Role title: Careers & Education Secretary
Accountable to: BSI Board of Trustees
Term of office: Four years
Scope and purpose
The role of the Careers & Education Secretary is to act as a strategic advisor to support the delivery of careers initiatives in line with the current BSI strategy. This role involves working closely with BSI members, trustees and key members of staff. A core part of the Society’s strategy is to be a hub of expertise to support our members in forging strong careers in the many sectors in which immunologists are employed. This role oversees the implementation of key initiatives to provide careers support to current and future generations of immunologists.
General responsibilities
The Careers & Education Secretary is a key role for the BSI, taking a lead for the Society on the development and delivery of our education and careers work.
The role-holder will work closely with the Director of External Affairs, Programme Manager (Research) and the Engagement & Careers Officer to ensure that there is proper planning and thought given to our activities in this area. They will also ensure that members across the UK have an opportunity to take part in projects, and that these projects meet our charitable purpose. This role oversees BSI activities in providing career development support to immunologists and those who use immunology in their work from undergraduate levels and up, and providing support to immunologists who are active in teaching at higher education institutes.
The Careers & Education Secretary is expected to:
- Attend quarterly Member Representative Forum meetings, virtually or face-to-face where needed (estimate 1-2 meetings per year)
- Attend the BSI Board of Trustees once a year to give an update on progress of activities
- Input to the Society’s strategic plans regarding career development activities
- Work with Society staff to advise on and oversee the implementation of the Society’s strategic plans on careers
- Ensure the mission and values of the Society are reflected in the education and careers activities
- Promote the principles of our Diversity & Inclusion framework within our careers activities
- Attend and contribute ideas to the development of education and careers initiatives such as events, digital products and partnerships with other bodies
- Oversee the Society’s Career Enhancing Grant scheme, including chairing the twice-yearly judging panel
- Oversee and actively input to ongoing initiatives such as the mentoring scheme and Immunology Teaching Excellence Award
- Identify areas of need, including incorporating feedback from members in terms of education and careers issues and resources
- Represent the BSI and its career development activities to members and external bodies as well as at events such as BSI Congress
- Oversee the development of the BSI’s educational resources including BiteSized Immunology
- Be an ex-officio member of the BSI’s Teaching Affinity Group committee
Person specification
- The role-holder must be a current member of the BSI and resident in the UK
- A demonstrable commitment to the Society and to immunology
- A passion for education and careers for all
- Good independent judgment and the ability to work effectively as a member of a team
- A good knowledge of the UK immunology careers landscape and experience in developing and delivering careers initiatives, in particular those aimed at early career researchers
- Experience of participating in grant funding panels
- A strategic vision, with willingness to lead on the generation of ideas and their development, with support from BSI staff
- Adhere to and promote the BSI Code of Conduct and the principles of our Diversity & Inclusion framework.
- Aligned with the BSI values – ambitious and committed, evidence-based and responsible; collaborative and inclusive; agile and energetic
- An ability to work collaboratively and collectively, accepting consensus
- A willingness to engage with members, act as an ambassador for the BSI and promote its values and purpose