Cochrane Consumer Co-ordinator (Maternity Cover) - Location flexible

Post: Cochrane Consumer Co-ordinator

Specifications: 18-month maternity cover

Salary: Up to £42,000, dependent on skills and experience

Location: Flexible

Application closing date: 30 September 2014

Cochrane is a global independent network of over 34,000 health practitioners, researchers, patient advocates and others, responding to the challenge of making the evidence generated through research more useful for informing decisions about health.

We are a not-for-profit organisation working to produce credible, accessible health information that is free from commercial sponsorship and other conflicts of interest. We believe that a world of improved health is possible when decisions are informed by high-quality, up-to-date, synthesised evidence. To date we have published more than 5,200 Cochrane Systematic Reviews which are internationally recognised as the benchmark for high-quality information about the effectiveness of health care.

We are looking for someone who can help us expand the impact and reach of our work amongst patients and consumers of health care around the world, and support consumers who are already involved in advising on, producing, and promoting Cochrane Systematic Reviews.

Key accountabilities include:
• Support the work of the Cochrane Consumer Network and its Executive.
• Manage the development of consumer materials on Cochrane Summaries, a patient focused website, for the purpose of greater public use of the materials in The Cochrane Library.
• Manage and lead internal and external stakeholders in projects that improve the quality of publications and consumer access to Cochrane resources. 
• Develop communications materials and establish communication channels with consumers to improve participation in and awareness of Cochrane.
• Manage and develop strategic partnerships with networks of patient organisations to promote the work of Cochrane and the involvement of consumers.
• Work with Cochrane’s regional entities (principally Centres and Branches) to develop regional links with consumers and help identify consumers who can contribute at the local level.
• Lead the development of training programs for consumers and consumer facilitators within Cochrane’s training strategy.
• Oversee activities relating to obtaining grants to support increased consumer involvement in research.

The ideal candidate will have:

• a background in how consumers work and of consumer organisations;
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills (spoken, written, and presentational) and a collaborative management style;
• a good understanding of the field of consumer/patient and public involvement in the healthcare sector;
• proven project management and organisational skills; and the ability to co-ordinate the work of teams and individuals, ensuring the quality and timeliness of outputs.


The full job description is available here.


The Cochrane Collaboration is based in Oxford and London, UK, but there will be no requirement for this post to be based in either place.

Application Process:
To apply, please email Rachael Wallwork (rwallwork@cochrane.org) with your CV and a covering letter, with “Consumer Co-ordinator” in the subject line.

The covering letter should indicate why you are applying for the post, and how far you meet the requirements for the post outlined in the job description, using specific examples. List your experience, achievements, knowledge, personal qualities, and skills which you feel are relevant to the post. You may include paid and unpaid work, work within the home and leisure interests.