Thank you for considering a volunteer role with the specialist group committee. You can find more information about the role, support available, and the nomination process below.
Aims and Objectives of the Group
- Develop and promote a professional specialism within dietetics.
- Represent a defined group of members.
- To provide a forum through which members can network and share ideas, information, good practice and expertise
- To support members in accessing a range of appropriate professional development activities and opportunities for planetary health nutrition practice, and where appropriate to advocate for this provision
- To promote high standards of practice in the field of planetary health nutrition and sustainability in all areas of dietetics
- To be an effective champion for planetary health nutrition and sustainability within and behalf of the BDA, by identifying priority issues and themes that the network can promote, raising debate and discussion among BDA members, and shaping BDA policy, position statements and press releases
- To contribute expert advice to the BDA in responding to national policy and professional development issues, including access to expert leads on specific topics
- To link with BDA specialist groups and other groups in promoting planetary health nutrition and sustainability
What the post has to offer
As the specialist group Research Officer, you will work closely with the committee to develop research and audit opportunities for group members. You’ll use your expertise to guide and shape the groups research strategy, working with the BDA’s Education, Practice and Policy Team to contribute to the BDA’s education work.
You’ll work with the committee to encourage members to participate in research and to embed it in their day-to-day practice. This includes encouraging participation in the BDA’s research symposium and developing best practice and templates for clinical audits and service evaluations.
Through this role you’ll develop an overview of the strategic developments affecting the specialist group from both within the BDA and externally to the profession. Using your knowledge and skills to represent specialist group members interests, advocate for the mental health specialism and the dietetic profession as a whole.
We don’t expect you to do it alone, as the Research Officer you’ll work closely with the specialist group committee and with the support of the BDA staff team to deliver your specialist group aims and objectives.
Through this position you will gain organisation, communication and project management skills, which can translate directly into career development. It will also give you an opportunity to work with colleagues across your speciality, building networks, sharing knowledge and skills
Main duties and responsibilities
- Overall responsibility for the group’s research strategy.
- Encourage members to participate in research embedding this into their day-to-day practice.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to create and share templates for service clinical audits and service evaluations.
- Facilitate the peer review process for group resources and for members wishing to submit an abstract/paper/funding bid.
- Work with the committee to identify members willing and suitably qualified to review key publications where appropriate.
- Keep the committee up to date with relevant conferences, abstract submission deadlines or funding relating to the specialism.
- Represent the group at BDA research events including BDA LIVE and the annual Research Symposium.
- Co-ordinate the committee responses to NICE consultations.
- Co-ordinate the committee and members contributions to PEN.
- Collaborate with the Website Editor and Social Media Officer to promote research opportunities through BDA communication channels.
- Work closely with the BDA’s Volunteer Manager and Education, Practice and Policy Team, seeking advice and guidance where needed.
Training Support and Resources
As the Research Officer you’ll work closely with the Volunteer Manager and the Education, Practice and Policy Team who offer support, guidance and advice to the postholder. Support for this role is offered by key committee members including the Chair.
We have a variety of resources, tools and training available to support this role including:
- Induction with BDA staff and a full handover from the previous postholder.
- Training and development opportunities to help build personal and professional skills including workshops, webinars and the BDA’s annual volunteer conference.
- Access to our volunteer hub with a wide range of website editing tools and resources.
- Access to our volunteer handbook and volunteer hub providing a range of resources and guidance.
- Regular communications including a monthly volunteer ezine with BDA updates and opportunities.
- Networking with other volunteers through events, webinars and access to our volunteer forums.
Length of service and commitment
You will be elected for a two-year term of office and have the option to extend for an additional two-year term. Reasonable notice can be given if you are no longer able to fulfil this role.
There are a number of training and development opportunities available, including a detailed induction with BDA staff and governance training to be undertaken upon commencement of each term.
Committee meetings are held 4 times a year, one of which will be in person. There is a varying and flexible amount of work in between meetings which is dependent on the strategy, workplans and projects agreed to by the committee.
The specialist group holds a minimum of one event for members a year which includes the Annual General Meeting, it is typical for the committee to attend these events.
Appointment method
Nominees must be a member of the group and provide the names and signatories of two BDA members to support their nomination.
If you would like an informal, confidential discussion about the role and the nomination process, please contact Tanya at [email protected]