Senior Research Policy Officer

In the Department of Health and Social Care, we are proud of our purpose to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you would like to work in, we would love to hear from you.

DHSC invests significantly in research and development (R&D) to support the delivery of its objectives primarily through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

NIHRs mission is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. Established in 2006, NIHR is the nations largest funder of health and care research and NIHRs people, research programmes, centres of excellence and systems together represent the most integrated health and care research system in the world. NIHR has transformed research in and for the health and care sector, helping to shape the health research landscape more broadly.

NIHR is directed by the Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), who is also NIHR's Chief Executive Officer, and by the Director and Senior Management Team of DHSC's Science Research and Evidence (SRE) Directorate.

SRE is committed to being an inclusive and supportive place to work and welcomes applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We invest in colleagues professional development through a strong learning and development offer, including a dedicated budget to support relevant training and build skills for future career progression.

The post holder will be part of a small team within the DHSC Research Systems Branch of the DHSC Science Research and Evidence Directorate. The Branch is responsible for cross-cutting research policy and operations for the NIHR, including digital, contracting, and finance. This role will work across the Directorate in areas of research policy development and operational implementation and will work closely with delivery partners of the NIHR to ensure effective delivery.

DHSC contracts directly with a number of NHS trusts, universities and life science organisations that between them host the NIHR Coordinating Centre (NIHRCC) which has operational responsibility for the NIHR. This role will work with DHSC Commercial and policy leads to support the implementation of new contracts for the hosts of the NIHRCC, following the conclusion of a 364m procurement process this year.

Role responsibilities

Commercial, grant management and project support

• Provide project management, governance and secretariat support to support the delivery of strategic programmes and organisational priorities.
• Support the development, implementation and management of commercial, contractual and funding arrangements, working with colleagues to ensure requirements are met and intended outcomes are delivered.
• Provide grant and programme management support, including monitoring performance, assuring compliance with requirements, managing stakeholder relationships and identifying opportunities to improve delivery and collaboration.

Policy advice and implementation

• Provide policy advice and delivery support across a portfolio of research policy and operational priorities, ensuring policies remain current, evidence-based and effectively implemented.
• Work collaboratively across NIHR, government and external stakeholders to develop, coordinate and deliver policy initiatives and programmes.
• Support the development, implementation and evaluation of policies, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and continuous improvement in delivery.

Briefing and wider responsibilities

• Respond to Parliamentary Questions, correspondence, and Freedom of Information and briefing requests on NIHR activity and research policy, taking a lead on Research Inclusion questions and working with policy and data teams on other areas as required.
• Supporting the secretariat to the NIHR Strategy and Engagement Board a residential advisory board of health and care research leaders.
• Support and/or lead on a variety of research policy projects and briefings in response to arising needs from across the Directorate or from the Ministerial team.

Key skills and experience required for the role

Essential

• The ability to quickly build relationships with colleagues across organisational boundaries and to confidently engage with stakeholders to take account of their views.
• The ability to work at pace and produce high quality products to tight timescales
• Project management skills, including scoping, delivering and reporting on projects
• Ability to take information and evidence from a variety of sources in forming policy recommendations.
• The ability to present complex issues clearly and persuasively with excellent written and verbal communication.

Desirable

• An understanding of the health and care system.
• An understanding of the research environment.
• Experience supporting the management and implementation of commercial contracts.
• Experience working on digital projects.

Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London or Leeds. Within DHSC we offer non-contractual hybrid working. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time spent in the office, enabling in person interaction and collaboration, and enhancing team working, learning, and support.

You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas and some travel may be required across the DHSC estate.

Opportunities for some working from home may be available; other flexible working options may be discussed with the hiring manager in line with individual circumstances and business need.

There are a limited number of DHSC colleagues who have existing agreed homeworking contracts resulting from Our Future Estate Programme 2023-2024. Colleagues covered by these arrangements are eligible to apply for this role whilst continuing their agreed existing home working arrangement. Occasional travel to DHSC offices or other locations may still be required according to business need. Travel and subsistence will be provided in line with the pre-agreed homeworker arrangements.