Job Description

 

Job description

Based in the dynamic Social Science and Public Policy (SSPP) Faculty Office, this post supports the Faculty Research Manager and the Vice Dean (Research) in delivering key strategic initiatives to support the capture, undertaking, strategic planning and reporting of funded research across the Faculty. The postholder provides day-to-day support for a wide range of activities carried out by the SSPP Research Leadership Team, influencing, and implementing operational and strategic activity and works closely with a wide range of colleagues.    

Tasks are deadline-led and wide in variety including line management of two staff, data expertise, assistance for a range of meetings, providing a range of support for SSPP staff and doctoral research students and oversight of the research team’s financial and email accounts.  The role holder will need to develop a broad perspective, engaging positively and proactively with College and Faculty research strategies and service transformation programmes, operationalising policy initiatives, embracing opportunities to contribute in different ways, prioritising as necessary.    

Working closely with the Faculty Research Manager, the Research Development Managers and the Vice Dean (Research) on discrete projects, the post-holder will provide high-level data expertise, using King’s research systems, establishing local databases, compiling reports and surveys, providing analysis and disseminating findings.  Support for College and national research assessment exercises will be a key function 

This is a full time post – 100% full time equivalent, and will be offered on a secondment basis until 31st October 2024.

Key responsibilities

• To act as the Faculty lead for PURE, Worktribe, Power BI, and other systems as they come on-line, becoming a high-level user in order to run reports, providing accurate and timely information and analysis for the Faculty team and general support for College and national research assessment exercises.    
• To assist with the running of Faculty-led initiatives and the administration of schemes e.g. the Faculty Research and Impact Fund, ensuring that such schemes are closely monitored for quality, EDI and appropriateness, leading on discrete projects where appropriate, providing operational and strategic support for SSPP research. 
• To manage the financial accounts held by the Faculty Research Team to support research initiatives, providing accurate information about commitments and funds available, setting budgets in conjunction with senior colleagues and ensuring all transactions are operationalised optimally, particularly when payments to external parties are involved. 
• To oversee the research leadership team’s email account, forwarding and responding to messages as appropriate in a timely and professional manner.  Maintaining faculty records and communications systems in MS SharePoint and Teams. 
• To provide vital operational and administrative support for Research Excellence submissions by becoming the local expert, managing data collection and data entry and providing proactive input to strategy, liaising closely with other Faculties and playing an active part in College and sector-level conversations. 
• To lead by example with regards professional development making optimal use of support and training available from professional bodies and appropriate special interest groups. 
• Attendance at, support for and dissemination from a range of research meetings across the Faculty and beyond, acting as the Faculty’s representative as appropriate, providing cover for senior managers where necessary. 
• Day-to-day line management of the Faculty Research Officer and the Doctoral Studies Liaison Officer including completion of probation routines, annual professional development reviews and appropriate performance management. 
• Ensuring that Faculty information (website/Sharepoint) concerning research is accurate and up to date, liaising with colleagues as appropriate. 
• Maintaining a register of SSPP research interests in a searchable database available for academic and professional services staff to find and match researchers. 
• In conjunction with other colleagues coordinating the running of events hosted or supported by the Faculty Research Team. 
• To develop and maintain excellent links with School research leads and managers, with colleagues in the Faculty office, the local Research Office (ASRO) and with those in central, functional roles as appropriate, playing a key role in professional networks for research. 
• To undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required by the Faculty Research Manager or the Vice Dean (Research).  

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.  

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

Essential Criteria

1.     A first degree or equivalent relevant experience. 

2.     Numerical literacy; accuracy and attention to detail and a methodical, systematic approach. 

3.     Highly proficient use of IT including MS suite and specialist systems and software together with effective use of English in a variety of media to communicate with a wide-ranging group of stakeholders. 

4.     A high degree of data literacy including developing and running databases and reporting from these; experience of detailed data entry and of data analysis; experience of presenting data and analysis in a meaningful way to suit to the needs of the audience. 

5.     Experience of working in the UK Higher Education environment. 

6.     Experience of planning and delivering events and training sessions. 

7.     A keen interest in research in higher education in the UK and an awareness of current challenges in the UK research landscape. 

8.     Self-motivated, with the ability to work with a high yet appropriate degree of autonomy and personal authority, and to be an effective team-player. 

9.     The ability to bring together and maintain new networks, displaying a people-focused, customer service-based approach at all times with strong inter-personal skills. 

Desirable Criteria

1.     An understanding of the requirements of Research Excellence Framework exercise. 

2.     Line management experience. 

3.     Membership of relevant professional body e.g. ARMA; Project management skills e.g. a specific relevant qualification or equivalent experience. 

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