Associate Director for Knowledge Exchange
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Associate Director Knowledge Exchange Strategic Projects and Partnerships, Research England, UKRI
Salary: £65,262 per annum
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Open ended
Location: Bristol (hybrid)
Closing Date: 14 th July 2024
Interview Dates: 7 th and 8 th August 2024
Purpose of the job
This is a key role requiring policy development expertise based in the Research England (RE) Knowledge Exchange policy team, forming part of UKRI capability in knowledge exchange (KE) data and evidence and place. You will demonstrate a strong understanding of policy development, or capacity to build a strong understanding of policy development in relation to knowledge exchange activity across competitive and formula funding, with excellent team leadership, convening and stakeholder engagement skills.
This role will take a leading role within senior leadership in developing and delivering approaches to meet our policy priorities for use in funding, the delivery of decisions relating to the long-term comprehensive review of RE's approach to KE funding and policy, and to the recently announced HEIF Review, a nd to deliver work to support Government/national policy and practice. The role will also include oversight and leading the £312 million UKRI Strength in Places Fund programme, reporting directly to the Senior Responsible Officer, the Executive Chair of Research England, UKRI.
Context
The post holder will join the Knowledge Exchange (KE) Policy Team in Research England, UKRI. This team supports the higher education sector to enhance its work with businesses, public sector and local communities for the benefit of the economy and society. The team work to meet Government priorities to provide assurance that universities are delivering efficiency and effectiveness in all forms of KE, in appropriate ways. Working with colleagues internally, in institutions, with academic and other experts and Government and other partner organisations, the post-holder will develop and deliver policy across a range of areas of activity within knowledge exchange.
We use the term 'knowledge exchange' to cover the multiple interactions between universities and businesses, public services, charities and communities to create societal and economic benefit. These interactions include joint research and development projects, consultancy and training, knowledge transfer partnerships and setting up new companies and social enterprises.
Responsible to: Director of Knowledge Exchange, Research England UKRI
Responsibilities: The Knowledge Exchange (KE) team cover a broad area of KE activities - to make best use of resources and skills within a small team and to ensure broad understanding of all aspects of KE policy, both specific and generic responsibilities are provided below. The focus of the post is across competitive funding, developing KE policy, and work on other projects within the scope of the team, including the delivery of decisions relating to the long-term comprehensive review of RE's approach to KE funding and policy, and to the recently announced Review of Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF).
KE policy responsibilities of the post:
• Develop and maintain a thorough knowledge of, and act as an authoritative source of advice on, knowledge exchange policy and interpretation of analysis with the ability to distil key points for a range of audiences at all levels.
• Engage with senior colleagues as part of the Research England Senior Leadership Team (SLT), sharing and offering experience of developing policy, and in relation to policy and funding implementation work.
• Work collaboratively across policy teams in Research England and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), including on activity such as the HEIF Review and Spending Review, supporting and working with the Director and colleagues across UKRI to advise on approaches and solutions and deliver on decisions.
• Work with the Director designing and delivering competitive funding activity, and where required, with the Director and colleagues on the delivery of a routine allocation of an annual £280 million of KE formula funding (HEIF and other formula supplements).
• Contribute to the development and delivery of the national capability in KE metrics programme, working alongside other senior colleagues to provide support as needed to the Director - including giving technical advice to the Director and Executive Chair.
• Act as Programme Director, Strength in Places Fund, UKRI - initially this portfolio will be included in this role, to be reviewed at a later date. The responsibility includes:
o Oversight and lead for the £312 million UKRI Strength in Places Fund (SIPF) programme, reporting directly to the Senior Responsible Officer, the Executive Chair of Research England, UKRI.
o Demonstrating leadership within RE and across UKRI, working in partnership with Innovate UK to develop and deliver the SIPF programme.
o Oversight of SIPF programme design and project management, evaluation, finances, monitoring, governance, risk and audit, stakeholder management, communications with responsibilities agreed and delegated as necessary.
o Oversight of SIPF programme of 12 awards totalling £312 million with ranging level of risk/challenging circumstances. Oversight of a secondary funding competition activity allocating funding (activity led by IUK).
o With Senior Responsible Officer, Associate Programme Director, Deputy Programme Lead, SIPF Delivery Team and UKRI colleagues, develop a Spending Review (SR) case for investment in the SIPF programme.
o Contributing to developing policy approaches on Place.
o Represent UKRI, working with partner organisations (the Funding Bodies of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and with the Office for Students) and with DSIT.
o Directly line manage 1 report (Deputy Programme Lead), with indirect line management responsibility for up to 4 SIPF delivery team members, based in Research England. Contribute to staff management approaches of overall delivery team working where appropriate (some team members are based in Innovate UK, UKRI).
• Contribute to commissioning of research and evaluation, to support policy development and deepen Research England/UKRI's evidence base, including making links and drawing on expertise of relevant external experts.
• Directly line manage up to 5 direct reports and contribute to staff management approaches/ leadership of overall policy team.
• Manage the strategic relationship between UKRI and the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) to maximise benefit to the sector for university KE and university-business collaboration.
• Make a significant contribution to effective relations with HE institutions and sector bodies, communicating key decisions and related activity in KE policy.
Other responsibilities of the post:
• Manage and develop effective relations with universities and other external organisations, engaging in complex policy matters relating to knowledge exchange and related broader policy.
• Consider the use of complex quantitative and qualitative evidence in policy development and evaluation activity.
• Play a lead role in the development and/or implementation of areas of RE KE and UKRI policy as required.
• Work as part of the team to assist with consideration of evidence and analysis to inform research and evaluation of KE policy and funding, including assisting commissioning external work and contributing to the development of spending review cases.
• Internal project management (including managing expert researchers and working closely with subject matter experts).
• High quality drafting skills - producing and approving written content for a range of specialist and non-specialist audiences, as well as contributing to high-level strategic briefings.
• Production/oversight of grant arrangements to organisations and agencies.
• Production/oversight of RE Council and relevant Committee papers and other documents.
• Represent RE/UKRI at external meetings and presenting to external groups.
• Contribute to UKRI policy and evidence working.
• Effective networking at events.
• Develop effective internal relationships.
• Delegate work as required.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Shortlisting Criteria:
Essential:
• Experience of working in a higher education, or research-based organisation.
• Experience of policy development in the HE sector - and should this not be within knowledge exchange policy - demonstration of the capacity to build a strong understanding of policy development in relation to knowledge exchange activity.
• Experience of leading and managing a team and working effectively within a team to plan and lead activities.
• Demonstrable strong project management skills, particularly in delivering time-pressured high-profile activity.
• Ability to work effectively with others at all levels, including with very senior staff and subject matter experts.
• Ability to develop an authoritative knowledge of KE policy and relevant quantitative and qualitative evidence, identify policy solutions and share knowledge and solutions effectively with others in order to make effective recommendations about future RE/UKRI policy.
• An excellent communicator, with ability to:
o communicate complex subjects with people at all levels both verbally and in writing, in a clear, concise and fluent manner;
o and to work effectively with a range of stakeholders, including government, institutions and academic experts, represent RE and UKRI at meetings and events.
• Ability to write clear and accurate correspondence, appropriately tailored to the audience and in accordance with the 'house' style.
• Strong organisational skills, particularly relating to commissioning research/knowledge exchange awards.
• Strong IT skills using Microsoft software packages (Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint) and confident in working alongside/engaging with IT professionals engaged in technical delivery.
Flexibility to travel to meetings and work at other Council premises, including sometimes working outside of office hours and staying away overnight, by advance arrangement.
Desirable:
Degree level or equivalent qualification.
Interview Criteria (in addition to shortlisting criteria)
• Demonstrable interest in further developing knowledge of the higher education sector in which UKRI operates.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with people at all levels internally and externally.
• A confident and approachable communicator able to communicate with people at all levels, in a clear, concise and fluent manner.
• Ability to work flexibly to oversee work and contribute fully within a team that covers a shared and complex workload.
• Ability to forward plan, using foresight with the ability to anticipate forthcoming situations and planning time and resources accordingly.
• Demonstrating a creative, flexible and positive approach to problem solving.
• The ability to advise and coach others, as appropriate.
About Research England
Research England is one of the nine Councils within UK Research and Innovation. As a key component of the research funding system, Research England will oversee UKRI's England-only functions in relation to university research and knowledge exchange (KE). This includes providing grant funding to English universities for related activities; developing and implementing the Research Excellence Framework in partnership with the UK Higher Education funding bodies; supervising the sustainability of the Higher Education research base in England; guide the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund; and coordinate the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF). Research England will build and sustain the conditions for a healthy and dynamic research and KE system in English universities. They also work closely with their counterparts in the Devolved Administrations.
For more information about Research England, click here .
About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI .
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce' .
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.
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