Head of Research Partnerships and Impact - SDR UK

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Economic and Social Research Council

Head of Research Partnerships and Impact - SDR UK

Location: Hybrid with base office in Swindon
Band: UKRI Band F
Salary: £54,043
Contract: Open-Ended
Hours: Full time or part time (min. 0.8FTE)
Closing Date: 3rd July 2024
Interviews: 16th and 17th July 2024

About Smart Data Research UK

Our mission is to unlock the power of data to improve lives.

Smart data is made whenever we engage with the digital world. When we buy something, 'like' something, or get directions. If used for scientific research smart data can change our world. It can help us to understand important social challenges - from disease prevention to climate change.

Smart Data Research UK (SDR UK) is the UK's national programme for smart data research. We're investing £59.3m in an ambitious programme to provide researchers with safe and trustworthy access to smart data. We'll safeguard public trust in how data are used, build capability for cutting-edge data-driven research, and support research that addresses important social and economic challenges.

At the heart of our programme are our data services - teams of experts from research institutes across the country. They will build partnerships with data owners and provide secure access to data for researchers. Coordination and leadership are provided by a Strategic Hub team, based at the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

About the role

The Head of Research Partnerships and Impact is a key leadership role based in the SDR UK Strategic Hub. The post holder will be responsible for driving uptake and impact of smart data across our four research themes: productivity and prosperity for all; sustainability; health and well-being; and digital society. The role will also be responsible for leading development of our policy function, including legal and ethical resources to support researchers, data services, and data owners.

Key responsibilities include:

• Shaping and leading delivery of a programme of impact-focused initiatives, demonstrating the value of smart data research across SDR UK's research themes (includes overseeing investment of a £6m research budget)

• Developing partnerships with key stakeholders, focusing on:

oResearch and innovation communities, including other funding organisations

oGovernment users of research and data

oWider data, AI and technology landscape, including regulatory bodies, data policy communities, and international institutes.

• Leading and nurturing multi-sector partnerships and collaborations, e.g. between researchers, companies and government.

• Overseeing development and delivery of a data policy function, including scoping and securing appropriate legal and ethical resources for the programme

• Contributing to the development and delivery of strategies and activities led by other parts of the SDR UK Hub, including infrastructures, capability, and public engagement

• Supporting the Director and Deputy Director in the overall leadership of SDR UK, including management of staff.

This is not a comprehensive list, and we may require you to undertake other duties within the SDR UK Hub commensurate with the level of responsibility of this post.

ESRC has a strong commitment to the welfare of our people, and we have a culture which takes wellbeing and work-life balance seriously. Please find our benefits page for more information (UKRI). Flexible working is something UKRI provides to its employees therefore working arrangements are welcome to be discussed at interview stage.

About you

We're looking for someone who's passionate about the opportunities of smart data, has experience of working with a range of stakeholders, and can translate complex ideas and opportunities into actionable projects and interventions. A background facilitating data, AI or other digital research infrastructure projects would be advantageous but is not essential.

Shortlisting criteria

We are committed to a level playing field; if our mission excites you and you can demonstrate most of these criteria, we'd love to hear from you.

Essential

• Experience of stimulating and enabling impact in relation to research and/or data infrastructure projects.
• Awareness and understanding of smart data and their potential to enable research that addresses major social and economic challenges.
• Experience of building and maintaining effective, responsive working relationships and networks that deliver outcomes and value.
• Strong leadership skills, including effective delegation and a commitment to empowerment.
• Strategic thinking skills, including the ability to assess evidence and make informed recommendations about the shaping and delivery of priority activities.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to produce clear, concise and accurate presentations and written documentation for a wide range of audiences.

Desirable

• An understanding of the processes through which researchers access data for research purposes.
• Understanding and experience of the UK data policy landscape, including governance, legislation and ethics.

Please note that all SDR UK Hub roles are contractually office-based, however currently we operate hybrid working arrangements with a flexible commitment to 1-2 days per month on site. Travel within the UK and possibly overseas is also expected.

About the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

The ESRC is the UK's largest funder of economic, social, behavioural and human data science. It supports the development and training of the UK's future social scientists and funds major studies that provide the infrastructure for research. ESRC-funded research informs policy-makers and practitioners and helps make businesses, voluntary bodies and other organisations more effective.

For more information about ESRC, please visit https://esrc.ukri.org/

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.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.