Job summary

You will be working within the Research Management and Knowledge Division in the Science Groups Scientific Strategy & Development Directorate. The division consists of two teams providing support to all UKHSA groups: Knowledge & Library Services (KLS) and the Research Support & Governance Office (RSGO).

Location: National – Flexible Working

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) offers hybrid working this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our offices, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home. UKHSA have office locations across the UK.

This role can be based at one of our UKHSA offices/locations.

The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business needs and in line with departmental policy.

Main duties of the job

The Head of Research Oversight and Governance Research Management & Knowledge (RMK) Division is responsible for supporting its Deputy Director to lead work across all UKHSA teams and functions in the delivery of business strategies, objectives and products and provide organisational coordination of research support services. The post-holder will also contribute to the determination and implementation of UKHSAs corporate strategies and plans and lead the Research Support and Governance Office. In addition, the postholder will:

  • Work with other teams and functions across UKHSA to support their successful engagement with research and evidence
  • Support the Deputy Director to engage effectively with external organisations across the health research landscape and so help UKHSA to take opportunities and deliver its remit
  • Support the leadership of all RMK Division teams, including modernisation and/or redesign of business processes

About us

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) isresponsible for protecting every member of every community from the impact ofinfectious diseases, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidentsand other health threats.

Date posted

31 March 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£62,489 to £75,411 a year Salary will be based on the successful candidates location.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

K9919-23-7064

Job locations

Porton Down

Salisbury

SP4 0JG

Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities section:

Strategic Functions:

  • Ensuring the delivery of efficient and effective RMK services and support across UKHSA.
  • Contributing to the creation of Divisional, Directorate, Group and UKHSA plans, including the annual business plan and overseeing reports on delivery and risk for the Research Support & Governance Office.
  • Establishing and maintaining excellent internal and external relationships, ensuring effective communication of the Divisions objectives and plans, and organisational research-related strategies, policies and plans.
  • Supporting effective internal and external communication of UKHSAs research and evidence gaps, activities and outputs.
  • Supporting all RMK staff to achieve skills and competencies required in their leadership and management roles.
  • Providing operational oversight of the NIHR Health Protection Research Units, including coordination of their Knowledge Mobilisation activities.
  • Oversight of the development and implementation of policies and frameworks for research, research governance and dissemination, for example the UKHSAs Open Access and Open Science policy, including operational implications for research active staff.

Leadership:

  • Contributing to the organisations delivery of research, support for research and use of research evidence by UKHSA by ensuring RMK teams services underpin research, evidence and knowledge mobilisation activities.
  • Interacting and communicating with partners and stakeholders external to UKHSA, in particular universities and health research funders to influence research investment.
  • Acting on behalf of the Deputy Director as appropriate.
  • Chairing and providing direction to the Publication Standards Group.
  • Operational Oversight of Incident-related Research & Science cells.
  • Provision of Scientific Secretariat to Science Futures and Research Governance Board.

Supporting Delivery:

  • Overseeing the delivery of the Research Support & Governance Office business plan commitments and achievement of targets, within available financial resources.
  • Leading the continual development, implementation and improvement of services, and the adoption of service delivery innovations including the design, implementation and roll-out of a Central Research Information System and research website.
  • Ensuring operational management, anticipates and manages opportunities and problems in service delivery.
  • Working with UKHSA colleagues on specific programmes including research capacity development.
  • Providing one-to-one support and mentoring for direct management reports.
  • Being a change agent within RMK Division, particularly in relation to service modernisation and to accommodate internal or external challenges, promoting and sustaining a positive can do culture.
  • Working proactively to ensure effective communication.

Managing Performance:

  • Supports business managers and systems to monitor performance of the RMK Division against the agreed business plan and targets and providing reports.
  • Working with heads of teams to oversee a fair, equitable and appropriate programme of staff training and career development.

Business Continuity Management:

  • Contributing to the register of key business risks and implementing continuity plans to support each of these risks.

Benefits

  • Learning and development tailored to your role
  • An environment with flexible working options
  • A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
  • A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

STAGE 1 – APPLICATION & SIFT:

As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement / Statement of Suitability in no more than1250 words.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and achievements, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria outlined.

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW:

All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will undertake a single remote interview.

Presentation: Candidates selected for interview will need to prepare a 5-minute presentation on a relevant topic, to be communicated in due course.

Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on Sunday 23rd April 2023 – Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Shortlist: 30thApril 2023

Interviews: Mid May 2023

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Security clearance level requirement:

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Please Note:

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found

Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities section:

Strategic Functions:

  • Ensuring the delivery of efficient and effective RMK services and support across UKHSA.
  • Contributing to the creation of Divisional, Directorate, Group and UKHSA plans, including the annual business plan and overseeing reports on delivery and risk for the Research Support & Governance Office.
  • Establishing and maintaining excellent internal and external relationships, ensuring effective communication of the Divisions objectives and plans, and organisational research-related strategies, policies and plans.
  • Supporting effective internal and external communication of UKHSAs research and evidence gaps, activities and outputs.
  • Supporting all RMK staff to achieve skills and competencies required in their leadership and management roles.
  • Providing operational oversight of the NIHR Health Protection Research Units, including coordination of their Knowledge Mobilisation activities.
  • Oversight of the development and implementation of policies and frameworks for research, research governance and dissemination, for example the UKHSAs Open Access and Open Science policy, including operational implications for research active staff.

Leadership:

  • Contributing to the organisations delivery of research, support for research and use of research evidence by UKHSA by ensuring RMK teams services underpin research, evidence and knowledge mobilisation activities.
  • Interacting and communicating with partners and stakeholders external to UKHSA, in particular universities and health research funders to influence research investment.
  • Acting on behalf of the Deputy Director as appropriate.
  • Chairing and providing direction to the Publication Standards Group.
  • Operational Oversight of Incident-related Research & Science cells.
  • Provision of Scientific Secretariat to Science Futures and Research Governance Board.

Supporting Delivery:

  • Overseeing the delivery of the Research Support & Governance Office business plan commitments and achievement of targets, within available financial resources.
  • Leading the continual development, implementation and improvement of services, and the adoption of service delivery innovations including the design, implementation and roll-out of a Central Research Information System and research website.
  • Ensuring operational management, anticipates and manages opportunities and problems in service delivery.
  • Working with UKHSA colleagues on specific programmes including research capacity development.
  • Providing one-to-one support and mentoring for direct management reports.
  • Being a change agent within RMK Division, particularly in relation to service modernisation and to accommodate internal or external challenges, promoting and sustaining a positive can do culture.
  • Working proactively to ensure effective communication.

Managing Performance:

  • Supports business managers and systems to monitor performance of the RMK Division against the agreed business plan and targets and providing reports.
  • Working with heads of teams to oversee a fair, equitable and appropriate programme of staff training and career development.

Business Continuity Management:

  • Contributing to the register of key business risks and implementing continuity plans to support each of these risks.

Benefits

  • Learning and development tailored to your role
  • An environment with flexible working options
  • A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
  • A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

STAGE 1 – APPLICATION & SIFT:

As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement / Statement of Suitability in no more than1250 words.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and achievements, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria outlined.

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW:

All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will undertake a single remote interview.

Presentation: Candidates selected for interview will need to prepare a 5-minute presentation on a relevant topic, to be communicated in due course.

Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on Sunday 23rd April 2023 – Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Shortlist: 30thApril 2023

Interviews: Mid May 2023

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Security clearance level requirement:

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Please Note:

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Postgraduate qualification in a health-related discipline through a programme involving a substantial research component, PhD, MD, professional doctorate, or the equivalent

Experience

Essential

  • A track record of research outputs in an academic, health or healthcare environment
  • Experience of working in an organisation that supports research, preferably through the allocation of funding
  • Good understanding of the current UK health research landscape, including research governance UK ethics arrangements
  • Experience of achieving business objectives working with internal and external partners, including planning and reporting
  • Understanding of the principles of information governance and confidentiality
  • Able to work effectively across organisational Boundaries
  • Proven leadership and management skills
  • Strategic thinking skills ability to anticipate and resolve problems
  • Ability to work on own initiative, taking decisions on difficult and contentious issues, planning and organising a broad range of complex activities
  • Skills for delivering results by managing through others and using a range of levers in the absence of direct line management responsibility
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Confident and able to work under pressure.

Desirable

  • Experience of working in an academic institution, public sector or other large organisation that undertakes or supports research
  • Experience of preparing materials for internal and external communication
  • Ability to negotiate complex and detailed issues and to influence and persuade on a range of issues at a senior level
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Postgraduate qualification in a health-related discipline through a programme involving a substantial research component, PhD, MD, professional doctorate, or the equivalent

Experience

Essential

  • A track record of research outputs in an academic, health or healthcare environment
  • Experience of working in an organisation that supports research, preferably through the allocation of funding
  • Good understanding of the current UK health research landscape, including research governance UK ethics arrangements
  • Experience of achieving business objectives working with internal and external partners, including planning and reporting
  • Understanding of the principles of information governance and confidentiality
  • Able to work effectively across organisational Boundaries
  • Proven leadership and management skills
  • Strategic thinking skills ability to anticipate and resolve problems
  • Ability to work on own initiative, taking decisions on difficult and contentious issues, planning and organising a broad range of complex activities
  • Skills for delivering results by managing through others and using a range of levers in the absence of direct line management responsibility
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Confident and able to work under pressure.

Desirable

  • Experience of working in an academic institution, public sector or other large organisation that undertakes or supports research
  • Experience of preparing materials for internal and external communication
  • Ability to negotiate complex and detailed issues and to influence and persuade on a range of issues at a senior level

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) .

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) .

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) .

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).