Research Culture and Evaluation Manager at Durham University

Durham, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

11 Mar, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

11 Dec, 25

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Research Culture, Team Collaboration, Service Development, Policy Implementation, Stakeholder Engagement, Communication Skills, Digital Competence, Problem Solving, Data Analysis, Evaluation Methods, Organizational Change, Professional Development, Event Management, Networking, Change Management, Customer Service

Industry

Higher Education

Description

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. Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page. The Role 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. The Research Culture team lead on strategic priorities to enhance research culture across our organisation as part of our Research and Engagement Strategy. This includes ‘Flourish at Durham’, the University’s research culture vision, values and actions. Flourish at Durham seeks to ensure research is carried out in an atmosphere of creativity and fun where individuals and teams feel ambitious about their work and are enabled to achieve their potential. Flourish at Durham is led by our Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research Culture and Research Culture Manager, who are supported by the University’s Research Culture Committee, and who work across our academic, research and technical professional communities across Durham to deliver Flourish. The Flourish at Durham portfolio spans the breadth of our research ecosystem through thematic areas of focus including ‘leadership and behaviours’, ‘research processes and structures’ and ‘visibility, recognition and development’. We strive to embed and enable a positive research culture across our university community, ensuring that staff across roles and careers stages are supported in developing fruitful careers and fulfilling their research ambitions. The Research Culture and Evaluation Manager will support the generation, delivery and evaluation of research culture activities across the Flourish at Durham portfolio, enabling colleagues to thrive and flourish. The post-holder will work within the research culture team and in collaboration with other key units such as the Researcher Development team in the Durham Centre for Academic Development (DCAD) and the EDI Team to: · Support the development, communication and implementation of the University’s new Charter for Researchers alongside the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers; · Enable the implementation, data analysis and evaluation of research culture initiatives and actions in academic departments and university research institutes; · Work across academic departments and professional services directorates to support the joined-up approach to enabling research ambition, with a particular focus on early and mid-career research culture development; · Embed evaluation into research culture activities across Flourish at Durham; · Contribute to both internal and external networks that enable research culture progress and undertake professional development and good practice exchange in research and innovation culture. We believe this role presents an excellent opportunity for candidates to develop a career in research and innovation culture. We welcome applications from individuals with strong transferable skills and experience from different careers and sectors, potentially in organisational change, researcher or research development, or data analysis and evaluation methods. You may have worked in research administration for a number of years and be looking for another opportunity. You may have recently finished a PhD or postdoctoral role and wish to explore career paths beyond academia. You may work outside of HE but have experience of organisational change or people development. We welcome applications from individuals who feel they meet the essential criteria below, regardless of background or experience. The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional services hub. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. To find out more, visit the project webpage: Boldon House – Durham University. Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. Working arrangements This role is fulltime (35 hours/week) but we will consider requests for flexible working arrangements including potential job shares. It is expected that this role will be predominantly face-to-face on campus, and the successful applicant will be prepared to locate to the northeast of England. There will be some scope for hybrid working arrangements in agreement with line manager, but this post will not be fully remote. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: • You’ll receive 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. The University closes between Christmas and New Year. • We offer a generous pension scheme, and 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 ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance. • We have 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. • We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. • Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16. • Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). • We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community. • You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions. • Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. • If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for 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. Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here. Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion 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. 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. Your application should cover the following criteria: Essential Criteria Qualifications/Experience 1. A robust understanding, interest in, and passion for research culture. 2. Experience of working within and supporting a team towards a collective endeavour. 3. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience). 4. Knowledge and expertise in the delivery and development of services, events, and activities within an organisation. 5. Experience of implementing policies and procedures, and supporting change and service improvements. 6. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues. 7. Experience of maintaining effective relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders. 8. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University’s reputation. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 9. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally. 10. Ability to work collaboratively across teams and with diverse stakeholders, fostering a culture of respect and care 11. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including Microsoft 365 applications. 12. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition. 13. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines. 14. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions. Desirable Criteria 1. Experience of working in the Higher Education sector. 2. Experience of using evaluation methods and frameworks 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. 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 need to submit • A CV; • A covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential in the requirements set out above and specifically how you satisfy each essential criteria within the personal specification section of the job description. Hiring Manager – we have defaulted to a covering letter/statement and CV. Further requests can be added. Examples have been provided. Contact details For a chat about the role or any further information please contact: Andrew Moss, Research Culture Manager - a.d.moss@durham.ac.uk Typical Role Requirements Service Delivery/Development · Work with team members and stakeholders to build and maintain excellent working relationships. · Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values. · Review and look for ways to improve systems and procedures that are relevant to your area of work in line with the University’s frameworks and regulations. · Provide specialist advice and guidance relating to your professional area of expertise, in line with the University’s policies, regulations and values. · Manage the delivery and development of Flourish at Durham across the University to a high standard. · Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from colleagues in the research ecosystem and contribute to ideas and service improvements. · Provide specialist knowledge and support when interpreting and analysing complex data and information sources. · Look for ways to improve research culture process and techniques for evaluation across all areas of your work. · Identify any learning needs that should be met by the Research Culture Team and design activities and arrange any training. Planning and Organisation · Contribute to operational leadership teams to influence the type and level of services that are provided by Research and Innovation Services. · Contribute to progressing the strategic and operational priorities of Flourish at Durham. · Seek feedback from key stakeholders so that Flourish at Durham is being adapted to meet customer expectations and to plan future requirements. · Analyse and evaluate data on the level of service being provided by Flourish at Durham to recommend areas for future improvement. · Meet the development needs of your stakeholders, providing training when required. · Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services. Communication/Liaison · Provide advice and share guidance with your stakeholders to ensure that the University’s policies, procedures and regulations are complied with. · Use your operational expertise to lead and participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees. · Coordinate and organise committees and other business meetings and deal with any related complaints. · Update policies and procedures in response to any internal or external changes. · Use your expertise to provide training or guidance to other stakeholders. · Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers. · Any other reasonable duties. Useful links If you would like further information you may find the following will help Find out more about Durham’s research culture here: https://www.durham.ac.uk/research/current/research-culture/ 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 Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

Responsibilities

The Research Culture and Evaluation Manager will support the generation, delivery, and evaluation of research culture activities across the Flourish at Durham portfolio. This includes collaborating with various teams to implement initiatives that enhance research culture and support colleagues in their professional development.