Senior Policy Adviser - Research Funding

Research England

Senior Policy Adviser

Salary: £43,116 per annum
Hours: Full time or Part time (minimum 0.8FTE)
Contract Type: Fixed Term until March 2030 (towards the end of the assignment candidates will move into the UKRI redeployment pool and be supported in finding suitable alternative work within the organisation)
Location: Westward House, Bristol (Hybrid)
Grade: UKRI E

Closing Date: 16 Sep 24
Interviews will be held week commencing: 30 Sep 24

About us

The role will sit within the research directorate of Research England. The directorate is responsible for Research England’s policy development, evaluation and implementation aimed at maximising the excellence and impact of research in universities in England. There are three teams in the directorate: funding, environment and infrastructure.

Purpose of the job

We are recruiting for two Senior Policy Advisors within the Research Funding team in Research England. These are two new fixed term posts until 2030 that will sit within the wider research directorate of Research England. The roles will involve working with colleagues and independently to develop and/or implement RE policy with engagement with colleagues across UKRI and government, universities, and other external organisations.

The primary focus of the role will be to work on the ongoing review of Research England’s Strategic Institutional Research Funding (SIRF) which is a fundamental review of our approaches, leading to potentially significant reform of the funding model for research. You will lead SIRF work packages and contribute to the policy developments and analytical insights of the SIRF programme, working closely with colleagues in the Research Funding team, as well as the Analysis team. 

These two roles will be responsible for leading work packages within the SIRF Review, working closely with the Head of Research Funding policy and the (to be appointed) Head of Research Policy Data, Evidence and Analysis to understand the effectiveness of our strategic institutional research funding and explore, RE’s approach to the funding formula through analysis and evaluation.

Main outputs and activities 

(split between roles, depending on the interest and experience of successful candidates)

• Lead the development of work packages to evaluate the effectiveness of individual SIRF streams to contribute to wider SIRF Review outcomes.
• Lead programme management of the SIRF review, developing and implementing monitoring and timelines for review across the different work packages, working closely with other Senior Policy Advisors and Policy Advisors in the team.
• Lead the development of communications and engagement for the SIRF Review, coordinating the different work packages across SIRF and supporting engagement opportunities across the team, working closely with Head of Research Funding, and Senior Policy Advisors.
• Support senior colleagues in the development and implementation of wider work packages within the SIRF Review including the Transparency Programme aiming to improve understanding of approaches to funding within higher education providers in England.
• Develop key relationships internally across Research England and UKRI, in addition to externally across the higher education research sector including sector bodies, institutions and national research funders.
• Liaise with and support the Head of Research Policy, Data and Analysis to develop understanding of, and analyse formula funding methodology.
• Initial preparation of Research England Council and UKRI Executive Committee papers and other documents.
• Develop and maintain a thorough knowledge of research policy and interpretation of analysis with the ability to distil key points for a range of audiences.
• Give presentations and lead discussions at internal and external meetings relating to research evidence and policy.
• Supporting wider areas of policy within the team as they arise.
• Contributing to comprehensive spending review commissions and the development of key evidence of the impacts and benefits of RE funding.

Shortlisting criteria

(S) – Assessed at shortlisting

(I) – Assessed at interview

(S&I) – Assessed at both shortlisting and interview

Essential:

• Experience of policy or strategy development and delivery, or of strategic engagement for policy or strategy development (S)
• Experience of synthesising information from different quantitative and qualitative sources, drawing conclusions to inform policy outcomes (S)
• Excellent communications skills, with good attention to detail and nuance, able to communicate effectively with a mixture of audiences and levels of seniority, in written and verbal formats (S&I)
• Able to plan and prioritise a varied workload to ensure that work meets deadlines, and be flexible and adaptable to competing and changing priorities and demands (S&I)
• Able to think and work creatively to tackle problems and challenges, demonstrating own initiative and judgement within given constraints and asking for and giving help when needed (I)
• Experience of building, maintaining and influencing a strategic network of stakeholders to work collaboratively and find the best possible outcomes (S)
• Highly collaborative, able to take responsibility for delivery, and to trust and empower others to take ownership and deliver independently (S&I)
• Proven ability to motivate, empower and inspire others to work effectively to deliver personal and team objectives (S&I)
• Ability to appropriately tailor written and oral communications in style and content according to audience (S&I)
• Flexibility to travel to meetings, including in locations that may require travel outside of work hours (S)

Desirable:

• A degree level qualification or relevant equivalent education or experience (S)
• Knowledge and understanding of the UK research and higher education policy, including formula approaches to research funding (S)

Applications

Online applications only for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter to the attachments section (ignore free textbox for cover letter under ‘Experience’ section) which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for 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 process. 

Additional information

Developing talent:

We are committed to developing employees in their roles throughout their career. Learning and development plans enable employees to continue their professional development through training and development opportunities such as e-learning, classroom training and on-the-job experiences. We encourage our employees to share their learning across teams and organisations.

Benefits:

UKRI can offer the successful candidate:

- Flexible Working

- 30 days annual leave + Public Holidays

- Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme

- Various everyday discounts through our dedicated provider

Visit our dedicated benefits webpage for more info: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

SOC Granted

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us.  UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. 

For more information please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org