Dementia Information and Communications Officer

Are you a great communicator, passionate about helping people? Well-organised, with a keen eye for detail? We are looking for a confident, friendly and proactive person to join us as an Dementia Information and Communications Officer. Alongside other officers, you will provide day-to-day operation of the Dementia Research Infoline, answering questions from the public with about dementia, dementia research and about opportunities to get involved in research. Reporting to the Information Services Manager, the Dementia Information and Communications Officer will also play a key role in maintaining the relationship of the partnership between Alzheimer’s Research UK and Join Dementia Research, support in the delivery of outreach projects to underserved audiences and help with the updating and production of the charity’s dementia health information resources.

The Information Services team at Alzheimer’s Research UK is responsible for providing information about dementia and dementia research to the public. The team operates the charity’s Dementia Research Infoline and produces and disseminates health information booklets and other resources. The team also has responsibility for promoting research involvement to the public, actively helps people to take part in studies and support the NHS service Join Dementia Research.

The team are part of the Information and Involvement (I&I) department. The I&I department’s mission is to improve understanding of dementia and the diseases which cause it and encourage and support the public and people affected by dementia to get involved in research.

Please note that the Dementia Research Infoline does not provide counselling or medical advice.

As the UK’s leading dementia research charity, we’re working to revolutionise the way we treat, diagnose and prevent dementia. But we will not stop there. With your support, we will keep going until every person is free from the heartbreak of dementia. We exist for a cure.

This role will be known internally as *Information Officer.

Main duties and responsibilities of the role:

Day-to-day delivery of the Dementia Research Infoline by responding to public enquiries and providing accurate, responsible and helpful information to the public.

·         Acting as the first point of contact for Dementia Research Infoline callers, providing information over the phone about dementia and dementia research, as well as signposting to other organisations. Note – the Infoline does not provide counselling or medical advice.

·         Responding to Dementia Research Infoline enquiries by letter, social media and email.

·         Registering people to Join Dementia Research, via the telephone and via paper registration form. This involves processing and recording volunteer health information and ensuring data is up-to-date and contact with registrants maintained appropriately.

·         Supporting existing volunteers on Join Dementia Research, with tech issues, keeping their data up to date, and discussing opportunities to take part in research.

·         Average enquiry volumes are around 5-10 per day per officer and can be up to 30 minutes long.

·         Maintaining an up-to-date and evidence-based library of responses to common health and research enquiries relating to dementia.

Promoting to the public the importance of participation in research and acting as an entry-point for the UK research register, Join Dementia Research and other ways to take part in research.

·         Discussing with the public, through the Dementia Research Infoline, the different ways people can get involved in research and the types of studies looking for volunteers.

·         Managing the confidential handling of personal data.

·         Finding ways to promote taking part in research to internal and external audiences, with a focus on reaching underserved audiences.

Creation and dissemination of health information

·         Writing and updating evidence-based health information materials in line with inhouse standards and processes, including engaging and accessible materials in print, web and other formats.

·         Liaising with expert and lay user reviewer volunteers.

Raising awareness of dementia research in underserved communities

·         Assisting in the dissemination of information and resources to underserved communities.

·         Looking for opportunities to raise awareness in hard-to-reach audiences.

·         Embedding inclusive practices throughout the work delivered by the Information Services team.

What we are looking for:

·         Science graduate or equivalent level of education (biomedical or biological subject).

·         Experience of discussing health or research with the public.

·         Experience of writing complex health information in a simple and accessible way.

·         Understanding of GDPR and information governance.

·         Appreciation of the emotional impact of dementia on individuals.

·         Resilience for dealing with occasional challenging calls.

·         A sensitive and patient phone manner.

·         A confident, friendly and professional attitude; would feel at ease representing the charity to a range of audiences.

·         Willingness to work flexibly within a small team to ensure core Infoline hours (9am-5pm) are covered.

·         Strong written and verbal communication skills.

·         Willingness and ability to travel independently in the UK occasionally and to work outside of regular office hours when needed.

Additional Information:

Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £28,000 per annum, plus benefits.

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 1st January 2025, with interviews likely to be held week commencing the 6th January 2025. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.  Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. While we strive to anonymise your CV where possible, there are certain sections, such as the application question, that cannot be fully anonymised. We kindly ask that you remove any personal information, including your name, when answering the application question. The hiring panel will not have access to your personal details, such as your name and address, until you are invited for an interview. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via our website. 

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK: Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.  Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope. 

There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure. 

In 2024, we were incredibly proud to be awarded a 3-star accreditation by Best Companies which recognises ‘World Class’ levels of workplace engagement. This is the second consecutive time; we have been awarded a Best Companies 3-star accreditation.

We were also listed in the prestigious Best Companies lists:

·         18th in the 100 Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK.

·         10th in the 50 Best Companies to Work For in the East of England.

·         2nd in the 30 Best Companies to Work For in the Charity Sector.

In addition, we were also shortlisted for a special award recognising the work undertaken on reducing our environmental impact.

In 2021, we were awarded the HR Management award by The Charity Times for our Wellbeing initiatives throughout the pandemic.

In 2020, we demonstrated our commitment to changing the way we think and act about mental health in the workplace and signed the Time to Change Employer Pledge. 

ARUK really does look after its people, where you will be able to add value and make a difference. 

To view further details about working for us and the benefits we offer, please visit Alzheimer’s Research UK