Senior Schools Engagement Officer

at  Royal Society

Job Scope:
The Royal Society is the independent scientific academy of the UK, dedicated to promoting excellence in science. We believe that science is central to modern culture and demonstrating the importance of science to everyone is one of the strategic aims of the Royal Society. We want to enable young people to understand what it is to be a scientist and to encourage experimental work and problem solving in schools and colleges to improve understanding of the scientific process. We promote and support good practice in teaching Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and promote STEM for all young people.

Our major schools engagement programme includes:

• Partnership Grants of up to £3,000 for schools and colleges to enable students, aged 5 – 18, to carry out investigative STEM projects, in partnership with a STEM professional: https://royalsociety.org/education/partnership/
• Developing evidence-based resources to support excellence in the teaching of science, maths and computing, in particular around scientific literacy and practical science.
• Tailored schools programme at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition.

The Senior Schools Engagement Officer will work with the Head of Schools Engagement, the Schools Engagement Manager and other members of the Schools Engagement team to manage and develop the Society’s schools engagement programme in line with the schools engagement strategy.
They will be responsible for managing the Partnership Grants scheme, which supports students from age 5 to 18 to develop key skills for future careers by participating in investigative STEM projects. A large proportion of this work will be to support key stakeholders including participating schools and members of the Partnership Grants allocating panel as well as overseeing opportunities to showcase the work funded through the scheme. The scheme is currently being expanded and this position will play a key role in this, ensuring the scheme is as accessible as possible and reaches those schools most in need. Another area of the role will be to work with the Head of the Schools Engagement and the Schools Engagement Manager on the scoping of a new area of work on scientific literacy and accompanying resources. The role will also look for opportunity to share the wider of the work of the Society with a school audience.
In this post, the individual will work with teams across the society, including the Public Engagement, Education Policy and Design team. They will be responsible for managing the schools programme at the Summer Science Exhibition, liaising closely with colleagues from Public Engagement.
The post holder should have experience of running a grant or award programme and of working with schools. They should have good organisational skills, a commitment to high standards throughout their work and a good attention to detail. In return this position offers opportunities for the successful candidate to contribute to an exciting programme of schools engagement activities and to help develop successful schemes which benefit scientists, teachers and young people. They will also get the chance to be part of the work of one of the most respected scientific organisations in the world.
The post holder will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.
Reports to: Schools Engagement Manager
Line manages: Schools Engagement Officer X2
Location: The Royal Society, Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG plus hybrid remote working
Pay band: D
Salary: £43,900
Contract type: permanent
Hours: 35 hours per week (full time) some travel (mainly within the UK), evening and weekend work required.
Closing date: Wednesday 3rd July 23:59

Interviews: Wednesday 24th to Friday 26th July

• Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Responsibilities:

The work of the Senior Schools Engagement Officer will include:

• Management of the grant-making cycle from grant set-up through to grant closure, ensuring compliance with internal procedures, and administrative responsibility via Flexi-Grant, liaising with senior grants staff across the Society to embed changes as required.
• Overseeing the day-to-day delivery of the Partnership Grants scheme, ensuring applicants are supported and ongoing projects are monitored.
• Promoting the Partnership Grants scheme to support the growth plans. This will involve developing a clear marketing plan for the scheme, stakeholder organisational visits and running webinars and presentations. This includes promotion to teachers, senior school leaders and other STEM organisations.
• Providing confirmation for the Flexi-Grant payments to the finance team monthly, compiling figures about the scheme and applicants’ progress for senior colleagues, providing figures and information for the Development team for donor reports and monitoring the Partnership Grants budget for the Schools Engagement Manager
• Supporting the Head of the Schools Engagement team with the external evaluation of the scheme and using evaluation findings to further develop the scheme.
• Overseeing the organisation and delivery of events to showcase the work of Partnership Grant schools, including the Young Researcher Zone at the Summer Science Exhibition and mock select committee event.
• Direct line management of two Schools Engagement Officers, including responsibility for their development.
• Working with the Head of Schools Engagement and Schools Engagement Manager to scope a new piece of work into scientific literacy and accompanying resources.
• Developing the Tomorrow’s Climate Scientists extension of the Partnership Grants scheme and opportunities for schools involved in this.
• Overseeing the delivery of the schools engagement programme at the Summer Science Exhibition.
• Identifying opportunities to support colleagues across the Society to share their work with a school audience.
• Undertaking other such duties as may be required from time to time.

Key Knowledge and Skills Required:

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE / INTERESTS

¨ Demonstrable experience of managing grant or award schemes
Highly desirable
¨ Knowledge and understanding of STEM education, enrichment and engagement activities
Highly desirable
¨ Evidenced interest and knowledge of science, mathematics, technology and its broader social significance
Highly desirable

EXPERIENCE

¨ Experience of working in a team environment
Essential
¨ Experience of identifying and targeting a variety of audiences
Essential
¨ Experience of establishing and maintaining a network of contacts, and communicating with stakeholders at all levels
Essential
¨ Experience of report writing
Highly desirable
¨ Experience of project evaluation
Highly desirable
¨ Experience of managing a budget
Highly desirable
¨ Experience of administering selection processes, for example for grants or awards
Desirable
¨ Experience of managing contractors working on outsourced projects
Desirable
¨ Experience of managing promotional material for a variety of media (including web and digital)
Desirable
¨ Experience of school engagement and working with partner organisations to identify opportunities to support schools and colleges
Desirable
¨ Experience of producing STEM resources for schools and colleges
Desirable
Competencies:

Please refer the Job description for details