Research Manager, Monitoring and Evaluation at National Institute for Health and Care Research

About the Role
We are looking for an innovative and experienced research manager to support the monitoring, evaluation and learning activities of a high profile National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) portfolio of clinical and applied health research infrastructure funding schemes.

The NIHR is funded through the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and was established to create a health research system in which the NHS supports outstanding individuals, working in world-class facilities, conducting leading-edge research focused on the needs of patients and the public. The NIHR Research Infrastructure provides a platform to enable research by creating an environment where early stage and applied research can thrive. Our Research Infrastructure portfolio consists of research expertise, specialist facilities, a research delivery workforce and support services. The NIHR invests more than £606 million a year of infrastructure funding through a number of different five-year infrastructure funding schemes. 

Job Purpose
Reporting to the Senior Research Manager – Monitoring and Evaluation within the Infrastructure team, the post holder will support the development and implementation of strategies and solutions to embed new approaches to award level data monitoring and reporting across the research infrastructure portfolio, and the implementation of scheme level monitoring, evaluation and learning approaches, including impact evaluation. 

We are looking for someone that has experience of working with an array of data sources (metrics, narrative and financial reporting information), a basic understanding of research impact, and a broad perspective of academia, funding and project management. You will work closely with the rest of the Infrastructure team, as well as the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team. You will liaise with internal and external stakeholders, so you should be confident in interacting with your peers and the external scientific community and able to demonstrate critical thinking. 

Key Responsibilities

• Support the annual reporting process: support the management of the annual reporting process, including the maintenance of forms and guidance notes, organisation of briefing workshops for the award holders and collation of annual reports. Also, review and feedback on annual reports to provide assurance on progress against goals, governance and management of awards.
• Support the review and implementation of new approaches to annual reporting: manage and support elements of  the ongoing review of current processes and the development of a ‘fit-for-purpose’ approach to annual reporting, taking into account the need to provide both adequate assurance and up-to-date evidence of progress and impacts. Manage work related to the identification and implementation of a new digital solution for annual reporting. 
• Analyse reporting outputs: support the quantitative and qualitative data analysis  for projects across the infrastructure portfolio, including strategic reviews, and, where feasible and appropriate, produce visual representations of progress using data collected and collated for reporting purposes. 
• Provide flexible support to the team and the line manager:  take a flexible approach to work tasks, ‘muck in’ and provide support on additional tasks across the team during busy times.

Qualifications

Required Criteria:

• A Masters or PhD degree in biomedical or health sciences research (or significant equivalent sector experience)
• A basic understanding of the processes that might be involved in the monitoring of funding awards and evaluation of programmes. 
• Some experience of working in one of the following environments:
  • Major research funding/management 
  • Research management within the NHS or HEIs e.g clinical trial/study coordination including in applied health areas
  • Pharma/biotech 
  • Academia
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks, and work to challenging targets and deadlines
• Evidence of ability to write reports and analyse data, demonstrating excellent attention to detail
• Team player with an ability to build effective working relationships

Desirable Criteria:

• Current knowledge of the UK’s health and care research and policy landscape
• Experience in research/grants management and/or monitoring and evaluation of research
• Experience in stakeholder management within and across multiple organisations

Why work for us
Join our team and you’ll be working with an exceptional organisation who manage high quality health and care research for the benefit of patients and the public. NIHR is one of the UK’s largest funders of health and care research.

Salary & Benefits

• £37,900 to 40,000 PA
• Bonus – subject to company performance
• 25 days annual leave, plus public holidays (UK)
• Enhanced contributory pension scheme
• Life Insurance
• Benenden Healthcare
• Season Ticket Loan
• Laptop, IT equipment and remote IT support

NB: We offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, flexible working arrangements. This is an office based, home working (hybrid) role with an expectation for all employees to attend our offices a minimum of 4 days a month, which might increase, subject to team requirements.

To Apply 
If you are interested in working with us and feel you have the appropriate background and skills, please apply via the ‘Apply‘ button above with your CV, (with the cover letter attached in the same document), outlining your suitability for the role and highlighting your experience against the required criteria. 

Closing date is the 30^th October.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES 
LGC strongly believes that every job applicant and employee should be valued for their individual talents regardless of age, disability, race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion, or belief. Short listing, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital status, color, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age, or trade union membership.