Impact & Engagement Officer

Job details

Department

Innovation and Research

Responsible to

Associate Professor - History & Impact

Location

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Salary

£30,950 to £34,027 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £39,131 per annum)

Closing date

Sunday 2 June 2024

Contract type

Permanent

Post type

Full-time

Adaptive working type

Hybrid
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework .

Reference

0154-24

About the role

Working as part of the Impact Team in the University’s Innovation & Research Office, the role of the Impact & Engagement Officer is to support researchers across the University to plan their impact and develop REF impact case studies; implement engagement projects and work with partners; monitor progress on impact; evaluate outcomes and benefits; ensure appropriate profiling of impact; and work with Impact Assistants to capture and archive evidence. You will also provide training and resources to enable staff to understand impact. The overall aim is to ensure that the University derives maximum impact from its research endeavours measured through high impact submissions to the Research Excellence Framework (REF).

You will work to develop a detailed understanding of research and knowledge exchange activity across the University in order to identify and advise on potential areas of impact and to develop REF impact case studies. You will support on the improvement of systems and processes that support the University’s development, documentation, evidencing and monitoring of research impact, with the aim of ensuring maximum benefit from these activities. 

In addition, you will engage proactively with academic colleagues to ensure the effective capture of research impacts and provide regular reports on impact progress to University Governance committees.

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Larissa Allwork, Associate Professor - History & Impact via [email protected]

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [email protected]  

Principal accountabilities

Work closely with a range of Researchers across the University’s Academic Themes and Unit of Assessments to support the planning, monitoring, evidencing and writing of impact case studies for the next REF.

Use methods such as Theory of Change to assist researchers in their impact planning.

Develop monitoring and evaluation tools, such as surveys, qualitative interviews and creative feedback activities for assessing the impact of research-informed engagement and impact projects.

Where appropriate, engage with key external stakeholders, such as community groups, businesses and advisory bodies like National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE); effectively build and maintain relationships.

Raise awareness internally and externally of the importance of impact, contributing to the creation and writing of Intranet resources and website marketing collateral.

Plan and contribute learning materials to appropriate staff training and development opportunities such as workshops and training days in relation to engagement and impact.

In collaboration with colleagues, use the University of Derby Impact Repository to assist with the preparation of reports and maintenance of data sets for REF that will assist strategy and decision-making.

Provide general support to our research community including the development of systems and processes that systematically fund, monitor, capture, record and reflect on aspects of impact.

Where required, contribute to preparing and writing proposals and applications to external bodies for research grants/funding and sponsorship purposes.

Maintain and proactively disseminate an up-to-date knowledge of REF, Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) guidance in relation to engagement and impact.

Promote a high-performance culture, fostering continuous improvement, driving quality and proactively working across Academic Themes, Units of Assessment and Colleges.

Demonstrate competencies, core behaviours and supplementary behaviours that support and promote the University’s core values.

Any other duties that fall within the scope of the job, as allocated by the line manager.

Person specification
Essential Criteria
Qualifications

• A good honours degree or equivalent professional experience

Experience

• Experience of Higher Education Research Administration with specific knowledge of REF and the research impact agenda
• Experience of working with academics on REF impact case studies, including advising on funder guidance, providing editorial advice, writing, copy-editing and evidencing
• Experience of assisting academics with funding applications
• Experience of the production of materials designed to communicate research and knowledge exchange outcomes to internal audiences and the external public
• Experience of designing and delivering training for different audiences

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Developing and using a range of monitoring and evaluation techniques
• Drafting effective reports and analysing qualitative and quantitative data
• Communicate effectively in written and oral form
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team to achieve defined outcomes
• Analysis, creativity and problem-solving: considers other perspectives and wider implications; solves problems and develops plans successfully
• An appropriate level of digital capability with practical experience of applications
• Planning and organisation skills, with the ability to independently manage a portfolio of work to competing demands and deadlines

Desirable Criteria
Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent (pending or awarded) in a relevant discipline
• Research administration/ management qualification

Experience

• Experience of using virtual conferencing platforms like Blackboard Collaborate, Zoom

Skills, knowledge and abilities

• Knowledge of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), the Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF), NCCPE Watermark and the Civic agenda
• Use of impact planning methods such as Theory of Change

Benefits

As well as competitive pay scales, we offer generous holiday entitlement. We also offer opportunities for further salary progression based on performance, and the opportunity to join a contributory pension scheme.

Find out more about pay and rewardsFind out more about pay and rewards

How to apply

You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.

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If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at [email protected] .

Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.

Important information

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Please visit Applying from Overseas for more information.

What is Adaptive Working?

Adaptive working is about enabling a high-performing, flexible, and responsive work culture where the place, time, and manner of working are tailored to the specific work activity. This approach ensures that the working environment, including both physical and social surroundings, supports employees to perform at their best and meet the university's evolving needs.

In addition, adaptive working involves intentionally designing workspaces to support a range of activities and disciplines, providing the right environment for meaningful in-person connections and effective collaboration. This includes ensuring that employees have access to the necessary equipment and resources from their first day at the university.

Adaptive working encompasses different modes of working such as site-based, remote or hybrid working. It is a broad framework within which all staff can operate effectively according to their role.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion. However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.

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Further details

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Why join Derby?

Challenging, interesting and constantly changing, the University of Derby is an extraordinary place to learn and an incredibly rewarding place to work.

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The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.