Research Fellow (IMPACT Facilitator) Apply
Post Details
Part Time (60%FTE)
Fixed term for up to 48 months
£37,099 - £44,263 p.a pro rata
The closing date for applications is midnight on Thursday 08 February 2024
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
For the purposes of sponsorship, this position may be eligible under SOC code 2119.
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.
The Post
The Research Fellow (IMPACT Facilitator) will support the delivery of a number of change projects delivered across the UK known as ‘Facilitator’ projects. They will be part of the UK Centre for implementing evidence in adult social care - Improving Adult Social Care Together (IMPACT) working closely with Professor Karen Watchman and Dr Kathryn Mackay, co-leads (job share) of the Facilitator delivery model. UK Facilitator projects take a ‘bottom-up’ approach to supporting the implementation of knowledge of social care. This new Research Fellow (IMPACT Facilitator) role will work alongside Delivery Leads to provide remote support to local projects. They will regularly liaise with IMPACT staff responsible for gathering local evidence and evaluation, embedding of project outcomes and with the central IMPACT team located at the University of Birmingham.
IMPACT has been funded by the ESRC and the Health Foundation to improve social care outcomes by implementing evidence-based practice in the sector across all four UK nations. You will be joining IMPACT during its implementation phase and will join a diverse and creative staff group within Scotland and across the UK. IMPACT draws on knowledge gained from different types of research, the lived experience of people using services and their carers, and the practice knowledge of social care staff. Its aims are to enable practical improvements on the ground, and make a crucial contribution to longer-term cultural change, by:
- Supporting more widespread use of evidence in adult social care, leading to better care practices, systems and outcomes for people who use services, their families and communities
- Building capacity and skills in the adult social care workforce to work with evidence of different kinds to innovate, improve care and deliver better outcomes
- Facilitating sustainable and productive relationships between the full range of adult social care stakeholders to co-create positive change/innovations and improve outcomes for people using adult social care and their families
- Improving understanding of the factors which help and hinder the implementation of evidence in practice, and using this to overcome longstanding barriers to positive change
IMPACT is led from the University of Birmingham with multiple partners across the UK. Stirling is the lead Scottish Higher Education partner. The role is located in Stirling alongside Facilitator UK Delivery Leads Professor Karen Watchman and Dr Kathryn Mackay. The role holder will report to Professor Karen Watchman.
Information about the Facilitator, and other, IMPACT models can be found at https://impact.bham.ac.uk/our-projects/facilitators/ Each project runs for 12 months until December 2027.
Informal enquiries should be made to Professor Karen Watchman, [email protected]
TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE
Please complete the on-line application form and submit (i) a covering letter indicating how you meet the criteria for the role and (ii) an up to date CV.
Description of Duties
The post holder will contribute to the delivery of Facilitator projects and will work on cross-cutting issues with other IMPACT project officers and national leads for evaluation and embedding.
- Lead or contribute to IMPACT evidence reviews in relation to policy/practice issues specific to adult social care. As an example, current and recent Facilitator topics can be viewed at https://impact.bham.ac.uk/our-projects/facilitators/
- Monitor new research and evidence-based publications in adult social care on a regular basis and establish ways to routinely update Facilitators and their host organisations
- Support evaluation colleagues with collation of accurate and timely evaluation and monitoring for Facilitator projects across the UK in line with IMPACT protocols
- Support and monitor contact with external stakeholders across Facilitator projects
- Attend fortnightly Facilitator team meetings (online)
- Meet regularly with remotely based Facilitators to ensure two-way exchange of information and learning
- Review and monitor co-production work across IMPACT Facilitator projects and liaise remotely with the IMPACT co-production group as required
- Work with Depute Head of Embedding to support Facilitators in dissemination and scaling up of Facilitator projects across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Produce ongoing and end of project web briefings for a range of audiences following IMPACT templates
- Support the ongoing development of communication updates for web, social media and networking
- Promote equality and value diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
- Support the work of other IMPACT Project Officers with such activities as may be required from time to time
- Prepare and deliver Facilitator-related presentations and lead meetings with external stakeholders as required
- Represent IMPACT externally and deputise for the Delivery Leads when needed
- Any other duties commensurate with grade of post
Essential Criteria
Qualifications
- PhD in a relevant discipline (or extensive research and knowledge exchange experience to a demonstrated equivalent level)
Knowledge, skills and experience
- Demonstrable interest and/or expertise in applied research in adult social care
- Awareness of the current research evidence base in one or more fields relevant to adult social care
- High level of analytical capability
- Experience of knowledge exchange and impact work, and of taking research findings into real world application
- Commitment to engaging with lived experience and practice knowledge in adult social care, and to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion
- An understand of, and commitment to co-production in adult social care
- Experience of working with a range of stakeholders with ability to communicate complex information clearly to a range of audiences
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and skills in co-ordinating own work with that of others to ensure effective team-working
- Ability to contribute to the management and administration of IMPACT
- Excellent planning, organisational and time-management skills
Desirable Criteria
- A relevant professional qualification and/or experience in adult social care
- Experience of working with social care leaders, commissioners, providers and/or front-line staff
- Experience of conducting research which influences policy, practice and people’s lives
- Experience of research which engages people with lived experience and/or carers
- Knowledge of the policy and practice contexts in different parts of the UK
Behaviours and Competencies
The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
About Us
Faculty of Social Sciences
The Research Fellow (IMPACT Facilitator) will be based in the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS), University of Stirling which is an integrated multi-disciplinary team of academic and professional support staff with research and teaching interests in sociology, social policy, criminology, education, housing studies, social work and dementia. Working collaboratively with students, staff and stakeholders, the Faculty provide high quality undergraduate and postgraduate education, as well as professional development in all these areas through our interdisciplinary links across the University and beyond. We have a sustained successful research record and in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, 80% of our research was assessed as internationally excellent or world leading, with the top 23% of our work judged as world leading across two units of assessment, Education, and Social Work and Social Policy.
In addition to teaching, social scientific research is undertaken in the Faculty under the following headings: Crime and Justice; Child Well-being and Protection; Curriculum and Pedagogy; Dementia and Social Gerontology; Education Theory/Practice; Public Services and Governance; and Social Surveys and Social Statistics; and Substance Use.
Full information about the Faculty can be found here: https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties/social-sciences/
The University
The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 30 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.
More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 140 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The University – also home to 1,700 staff – is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world for its campus environment (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two). Ranked first in the UK and top five in the world for its sports facilities (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence. Its world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.
The University has twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019).
The University is a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal and a central partner of the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni
- Job number
FAC01894- Contract Type
Fixed Term Contract- Posting End Date
08-Feb-2024- Location:
Stirling Campus- Grade
Grade7 £37,099-£44,263 p.a.- Faculty/Service
Faculty of Social Sciences
Post Details
Part Time (60%FTE)
Fixed term for up to 48 months
£37,099 - £44,263 p.a pro rata
The closing date for applications is midnight on Thursday 08 February 2024
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
For the purposes of sponsorship, this position may be eligible under SOC code 2119.
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.
The Post
The Research Fellow (IMPACT Facilitator) will support the delivery of a number of change projects delivered across the UK known as ‘Facilitator’ projects. They will be part of the UK Centre for implementing evidence in adult social care - Improving Adult Social Care Together (IMPACT) working closely with Professor Karen Watchman and Dr Kathryn Mackay, co-leads (job share) of the Facilitator delivery model. UK Facilitator projects take a ‘bottom-up’ approach to supporting the implementation of knowledge of social care. This new Research Fellow (IMPACT Facilitator) role will work alongside Delivery Leads to provide remote support to local projects. They will regularly liaise with IMPACT staff responsible for gathering local evidence and evaluation, embedding of project outcomes and with the central IMPACT team located at the University of Birmingham.
IMPACT has been funded by the ESRC and the Health Foundation to improve social care outcomes by implementing evidence-based practice in the sector across all four UK nations. You will be joining IMPACT during its implementation phase and will join a diverse and creative staff group within Scotland and across the UK. IMPACT draws on knowledge gained from different types of research, the lived experience of people using services and their carers, and the practice knowledge of social care staff. Its aims are to enable practical improvements on the ground, and make a crucial contribution to longer-term cultural change, by:
- Supporting more widespread use of evidence in adult social care, leading to better care practices, systems and outcomes for people who use services, their families and communities
- Building capacity and skills in the adult social care workforce to work with evidence of different kinds to innovate, improve care and deliver better outcomes
- Facilitating sustainable and productive relationships between the full range of adult social care stakeholders to co-create positive change/innovations and improve outcomes for people using adult social care and their families
- Improving understanding of the factors which help and hinder the implementation of evidence in practice, and using this to overcome longstanding barriers to positive change
IMPACT is led from the University of Birmingham with multiple partners across the UK. Stirling is the lead Scottish Higher Education partner. The role is located in Stirling alongside Facilitator UK Delivery Leads Professor Karen Watchman and Dr Kathryn Mackay. The role holder will report to Professor Karen Watchman.
Information about the Facilitator, and other, IMPACT models can be found at https://impact.bham.ac.uk/our-projects/facilitators/ Each project runs for 12 months until December 2027.
Informal enquiries should be made to Professor Karen Watchman, [email protected]
TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE
Please complete the on-line application form and submit (i) a covering letter indicating how you meet the criteria for the role and (ii) an up to date CV.
Description of Duties
The post holder will contribute to the delivery of Facilitator projects and will work on cross-cutting issues with other IMPACT project officers and national leads for evaluation and embedding.
- Lead or contribute to IMPACT evidence reviews in relation to policy/practice issues specific to adult social care. As an example, current and recent Facilitator topics can be viewed at https://impact.bham.ac.uk/our-projects/facilitators/
- Monitor new research and evidence-based publications in adult social care on a regular basis and establish ways to routinely update Facilitators and their host organisations
- Support evaluation colleagues with collation of accurate and timely evaluation and monitoring for Facilitator projects across the UK in line with IMPACT protocols
- Support and monitor contact with external stakeholders across Facilitator projects
- Attend fortnightly Facilitator team meetings (online)
- Meet regularly with remotely based Facilitators to ensure two-way exchange of information and learning
- Review and monitor co-production work across IMPACT Facilitator projects and liaise remotely with the IMPACT co-production group as required
- Work with Depute Head of Embedding to support Facilitators in dissemination and scaling up of Facilitator projects across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Produce ongoing and end of project web briefings for a range of audiences following IMPACT templates
- Support the ongoing development of communication updates for web, social media and networking
- Promote equality and value diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
- Support the work of other IMPACT Project Officers with such activities as may be required from time to time
- Prepare and deliver Facilitator-related presentations and lead meetings with external stakeholders as required
- Represent IMPACT externally and deputise for the Delivery Leads when needed
- Any other duties commensurate with grade of post
Essential Criteria
Qualifications
- PhD in a relevant discipline (or extensive research and knowledge exchange experience to a demonstrated equivalent level)
Knowledge, skills and experience
- Demonstrable interest and/or expertise in applied research in adult social care
- Awareness of the current research evidence base in one or more fields relevant to adult social care
- High level of analytical capability
- Experience of knowledge exchange and impact work, and of taking research findings into real world application
- Commitment to engaging with lived experience and practice knowledge in adult social care, and to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion
- An understand of, and commitment to co-production in adult social care
- Experience of working with a range of stakeholders with ability to communicate complex information clearly to a range of audiences
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and skills in co-ordinating own work with that of others to ensure effective team-working
- Ability to contribute to the management and administration of IMPACT
- Excellent planning, organisational and time-management skills
Desirable Criteria
- A relevant professional qualification and/or experience in adult social care
- Experience of working with social care leaders, commissioners, providers and/or front-line staff
- Experience of conducting research which influences policy, practice and people’s lives
- Experience of research which engages people with lived experience and/or carers
- Knowledge of the policy and practice contexts in different parts of the UK
Behaviours and Competencies
The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
About Us
Faculty of Social Sciences
The Research Fellow (IMPACT Facilitator) will be based in the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS), University of Stirling which is an integrated multi-disciplinary team of academic and professional support staff with research and teaching interests in sociology, social policy, criminology, education, housing studies, social work and dementia. Working collaboratively with students, staff and stakeholders, the Faculty provide high quality undergraduate and postgraduate education, as well as professional development in all these areas through our interdisciplinary links across the University and beyond. We have a sustained successful research record and in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, 80% of our research was assessed as internationally excellent or world leading, with the top 23% of our work judged as world leading across two units of assessment, Education, and Social Work and Social Policy.
In addition to teaching, social scientific research is undertaken in the Faculty under the following headings: Crime and Justice; Child Well-being and Protection; Curriculum and Pedagogy; Dementia and Social Gerontology; Education Theory/Practice; Public Services and Governance; and Social Surveys and Social Statistics; and Substance Use.
Full information about the Faculty can be found here: https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/faculties/social-sciences/
The University
The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 30 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.
More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 140 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The University – also home to 1,700 staff – is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world for its campus environment (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two). Ranked first in the UK and top five in the world for its sports facilities (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence. Its world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.
The University has twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019).
The University is a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal and a central partner of the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni
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