Research Funding Programme Manager

Job Title:  Research Funding Programme Manager       
Department: Research & innovation Servcies  
Grade: 7 
Salary range: £35,333 to £42,155 per annum
Working arrangements: Full time, 35 hours per week, working Monday to Friday.
   
The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.  Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

Introduction

A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world.

We find it easy to be proud of the extraordinary people we have at Durham. We offer the inspiration, they achieve the outstanding. We invite you to join our fantastic team.

Durham University is committed to promoting equality and diversity

At Durham University, our aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

As a University we foster a collegiate community of extraordinary people aligned to the University’s values . Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

Durham University’s Athena Swan institutional award recognises and celebrates good practice in recruiting and supporting the development of women. We have also signed up to the Race Equality Charter, a national framework for improving the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students within higher education.

If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

The Role and Department

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides guidance, expert advice and hands-on support for all aspects of research and research-related work, including securing funding, working with partners, undertaking knowledge exchange, demonstrating impact, commercialising outputs, ensuring good research practice and supporting professional development.

This is an exciting new post created within the Research Operations Team to provide oversight and management of a growing number of externally awarded funds to Durham.

The successful candidate will work across a range of funding such as Research England allocations for Culture, Policy and Participatory Research. You will be responsible for the promotion, allocation, reporting and financial management of the funding to ensure the funds are managed effectively and efficiently.

The post holder will report to the Head of Research Operations and will be a key member of the Research Operations Team. This role is an excellent opportunity for someone who is looking to develop a career in research support and will suit someone who enjoys working within a fast- paced environment managing multiple projects and processes.

The role has the following key responsibilities;

• Promotion of funding opportunities to potential applicants and being the initial point of contact for enquiries
• Supporting academics to develop their bids providing costing support and ensuring bids are aligned with the aims of the funding scheme.
• Developing and managing internal selection processes including providing expert briefings to the assessment panels for funding decision making, attending meetings as required, taking minutes, and providing information and advice to the Chairs.
• Undertaking due diligence and risk management activities for project partners and collaborators ensuring appropriate contracts are in place and are following university policy and governance regulations.
• Monitoring individual funded projects, ensuring that they are meeting the stated objectives and milestones within specified timeframes and budgets whilst ensuring the funds are managed effectively and efficiently to maximise income recovery.
• Providing ongoing support for live projects and collating financial information for reporting to internal committees and formal reporting to external funders.

Core responsibilities:

• Recognised professional practitioner and service specialist.
• Implement changes to the design and development of service processes, techniques and deliverables for one or more service strands or project streams.
• Provide specialist expertise and support with complexity of data and information sources, interpretation and analysis.
• Contribute to development of operational service activities to ensure excellence in the stakeholder experience.
• Collect and analyse stakeholder feedback to help define needs and requirements and the design and planning of services.
• Internal and external relationship development and partnership working, networking and participation to engage and influence future services and the University reputation.
• Identify and design activities to meet learning objectives and outcomes.
• Deliver training delivery for stakeholders.
• Maintain an awareness of current policy for university business goals and provision of advice using specialist knowledge.
• Contribute to and lead business meetings, working groups and sub-committees at departmental and operational service levels.
• Responsible for managing project budgets keeping records and internal and external reporting

Role responsibilities:

• Provide management for stakeholder service areas and/or processes ensuring a high-quality and timely service to all stakeholders, including prospective, existing and past students and staff.
• Contribute to operational leadership teams and decision making to shape the nature and level of support services.
• Analyse service data and provide reports to Service Heads making recommendations for improvement as appropriate.
• Provide proactive and comprehensive input and support to Head of Services, School and/or Department to achieve strategic and operational priorities.
• Provide advice to stakeholders in relation to University, School and or Department policy, procedures and regulations.
• Ensure the review and improvement of systems and procedures in line with University, School, Department or unit frameworks.
• Distribute service information and provide advice to stakeholders regarding compliance and regulations.
• Ensure regulations and procedures are updated to take account of internal and external changes.
• Coordinate and oversee committee working and deal with complaints.
• Provide training and/or instruction to stakeholders.
• Awareness of the external environment and sector best practice to support high quality services.  
• Any other reasonable duties.  

Working at Durham 

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: 

•    30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.  
•    We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled  into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
•    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
•    There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. 
•    Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
•    On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
•    Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
•    The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
•    Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. 
•    A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. 
•    If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.  

Where a criteria has an asterix* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.  

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

• An understanding of the HEI research funding environment
• Numerate and able to deal with numerical and financial data
• Experience of managing projects and processes, co-ordinating activities and handling tight deadlines
• Ability to analyse and to interpret information and to prepare summaries and reports as required
•  Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop excellent working relationships both internally and externally. 
• Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines
• Experience with financial reports and recording/ monitoring of financial project data to meet regular reporting and audit needs
• Proven IT skills, including use of Microsoft Office.
• Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
• Evidence of Continuing professional development required to maintain professional recognition.

 Desirable Criteria 

• Experience of working within either a pre or post award research support role within the HEI sector

How to Apply   

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.   
  
Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
 

What you are required to submit

1. A CV

2. A covering letter which details your experience and interest is applying for the role

3. A Word document, with examples of how you satisfy the person specification above. Please ensure you give detailed examples of how you meet these criteria.  
 
Contact details   
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Sally Hewlett, [email protected]
  
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.durham.ac.uk/about-us/governance/information-governance/privacy-notices/privacy-notices/job-applicants/  which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.   

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.