Available as a secondment for internal applicants.
Note – This role will largely be focused on delivering the CESV programme for a large-scale infrastructure project in Cumbria, and officers will be required to travel for delivery in this area. All travel to site will be covered by time off in lieu or overtime.
Contract: Full time, 2 years fixed term.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week. Flexibility to work weekends and evenings as required (TOIL or paid overtime available).
Salary: £35,250 - £40,804 (dependant on experience).
Function: As Community Engagement and Social Value Officer, you will collaborate with our CESV Project Manager, and colleagues in fieldwork and post-excavation, to develop and supervise the delivery of imaginative, meaningful, and impactful archaeological engagement and social value projects.
ABOUT US
Community Engagement and Social Value Team
Oxford Archaeology is committed to empowering communities to work towards an equitable and sustainable future through understanding and connecting with our shared past. This work is led by Oxford Archaeology’s Community Engagement and Social Value Team.
Our role is to bring the discoveries made by our archaeological specialists to new and existing audiences, through exciting and enriching engagement projects. Our work includes both social value projects funded by commercial development (e.g. infrastructure and large-scale private developments) and community engagement projects funded by other means (e.g. partnering with local charities, research grants, and our own charitable work). We collaborate with stakeholders to develop and design these programmes, so we can harness archaeological heritage to address local priorities and contemporary challenges. To deliver these projects, we work with regional teams across Oxford Archaeology’s three offices (Lancaster, Cambridge, and Oxford), supporting our colleagues in Fieldwork and Post-Excavation to build and develop their engagement skills. We also closely collaborate with the Communications Manager to share our work and discoveries through online channels.
ABOUT THE ROLE
- Responsibilities:
- In collaboration with Project Manager, work with community stakeholders, internal colleagues (including joint venture colleagues), clients and funders, to develop community
- engagement and social value programmes that deliver meaningful impacts for local communities.
- Lead delivery of imaginative and innovative engagement projects with diverse communities and audiences.
- Evaluate and report on community engagement and social value projects, using qualitative and quantitative data, for internal and external audiences (including clients, industry peers, community members, etc).
- Support and empower regional staff to build and develop engagement skills.
- Internally and externally advocate for the potential of archaeology to address contemporary challenges and deliver meaningful public impacts for new and existing audiences.
ABOUT YOU
Behaviours
Essential:
- Imaginative and creative approach to community engagement, excited to explore new practices and approaches
- Excellent communicator, able to adapt tone and vocabulary in verbal and written communication for different audiences
- Collaborative, able to work closely with colleagues with different specialisms and stakeholders with different experiences and priorities
- Analytical, able to identify strengths and areas for improvement in group and individual work
- Compassionate, supportive, and reflective, demonstrated through commitment to embedding inclusion, accessibility, and diversity throughout group and individual work
- Passionate and enthusiastic about heritage/archaeology and its potential to deliver public benefit
Experience (may be gained through professional, voluntary, or lived experience)
Essential:
- Engaging diverse communities and stakeholders in heritage / archaeology
- Delivering projects, including acquiring and managing resources, progress tracking, risk assessments financial awareness and logistics
- Developing and designing engagement projects/sessions with diverse communities and stakeholders
Useful:
- Evaluating and reporting on community engagement and social value projects, analysing qualitative and quantitative data to understand effectiveness and impact
- Supporting colleagues to develop and practice new skills and expertise
- Supervising other people (colleagues, volunteers or others) in public facing settings
- Navigating the UK's commercial and charitable archaeological sector
Note – we do not expect candidates to have every experience listed as ‘useful’. If you think you may be a good candidate, and meet the essential criteria, we still encourage you to apply. If you would like to discuss your suitability in more detail, please contact Ayesha Purcell, Community Engagement and Social Value Manager or Jessica Elleray, Community Engagement and Social Value Project Manager Placement at community@oxfordarchaeology.com.
An Enhanced Disclosures and Barring Service check will be required for this role.
How to Apply: Please submit the following documents via email to hr@oxfordarchaeology.com by midnight Tuesday 13 May.
- A CV no longer than two sides of A4. Please ensure your CV is tailored to this role, highlighting relevant professional and/or voluntary experience and academic, vocational, and/or technical qualifications.
- Answers to the following questions:
o Why are you interested in this role? (no more than 400 words)
o What key strengths would you bring to this role at Oxford Archaeology? (no more than 400 words)
o Why does archaeological engagement matter? (no more than 400 words)
If you have any questions, please contact Ayesha Purcell, Community Engagement and Social Value Manager or Jessica Elleray, Community Engagement and Social Value Project Manager Placement at community@oxfordarchaeology.com.