Senior Policy Adviser - Funding Accountability Lead, Knowledge Exchange

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Research England

Senior Policy Adviser - F unding Accountability Lead, Knowledge Exchange

Salary: £43,116 per annum
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract: 9 Months (secondments welcome)
Location: Nicholson House, Lime Kiln Close, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8SR
Grade: UKRI Band E
Closing Date: 28 April 24
Proposed Interview Date: 15 & 16 May 24

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Pu rpose of the job

A Higher Education Policy Adviser at pay band E contributes to the Council's work by working with colleagues to develop and/or implement Research England policy and by managing - and sometimes leading - relations with universities and other external organisations. The main purpose of these roles are overseeing funding allocations and/or funded awards and in policy development - particularly assimilating evidence that is both qualitative and quantitative and producing detailed papers and briefings.

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.

We are looking for a very well-organised, self-motivated person, ideally with a background in higher education, knowledge exchange or research policy. Capable of working on their own initiative, the ideal candidate will contribute substantially to the delivery of policy. You will have strong project management skills, an analytical approach, and be a confident communicator with people at all levels. You will need to work flexibly to contribute fully within a small team, with a proactive approach to solving problems within challenging deadlines.

If you have these qualities and experience; knowledge and interest in higher education knowledge exchange policy & funding; and would welcome the opportunity to take on this exciting role then we would very much like to hear from you.

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.

KE policy responsibilities of the post:

• Contribute to the development of KE policy and funding, particularly incorporating policy objectives within the processes, while considering the level of institutional burden and monitoring information required. This will include:
  • supporting senior colleagues on the development of wider KE policy and funding, drawing together data and evidence and options as required as recommendations are developed on how policy objectives can be addressed and implemented;
  • support the effective distribution of formula funding for KE (HEIF), working with colleagues across Research England through analysis of funding data, creating options appraisals, responding to queries from HESA (part of Jisc) and providers, and contributing to work required on funding accountability;
  • contribute to policy delivery on a range of KE topics, particularly on the delivery of the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) results;
• Specific responsibility for supporting the design and implementation of KE funding assurance and accountability processes, particularly for HEIF, and supporting the internal management of process delivery
• Responding to queries from Government, including updates on emerging policy priorities and more business-as-usual work on KE policy activity,
• Work as part of the team to assist with consideration of evidence and analysis to inform research and evaluation and monitoring of KE policy/HEIF, including assisting in procuring and commissioning external work and managing external suppliers as necessary;
• Working on projects as they arise to meet emerging KE policy priorities and other emerging Research England priorities;
• Act as a point of contact for queries from the sector and wider stakeholders on knowledge exchange, particularly focussed on use of and monitoring HEIF formula funding as well as broader work, and building relationships with nominated external stakeholders for effective policy engagement and dissemination;
• Supporting the development of evidence for the next Spending Review, both qualitative and quantitative.

Generic responsibilities of the post:

• Manage and develop effective relations with universities and other external organisations;
• Assess and use accurate qualitative and quantitative evidence in policy development;
• High quality drafting skills - producing written content for a range of specialist and non-specialist audiences, as well as contributing to high-level strategic briefings;
• Play a lead role in the development and/or implementation of Research England KE policy;
• Lead discussions and provide advice on Research England processes and requests to institutions;
• Networking, intelligence gathering and sharing;
• Internal project management (may include co-ordinating project management with external groups and/or using consultants to deliver part of reform programme);
• Represent Research England at external meetings and presenting to external groups;
• Initial preparation of Research England Board papers and other documents;
• 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.
• Experience of working effectively in a team, planning and leading activities.
• Strong project management skills.
• Numerate, with strong analytical skills and the ability to evaluate and interpret information to form judgements, with an ability to present complex data clearly and effectively, both visually and in writing.
• 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 & PowerPoint) and confident in working alongside/engaging with IT professionals engaged in technical delivery.

Desirable:

• Degree level or equivalent qualification

Interview Criteria (in addition to shortlisting criteria):

• Demonstrable interest in 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 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.

Applications

Online applications only for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter to the attachments section (ignore free textbox for cover letter under 'Experience' section) which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for 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 process.

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 .

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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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