Fixed Term Public Engagement Coordinator (3 years)

Job Summary

Robert Gordon University (RGU) – Aberdeen’s university of choice for thousands of staff and students - has a well-established reputation as an innovative and modern workplace, with multiple awards and recognition of our courses and Schools.

You will be responsible for coordinating the University’s approach to Public Engagement and will play a leading role in driving forward the implementation of the University’s Public Engagement Strategy, supporting senior colleagues including the Vice Principal (Research and Regional Engagement), the Associate Deans for Economic, Social and Community Development, and the Director of Student Life.

This role involves working collaboratively with a wide range of internal colleagues and external stakeholders to strengthen the university’s presence and impact within local, regional, and wider communities.

 

Job Description

RESPONSIBLE TO: Employability Info and Comms Manager

RESPONSIBLE FOR: No supervisory responsibility

PURPOSE OF POST: to coordinate and drive the University’s Public Engagement Strategy by working collaboratively with internal colleagues and external partners to strengthen the institution’s impact across communities, while also supporting student‑focused initiatives that recognise meaningful contribution, impact, and skills development.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

• Coordinate the university’s work to deliver its NCCPE (National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement) action plan, following the recent NCCPE Bronze Award.
• Act as Secretary and Project Manager to the Public Engagement Forum, providing high quality support and advice to the Chair
• Support institutional leads for community and public engagement to develop, deliver, and evaluate a range of community engagement projects and initiatives
• Develop, launch and act as Secretary to a new RGU Public Engagement Forum
• Organise events, workshops, and activities that enhance community involvement and support the University’s strategic goals.
• Facilitate and nurture contacts and mutually beneficial relationship between the university and members of external communities, including those acting in representative or convene capacities.
• Represent the University at community meetings, forums, and events to raise awareness of the university’s community engagement goals and to encourage community engagement
• Work with RGU communications colleagues and community engagement leads to develop a communications plan to promote RGU’s vision, aims and achievements in relation to community engagement
• In partnership with the Chair and senior leads for economic, social and community development, monitor and evaluate the impact of the University’s community engagement work, producing evidence-based reports and recommendations for senior management
• Identify funding opportunities and contribute to grant applications and other funding bids to support community initiatives.
• Maintain accurate records and databases of community partners and engagement activities.
• Ensure that community engagement activities are inclusive, accessible, and promote equity, diversity, and sustainability.
• Coordinate the implementation of student and community engagement initiatives and awards e.g. Denis Law RGUplus Award
• Work closely with academic and professional services staff to identify opportunities for student participation initiatives designed to enhance global citizenship (including community engagement, sustainability and entrepreneurial mindset) where possible embedding these into the curriculum
• Support the coordination of volunteers involved in outreach and community-based projects
• Act as Secretary and Project Manager to the RGU Plus Steering Group, providing high quality support and advice to the Chair
• Coordinate the RGU Plus Denis Law Award framework
• Identify an annual Honorary Denis Law Award Winner
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of RGU Plus, producing evidence-based reports and recommendations for senior management.

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

• First degree or equivalent experience in community development, education, social sciences, or a related field.
  

Knowledge and skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
•  Ability to engage positively, persuasively and diplomatically with senior level stakeholders
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion and the RGU value set in all aspects of work.

Experience

• Experience of developing and managing community/public engagement projects or similar initiatives.
• Demonstrable experience of developing action plans/project plans
• Experience of chairing meetings and successfully progressing multi-partner initiatives
• Strong experience in monitoring and evaluating project impact and outcomes.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with a demonstrable ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional memberships

• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant area.

Knowledge and skills

• Knowledge of local community needs and challenges.
• Knowledge of relevant policy and best practice in community engagement.
• Ability to use digital tools and platforms to support engagement initiatives (e.g., social media, virtual meeting platforms).

Experience

• Experience working in a university or educational setting.
• Experience of bid writing or fundraising for community projects.

Behaviours

Behaviour 1: Communication - Ability to receive, understand and convey information requiring careful explanation and information of a complex or conceptual nature, in a clear and accurate manner

Behaviour 2: Service Delivery - Experience of exploring and adapting a service to meet customers’ expectations and also identifying ways of improving standards

Behaviour 3: Liaison and Networking - Experience of circulating information in an accurate and timely manner, working across team boundaries to build and strengthen working relationships, leading and developing internal networks to pursue a shared interest and leading and building external networks to enhance the work of the organisation

Behaviour 4: Decision Making - Experience of using own judgement to make decisions, making collaborative decisions with others to reach conclusions and providing advice or information that will influence the decisions of others

Behaviour 5: Team Work and Motivation - Experience of being a team leader, agreeing clear team objectives and organising and delegating tasks according to individual abilities

Behaviour 6: Planning and Organising Resources - Experience of planning, prioritising and organising the work of yourself and others (within own area) on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, whilst ensuring the effective use of resources