Job Title: Events & Project Officer (with a life science focus)
Working For: European Animal Research Association
Location: London, with regular European travel
Salary: £30,000 - £35,000 depending on experience, this will be a one-year contract with the possibility of extension.
Job Details
EARA is a communications and advocacy organisation whose mission is to uphold the interests of biomedical research and healthcare development, in the use of animals for research. EARA provides a platform, across Europe, for the public and other external stakeholders to be informed and learn about the role of animals in scientific research and the benefits and limitations. Being a European-wide membership organisation, EARA also encourages the creation and development of national networks of stakeholders and improves the co-ordination between them.
Principal duties:
As part of the communications team, and under the management of the EARA Executive Director, the principal duties of the Events & Projects Officer will be to develop events to engage with EARA’s stakeholders and member institutions on two public engagement projects; and to assist with the recruitment of new member institutions to the association. The role will be part of the communications function of EARA and the successful applicant will also contribute to this work.
Project responsibilities will include:
EARA Patient Engagement Project: Delivered through ‘Discovery Days’ in research institutions throughout Europe, representatives of patient groups with serious medical conditions will be invited into research institutions to be given an understanding of the use of animals in biomedical research. By understanding that this is a vital stage in increasing knowledge and improving treatment of their condition, the aim is to find ‘champion advocates’ on animal research from the patient perspective.
EARA Openness Events: Manage the delivery of panel discussions in European countries on how to improve openness in communications about animal research with the general public, political decision makers, and opinion formers.
EARA online media training workshops Plan the arrangements for online webinars which seek to give participants expert advice on how to better communicate the research they carry outand prepare for and manage a crisis communications situation.
Media relations: Assist in responding to media enquiries, contribute to content for press releases and briefings, websites and social media, as well as help maintain contact databases.
Other duties: Undertake other reasonable tasks, associated with a membership association, as required.
Person Specifications
Required experience:
- An academic background in the life sciences, or health, or science communications to degree level
- Experience of stakeholder engagement and project management
- An understanding of the scientific, ethical and moral justification for animal research
- Excellent communication skills in English, both written and verbal
- Experience in a range of communications work
- Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, prioritise workload and maximise the use of time
Additional desirable requirements:
- Written and/or verbal competency in another European language
- To be able to work occasional evenings and weekends
- Willing to undertake travel in Europe
- Experience of database systems for customer relationship management
Closing Date: 31 March 2020
Interview/Start Dates
The application deadline is 1700 GMT.
Interviews will take place in March and early April. Please also give an indication of when you would be available to start work.
Application Details
Please email your CV and an accompanying cover letter explaining how you meet the person specification to kleech@eara.eu with the subject heading ‘EARA Events & Project Officer’. Only successful applicants will be contacted.