Research Communications Assistant

University of Manchester; Manchester; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous employer pension contribution

Christmas closure across all depar t m

Purple Place employee discount

Job summary

The University of Manchester’s Global Development Institute (GDI) is seeking a Research Communications Assistant to deliver communications activities that raise the impact of our research. You will also nurture alumni relations and lead internal communications to connect academic colleagues and drive engagement across channels.

This temporary maternity-cover role involves creating digital, printed, and face-to-face communications, coordinating with the GDI Communications and Impact Team, and

Qualifications

• Proven ability to design and deliver targeted communications campaigns.
• Experience in a communications role, ideally within research or policy.
• Understanding of global development issues and key stakeholders.
• Professional demeanor and ability to work with diverse colleagues.
• Experience with producing content for digital, print and events.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with academics to disseminate research and amplify findings across channels.
• Produce engaging content: blog edits, news releases, podcasts, social graphics and posts.
• Support the GDI working paper series through copy-editing, publishing and dissemination.
• Lead internal communications to keep staff and students informed about research activity and priorities.
• Maintain alumni communication channels, including newsletters, and cultivate relationships.

Skills

Campaign design

Communications experience

Academic/policy environment

Global development issues

Collaborative working

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

The Global Development Institute (GDI) at The University of Manchester is where critical thinking meets social justice. The GDI Communications and Impact Team is looking for a Research Communications Assistant to help deliver communication activities that enhance the impact of our research.

You will also maintain our alumni relations, as well as leading internal communications within the Institute as a means of building relationships and identifying opportunities with academic colleagues.

This is a temporary role, covering a maternity leave.

The University of Manchester values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Job Specifications:

We are seeking a collaborative individual to join the Global Development Institute (GDI) as a Research Communications Assistant. Working as part of the GDI Communications and Impact Team, you will deliver communications activities across digital, printed and face-to-face channels to enhance the impact of our research and raise the profile of GDI activity among academic and research audiences.

You will be expected to:

• Work with academics to develop strategies to best disseminate and amplify their latest research, project findings, media engagement, and public engagements by producing digital and printed content.
• Produce engaging content to support research dissemination. This could involve editing and formatting blog posts, writing news releases, recording and editing podcast interviews, producing social media graphics and content.
• Support the GDI working paper series including academic liaison, systems and processes, external copy-editing, publishing, scholarly communications and dissemination.
• Lead on internal communications within GDI to ensure staff and students have a strong understanding of research activity and priorities.
• Maintain regular communication channels to engage alumni, particularly through the regular e-newsletter.

We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences and approaches to their work.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria:

• Possess a good standard of education, normally to degree level or equivalent.
• Have experience of designing and delivering targeted communications campaigns and activities.
• Have strong relevant experience gained in a communications role, ideally within a research or policy related environment.
• Demonstrate a working understanding of key global development issues, stakeholders and debates.
• Demonstrate a professional manner, working positively and collaboratively with a range of colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

Desirable Criteria:

• Have a persuasive and visible approach.
• Ability to work on own initiative and to work on several projects at the same time.

We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer pension contribution
• Christmas closure across all departments outside of annual leave and bank holidays
• Purple Place employee discount platform

For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid Working.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Name: Skyla Baily

Email Address: [e-mail]

General enquiries and administrative support

[e-mail]

Technical and job portal support

Jobtrain Jobseeker Support Hub

This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must demonstrate the right to work in the UK.

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

Further particulars (with person specification) linked below.

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