Communications Assistant (28-2019)

Hours per week: Full Time, 35 hours per week

Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 months)

Grade: Grade 4

Salary: £21930 to £25217  per annum

Closing Date: 23.59 hours GMT on Thursday 31 October 2019

Interview Date: 14/11/2019

Who We Are

The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) is a global leading institution for research, teaching and learning, and impact and communications, based at the University of Sussex.  We are ranked first in the world for development studies by the QS University Rankings, together with the University of Sussex. We are also ranked best international development policy think tank.

Our Vision

Our vision is of equal and sustainable societies, locally and globally, where people everywhere can live their lives free from poverty and injustice. We contribute to this by transforming the knowledge, action and leadership needed through our world-class research, learning and teaching.

Our Values

We aim to ensure that our core values based on respect, resourcefulness, excellence and inclusivity are reflected in the environment we work in. 

Our Commitments 

•           Upholding climate and environmental justice 

•           Reducing extreme inequities 

•           Fostering healthy and fulfilling lives 

•           Nurturing inclusive, democratic and accountable societies 

Our Priorities

•           Collaborate across sciences, sectors and communities to do research that brings about progressive change

•           Build future leadership for development

•           Champion the use of evidence for social and environmental justice

•           Work with partners to expand international research and mutual learning networks for development

•           Create a sustainable, resilient and equitable institution.

For more information go to: www.ids.ac.uk

Job Description

Job Description - Overall purpose of the role

Knowledge, Impact and Policy Team

The Knowledge, Impact & Policy (KIP) Team supports both IDS and our international partners in universities, think tanks, donors, INGOs, governments and development agencies to broker knowledge more effectively and improve its use in research, policy processes, programming and learning. It strategically supports the use of ICTs to curate and share knowledge and develops innovative research communications products. It also provides projects and organisations with support around the development of monitoring, evaluation frameworks and facilitates organisational learning initiatives. The team also coordinates IDS’ own scholarly publishing programme, overseeing the publication of IDS’ in-house open access journal (The IDS Bulletin), the production and online curation of hundreds of research and policy articles, reports and briefings every year and the design and implementation of IDS’ open knowledge commitments including open access and open data management.

Knowledge, Evidence and Learning for Development (K4D) 

K4D is an exciting programme that supports DFID and other development actors to improve the impact of policy and programming through learning and evidence. It offers a research helpdesk, facilitated learning journeys, and is run by a consortium of seven leading UK knowledge institutions led by IDS. The programme generates numerous learning products using publications, film and social media to enhance uptake.   

Communications and Marketing Assistant

IDS is seeking a Communications and Marketing Assistant who will be responsible for supporting the delivery of high quality and targeted communications and marketing outputs and activities.  Based in the Knowledge, Impact and Policy Team, this role will spend 50% of its time with K4D to deliver innovative learning products. The other 50% of time will be dedicated to supporting communications around a portfolio of IDS research programmes and projects.  The postholder will need to combine excellent communications, marketing, editorial and organisational skills with creative flair and an interest in the use of digital technologies to help the team deliver against its goals and objectives in line with programme strategies. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Communications activities

• Support the production and dissemination of various materials, including publications, visual assets, multimedia content, project materials and e-alerts, liaising with freelancers and suppliers as needed.

• Produce online content including blogs, news stories, social media posts and multimedia content.

• Edit, copy-edit and proofread articles, summaries and web-text 

• Check publication proofs and video subtitles 

• Source appropriate photos for publications and online content, in line with copyright law 

• Assist with the filming and editing of videos and interviews

• Coordinate and support IDS/K4D’s attendance at exhibitions, fairs, and conferences.

• Edit and upload content to the IDS website.

• Collate data for and produce quarterly reports for funders.

• Undertake market research and promotional activities in relation to a range of development projects

• Update project social media sites including Facebook and Twitter in order to promote our products, services and research.

• Contribute to regular editorial and project meetings.

General administration and support activities

• Work with the IDS Communications Officers to relevant project meetings and other team-based learning and planning processes.
• Support budget monitoring as and when requested.
• Provide ad-hoc support to the KIP team as needed with communications and support duties.
• Undertake administrative work generated by the production of K4D publications and learning products.

Person Specification

Skills and experience

Selection Criteria Description	Essential [E] or Desirable [D]	Assessed by *
Qualifications
2 ‘A’ levels or NVQ equivalent and at least 1-2 years relevant experience in communications or marketing.	E	A/I
A degree and/or professional qualification in communications or marketing	D	A/I
Knowledge
A good working knowledge of Microsoft applications (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook), including a good understanding and practical experience of using databases, spreadsheets and content management systems for websites Use and application of digital technologies in communications and marketing Good grasp of design principles for print and electronic media Understanding of financial spreadsheets in Excel	E	A/I
Knowledge and interest in international development issues Design packages such as InDesign Knowledge of copyright	D	A/I
Skills
Strong all-round communication and marketing skills, including verbal and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills Writing for the web and use of social media Strong organisational skills Numeracy Editing and proofreading	E	A/I
Multimedia and design skills including video and audio production	D	A/I
Experience
Experience of communications or marketing work Experience of video editing and the production of short AV clips Experience of using social media as part of wider communications/marketing plan Experience of editorial and publications processes Experience of supporting high profile events. Experience of budget monitoring	E	A/I
Of working in a communications or marketing role in the international development or charitable sectors Developing accessible and inclusive products	D	A/I
Attributes
A team player with a creative flair and a pro-active approach to work. Ability to work on own initiative and identify opportunities for communications and marketing activities. Highly organised with an ability to work to deadlines by setting priorities and managing work loads Strong eye for detail	E	A/I
Other
There will be some UK travel involved in this role, and the possibility of occasional short overseas trips	E	A/I

*A - Application I - Interview

Information to Candidates

Benefits At IDS we offer a number of additional benefits to staff. These include:

• a competitive salary, including cost of living awards and incremental increases on an annual basis as per policy and the option to join our pension scheme. 
• interest free travel loans, following successful completion of a probationary period
• support in attainment of a relevant professional qualification in line with the Professional Development Policy
• childcare fund
• competitive maternity and paternity policies that offer compensation above the statutory minimum
• 24 days annual leave per year (pro-rata for part-time), plus public holidays and up to 6 non-negotiable closure days
• enhanced sickness pay entitlements
• support with relocation costs for staff joining us from outside the EU
• eligibility to use the University of Sussex gym and sporting facilities at staff rates

Location
The successful candidate will be based at the Institute of Development Studies on the University of Sussex campus. The University of Sussex is located 10 minutes away from the lively and cosmopolitan seaside city of Brighton on the UK South Coast, 60 minutes away from central London, 30 minutes away from London Gatwick Airport and is surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Sussex South Downs. Situated between the sea and the South Downs, Brighton is one of the most vibrant and unique cities on the South Coast, for more information please go to http://www.visitbrighton.com/

How to apply

Please apply using the online application form.