Scottish Dementia Research Consortium Officer Background The Scottish Dementia Research Consortium (SDRC), established in 2013, is a membership organisation that aims to support the development and expansion of high quality, coordinated and collaborative dementia research throughout Scotland. The objectives of the SDRC are to: Bring together Scottish-based dementia researchers from all disciplines. Promote collaboration and co-ordination between researchers and enable a pooling of talent and skill. Nurture a greater level of joint research applications and increase the level of national and international research funding secured by partners within the SDRC. Represent Scotland s dementia research interests at national, UK, European and worldwide level. Ensure that the voice and views of people with dementia and their families are central to research policy and development. Ensure that there is an effective communication strategy with the public about the level, scope and scale of dementia research taking place throughout Scotland. Work with the Scottish Government in a supportive and complementary way to help ensure their policies and strategic approach to improving dementia services are achieved. Alzheimer Scotland is committed to making sure nobody faces dementia alone. Dementia research is an essential component in achieving this outcome. Alzheimer Scotland is a leading force for change, campaigner for human rights and provider of high-quality dementia-specific services. High-quality research and evidence underpins our approach to policy and innovations in practice. Through our continued investments and relationships, we support a strong Scottish platform for dementia research in areas on prevention, cure, care and treatment. We also support the development of stronger funding base for Scottish dementia research through the Scottish Dementia Research Consortium. 1
Alzheimer Scotland was instrumental in the creation of the SDRC and provides ongoing support in relation to marketing and communications, Executive Committee meetings, governance and development. The SDRC Officer role will play a pivotal role in providing this support. This role was created to build capacity within Alzheimer Scotland to support the development of the SDRC. The dedicated post will add to and complement the work of a small group of Alzheimer Scotland colleagues who support the SDRC. The SDRC Officer will be employed by Alzheimer Scotland and line managed by the Research Manager. They will be based in Alzheimer Scotland s National Office in either Edinburgh or Glasgow, dependent on the successful candidate s preference. Some travel will be required to the quarterly SDRC Executive Committee meetings in Dundee and throughout Scotland to participate in events. The SDRC Officer post will sit within the Policy Directorate. They will be supported by key Alzheimer Scotland staff including the Director of Policy and Research, Research Manager and the Communications Team. They will also have regular communication and direction from the SDRC Chair and will also attend the quarterly Executive Committee meetings. The SDRC Officer will participate in the regular Policy Team catch-up teleconference and attend the Policy Team bi-monthly meetings. They will provide a short update on their work for inclusion in the senior management team monthly report. They will also meet regularly with Communications Team colleagues to discuss and plan ongoing SDRC work. 2
Job Description - Scottish Dementia Research Consortium Officer Purpose of post The SDRC Officer will support the development of the SDRC through coordinating the delivery of actions from the quarterly SDRC Executive Committee meetings; taking a lead role in engagement with the SDRC Membership; along with curating and coordinating content for media, social media and website channels, to increase the visible profile of the SDRC Work deliverables Provide administrative and technical support to the Executive Committee in the development of the SDRC Attend the quarterly Executive Committee meetings taking forward, coordinating and reporting on actions as appropriate Establish and maintain a database of Scottish dementia research Support the growth of the membership of the SDRC under the direction and support of the Executive Committee Proactively seek out opportunities to raise the profile of the SDRC, nationally and internationally Support SDRC Membership communications with the aim of supporting the development of collaboration and coordination between researchers, joint funding bids and pooling of talent and skills Support the inclusion of people with dementia, their families and carers to ensure their views are central to the work of the SDRC Support the development and delivery of the SDRC communications strategy Support the development and delivery of a rebrand of the SDRC Develop and coordination of content for the SDRC website and social media channels. Work collaboratively with the Alzheimer Scotland Communications Team to maintain SDRC brand integrity Work collaboratively with the Alzheimer Scotland Communications Team to jointly showcase and promote Scottish research activity Work collaboratively with Alzheimer Scotland colleagues to deliver and promote research related campaigns Work collaboratively with Alzheimer Scotland colleagues to deliver an annual SDRC conference Support the Research Manager with the management of the SDRC budget The post is graded at points 27 30, please check the advert for further details. The post holder may be subject to Disclosure Scotland checks. 3
This job description is open to review by the organisation at any time and was last revised in March 2018. Person Specification - Scottish Dementia Research Consortium Officer The following criteria will be used in shortlisting candidates and in appointing the successful applicant. Please note that the competencies are not ranked in priority order. Competency Essential Desirable Professional attitudes and values Understanding of and empathy with Alzheimer Scotland s aims and values Understanding and support of the SDRC aims and objectives Coordinator and administrative experience and understanding of environment Reliable and transparent in all work procedures Demonstrate experience of ability to achieve key work deliverables High level of organisational skills Experience and ability to coordinate a range of tasks Ability to manage own time and to organise and prioritise tasks and workload subject to pending deadlines Ability to work collaboratively and manage competing interests Good project management skills Experience in a similar role Understanding of Scottish academic institutions and dementia research landscape Experience of responding to national press requests Experience working collaboratively across organisational structures including at an executive level 4
Personal Ability to be adaptable and work collaboratively across organisations and institutions Establish and maintain relationships across a range of sectors within the field of dementia Establish and maintain relationships across Alzheimer Scotland directorates to ensure good communication to ensure colleagues are kept informed High level of interpersonal communication and written skills, including online content Ability to forward plan using initiative and without close supervision Ability to be adaptable and work as part of a busy team IT High standard in Microsoft Office programmes (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), e-mail and internet/intranet usage Experience of managing and tracking social media platforms, curation of content for online purposes. Knowledge of online platforms (Survey Monkey, Mailchimp) Experience of establishing and maintaining a membership database (Excel, Razors Edge) 5