International Partnership Manager

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UKRI International
Salary: £34,905 per year
Hours: Full Time or Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE)
Contract Type: 12-Month Fixed Term Contract, Maternity Cover
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire (Hybrid working)

Closing Date: Sunday 28th July 2024

Employees applying for any opportunity which may mean being away from your substantive role for a temporary period of time, please refer to the Recruitment Policy and associated guidance https://www.ukri.org/publications/uk-research-and-innovation-recruitment... for further information in the first instance. If you are made an offer, please ensure you liaise with your Line Manager and the designated HR Team as soon as possible in order that implications of any move are clear and understood, prior to a move taking place.

UKRI International

The UKRI International team provides international expertise, advice and influence, overseas and in the UK, for the whole of UKRI - complimenting the disciplinary, business and institutional expertise of the international teams in the nine councils, and working together to embed a culture of coherent, effective and equitable international engagement across UKRI.

Across this shared capability different teams work to develop strong international partnerships, create and implement a strategic approach to UKRI's international policy and stakeholders, design & deliver centrally managed international funds, provide a robust evidence base for UKRI's international work through analysis and evaluation, and ensure our international operations are carried out to high standards of governance and effectiveness.

UKRI International Partnerships Team

This position is within the UKRI International Partnerships Team (part of UKRI International), whose role it is to strategically develop and strengthen the portfolio of equitable partnerships that enable UKRI to advance knowledge, promote innovation, deliver impact and address global challenges through international collaboration.

Purpose of role

Reporting to a Senior International Partnership Manager, the post-holder will support delivery of UKRI's international ambitions. Working on key UKRI engagements with partner countries, this 12-month maternity cover role as an International Partnership Manager is a great opportunity for an excellent candidate to gain experience and insight of international partnership working, global R&I priorities, and working within a UKRI Shared Capability.

The post-holder will collaborate across UKRI, engaging at various levels, to deliver flexibly and at pace requiring a pro-active and imaginative approach as well as excellent planning, engagement and communication skills. The International Partnership Manager will need to build positive relationships and work effectively across Councils and with external stakeholders, including internationally.

Key responsibilities

• Plan and deliver bilateral and multilateral inward/outward/virtual engagements with partner funders, while liaising with relevant parts of UKRI;
• Design and deliver the regular senior level strategic meeting between UKRI International and the UKRI CEO;
• Develop and support UKRI's input to government-to-government joint science and innovation committees, overseas missions and visits with partner countries, working closely with Senior Managers, UKRI Council representatives, UKRI overseas teams, DSIT, SIN and FCDO colleagues;
• Contribute to and in some cases lead on the preparation of high-quality advice, guidance and briefing to the UKRI CEO and other senior UKRI colleagues when engaged in international activities and visits. Develop and scope opportunities for UKRI CEO and senior colleague international engagement;
• Support the International Partnerships Team with developing UKRI's strategic approach with a portfolio of international partners;
• Liaison and day-to-day point of contact with a selection of UK and international partners, including managing agreements for joint working between UKRI and equivalent international funders;
• Represent UKRI externally and present on its activities overseas, to international visitors, as well as to UK stakeholders as required;
• Gather, understand and integrate internal and external information into evidence-based materials (working with the Evaluation and Analysis Team) to support UKRI's strategic approach to international engagement with key international partners.

This is an outline description of the key responsibilities and accountabilities involved in the job. This is not an exhaustive list and the post-holder might be expected to undertake any other duties, commensurate with the Band and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post holder has the necessary experience and/or training.

Essential Criteria

• Sound project management and organisational skills, with experience in delivering accurate, high quality pieces of work at pace and to short deadlines.
• Ability to investigate and analyse problems systematically and develop reasoned proposals for action.
• The ability to multi-task, work flexibly and to plan, prioritise and manage delivery of a diverse portfolio of projects and activities with different timescales priorities and delivery mechanisms, working individually and as part of a team.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to tailor information to a wide range of audiences, including senior decision-makers.
• Ability to influence and persuade others and negotiate diplomatically, with experience of establishing effective working relationships and networks with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively and build effective working relationships and networks with people at all levels, both internally with colleagues across an organisation and externally with key stakeholders.
• A high standard of IT skills, including experience using Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of, or clear interest to develop, working in an international setting and/or with international partners and stakeholders.
• Understanding of UK research system, including UKRI's role in funding research and innovation.

Application guidance

How to evidence the criteria:

You are encouraged to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in your cover letter, to evidence your ability to meet the Essential criteria in the job description. Cover letters should be no more than two sides of A4 (minimum font size 11).

About UKRI International

UKRI International enables and delivers cross-cutting international activity on behalf of all of UKRI, working in partnership with all 9 councils and corporate areas of UKRI, UK Government, and partners in the UK and across the world.

We lead UKRI's long-standing relationships with North America, India, China, and the European Commission through our offices in Washington DC, Ottawa, New Delhi, Beijing, Brussels . We design & deliver centrally managed international funds, develop strong international partnerships where we do not have offices, provide a robust evidence base for UKRI's international work through analysis and evaluation, create and implement a strategic approach to UKRI's international policy and stakeholders, and ensure our international operations are carried out to high standards of governance and effectiveness.

UKRI's approach to internal collaboration is set out in the UKRI International Strategic Framework (UKRI international strategic framework - UKRI) which describes how our international work directly contributes to each of UKRI's 6 strategic objectives.

UKRI International is comprised of 10 teams:

Analysis & Evaluation
Horizon Europe Guarantee and TCP
International Funds
International Governance & Operations
International Partnerships
International Policy & Stakeholder Engagement
UKRI China - Beijing
UKRI India - New Delhi
UKRI North America - Washington & Ottawa
UKRO - Brussels

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 '.

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.

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.