British Trust for Ornithology

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IMPORTANT Unbiased Recruitment and Making an Application

As part of our commitment to reduce bias in our hiring process and improve equity of opportunity, diversity and inclusion in BTO, we use a recruitment system that enables Unbiased Recruitment. This involves using a standard application form and a system that removes details that may reveal a person's gender identity, race, religion, or socioeconomic background. We do not accept CVs or cover letters for this reason. If the application system is a barrier to applying, please email recruitment@bto.org to discuss alternatives with the People Team.

Please provide as much detail as possible in response to the questions in this application form to give evidence of how your skills, experience and knowledge meet the requirements of the role description.

Equality and Diversity

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 group, you'll be guaranteed a first stage interview.

Does this apply to you? By selecting 'yes' you give consent for us to disclose that you are applying under our policy of guaranteeing an Interview with the recruiting manager. If you do not opt-in your application will be considered alongside other candidates and you will not be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria. If you do opt-in and are not shortlisted you will be able to request feedback *

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

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The selection decision at interview will be based on the most suitable candidate, regardless of any protected characteristic. 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.

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Equality Act

We are committed to the fair treatment of our employees and potential employees, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, responsibilities for dependants, age, physical/mental disability or offending background.

The information you give on this form will help us comply with our policy of ensuring equality in our services to you. We recognise that some people may regard some of this information as personal and we have, therefore, included an option in most questions for ‘prefer not to say’.

All information that we collect around equality and diversity will be treated confidentially in accordance with the Equality Act (2010) and will be stored on the appropriate HR database. Access to this information will be restricted to staff involved in the processing and monitoring of this data. It will be used to provide statistical information only. In completing the form below, you consent to us using your data for this purpose.

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This Act protects people with disabilities from unlawful discrimination; it defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and adverse long term effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day to day activities.

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There are 6 million carers in the United Kingdom and nearly one in eight workers are carers. With an ageing population and an expected increase of 60% of carers in the next 30 years, we would like to monitor the number of people with caring responsibilities.

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Declaration

The information on this form will be used for recruitment and selection purposes only and if your application is successful it will form part of your employment record. All unsuccessful applications will be destroyed six months after the closing date for positions advertised in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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Job Details

Job Title: Research Support Officer
Job Reference: HS1426580LisRSO
Location: Lisburn, Lisburn, United Kingdom
Salary: £32637.00 to £32637.00

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 recruitment@bto.org

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.

Charity No. 216652 (E&W); SC039193 (Scotland)