Main Purpose of the Job

The John Innes Centre, an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial sciences. It is committed to promoting a positive research culture and providing an inclusive environment which promotes equality and diversity, develops leaders, and operates within an effective governance framework. The Institute's Research Culture Statement outlines our aspirations and ambitions for research culture and, within this, improving neurodiversity training and awareness was identified as a priority.

This Neurodiversity Project Officer will be responsible for implementing, delivering, monitoring, and reporting on a BBSRC-funded ‘Connecting Culture Project’. This project aims to foster cross-institutional activities and sharing of best practice. The project, led by JIC, will focus on increasing awareness around neurodiversity and celebrating the value it brings. The project seeks to establish a supportive and inclusive environment for neurodiverse staff and students through combining training, awareness building and networking activities.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about EDI, research culture and our science, who can confidently manage a collaborative neurodiversity project, including the delivery events and the creation of written and digital content to promote the activities. The post holder will be able to interact with a range of people at different levels both internally and externally and will understand how and why valuing neurodiversity is important.

Key Relationships

The post is line managed by the Head of the Directorate and will work closely with the NBIP Research Culture and EDI Manager.
This role involves close collaboration with HR, the Communications and Engagement team and members of the EDI working groups and staff and students at JIC.



The post will collaborate with key staff at Earlham Institute and Quadram Institute Biosciences and at the other BBSRC Institutes, to deliver training, workshops, and networking/information sharing events designed to enhance understanding of and support for neurodiversity. The post will need to work with external organisations or consultants with expertise in neurodiversity.
 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Project management
•    Project management of a collaborative neurodiversity project.
•    Budget management
•    Organisation of the neurodiversity session at the Connecting Culture conference in Spring 2025.
 

20

Training
•    Coordinate and manage the delivery of neurodiversity training programmes, including online modules and in-person workshops.
•    Assess and review success of pilot programmes. Gather and analyse feedback and identify actions to tailor training activities to achieve desired outcomes. 
•    Work with external partners and service providers to tailor training and resources to meet the needs of the BBSRC Research Institute community.
•    Work closely with staff at the other BBSRC Institutes to ensure they have access to the training. 
•    Engage with staff and students to ensure the relevance and effectiveness of training and initiatives and to share key outcomes.
 

20

Networks/Sharing best practice
•    Foster collaboration and sharing of best practices across BBSRC institutes through the establishment and maintenance of networks.
•    Work closely with delivery partners and others to develop, promote and co-ordinate events and activities. 
 

20

Reporting
•    Monitor project progress, evaluate outcomes and produce a report on the outcome for BBSRC.
•    Identify and develop key metrics to assess and measure the success of training and awareness interventions.
•    Report on the success of training and awareness interventions against desired outcomes.
 

20

Communications
•    Participate in the development and dissemination of communications materials to raise awareness and celebrate neurodiversity in liaison with Communications Team.
•    Support the development of written and designed content to raise awareness of the Connecting Cultures neurodiversity initiatives and sharing information through a range of communications channels.
•    Develop campaigns to raise awareness of and encourage uptake of new training programmes.
 

20

As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

Five GCSEs grade A-C (including English) or equivalent

Essential

Relevant Professional Qualification

Desirable

Educated to degree level

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Strong understanding of EDI and its impact in the workplace

Essential

Highly proficient in Microsoft Office particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Acrobat, Teams and experience of SharePoint

Essential

Understanding of GDPR and data confidentiality

Essential

Excellent understanding of neurodiversity

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Demonstrated experience in project management, preferably in EDI or related initiatives

Essential

Experience of developing content, events and activities that are informative, accurate and engaging

Essential

Experience of working in a research institute or similar academic environment

Desirable

Experience in assessing training impact through KPIs and metrics

Desirable

Experience of budget management

Desirable

Experience in designing and delivering training and development programmes

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Highly organised, with excellent time management

Essential

Ability to engage effectively with a diverse range of individuals and groups

Essential

Excellent organisational skills, and the ability to prioritise workload

Essential

Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment

Essential

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to present complex information with clarity

Essential

Self-motivated, proactive, confident, and approachable

Essential

Experience of working with partnership organisations

Desirable

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute

Essential

Commitment to personal development and continuous improvement

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours, when required

Essential

John Innes Centre

The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial genetics, carrying out fundamental and strategic research, to train scientists and making our findings available to society.

Our research makes use of a wide range of disciplines in the biological and chemical sciences including; cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics and molecular biology.

For more information about working at the John Innes Centre, please click here.

We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive working environment for all. We have a diverse and multicultural scientific community and thrive on our European and international links, appointing staff from across the world. Any candidate who would like further information on current or anticipated immigration requirements can contact the HR Team on +44 (0)1603 450888 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk.

We are proud to hold a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award, recognising the impact of our work in promoting gender equality in science. We are also a proud member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion’s programme, a founding signatory of the Tecnician Commitment and, as a Disability Confident employer, guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852), limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 511709).

Department

Directorate

Group Details

The post will be based in the Directorate

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Neurodiversity Project Officer
Salary:            £34,950 – £37,800 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.
Contract:        12 months, part-time
Location:        John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK.
Closing date: 7 May 2024
Reference:     1004648

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Neurodiversity Project Officer to join the Directorate, to support the cutting-edge science of the John Innes Centre.

The role:

Working as part of the Directorate, you will be responsible for implementing, delivering, monitoring, and reporting on a BBSRC-funded  ‘Connecting Culture Project’, which aims to foster cross-institutional activities and sharing of best practice.

The project, led by JIC, will focus on increasing awareness around neurodiversity and celebrating the value it brings. The project seeks to establish a supportive and inclusive environment for neurodiverse staff and students through combining training, awareness building and networking activities. 

In this role, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills in project management and knowledge of EDI practices relating to neurodiversity, as well as establishing broader networks while refining your communication and engagement skills.

The ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate will be passionate about EDI, research culture and our science, who can confidently manage a collaborative neurodiversity project, including the delivery of events and the creation written and digital content to promote the activities. The post holder will be able to interact with a range of people at different levels both internally and externally and understand how and why valuing neurodiversity is important. 

Candidates will have five GCSE’s grade A-C (including English) or equivalent. Education to a degree level and/or a relevant professional qualification will be highly advantageous.

You will have a strong understanding of EDI and its impact in the workplace. An excellent understanding of neurodiversity is also highly desirable. Candidates should also have demonstrable experience in project management, preferably in EDI or related initiatives, and developing content, events and activities that are informative, accurate and engaging. Previous experience working in a research institute or similar academic environment would be beneficial.

Additional information:

This role will be 15 hours per week, for a period of 12 months.

Interviews are to take place on 17 May 2024.

Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.

We are an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity.  As a Disability Confident organisation, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. We are proud to hold a prestigious Gold Athena SWAN award in recognition of our inclusive culture, commitment and good practices towards advancing of gender equality. We offer an exciting, stimulating, diverse research environment and actively promote a family friendly workplace. The Institute is also a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852) grant-aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.