Senior Policy Adviser

**Senior Policy Adviser, Knowledge Exchange**

**SALARY**:£45,272 Per Annum
**HOURS**:Full Time or Part Time (Minimum 0.8 FTE)
**CONTRACT TYPE**:Fixed Term (Concluding 18 Dec 26)
**LOCATION**:Westward House, Stoke Gifford, Bristol (Hybrid)
**GRADE**:UKRI Band E
**POSITIONS AVAILABLE**:1

**CLOSING DATE**:15 September 2025
**PROPOSED INTERVIEW DATE**:2 October 2025

**ABOUT US**
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, with 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.

**PURPOSE**

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.

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.

**MAIN OUTPUTS AND ACTIVITIES**

**_Responsibilities: _**_The Knowledge Exchange (KE) team cover a broad area of KE activities - making best use of resources and skills within a small team and ensuring broad understanding of all aspects of KE policy. _

KE policy responsibilities of the post:

- Contribute to the development of KE policy and funding, particularly incorporating policy objectives within 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, supporting KE audits, and contributing to work required on funding assurance and accountability;
- contribute to the design and implementation of a programme of reform to Research England’s approach to Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF), with particular responsibility for supporting evolution of our assurance and monitoring approach [EBREU1]
- contribute to policy delivery on a range of KE topics, particularly on the delivery of the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) results;
- Considering evidence and analysis to inform evaluation and monitoring of KE policy/HEIF to enable Research England to make a strong case for the value of our funding mechanisms, both externally and to Government, including assisting in procuring and commissioning external work and managing external suppliers as necessary;
- 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 the design and implementation of KE funding assurance and accountability processes, particularly for HEIF, and supporting the internal management of process delivery;
- 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 value of HEIF, both qualitative and quantitative.

**ASSESSMENT CRITERIA**

(S) - ASSESSED AT SHORTLISTING

(I) - ASSESSED AT INTERVIEW

(S&I) - ASSESSED AT BOTH SHORTLISTING AND INTERVIEW
- ESSENTIAL: _
- Experience of working in a hi