Head of Academic Relationships
UK Health Security Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Tuesday 16th July 2024
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About the job
Job summary
You will be working within the Research, Evidence & Knowledge Division in the Science Group’s Scientific Strategy & Development Directorate. The division consists of two teams providing support to all UKHSA: Knowledge & Library Services (KLS) and the Research Support & Governance Office (RSGO).
The Academic Relationships team within the Research, Support and Governance Office provides organisational leadership in the development, management and strengthening of UKHSA’s relationship with universities, ensuring UKHSA has access to the best scientific advice and expertise when needed. The team supports collaborative research and related activities with academia and manage the allocation of academic honorary contracts and development of academic networks. The focus of the team is very much on ensuring mutual support of UKHSA and universities to deliver benefit across the public health sector and for the population.
The purpose of this role is to lead UKHSA’s Academic Relationships team and function. The emphasis will be developing, influencing and managing partnerships that will deliver public health academic research and other evidence-based activity that contributes to the achievement of UKHSA aims.
The role directly manages the development and maintenance of relationships with universities and currently some 300 individual academics. The postholder will work with staff across UKHSA, universities (and overarching bodies), local government, other government departments and research organisations, including funding bodies, to promote public health academic activity and provide an evidence base for effective public health advice and practice.
The postholder will manage UKHSA’s academic network and commissioning process and will be the Information Asset Manager for the academic database which forms part of our Information Asset Register.
Location
The UKHSA offers hybrid working – this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our offices, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home.
This role will be based at one of our UKHSA offices/locations (Leeds, Manchester, Totnes, London, Horsham, Cardiff, Bristol, Nottingham, Harlow, Liverpool, Fareham, Gloucester, Newcastle and Birmingham) with opportunities for an element of working from home. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.
The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business needs and in line with departmental policy.
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Working Pattern – Full Time
Job description
As the Head of Academic Relationships, your main responsibilities will be to:
- Develop and enhance relationships with universities, individual academics, other research organisations, research funding organisations, public health partners, Department of Health and Social Care, national bodies etc to facilitate the delivery of public health academic research and other evidence-based activities that contribute to the achievement of UKHSA aims. Where appropriate, to enable collaborative support of UKHSA activities from academics based outside of the UK.
- Keep under review and negotiate when required with national bodies and stakeholder organisations around necessary framework agreements which include the honorary academic contract and the Collaborative Academic Research and Activity Agreements, as well as supporting guidance.
- Build a strong, effective and influential public health academic network of benefit to the participants, organisations, staff within UKHSA and the system.
- Effective management of UKHSA’s academic commissioning process
- Working with the Deputy Director of Research, Evidence and Knowledge, evaluate public health academic capacity and capability and use the role to influence the development of a sustainable academic workforce across the whole public health system.
- Manage the production of information and reports on public health research activities, sponsored by or in collaboration with UKHSA, undertaken in universities to enable a view on the coverage of essential areas relevant to UKHSA’s remit and to monitor / optimize value-for-money.
- Lead the quality assurance of team outputs, putting in place appropriate standards and procedures for both internal review and review by external stakeholders
- Manage and supervise staff in delivering day to day duties
- Co-ordinate and facilitate networking support for UKHSA activities through meetings and workshops, particularly at a regional level
- Represent UKHSA at national and local meetings on academic research
- Oversee and develop activities that support the work of public health academics on behalf of UKHSA and related activities
- Work closely with colleagues within UKHSA Groups and Directorates to facilitate two-way information exchange for meeting internal needs for academic research and related support
- Develop and implement strategies and plans for continually improving the commissioning and performance of academic input to UKHSA activities undertaken jointly with universities
- Initiate and lead negotiations with providers/partners in situations where agreed delivery objectives are not being met and support local UKHSA coordinators in developing and implementing remedial action plans; liaising with UKHSA corporate finance and procurement teams as appropriate
- Ensure that robust systems and processes are in place to collate and analyse data in useful formats to key interested parties including UKHSA’s Executive Committee and sub-groups, Department of Health and Social Care, universities and other stakeholders.
- As required, liaise with policy officials in the Department of Health and Social Care, Home Office, Other Government Departments and Agencies and the devolved administrations as key stakeholders in the governance of research
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.
Please see the attached job description for the full list of duties and responsibilities.
Person specification
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:
Essential
- Experience of working in a responsible role, dealing with sensitive material
- Demonstrated experience of co-ordinating projects in complex and challenging environments
- Experience of drafting briefing papers and correspondence at Board level
- An understanding of organisations that support research relevant to public health, in particular Higher Education Institutions
- Experience in communications and stakeholder management
- Previous experience in a similar role in public sector
- Experience of negotiating & contracting
- Understanding of the principles of information governance and confidentiality
- Ability to think independently and strategically, to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise, excellent planning skills and strong analytical skills
- Provide and receive complex and sensitive information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on possibly contentious issues and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups.
- Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences
- Evidence of success in efficient and effective management including setting up and implementing processes and procedures, project management and planning, direct line management and job management
- Skills for nurturing key relationships, building trust and maintaining networks, managing relationships with a range of different stakeholders
- Able to prioritise own work effectively and able to direct activities of others. Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing the performance of the individuals.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems
Desirable
- Postgraduate level qualification or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in a relevant specialist area
- Project management qualification or equivalent experience of working at this level, including modern project management software
- An understanding of the organisation of academic public health
- Workforce development knowledge and experience
- A good understanding of the health and social care environment and roles and responsibilities within it
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form and submit a statement of suitability of up to 1250 words. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).
You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.
STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW
This recruitment process will involve an interview either by video or face to face.
As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.
Candidates will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to prepare and deliver a 5-minute presentation to the panel. This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment. The presentation will be designed to assess each candidate’s experience in line with the requirements of the role. Full details will be provided prior to the interview.
The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and influencing
- Working together
- Managing a quality service
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 16th July 2024 – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Interviews: Week beginning 5th August 2024
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Jon Payne
- Email : jon.payne@reed.com
Recruitment team
- Email : jon.payne@reed.com
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission.
