EDIS Community and Engagement Officer

Job Title: EDIS Community and Engagement Officer (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Science and Health)

Reporting to: Head of EDIS

Responsible for: No direct reports

Based: Our Head Office is based in London, but we have an agile working policy enabling people to work at another UK location up to 4 days/week. Requests for permanent remote working will be considered and we welcome applications from people based in other parts of the UK.

Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week). Requests for part-time or flexible working will be considered.

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £34,572 to £36,506 FTE per annum

About Us

The British Science Association (BSA) was founded in 1831 and is a registered charity.

We are creating a future where science is more relevant, representative, and connected to society.

We have ambitious goals to put people at the heart of science.

About the role

The EDIS Community and Engagement Officer will provide the coordination, communication and relationship-building needed to support the growth, participation and value of the EDIS membership community.

The role will support day-to-day member onboarding, engagement activity, communications, events and community-building processes across the EDIS portfolio. It will ensure that members are supported to connect with each other, contribute to EDIS priorities and access opportunities to learn, share and collaborate. You will work with the EDIS team and with BSA communications team colleagues to support their work.

A central focus will be building effective, inclusive and accessible routes for member participation. Working with EDIS members, partners and colleagues across the British Science Association, the postholder will help to ensure that engagement activity is joined up, responsive to member needs and focused on meaningful participation across the science and health research sector.

This role would suit someone who combines strong organisational approaches with proactive communication, relationship building, and a commitment to and knowledge of equity, diversity and inclusion. The successful candidate will be confident supporting communities, networks and membership groups, helping to strengthen the EDIS community while ensuring that engagement, communications and events are delivered effectively.

Key responsibilities

• Support day-to-day member onboarding and support processes, ensuring new and existing members understand how to participate in EDIS activity.
• Coordinate with the Communications Team to develop member communications, newsletters and engagement content, ensuring activity is joined up, accessible and responsive to member needs.
• Plan and support delivery of events, workshops, peer learning sessions including ‘special interest’ groups and network activity that create practical opportunities for members to learn, share and collaborate.
• Maintain accurate membership records, contact lists and engagement data, supporting clear information flow across BSA, EDIS members and partners.
• Gather member insight and feedback, identifying themes, opportunities and barriers to participation that can inform programme design and delivery.
• Apply inclusive practice in all communications, events, engagement activity and member support, reflecting a clear commitment to and knowledge of equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Support membership growth and retention by helping demonstrate the value of involvement in EDIS and strengthening routes for member participation.
• Work with the Research and Policy Officer and Programme Manager to ensure member insight informs evidence, programme design, engagement activity and delivery.
• Support the production of accessible resources, meeting materials and event content that help members connect with each other and contribute to EDIS priorities.
• Contribute to the promotion of EDIS activity across sector networks and communication channels, supporting meaningful participation across the science and health research sector.

About you

The successful candidate will bring the following experience, skills and approach.

Essential criteria

• Experience of coordinating activity within a membership organisation, community group, network, events or engagement programme.
• Strong approach to organisation, with the ability to coordinate varied tasks, manage competing priorities and work towards agreed deadlines with appropriate support.
• Demonstrable commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, with practical experience applying inclusive approaches in events, communications, member support or engagement activity.
• Ability to communicate clearly in writing and through other appropriate channels, tailoring style and content to encourage understanding and engagement across varied audiences.
• Experience developing communications tailored to specific professional audiences, including meeting materials, event content and/or engagement updates.
• Experience maintaining accurate records, contact lists, membership information or engagement data, with attention to detail and appropriate handling of information.
• Ability to build positive working relationships with members, partners, community groups or stakeholders, supporting participation and responding constructively to different needs.
• Experience gathering feedback, insight or views from members, participants or stakeholders, and identifying practical themes that can inform activity or improvement.
• Proactive and reflective approach to problem solving and continuous improvement, with the ability to identify practical improvements and support an evolving programme.

Desirable criteria

We do not expect candidates to have all of the following, but one or more would be helpful in the role.

• Experience working in science, research, health, charity or membership settings.
• Experience using CRM, event or membership management systems.
• Experience supporting consultation, co-design or peer learning activity.
• Experience producing digital content or newsletters.

The closing date for applications is Monday 5th October 2026.

First interviews are due to take place online on 4th November 2026, with second interviews (in person in London) expected on 11th November 2026.

Interview dates have been scheduled outside the school holiday period to support participation from the broadest possible pool of candidates and to minimise potential barriers for those with caring or family responsibilities.

As part of the British Science Association’s commitment to being a Disability Confident employer, all disabled applicants who meet the ‘essential criteria’ for this vacancy will be offered an interview under our guaranteed interview scheme.

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