Senior Funding Policy Manager

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UK Research and Innovation

Salary: £43,116

Hours: Full time

Contract Type: Open Ended.

Location: Polaris House, Swindon

Closing Date: Monday 20th May 2024

The Simpler and Better Funding Programme

UKRI has created the Simpler and Better Funding (SBF) Programme to deliver a single, reformed, end-to-end funding service for UKRI, including a new multi-million-pound electronic application system, the UKRI Funding Service (TFS). The aim of the SBF Programme is to simplify and improve our funding policies and processes to deliver best value to the UK by working closely with UKRI funding bodies to creating and helping to implement,

• An easy-to-use interface for applicants to find opportunities, apply for them and report outcomes.
• Efficient and effective tools, policies and processes to manage the whole funding lifecycle from opportunity to outcomes and impact, harmonised across domains by default.
• Tools and processes designed to be used by a diverse user community with support available at all stages of the process.

The programme is based on user-centred design and agile delivery, to respond to user needs and feedback.

Team Purpose

The UKRI Funding Policy Team is critical to the delivery of the SBF Programme in creating and delivering consistent policy and process across the nine UKRI Councils, but also has a key role in delivering 'business as usual' and will exist beyond the legacy of the SBF programme.

Funding policy includes the processes, mechanisms and policies associated with UKRI funding of research, innovation, and training awards (i.e., research and innovation grants, fellowships, studentships and intramural research).

Operationally, funding activities are undertaken by the Councils using a mixture of individual and shared policies and processes. The Funding Policy team sits under the UKRI Funding Services and helps the UKRI Councils to:

• Accelerate strategic planning and implementation of cross-Council activities in the funding portfolio, especially the development of common requirements, infrastructure and delivery methods;

• Achieve the optimum balance between process/policy harmonisation and discipline-specific targeted approaches;

• To deliver simpler and better funding processes and policies to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our funding.

Job Purpose

The role is critical to the success of the UKRI Funding Policy team which has a role in:

• Development and delivery of research and innovation policies that are being brought together the Simpler and Better Funding (SBF) Programme across the nine UKRI Councils and cross-cutting funds with the aim of achieving the optimum balance between process and policy harmonisation and user targeted interventions

• Development and delivery of research and innovation policies that are critical to the success of the SBF Programme and The UKRI Funding Service (TFS)

• Working across UKRI business areas including interfacing between strategy and operations to ensure effective and efficient funding policies

• Wider engagement with the user community to understand the external perspective which will then feed into the UKRI Policy development and delivery activities

• Scope and delivery of a number of key projects to support the delivery of organisational priorities, including the UKRI Strategy and government initiative on reducing bureaucracy.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities of the role includes:

• Gathering, collating and analysing information from a variety of sources to inform, scope and manage effective funding policy development and implementation

• Drafting a range of written documents containing proposals and recommendations including policy papers for various senior UKRI Boards and Committees

• Working closely with the SBF Programme, and a range of internal and external stakeholders to ensure that policies and processes are fit for purpose and achieve the optimum balance between policy and process harmonisation and user specific interventions

• Establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with individuals in each of the nine Councils and appropriately engaging key external stakeholders in developments (e.g. Research Organisation Consultation Group (ROCG), Cabinet Office, DSIT, ARMA etc.)

• Providing support and deputising for the Policy Leads and Associate Director in their leadership and reporting roles including representation at internal and external groups, networks and events

• Maintaining an awareness of relevant developments in strategy, processes, policies, technology etc.

• Facilitating meetings and group discussions effectively, with the ability to challenge perceptions and assumptions constructively and to manage expectations

• Potential line management

• Other ad hoc activities as required.

Key requirements

S: assessed at shortlisting

I: assessed at interview

Essential:

• An undergraduate degree or equivalent experience (S)

• Previous experience of Funding Policy or strategy development and implementation (S/I)

• Demonstrable experience and evidence of strategic level thinking (S/I)

• Ability to think and work creatively to tackle problems and challenges, demonstrating own initiative and brokering solutions to complex situations (S/I)

• Excellent written and oral communication skills with good attention to detail (S/I)

• Experience of working with service design to feed user requirements to product development (S/I)

• Experience of working with auditors to provide assurance information and follow up on audit recommendations (S/I)

• Experience of working with stakeholders at all levels across and outside of UKRI (S/I)

• A demonstrable ability to influence and persuade others to ensure-buy in, particularly in the pursuit of common goals (S/I)

• Ability to work proactively with minimum supervision (S/I)

• Flexible, adaptable and resilient to changing priorities and demands and the ability to communicate changes effectively (S/I)

• Strong analytical skills including, experience of interpreting, connecting, synthesising and summarising information from a range of sources to identify key themes and opportunities (S/I)

• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to plan and prioritise a varied workload to ensure that deadlines are met (S/I)

Desirable:

• Understanding the UK Research and Innovation landscape (S/I)

• Project management and/or change management experience (S/I)

About UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

Our organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK's innovation agency, Innovate UK. Together we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at .

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.