The Royal Anthropological Institute seeks to appoint a Membership and Certification Officer in order to administer its expanding fellowship and chartership programme.

The successful candidate will work from the RAI’s offices in 50 Fitzroy Street, with one day a week permitted for home working. It is likely that the successful candidate will have proven experience of administration in a similar membership-based organisation. An anthropology qualification is not necessary, but the successful candidate should be devoted to the Institute’s aim of the public education of anthropology, and to the maintenance and further expansion of its fellowship and chartership. The appointed person will also help with fundraising initiatives, administer research grants where appropriate and help as otherwise may be occasionally necessary (for example with events or welcoming visitors) in a busy and successful office environment. Applicants must have the right to reside and work in the UK.

Further Particulars:

The Membership and Certification Officer will maintain the RAI membership database and handle all regular correspondence with the membership including renewals and election of fellows. They will also oversee all membership invoicing and payments. They will liaise with the Anthropology Library and Wiley on membership matters. Together with the Director, they will develop strategies for membership growth.
The RAI runs a programme of certification of forensic anthropologists. Divided into three categories, FAI, FAII, and FAIII, it is designed to assist the recognition of the competence of forensic anthropologists from the time that they are starting out (FAIII) to acknowledgement of being independent practitioners at the highest level (FAI), which confers chartered status. The successful candidate will take responsibility for overseeing the application process, obtaining references and reports where appropriate, ensuring that the exam process takes place smoothly and otherwise assisting the success of the forensic anthropology charter programme nationally and internationally.

They will also work with the Fundraising Sub-Committee, and in consultation with its Chair, the Director and its members to develop and submit appropriate funding applications for research and public engagement activities, seeking out and noting opportunities, helping to write proposals, and otherwise engage as may be required and fundraising activities of the RAI, which may include also related activities, for example helping with marketing. In addition, the successful candidate will where appropriate administer research grants.

It is necessary for the Membership and Certification Officer to have an undergraduate and/or postgraduate degree: it is desirable but not essential that this qualification is in anthropology. The ideal candidate will have experience with a membership organisation and/or learned society and have a demonstrable interest and familiarity with the administration and nurturing of income generating projects. It is essential that they subscribe to and are ready to work within the remit of the RAI so as to ensure the furtherance and success of the communication of anthropology for the public good.

Summary Job Description:

The Membership and Certification Officer works at the RAI’s premises in London. They liaise with the Forensic Anthropology Committee and related groups on academic matters and report to the RAI Director. The main responsibilities of the role are:

• Ongoing management and development of the RAI’s membership.
• Ongoing management and development of the RAI’s forensic anthropology certification programme.
• Secretary to the Forensic Anthropology Committee; liaising with the Committee Chair and members, arranging meetings as required; preparing documents and writing minutes.
• Secretary to the Fundraising Sub-Committee; liaising with and assisting the Committee Chair as may be necessary, arranging meetings as required; preparing documents and writing minutes.
• Work with the Director and RAI staff on the development of RAI research grants, public outreach and other project applications with a view to helping to secure funding.
• Active engagement with other RAI operations and staff, harnessing and sharing the potential of working together as a team.
• Assist with other RAI events and their marketing, including research seminars and workshops, and the RAI’s conferences as may be appropriate.
• Interact with other RAI staff members and fellows as part of a small but busy team and lend a hand in other tasks as required (e.g. receiving visitors to the RAI, covering telephone enquiries when the Office Manager is on leave, generally contributing to the day-to-day administration of the RAI).

Person Specification:

Knowledge and Experience:

• Undergraduate and/or postgraduate degree in anthropology (desirable).
• Undergraduate degree (essential).
• Experience of careful administration and record keeping in an academic or membership setting (essential).
• Knowledge of, or willing to learn, the use of data-base programmes to administer members and fellows, and other virtual interfaces and databases as may be required (essential).

Communication:

• Excellent command of English, written and oral (essential).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (essential).
• Ability and willingness to develop the programmes of the RAI (essential).
• Ability and willingness to contribute to collegiality generally in the RAI (essential).

Decision Making: 

• Ability and willingness to take responsibility under the guidance of the RAI’s committees and Director (essential).

General:

• Ability and willingness to work from the RAI’s offices in London (essential).
• Permission to reside and work in the UK (essential).

Salary:

The salary will be £35,230 per annum for a full-time post plus 10% pension, permanent after probationary period, inclusive of London Allowance.

Application Process:

The closing date for applications is 18 October 2024. Applications, which should consist of letter and CV, including the names and contact details of two referees, should be sent to cpatel@therai.org.uk. References will be taken up for short-listed candidates only. If for any reason, it would be preferred that the RAI not take up a reference at the interview stage this should be clearly indicated.

It is likely that interviews will be held on 1 November 2024, with a view to an agreed start as soon after that date as is feasible. Shortlisted candidates will be informed by 25 October 2024. Informal enquiries may be addressed to cpatel@therai.org.uk.