Nations Support Coordinator – x 3 (Ireland, Scotland & Wales)

Brae, Shetland Islands
Institute of Physics

The Institute of Physics (IOP) exists to help our lives, our society and our planet through promoting physics applications and supporting the people behind it.

Working alongside our members and leaders from across the physics community and beyond, we’ve identified three priorities that will shape our work over the next five years: Skills, Science and Society. These priorities sit at the heart of everything we do.

We’re proud of our ambitious and forward looking 2024 – 2029 strategy. You can find out more about our priorities and principles by clicking here.

We’re currently looking for Nations Support Coordinators x 3 for Ireland / Northern Ireland, Scotland & Wales, offered on a permanent basis, to help us deliver our mission. Applicants will be need to be Ireland or Northern Ireland based.

These are part positions based on 0.6 FTE (21 hours per week).

What’s it like working at the IOP?

The IOP is a friendly, inclusive and ambitious organisation. Diversity and inclusion are central to how we work. We focus on supporting our people to thrive, offering competitive pay, great development opportunities and a generous benefits package.

The Role

What will I be doing?

As Nations Support Coordinator, you will provide operational, governance and administrative support to help deliver the IOP’s activities and priorities within your nation.

You will act as a key point of contact for volunteers, committee members, staff and external stakeholders, ensuring programmes and activities are delivered effectively and in line with organisational objectives and team and/or project plans. You’ll specifically be responsible for a range of activities, including:

• Supporting the governance and effective operation of nation boards, committees and volunteer groups.
• Building and maintaining positive relationships with volunteers, committee officers and external stakeholders.
• Coordinating meetings, events, engagement activities and nation programmes.
• Providing financial administration support, including expense processing, monitoring expenditure and ensuring compliance with IOP procedures.
• Maintaining accurate records, reporting information and CRM data.
• Identifying and resolving operational issues, risks and challenges, escalating only where appropriate.
• Supporting continuous improvement of systems, processes and ways of working.
• Representing national priorities in relevant operational forums and contributing to cross-organisational initiatives.

Projects you may work on include:

• Delivery of volunteer-led engagement, education and outreach activities.
• Organisation and support of nation meetings, conferences and events.
• Governance reviews and committee effectiveness initiatives.
• Process improvement projects to enhance volunteer and stakeholder experience.
• Cross-organisational programmes supporting the delivery of IOP strategic priorities.

Who will I work with?

You’ll work closely with a range of colleagues and stakeholders, including:

• Nation and regional volunteers.
• Nation Board and committee members.
• Internal colleagues across Membership, Education, Policy and Engagement teams.
• Senior volunteer leaders and committee officers.
• External partners, stakeholders and suppliers.
• Members of the Membership Operational Impact Board and associated operational groups.

Ideally, we hope you’ll apply if you bring:

Essential:

• Significant experience supporting volunteers, committees and stakeholders within a membership body, learned society, charity or similar organisation.
• Strong organisational and project coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Experience providing governance and administrative support to boards, committees or working groups.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence and build trust with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience supporting events, engagement programmes or volunteer-led activities.
• Confidence using CRM systems, databases and Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience of financial administration, expense processing and maintaining accurate records.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to exercise sound judgement with limited supervision.
• Commitment to inclusive working practices and collaborative team working.

Nice to have:

• Experience working within a scientific, educational or professional membership organisation.
• Knowledge of volunteer management good practice.
• Understanding of charity governance and compliance requirements.
• Experience contributing to process improvement or organisational change initiatives.
• Knowledge of the UK and Scotland science, education or professional body landscape.

At the IOP, we know that great candidates don’t always tick every box. If your experience looks a little different, but you bring enthusiasm, curiosity and a willingness to learn, we’d love to hear from you.

How to apply

Alongside your CV, please include a cover letter explaining how you meet the person specification.

How will I be working?

We operate a flexible, trust based working model that gives colleagues autonomy over how, when and where they work, while recognising the value of in person collaboration. You will be working remotely, with periodic in-person meetings around the island of Ireland, and occasional travel to London/elsewhere in the UK.

Days of working will be agreed in advance, but some flexibility will be required to suit events and colleagues’ schedules.

You will engage in regular in person collaboration with your team (as operationally appropriate), as well as with colleagues across the wider organisation, to ensure effective operational alignment and to support our inclusive approach to working.

As an organisation we meet in person once a quarter at our Head Office in Kings Cross, London.

Why join the IOP?

The IOP is the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland. As a charity, we’re passionate about increasing public understanding of physics and supporting a diverse and inclusive physics community. There’s never been a better time to join us, watch our film to find out more about the difference we make.

We’re committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive culture for everyone. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the application or recruitment process, please let us know we’re always happy to help.

Please note whilst we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role, we warmly encourage applications from candidates who already have the right to work in the UK and Ireland.