Job Description

The work undertaken by The James Hutton Group is right at the top of the global agenda tackling problems such as the impact of climate change and threats to food and water security. This new post represents an exciting opportunity to work with a highly motivated team, and help the United Kingdom achieve its Net Zero and biodiversity targets, while ensuring a Just Transition.

The James Hutton Institute is collaborating with UK-wide partners to establish a Land Use for Net Zero Hub. The hub will establish transformative pathways towards Net Zero, biodiversity and Just Transition in the land use, soils, carbon and agricultural systems sectors. This hub represents an important step forward for the Hutton\xe2\x80\x99s International Land Use Study Centre. We are seeking to recruit a project administrator (full time). The position will be fixed term for 40 months.

Please note, you must have the right to work in the UK to be eligible for this position.

Main Purpose of Job

The main purpose of the post(s) is to provide day-to-day project administrative support to the Land Use for Net Zero (LUNZ) Hub. This includes organising key events, minuting meetings, monitoring of the project work plans and record-keeping, internal communications for the project, and identifying and supporting \xe2\x80\x98celebrations\xe2\x80\x99 of positive steps taken towards achieving Net Zero in the land use, agricultural systems and soils sectors. The position represents an important part of the secretariat role of the LUNZ Hub, which includes a project manager, external communications officer, EDI and impact coordinator and subcontracts officer.

Main Duties of Postholder

The main duties of the post(s) will be:

• to organise, produce materials for and attend as necessary key project events (management, leadership and full consortium meetings and occasional stakeholder events) and liaise with project collaborators and their administrators to plan and communicate the details, take meeting minutes and deliver final copies to partners and for UKRI reporting;
• to provide a point of contact for project partners, stakeholders and advisory boards, respond to queries and direct them appropriately, administrate project mailing lists and produce internal media for project communications;
• to assist in monitoring the project work plans and progress by maintaining and updating the project management web-portals (e.g., Basecamp workspace), producing internal project newsletter, sending partners regular reminders on upcoming milestones/deliverables and requests for periodic updates, and update the project team as required to ensure the work plan proceeds smoothly with timely outputs;
• to support project leads in project administration on the JeS portal and satisfy UKRI reporting requirements by requesting, collating and formatting relevant scientific, ethical, risk and financial documents;
• to liaise with the LUNZ Comms director to coordinate communications within and outwith the project
• to develop and implement creative means to identifying and celebrating Land Use for Net Zero achievements
• support to project manager in monitoring the data management strategy, risk register and ethics processes
• to support the LUNZ Co-PIs in delivering the objectives of the LUNZ hub
• to coordinate and help write HUTTON\xe2\x80\x99s contributions to progress reports, project activities etc.;
• to exercise excellent interpersonal, organisational and time management skills.

Person Specification

Education/Experience/Skills

Essential

• Practical experience of organising and coordinating events and large meetings across organisations.
• Minute taking at large meetings of project partners and/or other management related meetings.
• Ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders types (academic and non- academic) and project staff across a range of grades, disciplines and roles.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office and online meeting tools.
• Team-working skills with evidence of working effectively to achieve team goals.
• Evidence of excellent organisational and interpersonal skills.

Desirable

• Diploma, or equivalent experience in administration, management and/or relevant scientific discipline(s).
• Relevant experience in facilitating the administration of large multi-partner research projects.
• Skills in managing and organising a project dedicated Basecamp or similar collaborative working space.
• Experience working within confidentiality agreements.
• Demonstrable enthusiasm for the aims of the LUNZ hub (e.g. facilitating transdisciplinary working, promoting soil health, establishing Net Zero pathways for land use, enabling transformative change in agricultural systems, achieving Just Transition)
• Alignment with the values of the LUNZ hub: championing transdisciplinarity, communicating confident evidence, practical application, \xe2\x80\x98walking the talk\xe2\x80\x99 of social justice and climate positive travel, celebrating achievements and diversity.

Other Skills

Additional notes/Requirements

• The LUNZ hub is committed to Just Transition, including the Technician Commitment. Budget has been allocated for further training and development of the Hub Secretariat.
• The post-holder(s) must be able to communicate and respond in a timely fashion to the tasks established by the project management teams.
• Participate in the travel requirements of the projects as required/requested.
• Clear motivation to fulfil this role through evidence of relevant career goals and success to date.
• The post-holder should ideally be based at the Craigiebuckler site in Aberdeen.

Benefits Offered

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - A confidential service available to support employees and their families with work or personal problems. Providing access to professional counsellors, psychologists, and work-life consultants available to help and support individuals in tackling all types of problems.

Annual Leave \xe2\x80\x93 Generous entitlement up to 40.5 days a year, with carry over possible and guaranteed time-off for Christmas.

Pension - Employer Contribution of 15% in a Personal Pension Plan and employee contribution flexibility.

Self-managed hours and Flexible Working \xe2\x80\x93 option to manage and spread your working time in line with organisational needs to create a healthy work life balance.

We will not consider the use of 3rd party recruitment agencies for the sourcing of candidates for this position.

The James Hutton Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The James Hutton Institute is a: Stonewall Diversity Champion; Athena SWAN Bronze Status Holder; Disability Confident Committed Employer and a Living Wage Employer.

The James Hutton Institute is Happy to Talk Flexible Working.

The James Hutton Institute