Senior Lead Advisor

Research England
Senior Policy Adviser - F unding Accountability Lead, Knowledge Exchange
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract: 9 Months (secondments welcome)
For any employees applying for a fixed-term assignment (level transfer or temporary promotion), we recommend you discuss the implications on your current role with your line manager. Fixed-term assignments of twelve months or less will normally only be backfilled temporarily, after which time the employee should expect to revert to their substantive role. For assignments longer than this, or where it is assessed as business critical to backfill the releasing role, entering a fixed-term assignment may result in you not returning to your current role or Council. 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.
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. 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. If you have these qualities and experience; knowledge and interest in higher education knowledge exchange policy & funding; 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. 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;
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;
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);
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.
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.
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.
Online applications only for this role. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'Experience' section of the application process.
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; 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. 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.
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. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. 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.
Online applications only preferred for this role. 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.
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