Head of Funding Operations

Job title:

Head of Funding Operations

Company

STFC

Job description

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) – Head Office

Head of Funding Operations
Salary: £54,043 per annum
Grade: UKRI – Band F
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire
Closing date: 12th February 2024

Role description

You will lead NERC’s core funding operations function, and provide strategic advice and direction to shape NERC’s funding policy and operations. You will be responsible for building and maintaining strong networks across UKRI, NERC Head Office, NERC Centres and the wider environmental science community to support effective funding operations. Reporting to the Associate Director, Governance and Funding Operations, you will lead the team and directly line manage two colleagues. You will be responsible for the planning, delivery and resources for the administration of all NERC grant funding and for providing evidence of successful delivery. You will play an active role for NERC in UKRI funding policy and the broader Simpler and Better Funding Programme in order to positively inform their progress to the benefit of future ways of working across NERC and UKRI.

Role responsibilities

· Lead funding operations and research grant delivery within NERC and provide strategic advice and leadership to Associate Director of Governance and Funding Operations and in a broader capacity across NERC and UKRI

· Lead for UKRI-NERC in relevant funding policy and delivery engagement, planning and activities. Working with and providing expert insight to colleagues across NERC (and beyond) on developing more harmonised processes, taking into account and proactively preparing for the wider harmonisation agenda across UKRI

· Provide leadership to the Funding Operations Team of c12 staff, including effective line management to direct reports and a supportive environment to the whole team.

· Continuously improve and develop staff and activities assigned to your role

· Represent NERC on a number of UKRI funding policy focused working groups and networks, including the Good Research Conduct Network (GRECON), Open Research Network (ORN), Subsidy Control and Trusted Research working groups

· Play a leading role in the NERC engagement with the Simpler and Better Funding (SBF) Programme and the Funding Service (TFS) project. Working closely with UKRI colleagues and in particular, the SBF business partner to ensure TFS meets any critical NERC specific needs

· Work with colleagues across UKRI-NERC domains, teams and funding streams to deliver a successful transition to the Funding Service and broader UKRI-NERC priorities and outcomes as required

· Build external and internal relationships and networks, and acting as the authority and principal contact for NERC funding policy and funding opportunity set up through to award delivery, including providing funding operations approval for all Funding Opportunities on the NERC Gateway

· Manage the funding operations budget, delivering positive change as required to meet UKRI and NERC priorities

· Champion UKRI-NERC values, behaviours and corporate responsibility. Promote effective cross-working and resource-sharing to deliver UKRI-NERC priorities and outcomes.:

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

· Significant knowledge, expertise and experience leading research funding operations, policy and processes, including building credibility with relevant stakeholders, understanding user needs and emerging opportunities and risks relevant to delivering environmental science funding

· Able to build and maintain strong partnerships and working relationships with a range of stakeholders at all levels; and able to intelligently navigate complex stakeholder landscapes, drawing on a positive and collaborative approach

· Experience of leading and managing people and teams through times of ambiguity and uncertainty to deliver high-quality outcomes, and a collaborative culture that supports and healthy work-life balance

· Experience of delivering research and innovation funding, via peer review processes, including obtaining report, and in this role, experience of dealing with emerging operational issues and problem-solving to ensure swift resolution

· Able to provide high quality written and verbal advice suitable for use by executive and senior level decision makers, and to represent your area of business at senior management and board-level meetings

· Effective financial planning and control, and management of risk.

Desirable criteria

· Knowledge and expertise in leading UKRI funding operations during the transition to a new funding service, or equivalent experience of managing systems changes.

Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact

About Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)

NERC is the UK’s leading funder of environmental science. Our scientists study and monitor the physical, chemical and biological processes on which our planet and life itself depends – from pole to pole, to the deep Earth and oceans, to the atmosphere and space. The science we fund has impact across all sectors. It provides a platform for future UK prosperity by contributing to a safe, healthy, productive nation. Many programmes involve collaborations with national and international partners to tackle large-scale environmental science challenges, including those faced by developing countries.

As well as research, innovation and training are supported from the NERC core budget. There are exciting emerging opportunities from cross-UKRI funds to develop interdisciplinary programmes enabling environmental researchers to lead and collaborate in major projects. This advances knowledge and has significant potential for delivering economic impact.

For more information about NERC, see:

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit .

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit .

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

Expected salary

£54043 per year

Location

Swindon

Job date

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 00:59:34 GMT

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