Support Officer, PolicyWISE

Location: OU locations - Belfast, Edinburgh, Milton Keynes, Cardiff

Terms: Fixed-term contract until May 2025, full time post, 37 hours per week

Closing Date: 3 April 2024, 12 noon 

Flexible working patterns will be considered. We are happy to hear from qualified candidates who are interested in the role on a less than a full-time basis (minimum 30 hours) and would discuss with any such candidates how we could accommodate different working patterns.

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where the successful candidate can work from home and the office. The Director of PolicyWISE and other colleagues mainly work from our Cardiff office, and we would expect some attendance there, when necessary, approximately once per month. However, PolicyWISE is committed to UK and Ireland working and we encourage applications, and working, from other locations (Belfast, Edinburgh, Milton Keynes, Cardiff).

The role  

PolicyWISE is seeking a proactive and enthusiastic individual for the role of Support Officer. The PolicyWISE support officer will report to the Senior Business Manager and provide project, communications, and administrative support to the PolicyWISE team.

You will work in a multi-disciplined team and support the team with many exciting developments. For instance, you will support production of communications, coordination of events, management of digital platforms, preparation of reports and provide executive diary management.

About PolicyWISE

PolicyWISE is a unique UK and Ireland comparative policy research and knowledge exchange initiative that changes and improves how governments and academics work together in, and across, the nations to help solve policy challenges.

The initiative is UK and Ireland by design (working across The Open University’s unique four nations base), supporting policymakers and researchers across the nations to develop relationships, respect and knowledge.

PolicyWISE was developed by The Open University in collaboration with Cardiff University, Trinity College Dublin, Queen’s University Belfast, The University of Edinburgh, and University College London. They engaged with the Irish Government, Northern Ireland Executive, Scottish Government, UK Government and Welsh Government in developing their mission and continue to work with cross-nation government partners.

Skills and experience

We are looking for an individual with strong organisation and interpersonal skills, with a motivation to find solutions and adapt to evolving workstreams. Experience of working across a range of objectives and tasks and prioritising busy workloads across team objectives. 

What you get in return

We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. This includes thorough induction into the organisation and regular reviews of your training and development needs.

We also offer a great range of benefits that support our employees and their families for the long term. Staff Benefits include an attractive pension proposition and 30 days holiday per annum pro rata, plus Bank Holidays and Christmas closure days.