Cicely Saunders International Research Administrator

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to provide research and communications support to the Scientific Director and Administrative Director of the charity Cicely Saunders International to increase the reach and impact of the charity’s research.  

The post-holder will also work with Trustees of Cicely Saunders International, and colleagues at the Cicely Saunders Institute, King’s College London. S/he will prepare agendas and minutes, publications, correspondence, transcriptions, input data, and provide administrative support for project meetings, arrange events, meetings and calendars. S/he will help content manage project(s) webpages and websites, and prepare other outputs, such as newsletters. S/he will also assist with preparing written reports and presentations for a variety of audiences, and provide administrative support for grant applications and scientific publications. S/he will prepare funder reports, entries on research fish and work to ensure wide distribution of the project outputs and events ensuring that the widest possible audience is reached with activities recorded and available on internet and other electronic platforms. S/he will also work with people affected by advanced illness and public engagement teams. Research dissemination will target healthcare professionals, service organisations, training networks, national and local policy-makers, NHS organisations, patients and families and will include promoting CS International’s “Action Plan for Better Palliative Care: You Matter Because You are You”. 

King’s applied health and social care research is ranked 1st  in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework 2021, overall and for outputs, impact and environment; the Faculty of NMPC is ranked 2nd  in the world for nursing.  

Candidates should be highly motivated individuals with the ability to work independently as well as part of a team, and enjoy working on more than one project at a time. The post-holder will be creative, motivated, organised, flexible with their communication style, and innovative.  

S/he will be competent in a range of mediums (e.g. web-based and print) and software programmes (e.g. including MS Office, website content management programmes and virtual communication platforms). We are keen to hear from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experience. 

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 3 years 

This is a full-time post

Key responsibilities

• To administrate and coordinate the administrative components of projects and support the Scientific Director to ensure that various projects are delivered across organisations, professions and countries within the required timeframe, and effective communication is used within the projects to ensure the smooth management of the projects. 
• To coordinate and deliver the administrative component (e.g. meetings, conferences, data from events), of the projects to support successful completion and timely delivery. 
• To complete tasks specified by projects leads. 
• To ensure that online and face-to-face delivery of our projects’ outputs, including workshop events and training are accessed by a wider audience through the setting-up of web-streaming podcasts and other systems to ensure wide and targeted dissemination. 
• To implement dissemination strategy in collaboration with communications colleagues at the Cicely Saunders Institute/Faculty. 
• Preparing, typing, formatting and proofing grant applications, project reports, publications (including reference lists), correspondence, inputting data, presentations, podcasts, transcriptions, minutes, agendas, databases, and project meetings, and arranging meetings and coordinating calendars. 
• Maintaining strict confidentiality of personal information (e.g. staff/patient/carers) and work within the terms of the Data Protection Act and comply with the safety policies of King’s College London. 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

Essential criteria

1.      A levels or equivalent/A degree in health, social science, numeracy/literacy, communication or similar vocational qualifications or skills and experience acquired during relevant work experience 

2.      Experience in project coordination, administration and project management 

3.      Excellent communication skills, verbal, written and email, including managing large reports and writing to different audiences 

4.      Well organized, and works with a high degree of accuracy, written and numerate.  

5.      Experience of dissemination strategies and delivery 

6.      Effective verbal and written communication skills 

7.      Excellent IT skills, including the use of MS Office, website content management programmes, and virtual communication platforms 

8.      Ability to prioritize and manage competing demands to ensure projects are managed efficiently 

9.      Ability to use initiative, judgement and creativity to solve predictable problems using defined guidelines and procedures and within budget 

10.  Able to work independently and as a team 

11.  Able to accurately plan timelines to meet production and application deadlines  

Desirable criteria

1.       Work or research experience or relevant knowledge/understanding of palliative care 

2.      Experience of financial administration: ordering, processing invoices and monitoring expenditure 

3.      A degree in a health-related subject, social sciences, communication/media or similar