Head of Research and Policy

Head of Research and Policy

Location: Hybrid, with base office in Swindon
Band: UKRI Band F
Contract: Open-Ended
Hours: Full time or part time (min. 0.8FTE)
Closing Date: 18 October 2024
Interviews: w/c 11 November 2024

About Smart Data Research UK

Our mission is to unlock the power of data to improve lives.

Smart data is made whenever we engage with the digital world. When we buy something, ‘like’ something, or get directions. If used for scientific research smart data can change our world. It can help us to understand important social challenges – from disease prevention to climate change.

Smart Data Research UK (SDR UK) is the UK’s national programme for smart data research. We’re investing £59.3m in an ambitious programme to provide researchers with safe and trustworthy access to smart data. We’ll safeguard public trust in how data are used, build capability for cutting-edge data-driven research, and support research that addresses important social and economic challenges.

At the heart of our programme are our data services - teams of experts from research institutes across the country. They will build partnerships with data owners and provide secure access to data for researchers. Coordination and leadership are provided by a Strategic Hub team, based at the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). 

About the role

The Head of Research and Policy is a strategic leadership role based in SDR UK’s Strategic Hub, where you will join the senior management team. You will set strategic direction, with responsibility for shaping an innovative programme of research initiatives, investments, and partnerships to stimulate cutting-edge data science that has clear public benefits. You’ll also develop a policy function - scanning the horizon, ensuring SDR UK’s work connects with key government missions, and commissioning legal and ethical advice.

The role will involve building networks with a broad range of stakeholders – often bridging between academic, government and commercial sectors. You’ll lead your team to act as conveners and advocates, encouraging nationwide uptake of data analysis (including AI) to tackle social and economic challenges.

Key responsibilities include:

·       Shaping and leading a programme of investment to demonstrate the value of smart data research to address real-world challenges across our four research themes (includes overseeing investment of a £6m research budget)

·       Developing partnerships with government users of data and research, connecting government missions and public policy challenges to the capabilities within our infrastructure. This will include building networks with:

o   Research and innovation communities across the UK

o   Government departments and devolved administrations

o   The wider data, AI and technology landscape, including regulatory bodies, data policy communities, and international institutes.

·       Overseeing development and delivery of a data policy function, including scoping and securing appropriate legal and ethical resources for the programme

·       Contributing to the development of strategies and activities led by other parts of the SDR UK Hub, including data infrastructures, capability, and public engagement.

·       Leading a small, high performing team.

About you

We’re looking for a strong leader with good strategic judgement who’s excited by the opportunities of smart data. You’ll have experience of working with a range of stakeholders, communicating and influencing effectively with diverse audiences.

Shortlisting criteria

We are committed to a level playing field and recognise the value of diverse skills and experience. If our mission excites you and you can demonstrate most of these criteria, we’d love to hear from you.

Essential 

• Strong leadership skills, including ability to set clear direction, inspire teams, shape a work area, secure buy-in and influence a wider strategic landscape.
• Highly developed strategic skills, including the ability to map the landscape, identify and prioritise opportunities, translate complex problems into actionable projects, evaluate options and make effective decisions.
• Experience of building and maintaining effective networks with different communities to deliver outcomes.
• Ability to communicate and influence effectively with a variety of audiences.
• Understanding and experience of the use of data, analysis or research.
• Understanding and experience of the UK data policy landscape, including governance, legislation and ethics.

Desirable 

• An understanding of the UK academic funding environment.

Please note that all SDR UK Hub roles are contractually office-based, however currently we operate hybrid working arrangements with a flexible commitment to 1-2 days per month on site. Travel within the UK and possibly overseas is also expected.  

ESRC has a strong commitment to the welfare of our people, and we have a culture which takes wellbeing and work-life balance seriously. Please find our benefits page for more information (UKRI). Flexible working is something UKRI provides to its employees therefore working arrangements are welcome to be discussed at interview stage.

About the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) 

The ESRC is the UK’s largest funder of economic, social, behavioural and human data science. It supports the development and training of the UK’s future social scientists and funds major studies that provide the infrastructure for research. ESRC-funded research informs policy-makers and practitioners and helps make businesses, voluntary bodies and other organisations more effective. 

For more information about ESRC, please visit https://esrc.ukri.org/

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.

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 

Please attach (1) a CV and (2) a short covering letter (not more than 2 sides) outlining your motivation for applying and how your experience fits with the shortlisting criteria.

Please 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.