to a wider audience where appropriate
29. Understands how best to appeal to the other person/group correctly interpreting the right way to approach a situation
Planning and Organising
30. Effective at organising and managing complex heavy workloads
31. Sets own priorities in conjunction with the wider team and area objectives
Projecting Confidence
32. Projects a positive attitude through personal confidence and enthusiasm in order to achieve organisational success
33. Inspires the trust and confidence of others
34. Energises others by being passionate about their work area
35. Displays genuine interest and confidence when dealing with a diverse range of academic disciplines, services and student activities across the University
36. High level of self-motivation and remains calm when responding to challenging situations
Team Working
37. Works collaboratively with others
38. Plays a positive role in teams and establishes and grows relationships across the organisation when different skills, expertise and opinions are valued
39. Understands colleagues, students and other key stakeholders
Qualifications
40. HNC or HND (or equivalent)
Or
41. Broad vocational experience, acquired through a combination of job-related vocational training and considerable on-the-job experience, demonstrating development through involvement in a series of progressively more demanding relevant work/roles
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a Gold award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 28811