Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business and industry.

Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and languages. Heriot-Watt is also Scotland's most international university, boasting the largest international student cohort.

About our School/Directorate and Team:

Much of Heriot-Watt University’s research portfolio is focussed upon addressing sustainability challenges and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We are seeking to appoint a Community Engagement coordinator to drive the delivery of our engagement and communication activities that help to embed sustainability across the University, support behaviour change and raise awareness across our internal and external communities.

The role would sit within Heriot-Watt Engage, the public and community engagement with research team, part of the Policy, Strategy and Impact Division (PSI). The PSI division sits within the Research Engagement Directorate, the central professional services department responsible for both the development and delivery of our ambitious research and knowledge exchange agenda as well as assisting in the delivery of our broader strategic aims, including our global sustainability strategy.

The role of Research Engagement includes research development, Research Excellence Framework (REF) management, impact & knowledge exchange, public engagement, academic development, IP and contracts.

Heriot-Watt seek to be sector leading in sustainability and have the ambition to be leaders in community engagement with sustainability in Scotland and at all our global locations. We believe that this is firmly within our grasp, given our recent multi-award-winning, impactful engagement and the appointment of a Deputy Principal for Global Sustainability. This post will enable us to deliver the outcomes in Strategy 2025, align with funder requirements and meet the ambitious sustainability targets demanded of a world facing a climate emergency.

Purpose of Role The role holder will build capacity to engage our global-local communities in our contribution to global sustainability through our research and strategic development, supporting academics and students in the delivery of high-quality community engagement and drive a transition to a more sustainable way of living. The post holder will manage and coordinate high profile events and activities that showcase and drive dialogue on the impact of Heriot-Watt policy and research on sustainability across our communities.

The Chaplaincy: About our team

The Chaplaincy is part of the Student Wellbeing Service and is based in its own premises at the Edinburgh campus where there are approximately 8000 students. The purpose of the Chaplaincy is to enhance the student experience by promoting spiritual and social wellbeing to people of all faiths and no religious faith, and by providing a multi-cultural meeting place for mutual support and interaction. The Chaplaincy building is used for a wide variety of spiritual and social activities and events, and is run by a team of staff and volunteers. Some of the key activities taking place in the building or organised by the Chaplaincy are as follows:

• A weekly meal on Wednesday evenings for 50+ students

• Worship provision

• Social and cultural events (some run by the Chaplaincy and others by student or staff groups)

• Trips to the Scottish countryside for international students

• Online events such as quizzes and cultural evenings to support students who cannot attend in person

• Major university events such as the Anniversary Church Service, Annual Public Lecture and Christmas Carol Celebration

This Executive Assistant post plays a key role in delivering a front-line service to students and staff.

You will work in a team consisting of the Chaplain, part-time Student Support Administrator, Chaplaincy International Worker, part-time Muslim Chaplain, plus two student residents who reside in the building. You will oversee the catering activities, ensuring compliance with food hygiene regulations and you will work with the Student Support Administrator in carrying out administrative work and operating data bases and other systems concerned with the activities of the Chaplaincy. You will also play a key role in co-ordinating/organising events as detailed above.

A full Job Description and Person Specification is available for download below.