We are recruiting a team of volunteers to assist with the running of the 5th Data for Policy International Conference, which is taking place virtually between 15th and 17th September 2020.
This is an opportunity to use your skills to help us deliver an interdisciplinary conference, happening online for the first time, and to network with some key people and organisations working at the interface of data science and policy.
Responsibilities
As part of a volunteer team working with the Conference organisers, you will undertake the following responsibilities.
Day to day running of the virtual Conference:
- Ensuring punctual delivery of the Conference timetable
- Ensuring good communication with team at all times
- Responding flexibly to short-notice demands arising during the Conference
Co-hosting virtual presentation sessions of up to 50 minutes:
- Hosting or co-hosting sessions
- Ensuring appropriate participant audio visuals
- Working with the session Chair to manage group discussions
Facilitating virtual networking / break-out sessions of up to 1 hour:
- Assisting in set-up of sessions
- Hosting or co-hosting sessions
- Ensuring appropriate participant audio visuals
- Facilitating and managing group discussions
Managing delegate Conference experience:
- Responding to general delegate enquiries
- Working with organisers to ensure Conference runs to time
- Working with organisers to ensure delegates can access sessions
Success Measures:
- Presentation sessions well-run in all respects
- Networking / break-out sessions well-run in all respects
- Conference delegates satisfied with Conference experience
- Responses to the Conference survey
Behaviours and Attitudes:
- Able to act on own initiative
- Excellent time-keeping
- Confident, professional manner
- Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing situation
- Ability to solve problems as they arise
- Able to work independently or as part of a team
Skills Knowledge, Experience and Qualifications:
- Strong communication and collaboration skills (essential)
- Educated to degree level (essential), in a technical subject (desirable)
- High degree of IT literacy and experience of online meeting software (essential)
- Experience of Conference participation, in any capacity (essential)
- Experience of volunteering, in any capacity (desirable)
Training
Training will be provided online before the Conference.
Time commitment
During the Conference days estimated 6-8 hours per day, earliest start 08:30, latest finish 21:30 (London times). Before the Conference, there will be additional hours for training and induction. After the Conference, there may be further opportunities to work on evaluation.
Benefit of volunteering
You will gain valuable experience in online conference organisation, and have free access to attend the full Conference programme. Volunteers will also receive a gift from our partner organisation Cambridge University Press.
Application process
Please send a one-page CV and a brief cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to team@dataforpolicy.org by 21 August.
Context of role
The Data for Policy Annual Conference is the premier global forum for interdisciplinary and cross-sector discussions around the impact and potentials of the digital revolution in the government sector.
Each year we host around a hundred speakers after a thorough peer-review process hosting key global stakeholder views from across prestigious academic institutions, government departments, international agencies, non-profit institutions, and businesses. Adjusting to a virtual format this year, the fifth International Conference will run as a single-track over three days, with a mix of plenary panels, keynote talks and short presentation sessions, featuring speakers from more than 30 countries. There will also be live discussions and networking opportunities across the three days.
Data for Policy was established in 2015 and is an independent non-profit initiative registered in the UK as a Community Interest Company. It is supported by a large number of key stakeholders, including prestigious academic institutions, government departments, international agencies, non-profit institutions, and businesses.