About the job

Job summary

In DHSC, 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’d like to work in, we’d love to hear from you.

The Research Capacity and Growth branch manages two main strands of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) system:

• Lead on strategy, commissioning and oversight of NIHR research infrastructure to ensure provision of world-class facilities and people to undertake and support early translational, clinical and applied health research for patient and public benefit. 
• Develop and deliver policy for NIHR’s research workforce, supporting the people who lead, undertake and support research. 

We are looking to recruit three people to join the Research Capacity and Growth branch of the Science Research and Evidence directorate which provides leadership and direction for policies and initiatives related to programmes for research. Postholders will lead on the following two areas:

• NIHR infrastructure and growth as Research Policy Senior Manager NIHR Infrastructure & Growth (2 posts)
• Research training and workforce as Research Policy Senior Manager: Research Workforce & Training (1 post)

We are looking for enthusiastic people who can develop strong relationships and work across organisational boundaries to address strategic policy issues; are confident making decisions and have excellent communication skills to deliver at pace and manage the competing priorities of the roles.

You will be part of a small friendly and supportive team that aims to provide individuals with an opportunity to develop and progress. You will be expected to work flexibly, contributing to other branch and wider SRE work where appropriate.

Job description

These are exciting and challenging roles, supporting the drive to help make the UK the best place in the world to conduct clinical research.

Research Policy Senior Manager NIHR Infrastructure & Growth (post one)

This role provides leadership and direction for the development and implementation of policies and initiatives that support research delivery in England via the National Institute for Health and Social Care’s (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (CRN), soon to be Research Delivery Network (RDN).

The NIHR RDN will support the effective and efficient initiation and delivery of funded research across the health and care system in England for the benefit of patients, the health and care system and the economy. The RDN is made up of a coordinating centre and 12 regional RDNs. An exciting and large-scale programme of work is underway to support the transition and transformation of the Network. Working closely with system partners in government and Arms’ Length Bodies and in the health and care research system, you will lead and support this work and be responsible for the management of the contracts across the Network. The Network supports the implementation of the Life Sciences Vision and the vision for Clinical Research Delivery and the Government’s response to the O’Shaughnessy Review. Clinical Research delivery is a key priority for the DHSC SofS, BEIS ministers and the Chancellor.

Research Policy Senior Manager NIHR Infrastructure & Growth (post two)

This role provides leadership and direction for initiatives related to the delivery of research, through the NIHR’s research infrastructure, to support the Life Science Vision healthcare Missions, including dementia, mental health, cardiovascular risk factors and obesity, and addictions. Working closely with colleagues in the Office for Life Sciences, Mission Chairs and partners in the NIHR Infrastructure, including Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs), Translational Research Collaborations (TRCs) and the Applied Research Collaborations (ARCs), you will ensure a joined up a coherent approach to delivery for Mission related work, ensuring synergy and links with other work programmes across NIHR Infrastructure. This work is a high priority for Ministers in DHSC, DSIT and for the life sciences industry.

Research Policy Senior Manager: Research Workforce & Training

This role provides leadership and direction for policies and initiatives related to programmes for research training and the development of the R&D workforce, in particular through the National Institute for Heath and Care Research (NIHR). Working closely with delivery partners including NHS England and NIHR you will ensure we take a coherent approach which ensures we have the skilled and supported research workforce who lead, undertake and support research. You will also oversee the work of the NIHR Academy which has a pivotal role in attracting, training and supporting the best health and care researchers to tackle the complex challenges of the future.

Person specification

All post holders will need to be strong problem solvers with the ability to establish and maintain strong and effective relationships with stakeholders across government, the NHS, the life sciences industry, charities, academia and broader research community. You will represent DHSC/NIHR in key forums. In addition, you will be an excellent communicator, providing briefing (both written and verbal) for Ministers, senior decision makers in Whitehall, including the DHSC’s Chief Scientific Adviser, setting out pertinent issues, analysis and policy recommendations as needed.

Research Policy Senior Manager NIHR Infrastructure & Growth (post one)

• Leadership and oversight of the transition from NIHR CRN to the NIHR RDN and aligned transformation programme.
• Support the maintenance of the efficient and effective delivery of research through the RDN for NIHR, commercial and non-commercially funded research in England.
• Develop and deliver policies and initiatives to drive progress towards the government’s Clinical Research Delivery vision, in-line with the government’s response to the O’Shaughnessy Review.
• Manage the contract for the RDNCC, including representation at the Contract Management Board.

Research Policy Senior Manager NIHR Infrastructure & Growth (post two)

• Leadership and oversight of work programmes based in NIHR Infrastructure that support the Life Sciences Vision Missions.
• Ensure synergies and alignment of Mission related research with programmes of work across NIHR on dementia, mental health, obesity and addictions, working closely with colleagues in SRE and NIHR.

Research Policy Senior Manager: Research Workforce & Training

• Develop and implement policies and initiatives to support and grow the R&D workforce, including working with partners and stakeholder to lead the development of a cross-sector research workforce plan to guide additional investment in our workforce from 2024. 
• Work with colleagues in the directorate, department and wider ecoystem to ensure a joined up coherent approach to workforce development.
• Work with and through partner organisations from across the system to lead and support activities to enhance opportunities to develop the R&D workforce in the NHS and wider health and care system.

Key Skills and Experience required for the role

• Ability to work collaboratively with policy teams across the directorate, the Department, NHS, NIHR, and the wider health and care system to understand policy areas, the reasons for delivery challenges and potential solutions.
• Excellent and persuasive written and verbal communication skills, including evidence of presenting to senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal, stakeholder management and influencing skills, capable of effectively leading teams across different organisations to deliver objectives.
• Ability to analyse evidence, data and intelligence to find solutions and communicate complex information simply for a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrable experience of programme and project management.
• Experience of working flexibly and at pace to adapt plans and resolve complex issues in collaboration with partners.
• Demonstrable ability to deal with ambiguity and deliver in the context of uncertainty, with an ability and willingness to flex approach as the needs of the programme evolve.

Desirable

• An understanding of research workforce in the NHS.
• An understanding of the health and care research landscape.
• Experience of working with researchers and research delivery staff in the health and care system.
• Experience or knowledge of organisational transformation (post one).
• A Masters qualification or equivalent which includes an element of scientific research or health and care related subject (posts one and two).

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £53,116, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £14,354 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Sift date: expected W/C 08/01/2024

Interview date: expected W/C 22/01/2024

Interview location: By video. Further details will be released to candidates who are successful at sift. 

The available interview slots will be released with the sift scores. 

Applications will be sifted on CV, Statement of Suitability and Behaviours.

Please use your CV to set out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role. These can be found in the ‘key skills and experience required for the role’ section of the advert. Please also include a list of your relevant qualifications.

Please use your Statement of Suitability to (in no more than 500 words) outline how you meet the key skills and experience required for the role as set out in the job advert. 

Please complete statements on the specified Behaviours (250 word max).

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

An initial sift based on CV, Statement of Suitability and the lead Behaviour Managing a Quality Service may be held if a large number of applications are received. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

At interview candidates will be assessed on Behaviours.  

To find out more about working in the department please visit our page on the Civil Service Careers Website here and to find out more information on how to apply visit the Civil Service Careers Website here 

Further Information

Applicants who are appointable but were not successful in appointment to this vacancy, may be held on a reserve list for up to 12 months, and contacted if similar vacancies become available. 

Please be aware that some travel may be required across the DHSC estate. 

Please note that applicants will require BPSS clearance.

Any move to DHSC from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

Contact Government Recruitment Service via dhscrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. 

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This role is being advertised on a permanent basis. If preferable, Loan or Secondment options will also be available for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited NDPBs or any other employer (Secondment). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

 

Terms and Conditions

Candidates should note that DHSC’s Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful. 

New Entrants to the Civil Service

New entrants appointed in grades AA to G6 will receive DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions:

• Annual Leave: 25 days on entry rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff
• Privilege Leave: 1 day - for the King’s birthday
• Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
• Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): one month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months’ full pay and five months’ half pay
• Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allow staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
• Probation: 6 month probation period

Existing Civil Service staff transferring from another Government department, on either level transfer or promotion

All staff moving to DHSC will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above). 

Existing DHSC staff, appointed on either level transfer or promotion

If DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSC’s pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.