Community Research Facilitator

Job description

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital provider in the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System (ICS), which is a system of health and care partners working together for our local population.

Within Mid and South Essex there are 149 GP practices, operating from over 200 sites, forming 27 Primary Care Networks and one Ambulance Trust. There are also three main community and mental health service providers who work together through a community collaborative.

We collaborate with other valuable partners, including three Healthwatch organisations, nine voluntary and community sector organisations and three top tier local authorities, with seven district, borough and city councils, as well as our local universities.

Job overview

Community Research Facilitator (0.8 WTE / 4 days per week)

We are seeking an enthusiastic Community Research Facilitator to help make health and care research more visible, accessible and relevant to local people.

Based at the new Social Spark Hub in Basildon town centre, the postholder will work with residents, community groups and partners to promote research opportunities and encourage wider participation, especially among underserved communities.

The role will build trusted relationships, support community engagement activities and help local people influence research that matters to them.

This is an exciting opportunity to help embed research into neighbourhood health activity, strengthen community links and support a more inclusive approach to research and innovation.

Important information

• This is a part-time post of 4 days per week (0.8 WTE).
• The successful candidate will be required to work on-site at the Social Spark Hub for all contracted hours.
• The Social Spark Hub is due to open in Basildon town centre in November 2026 and will be the primary base for this role.
• This is a 12-month fixed-term contract.

• We welcome applications from those interested in a secondment, subject to agreement from their current employer.

Main duties of the job

The Community Research Facilitator will increase awareness of health and care research and support local people to take part. Based at the Social Spark Hub, the postholder will work with residents, community groups, health and care partners, voluntary sector organisations and researchers to promote inclusive participation and ensure community voices shape research and innovation.

The postholder will develop partnerships across neighbourhood health initiatives, Community Diagnostic Centres and local organisations, helping to bring research into community settings and everyday health and wellbeing activity. They will organise workshops, outreach events and group discussions, with a focus on people with lived experience and communities underrepresented in research.

The role will involve sharing research opportunities and outcomes in accessible ways, acting as a key contact for community members and stakeholders, supporting engagement programmes, contributing to monitoring and evaluation, and working with volunteers, public contributors and students.

Working for our organisation

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Community Engagement and Partnership Working
• Engage at least 150 local residents and 10 partner organisations each year in research-related activity, including people with lived experience.
• Organise and facilitate drop-ins, workshops, outreach events and community engagement activities.
• Build relationships with local organisations, neighbourhood health initiatives, Community Diagnostic Centres and voluntary sector partners.
• Support continued community involvement and help Community Diagnostic Centres embed research in their services.

Act as a key point of contact for community participants, volunteers and stakeholders.
• Facilitate discussions and engagement sessions, including on sensitive or complex topics.
• Present complex information clearly to a range of audiences, including larger groups.

Research and Digital Inclusion

Communicate research opportunities, aims, findings and engagement outcomes in accessible formats.
• Support local residents to register with Be Part of Research, use the NHS App and access digital health resources such as Essex Frontline and MSE Virtual Views.
• Help identify priorities and approaches to increase participation in research and innovation.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
• Support the planning and delivery of community research programmes and engagement activities.

Collect, analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data arising from research and engagement activity.
• Contribute to evaluation, reporting, feedback analysis and outcome measurement.
• Prepare reports and summaries showing the impact of community engagement activity.

Resources and Administration
• Coordinate resources for community events, engagement sessions and outreach activity.

Assist with monitoring expenditure and ensuring the appropriate use of allocated resources.
• Administer participant reimbursement, including travel expenses and recognition vouchers where appropriate.

Volunteer, Student and Community Researcher Support

Support, develop and coordinate volunteers, community researchers and public contributors.
• Provide guidance and development opportunities for college students on work experience at the Social Spark Hub.
• Contribute to training, skills development and capacity building with community groups and partners.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g. social research, public health, community development)

Desirable criteria

• Facilitation training

Knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of community engagement, research, or facilitation

Desirable criteria

• Experience of participatory or co-production research methods

Please be aware as per the new Immigration guidelines we cannot sponsor candidates with a salary (full time or pro Rata) under the current minimum threshold.

Please note, the selection processes at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust are in place to ensure we recruit candidates with the right skills and values, please be advised that the use of AI in applications are monitored. We remain vigilant against candidates who misuse these tools to generate an application that doesn't accurately reflect their skills, and you will be required to declare on your application if AI has been used before submitting your application.

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