European Advisor

**UKRI International**

**Salary**: £31,931
**Hours**: Full Time (Min 0.8 FTE)
**Contract Type**: Fixed Term Contract - 24 months x 2
**Location**: Polaris House, Swindon (Hybrid Working)

**Closing Date**: Friday 8 September 2023

**About UKRO**:
The UK Research Office (UKRO) is a UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) team supporting UK engagement in EU funded research and innovation programmes. As part of UKRI International, we work with partners across government and our stakeholders to maximise UK engagement in Horizon Europe. UKRO delivers a subscription-based advisory service for research organisations (in the main UK HEIs) and is also appointed by the UK government to provide free, impartial advice on COST (European Collaboration in Science and Technology), Widening Participation and Spreading Excellence, European Research Council (ERC) and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) sub-programmes.

We maximise UK engagement in EU-funded research, innovation, and higher education activities by:

- Enabling UKRI and subscribers to confidently navigate and make informed decisions about participating in EU programmes, while helping them to fully exploit all available opportunities
- Supporting continued UK engagement with European research, innovation, and higher education policy developments by informing, advising, and liaising with the appropriate bodies both in the UK and the EU
- Delivering a set of unique, specialised, and agile services which meet the evolving needs of our UK subscribers, we provide continuity and a home in Brussels for them and their international colleagues

UKRO is currently delivering its services in a hybrid format, primarily online, via webinars and online trainings and workshops. The UKRO Office is located in Brussels, however the team are based in Brussels and in the UK, and there is a requirement for all team members to travel to the UK or to Belgium (depending where they are based) to participate at person events and meetings where appropriate.

Active participation in events organised by the European Commission and the Brussels-based networks are a core component of the role. Brussels liaison is delivered in person, and there is an expectation to meet with officials and attend relevant events and meetings in person to build relationships and this is complemented via attendance at online events. Please note the two advertised roles are both located in the UK, and there will be a regular requirement to travel to Brussels with travel costs to be met by UKRI.

**Job Overview**:

- Maximise meaningful UK engagement and successful participation in Horizon Europe
- Build up in-depth knowledge of the Horizon Europe schemes and funding opportunities across your portfolio, including monitoring updates or developments, and dissemination to relevant audiences (researchers, research managers).
- Support the UK policy lead in DSIT, including via the provision of briefing materials and support delivery of actions arising between meetings.
- Develop and building networks with other NCPs across Europe and within the UK.
- Provide high-quality support and information to UKRO subscribing organisations.
- Build relationships with UKRO subscribers and maintain effective communication.
- Contribute to the networking of the office by attending events in the UK and in Brussels.
- Play an active role in team activities.
- Monitor EU policy priority areas.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Developing a comprehensive knowledge of the opportunities offered by the entire the Horizon Europe programme to the UK research and innovation community, including interim measures during the delay to UK association.
- Building a rapport with your subscribing institutions to deliver a tailored service which reflects the varying interests and needs of your portfolio.
- Understanding the practical issues facing universities and research institutes on pre-and post-award with regards to the acquisition and management of European funding.
- Developing expertise and knowledge of relevant EU research and innovation policy priorities, in addition, you will be given the opportunity to specialise and become expert in key policy areas.
- Manage a variety of monitoring tasks and contribute significantly to team outputs.
- Continuously provide added value services to UKRO’s customers.

Tasks include:
Supporting UKRI EU engagement:

- You will be the primary UKRO point of contact for a dedicated UKRI Council and will carry out policy support activities for them
- You will work in collaboration with the UKRI Horizon Europe Guarantee team to provide expertise on the implementation and rules of EU funding.

Effective monitoring and outputs:

- Gathering, analysing, and disseminating relevant information on EU programmes (with focus on Horizon Europe).
- Responsibility for liaison in Brussels and in the UK with respect to specific areas of research and policy.
- Expected outputs include daily articles for the UKRO Portal, effective moni