Research Support Officer

Location ideally BTO NI office in Lisburn (hybrid), training will take place in Thetford, Norfolk, England.
Part time/Full time (3-5 days per week), Fixed term (until March 29)
£32,637 (pro rata) per annum + 11% employer pension contribution

We are looking for a highly organised and skilled individual to join our Research Support Team. The Research Support Team facilitates the acquisition and delivery of science research projects by supporting and administering tenders and contracts, and by providing a project management system which is used to manage all project-based science work, including work funded by grants and donations. This is a fixed-term position, currently expected to conclude around March 2029, though this could end sooner or be extended subject to project requirements.

The postholder will be responsible for the administration of a specific EU funding grant for 3 days a week, “A Changing Climate Impact Monitoring and Assessment Toolbox for Irish Seas (ACCLIMATISE)”, a project funded under PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The postholder will also be required to work alongside other Research Support Officers / Administrators, reporting to the Head of the Research Support Team.

If applying for the role of 5 days a week, the successful candidate should be able to read and review/compare lengthy contract documentation and will have previous experience in writing/reading contracts/proposals.

This position is ideally based at the BTO NI Office in Lisburn. If based at the BTO office you will be able to work from home part of the time on a hybrid working regime and flexible start and finish times can also be accommodated to ensure a good work-life balance. Training on BTO systems will take place at BTO in Thetford, Norfolk, England

You can read the full role description by clicking on the role description under 'supporting documents' in the job details on our careers page. Please contact us if you are not sure if you meet all the criteria for the role and would like to discuss the role in more detail.

Please note that, if you are the successful candidate, you will be required to provide documentary evidence of your right to live and work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer visa sponsorship at this time.

WHAT DOES BTO DO? 

BTO helps to secure the future for birds and nature, using our science, monitoring and data to inform good environmental decisions, inspiring others with the wonder of birds and empowering them to work with us. Our priority is to make a positive impact for birds, using our strong and objective science in partnership with others. We strive to work sustainably and to welcome everyone.

Our values 

We are evidence-led, inclusive, collaborative and empowering.

Birds Science People; it is a powerful combination – will you be part of it?

WHAT WE OFFER

• £32,637 per annum, pro rata
• Annual leave entitlement on starting is 25 days plus bank holidays (pro rata if part time).
• Paid 'journey days' (up to 2 days) to staff who travel on holiday by land or sea instead of flying.
• Life assurance (four times salary)
• 11% employer pension contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme offering help and advice to staff and their families on matters related to bereavement, wellbeing, finances, relationships, family and more. This includes a number of free counselling sessions.
• Enhanced sick pay
• Enhanced Family leave- Maternity, Adoption, and Shared Parental Leave, 12 weeks at full pay. Paternity and Partner leave, 4 weeks at full pay.
• Health cash plan which enables staff to claim back some healthcare expenses, such as prescriptions, dental treatment and specialist diagnostic tests. It also offers: Discounts on gym memberships and various retailers, a virtual GP and prescription service, on-demand wellness content (fitness, yoga, meditation, sleep, mindfulness) and access to Health Lens, Eargym, and digital physiotherapy via Phio.
• Retail discounts through MyLifestyle.
• Cycling friendly employer- gold accredited
• Cycle to work scheme- spread the cost of purchasing a new bike and save money
• Discounts on: BTO books, Bird care from Vine House Farm (10% discount on orders placed on the website) and Opticron (15% off)
• Free access to BTO training courses 
• Flexible working- A combination of home and office working and flexible start and finish times (where this meets business needs)
• Free eye tests and a contribution of £49 towards prescription glasses for VDU use only.
• Free car parking
• Effective job evaluation policy that recognises where staff increase their level of responsibility over time
• Coaching and mentoring scheme
• Staff groups and forums- First Aiders and mental health first aiders, Coaching and mentoring, Diversity working, Sustainability and Natural Working, Becoming Inclusive, Neurodiversity group, LGBTQ+ group and our staff group creating a positive and welcoming culture to work in.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive environment
• Commitment to sustainability

Closing date for receipt of applications is 23:59 on Sunday 23rd November and Interviews will be held on 8th & 9th December.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

If you have a disability or long-term illness that otherwise prevents you from meeting any of the essential criteria, please contact us to discuss whether a reasonable adjustment could be made.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the vacancy.

We recognise that candidates from minority ethnic groups are under-represented in our organisation, and that there are often additional barriers present for people from these groups when applying for roles in the charity sector and beyond. We are committed to taking positive action to expand the diversity of our staff team, and if you meet the essential criteria for a role and are from a minority ethnic background, you'll be guaranteed a first stage interview.

In cases where we receive a very high volume of applications, we may need to limit the number of Guaranteed Interview Scheme candidates progressing to interview.