Vacancy - L'Oreal / UNESCO in UK and Ireland for Women in Science Corporate Partnerships Programme Officer - Seven Month Contract

The L’Oréal-UNESCO UK & Ireland For Women In Science Rising Talents programme is designed to promote and highlight the critical importance of ensuring greater participation of women in science, by awarding promising female scientists with grants to help them further their research.

L’Oréal was founded by a scientist over one hundred years ago, and the power of science remains at the heart of the business model. L’Oréal employ over 4,000 scientists across the world – 69% of whom are women.

UNESCO gives special attention to the issue of gender disparity in STEM careers. In this 80th year of the founding of UNESCO in the UK, with its aim of bringing people and countries together to build understanding and prevent conflict, we wish to celebrate the many women scientists who have benefited from this programme over the years since its inception.

L'Oréal in partnership with UNESCO has promoted women in scientific research on a global scale since 1998. Together, we deeply recognise that women scientists are leading ground-breaking research in institutions and industries across the world.

The UK and Ireland Programme is run by L’Oréal UK and Ireland, the UK National Commission for UNESCO and the Irish National Commission for UNESCO and is run in partnership with the Royal Society.

Find out more about the programme here: https://www.forwomeninscience.com/

The Programme Officer will be responsible for the smooth operation of the Rising Talents cycle, working closely with the For Women in Science UK and Ireland management team. The position is based at L’Oréal Groupe offices in Gateway Central in White City, with up to one day a week expected at the UK National Commission for UNESCO (UKNC) in central London. The role is hybrid, being face-to-face for at least three full days per week with flexibility to work remotely for up to two days each week.

This is a seven-month contract (from 12 May until end 12 November 2025).

Salary: £50,000 per annum Pro Rata

Specific responsibilities will include but will not be limited to:

Project management:

• Acting as the project manager and keeping the FWIS programme project plan on track
• Supporting on administrative tasks
• Providing regular update reports to the For Women In Science management team
• Liaising with shortlisted candidates, winners, readers, the Jury Panel, as well as past and present UKI Rising Talents
• Liaising with the global digital team to maintain the website
• Attend weekly UKNC meetings

Marketing of awards to academic audiences:

• Assisting L’Oréal and UNESCO UK in the development and issuing of PR and marketing activity.
• Researching new stakeholders to promote the programme to the physical, mathematics, engineering and computer science communities.
• Coordinating with Irish contacts to build relationships and ensure marketing and PR materials are available and suitable for the Irish network.

Facilitating applications:

• Monitoring and maintaining all contact databases (universities, institutions and academic staff)
• Managing the Rising Talents online application system and using a CMS (Content Management System) for the online applications (training will be provided)
• Responding to and monitoring all enquiries about the programme.
• Checking applicants meet the Rising Talents eligibility requirements.
• Allocating applications to academic readers.

Event planning:

• Coordinating and preparing for the interview day and award ceremony
• Drafting and issuing invitations to awards ceremony and coordinating RSVPs

Evaluation:

• Producing a detailed analysis and evaluation of the programme, with recommendations for the following year.

Corporate Partnerships:

• Assisting on communication and events related to our broader Corporate Responsibility Programme as required.

• Academic background required: A science or social sciences degree
• Project management: Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills – able to work effectively to deadlines, to manage ad-hoc projects that arise and ability to manage time in a flexible manner.
• Administration skills: Excellent Excel and Word skills, happy to use a Content Management System for the online applications from candidates.
• Scientific knowledge: Understanding of science, technology, maths and engineering, and good understanding of UK and/or Irish academic research careers.
• Database knowledge: Ability to work with various databases. Knowledge of data selection processes and data analysis.
• External communications: Ability to create valuable social media assets, and an understanding of the various platforms through which these could be shared to reach specific target audiences.
• Teamwork: Ability to work effectively, diplomatically and positively with teams and internal and external stakeholders, who will be of varying levels of seniority.

Report to:

Head of Corporate Communications at L’Oréal UK and Ireland and the Chief Executive at UNESCO UK.

Work with:

• L’Oréal UK and Ireland: Corp Affairs Team, Legal, Finance, Purchasing
• UK National Commission for UNESCO Team
• Scientific partner organisation: The Royal Society
• Scientific experts: Jury panel and readers (academics)
• Agencies: website, media training, design agency and PR agencies
• The wider scientific community: FWIS applicants, invitees of the FWIS awards ceremony event, universities and institutions etc.

Close of applications: 30th March 2025.

Interview dates (virtual): w/c 31st March 2025

Start date: 12th May 2025

End date: 12th November 2025

Send covering letter and CV by an email via the button below with subject line ‘APPLICATION: 2025 FWIS PROGRAMME OFFICER’.

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