Programme Support and Communications Assistant (with UK Visa Sponsorship) at Forestry Commission

• The role can be based in Alice Holt, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4LH or in Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9SY or Forestry Commission, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1EJ with blended working which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from the workplace. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Job Summary

• Want to work at the cutting edge of environmental science? Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crisis? Forest Research (FR) is all about giving top quality evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners to make a positive impact on the ground. Internationally recognised, we need people who have the skills and passion to work on excellent science and provide practical solutions for nature.
• We’re small enough that your voice is heard, yet large enough, as part of the Forestry Commission, that we have everything on hand to get the job done, as well as a variety of career pathways. Our staff are dedicated to their work and sharing it with others to bring positive change for our planet. You will find us a flexible and inclusive employer, so you can have a work life balance that is tailor-made to your circumstances. So, whether it’s climate or carbon, pests or pathogens, behaviour or biodiversity that interests you, you can be assured of a warm welcome to the team. To find out more, visit www.forestresearch.gov.uk
• This is a new post working on the Centre for Forest Protection (CFP), a Defra-funded research collaboration between Forest Research and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The Centre focuses on protecting the future of trees and woodlands through innovative, collaborative, interdisciplinary and future-focused research. The Centre is also developing educational resources, has an established internship programme and its own website and communications channels. We work closely with policy and evidence professionals at Defra, and support scientists in engaging with stakeholders. This role will be part of a small central team, but work more widely with scientists, project managers and communications teams at FR and Kew.

Job Description

• The Programme and Communications Support Officer will collaborate closely with the CFP Coordinator and the Education Officers at Forest Research and Kew. The primary goal of this role is to assist in executing the CFP’s strategy and delivery plans. Key responsibilities include developing educational resources, managing meeting administration and reporting tasks. Approximately one-third of the role is dedicated to supporting science communications through the website and social media channels. This varied role offers the opportunity to utilise and enhance organisational skills and communication expertise. Some travel between Forest Research and Kew locations will be required.

Key Work Areas:

• Updating the Centre for Forest Protection website, working with scientists and the CFP Coordinator to develop blogs, videos, and news posts.
• Post on the Centre’s social media channels, collaborating with communications teams and the CFP Coordinator .
• Supporting the organisation of in-person and online education and knowledge exchange events, liaising with CFP scientists, collaborators, and education partners.
• Coordinate intern recruitment, promote opportunities, collate applications, and organise interviews.
• Research and organise content for education, communications, and knowledge exchange, including images and web content links.
• Organise meetings, take notes, and record minutes and actions.
• Maintain and update the program’s MS Teams collaboration space and resources.
• Arrange travel and accommodation logistics.

The Programme and Communications Support Officer will collaborate closely with the CFP Coordinator and the Education Officers at Forest Research and Kew. The primary goal of this role is to assist in executing the CFP’s strategy and delivery plans. Key responsibilities include developing educational resources, managing meeting administration and reporting tasks. Approximately one-third of the role is dedicated to supporting science communications through the website and social media channels. This varied role offers the opportunity to utilise and enhance organisational skills and communication expertise. Some travel between Forest Research and Kew locations will be required.

Key Work Areas:

• Updating the Centre for Forest Protection website, working with scientists and the CFP Coordinator to develop blogs, videos, and news posts.
• Post on the Centre’s social media channels, collaborating with communications teams and the CFP Coordinator .
• Supporting the organisation of in-person and online education and knowledge exchange events, liaising with CFP scientists, collaborators, and education partners.
• Coordinate intern recruitment, promote opportunities, collate applications, and organise interviews.
• Research and organise content for education, communications, and knowledge exchange, including images and web content links.
• Organise meetings, take notes, and record minutes and actions.
• Maintain and update the program’s MS Teams collaboration space and resources.
• Arrange travel and accommodation logistics.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Able to effectively manage competing work tasks and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Experience of creating content for web pages, social media channels or other communications media.
• High level of proficiency in MS Office applications, including the use of templates and styles in Word.
• Proven experience working in a team to deliver specific outcomes.

Desirable Criteria:

• Demonstrable interest in scientific, social science or environmental research

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Alongside your salary of £29,171, Forestry Commission – Forest Research contributes £8,450 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Your career

• Excellent professional development opportunities which are tailored to your role, with paid professional membership subscriptions, mentoring, and Civil Service Learning available to all
• access to world class laboratory facilities, as well as state of the art buildings within forest or science park settings

Your work/life balance

• flexible working options such as: up to two days flexi leave per month, blended working, part-time working, paid special leave, career breaks, and unpaid leave. Parents and carers will be supported to enable you to manage work and family responsibilities
• A generous annual leave allowance of 25 days on entry increasing by 1 day each year to a maximum of 30 days (pro-rata for part-timers). Plus 2.5 days of additional leave and 8 days’ paid bank/public holidays

Your wellbeing

• A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment
• A range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7
• We want you to feel part of something bigger and we encourage a community feel in our workplaces, with everything from cookery competitions to Pilates and fell running, plus topical talks at Wellbeing Wednesdays and Feelgood Fridays
• Paid volunteering leave of 3 days per year so you can give back to your community and charitable causes by sharing your skills and time

Your Benefits

• a highly competitive Civil Service Pension of 28.97% your salary
• an employee benefits scheme offering discounts on groceries, gym memberships, holidays, days out, online retailers and high street shops
• Cycle to Work scheme and Interest free loans
• Free parking is offered on-site, alongside electric car charging ports
• With maternity, adoption, and/or shared parental leave there’s the flexibility to have up to 26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid leave. Paternity leave of up to two weeks is available with full pay.