Engagement and Involvement Lead
Employer: Adolescent Health Study
Location: Remote working – must be willing and able to travel to London, Edinburgh and elsewhere across the UK to support business needs.
Temporary: Contract (15 months FTC )
Working hours: Full-time
Salary: c£50,000 per annum according to qualifications and experience
Closing date: 31 May 2026 at 23:00
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About Adolescent Health Study
The Adolescent Health Study (AHS) (Registered Charity Number 1213337) is an ambitious new UKRI-funded initiative to establish a prospective, longitudinal population study that will generate a globally leading open science data platform and research resource. AHS aims to recruit at least 100,000 young people aged eight to 18 years from across the UK and to follow their mental and physical health and wellbeing over at least 10 years. It plans to collect data through questions and measures; to obtain bio-samples for a wide range of genomic and other high-throughput assays; and to capture linked data relevant to health and wellbeing from participants’ health, education and other administrative records.
There will be a strong emphasis on engaging with and involving young people, schools, parents and other relevant stakeholders in the design and delivery of the study, as well as on including young people that represent as wide as possible a range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics. AHS will focus on enabling a wide range of research, including studies of the critical biological and social developments that occur during the transition from childhood to adulthood and the determinants of both mental and physical health and wellbeing in adolescents and young adults.
Purpose of the post
The Engagement and Involvement Lead will engage with young people, families, schools and other interest-holders in the process of designing, delivering and ensuring the best outputs from the Adolescent Health Study, and is critical for the success of the project. We are at the early stages of laying the foundations for this and in this new role we are seeking an experienced and passionate individual to co-ordinate and lead AHS’s cross-UK participant and public involvement and engagement activities.
This is a role that requires high levels of confidence, autonomy, enthusiasm and skill. The postholder will be responsible for delivering the project’s new Engagement and Involvement Strategy, including: coordinating a Young Persons’ Advisory Group for AHS; developing and delivering AHS public engagement and involvement activities; outsourcing and supervising engagement and involvement activities that are better provided by external partners; scoping and advising on which routes for involvement and engagement activities are best suited to different tasks.
Main responsibilities
Planning & strategy delivery
Ensuring the study delivers the values and approaches set out in the AHS engagement and involvement strategy
Planning, delivering and reporting on an ongoing, regular and important programme of engagement events and activities
Reviewing/revising/adding to existing policies, processes and procedures to support effective working together with people and communities (such as reimbursement, compensation, making reasonable adjustments)
Developing and implementing appropriate evaluation, monitoring and reporting of Community Engagement & Involvement
Keeping up to date with good practice & sector advances and sharing these with the AHS team.
Practical engagement and involvement
Developing methods to enhance engagement and involvement, and helping to build positive relationships with young people and stakeholder groups, including charities, third sector & advocacy groups
Overseeing day-to-day planning & delivery of a high-quality engagement and involvement programme. To include, for example:
Managing and supporting Youth Advisors
Running a standing Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG)
Organising & delivering other ad hoc engagement activities as necessary
Securing external partners where necessary, and managing contracts and delivery of their work across the UK
Ensuring that any external parties (e.g. organisations, freelancers, consultants) supporting AHS’s involvement and engagement work have clear roles, responsibilities & goals
Working with the Head of Communications to develop and manage provision of relevant information to members of the public, teachers, young people & researchers
Keep clear records of involvement and engagement activities, ensuring results are used to inform the study and the wider research community.
Team support
Checking for and capitalising on possible opportunities for engagement and involvement to be embedded in the work of the wider team
Ensuring appropriate induction, training, mentoring and support is organised for the research team and communities involved
Sharing examples of emerging good practice and impact across the research team.
Line managing an Engagement and Involvement Officer
Wider
Contributing to shared learning and future sustainability as part of wider communities of practice
Acting as a key point of contact for community members and partners involved in the research
Representing and presenting the AHS study’s engagement and involvement work to the wider research community at a senior level, including in national engagement & involvement networks as necessary.
Knowledge, skills and experience
Essential criteria
Engagement and involvement
Experience developing and delivering engagement and involvement activities with young people and other relevant interest-holders (such as parents, families, teachers and schools)
A proven track record or professional background in working with young people – such as in youth work, counselling, mentoring, education, or a related setting
Understanding and experience of good practice in youth engagement and involvement, including the principles and implementation of safeguarding, data protection, and inclusive practice
Awareness of culturally sensitive approaches and methods to be inclusive of all relevant perspectives, including marginalised and vulnerable groups
Ability to design and deliver workshops, focus groups or meetings that encourage open dialogue and collaboration
Demonstrated commitment to youth participation and the meaningful inclusion of young people’s perspectives.
Other essential criteria
Undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field
Experience of successful project management and ability to deliver, working independently.
Ability to manage a budget and report on financial activity accurately
Ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team, with experience of working alongside and influencing senior level professionals
Research literacy, with a clear understanding of large UK-wide research initiatives and the various competing demands and pressures the study will face
Excellent written and verbal communication skills - able to communicate effectively and confidently with a range of stakeholders and to summarise and report key information clearly and accurately, both verbally and in writing
Confident using online tools (e.g. MS Teams, Zoom), and collaborative platforms (e.g. SharePoint, Microsoft 365)
Desirable criteria
Relevant qualification in engagement and involvement
Post-graduate degree or equivalent experience
Understanding of key concepts and challenges in young people’s health and wellbeing and the transition to adulthood
Familiarity with health research and data governance frameworks
Understanding and knowledge of key potential partners across the UK for delivering youth engagement in the sector.
Experience using digital engagement and facilitation tools for online workshops (e.g. Miro, Mural, Mentimeter, Canva, PowerPoint)
Dimensions
This has been designed as a full-time role, although part-time work could be considered for the right candidate.
Flexible working across several geographical locations in the UK. Travel may be required to AHS locations and partner organisations.
AHS is a national organisation, and our activities take place across the UK.
Application Process
This post is subject to receipt of satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS check and right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available).
Please apply via CharityJob, making sure to answer the screening questions in full.
The closing date for this position is midnight on Sunday 31st May.
Interviews are currently expected to be held Wednesday 1st/Thursday 2nd July.
Equal Opportunities Policy Statement
AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. AHS is an equal opportunities employer, and as such aims to treat all employees, consultants and applicants fairly. It is our policy to provide employment equality to all, irrespective of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Beyond these protected characteristics, we acknowledge the importance of socio-economic background, childcare and caring responsibilities, educational background, neurodiversity, and any other factors that shape an individual’s identity and opportunities. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to contribute fully.
Values
It is an exciting time for the Adolescent Health Study (AHS) as we establish our senior leadership team and begin to plan the pilot studies. As the senior executive team evolves, the AHS values will be grounded in inclusivity, integrity, accountability, and collaboration.
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