Patient and Public Involvement Engagement Manager

Job Purpose

Working closely with the Centre Manager, the Co-Directors, and the Head of Research Regulation and Compliance, the CETC Patient and Public Involvement & Engagement Manager will lead the delivery of the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences (MVLS) PPIE strategy. They will support researchers across a range of projects/trials to ensure that our research activities are robustly informed by a diverse range of patient, and public insights, and are responsive to their needs.

To raise the profile of University of Glasgow research within the local community developing systems and processes that foster collaboration and a participatory culture. To lead the development and delivery of the MVLS PPIE strategy.

To provide comprehensive high-level and professional research support to academic research teams delivering clinical research projects. This role will be responsible for leading, managing and coordinating PPIE activities across MVLS.

Background to the role

The MVLS Centre of Excellence for Trials Collaboration (CETC) brings together specialist multidisciplinary expertise from across the University, NHS, and other external stakeholders to concentrate and augment the design and delivery of nationally and internationally relevant and innovative projects/trials (https://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/mvls/researchinnovationengagementsupport/cetc/).

Researchers at the University of Glasgow develop and deliver an extensive portfolio of complex clinical research to improve patient outcomes. Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) plays a critical role in designing research questions that matter to patients and the public. In addition, funding bodies look for information about how researchers plan collaborations with patients and the public and expect high-quality initiatives to ensure that patients and public needs and expectations are incorporated into the research plans as per Health Research Authority (HRA) guidance and NHS Research Ethics Committee (REC) requirements.

The University of Glasgow wants to grow a participatory culture in our research where people inform what we do and maximise opportunities for participation in research and widening access to novel treatments and interventions.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Lead the development and effective implementation of MVLS PPIE strategy and associated policies, operating procedures, and other documents, drawing on evidence from the growing field of PPIE research, policy, and practice, and providing recommendations where appropriate.

2. Lead the development and embedding of processes, policies, and practices to support meaningful public involvement across the College’s governance structures and research support activities.

3. To oversee and manage the implementation of public involvement activities, resources, support for researchers, and evaluation of public involvement.

4. Engage with academic leads and their research groups to ensure the provision of support in planning of the PPIE activities in strategically important research projects, including coordination between researchers and key stakeholders and partners.

5. Lead PPIE capacity-building activities, improving awareness and appreciation of patient and public involvement and engagement importance among researchers and the wider community.

6. Develop and deliver training for research staff, and plan and organise educational events and forums with other PPIE partners and patient and public contributors to ensure that meaningful, ethical, and effective PPI is central to all activities.

7. Develop, collate, and organise new and existing expertise and resources to support planning and delivering PPIE activities by securing the input of researchers and research support staff from across the university and partner organisations.

8. Provide expert advice and guidance to colleagues/researchers on PPIE, and provide a library of shared information, contacts, and common resources, to make resources widely available to assist colleagues in identifying techniques for PPIE.

9. Have oversight of the recruitment and support of public contributors involved in the delivery and evaluation of PPIE activities.

10. Build a database of exemplary PPIE activities including successful and rejected funding applications evaluated by funders. Record quantitative and qualitative data to report on PPIE impact and manage the reporting, and dissemination of regular feedback to the research community to enable continuous improvement.

11. Develop sound working relationships with colleagues across the university research infrastructure and work collaboratively with external partners, fostering a collaborative culture within and outside the University.

12. Maintain current working knowledge of developments and national priorities regarding PPIE and communications and inform and guide the University of Glasgow research community.

13. Evaluate research proposals, protocols, and findings from the perspective of patients and the public, identifying potential areas for improvement of issues related to relevance, accessibility, and ethics.

14. Implement mechanisms for evaluating the impact and effectiveness of patient and public involvement and engagement activities and using feedback to continuously improve practices and processes

15. Build relationships and partnerships with stakeholders such as NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, patient groups, local authorities and governments that aim to promote and facilitate participation in research.

Knowledge/Qualifications/Skills/Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications 

Essential:

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, 10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification), or equivalent in a subject discipline relevant to the College of MVLS.

A2 Knowledge of PPIE concepts, standards, and initiatives relevant to UK’.

A3 Knowledge of the regulatory framework governing research involving humans.

A4 Understanding of UK, EU and International data protection legislation.

Desirable:

B1 Knowledge of research legislation including the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations, ICH Good Clinical Practice, Mental Capacity Act’.

B2 Knowledge and working understanding of the Higher Education sector, ideally including medical, veterinary and life sciences.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Understanding of academic research processes, including ethics requirements (University and NHS), grant applications, and the role of patient and public involvement in research design, implementation, and dissemination.

C2 Ability to build and maintain relationships with patient groups, community organisations, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders to facilitate collaboration and involvement in research activities.

C3 Understanding of ethical principles, regulations, and practices related to involving patients and the public in research, including issues of consent, confidentiality, and representation.

C4 Ability to be proactive and show initiative in proposing and carrying out new ideas and new ways of working.

C5 Using initiative and creativity to resolve problems.

C6 Clear and articulate communication of complex information and high-level interpersonal skills essential for establishing internal and external relationships with a wide range of audiences.

C7 Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively and confidently with people at all levels.

C8 Excellent attention to detail and a methodical approach to work with an ability to prioritise workloads to meet deadlines.

C9. Demonstrable analytical and problem-solving skills.

C10 Awareness of IRAS and/or HEI ethical systems.

Desirable:

D1 Awareness of funding and policy landscape for research.

D2 Ability to influence and motivate others.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Demonstrable success in developing and delivering public engagement and involvement strategies in a complex organisation such as an academic, research, and healthcare environment with multiple stakeholders, including logistics, outreach, communication, and facilitation of community events and public meetings.

E2 Proven experience working effectively with diverse communities, ensuring that patient and public involvement and engagement activities are inclusive and accessible to all.

E3 Experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis of feedback gathered during various engagement sessions and presenting information in publications and other user-friendly formats.

E4 Experience in facilitation of meetings, workshops, focus groups, and other engagement activities in a research environment in a way that encourages active participation and ensures diverse voices are heard.

E5 Experience in promoting and advocating for the need and value of patient and public involvement and engagement in research to a wide range of stakeholders.

Desirable:

F1 Previous experience in supporting and contributing to successful funding bid initiatives.

F2 Experience in line managing, developing, and motivating a high-performing team.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 8, £48,350 - £56,021 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and open ended. Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.
The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit:https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa .

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.