Main Purpose of the Job

The NGI Communications and Engagement Officer will support the delivery of communications and engagement activities for one of the UK’s largest investments in research infrastructure: Next Generation Infrastructure (NGI).

NGI is a programme of significant capital investment and business change to improve and evolve the research capabilities of the John Innes Centre (JIC) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL) on their current site at the Norwich Research Park. The proposed investment transforms the existing capabilities of both centres via new and shared interdisciplinary research facilities with a goal for the facility to be near net-zero.

This role will raise awareness of the programme, communicate the potential benefits of the investment to key audiences and support the NGI Programme Office to deliver projects onsite.

Reporting to the John Innes Centre’s Head of Communications and Engagement, the NGI Communications and Engagement Officer will be embedded within the JIC Communications and Engagement team and the NGI Programme Office. They will work extremely closely with Communications colleagues at TSL, BBSRC and across the Norwich Research Park.

The post holder will deliver internal and external communications for the programme and will support the programme of engagement activities required to deliver this ambitious redevelopment and its associated benefits.

Key responsibilities include supporting the delivery of the NGI communications and stakeholder engagement strategies – from including newsletters, articles, internal news items, emails and briefings, through to organising stakeholder engagement and other events.

Key Relationships

Reporting to the John Innes Centre’s Head of Communications and Engagement, the NGI Communications and Engagement Officer will be embedded across both the JIC Communications and Engagement team and the NGI Programme Office.  They will work extremely closely with Communications colleagues at TSL, BBSRC and across the Norwich Research Park.
 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Develop new and update existing online and print information to support the communications, stakeholder engagement and fundraising activities of the programme.

Provide administrative and operational support for the Engagement Workstream, including drafting updates, coordinating meetings, maintaining records, taking minutes and undertaking other duties as required by the line manager.

Lead the delivery of engagement and consultation events internally and externally and facilitate the cascade of information from the programme to key audiences.

Support construction and programme delivery workstreams by developing and maintaining communication and engagement plans, maintain client-side stakeholder registers, communicating progress, outcomes and benefits, and ensuring stakeholder needs are addressed throughout the programme lifecycle.

Develop and maintain effective working relationships with contractors, working groups and stakeholders across the Norwich Research Park.

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

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

A degree or equivalent in a relevant subject area

Essential

Qualification in a relevant communication, PR or marketing subject, or chartership to a relevant organisation (e.g. CIPR)

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

A working knowledge of research communications and engagement

Essential

Knowledge of communications channels, including digital, face-to-face communication and a range of printed and electronic publications

Essential

Proven aptitude for communicating complex ideas to non-expert audiences, with the ability to rapidly assimilate the multi-faceted nature of the activities and promptly action ideas into outputs

Essential

An understanding of how to monitor and evaluate communications and engagement initiatives

Desirable

An understanding of how to communicate benefits, impact and outcomes related to investment business cases

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Substantial experience as a creative and collaborative communications professional or equivalent

Essential

Experience in formal and ad hoc communications and programme teams

Essential

Experience in a research-intensive environment, organisation or institute

Desirable

An understanding of construction projects and capital development programmes, with experience of on-site communications support for active construction projects

Desirable

Experience of working in marketing or fundraising

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Exceptional written and oral communication skills, over a wide range of subjects and different internal and external audiences, including the ability to present complex information with clarity

Essential

Ability to horizon-scan to identify and mitigate potential reputation risk

Essential

A communicator with excellent interpersonal, collaborative and relationship building skills

Essential

Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills

Essential

Excellent time management and organisational skills

Essential

Ability to follow instructions/Standard Operating Procedures

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

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

Essential

Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self, Institutes, the NGI Programme and partners, promoting both international reputation, funder, stakeholder, public engagement aims

Essential

Ability to provide out-of-hours communications support, when necessary

Desirable

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

Communications & Engagement

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NGI Communications and Engagement Officer
Salary:            £38,000 to £46,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience
Contract:        Full time, 6 years
Location:        John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
Closing date: 6 October 2026
Reference:     1006191

Help tell the story of one of the UK's most ambitious research infrastructure investments.

The John Innes Centre (JIC) is seeking a Communications and Engagement Officer to join the Next Generation Infrastructure (NGI) Programme, a once-in-a-generation investment that will transform research facilities and capabilities at the John Innes Centre and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL).

NGI is a major programme of capital investment and organisational change that will create state-of-the-art, shared research facilities designed to support world-leading plant and microbial science while advancing our ambition for a near net-zero research environment.

This is a unique opportunity to play a central role in communicating the vision, progress and impact of a programme that will shape the future of scientific discovery for decades to come.

About the John Innes Centre:

The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial sciences. We nurture a creative, curiosity-led approach to answering fundamental questions in bioscience, and translate that knowledge into societal benefits. Our vision, Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet, sets out our ambitious long-term goals for the game changing impact of our science globally. 

Our employees enjoy access to state-of-the-art technology and a diverse range of specialist training opportunities, including support for leadership and management. Click here to find out more about working at the John Innes Centre.

The role:

Reporting to the Head of Communications and Engagement at the John Innes Centre, and working closely with the NGI Programme Office, you will help deliver a programme of communications and stakeholder engagement activities supporting a programme which will transform our research facilities for the next 50 years.

You will create compelling content, coordinate engagement events, support consultation activities, and ensure that colleagues, partners, funders and stakeholders are informed and engaged throughout the programme lifecycle. You will work collaboratively across JIC, TSL and the Norwich Bioscience Institute Partnership, and across the Norwich Research Park to deliver integrated communications that support programme objectives.

The role offers the opportunity to work across a broad range of activities, from internal communications and business change engagement through to stakeholder relations, construction communications and benefits realisation.

The ideal candidate:

You will be a skilled communications professional with experience of delivering creative and effective communications campaigns and engagement activities. You should be able to translate complex information into clear, accessible and engaging content, build productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, and manage multiple priorities within a fast-moving environment.

Experience of construction, infrastructure or major capital programmes would be beneficial but is not essential.

Additional information:

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.

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.