Senior Projects Officer (Jubilee Centre) - Education and Social Justice

Senior Projects Officer (Jubilee Centre) - Education and Social Justice - Grade 7 - 95411
 - (1900060G)

Position Details

School of Education

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK 

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £30,942 to £40,322. With potential progression once in post to £42,792 a year

Grade 7 

Full time

Fixed term for 24 months with potential extension 

Closing Date: 23rd January 2020

Interviews will take place between 10th and 13th February 2020.

Job Purpose

The Senior Projects Officer will work with the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues’ research team to manage and support the delivery of project activities across the Centre. The post-holder will be responsible for the effective co-ordination of a range of project-related activities across the Centre, from the point of inception through to output delivery. The post-holder will report to the Centre Manager and take responsibility for planning and organising project activities, implementing Centre strategies for impact, influence and communication and provide cross-Centre management and support for research, ensuring that the required outputs and outcomes for each project are on course for delivery.

In addition to the specific responsibilities above, all Jubilee Centre members will be expected to take a full and active part in activities over and above commitments to each project. This is a key role in ensuring coherence in approach to the work across the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, and that researchers are working to deliver the contracted outputs and outcomes of the research contract.

It is important that the post holder has a strong commitment to the vision, aims and goals of the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues.  www.jubileecentre.ac.uk

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Project management

The Senior Projects Officer will lead on planning and organising project- and research-related activities across the Centre to ensure that the required outputs are delivered to schedule and standard for the Centre’s Management Team, its partners, funders, University and other stakeholders. The postholder will support the Centre Manager to oversee and ensure delivery of contractual and financial obligations relating to the Centre’s funded research and will lead on delivering high quality administration across the Centre’s portfolio of projects; this will include management of bespoke initiatives in collaboration with external organisations and individuals as they arise throughout the life of the grant. The postholder will lead on managing the collation and cataloguing of impact and engagement activities and on the management and delivery of internal and external communications strategies across the Centre, which includes compiling and overseeing the delivery of the monthly newsletter. The postholder will also support the Centre Manager with other HR, recruitment and selection, and financial administrative activities.

The postholder will ensure effective management, leadership and delivery of administration support across the Centre with specific responsibility for project- and research-related administration. Specifically this includes:

• Provide extensive and comprehensive administration and support to the Centre’s Management Team through clear and defined oversight of all Centre project- and research-related activities, with a particular emphasis on the delivery of the Centre’s contractual outputs and outcomes;
• Lead the Centre’s work on the cataloguing of impact data, both to enhance the research and influence of the Centre and with a REF focus for the University. This will involve liaising with high profile stakeholders by email to request additional information, request testimonial evidence, and  inviting stakeholders to visit the Centre, as well as developing and maintaining a network of relationships across the University. As part of managing the impact catalogue, the postholder is expected to review current strategies for collecting impact data, develop and update approaches,  and be familiar with strategies and policy changes that may affect approaches to creating successful impact;
• Supporting the development and delivery of Centre strategy for research activities from an administrative position, with a focus on delivering and managing high quality research administration;
• To provide support and act as Deputy for the Centre Manager regarding both the organisation and development of Professional Services staff in the Centre and with operational and strategic matters affecting the Centre in a responsive and pro-active manner;
• Lead on planning, co-ordinating and organising research project activities to ensure that the required outputs are delivered to schedule, budget and standard; 
• Lead on reviewing project progress against the grant agreement/s and independently produce update reports on project progress for internal use. The postholder will be expected to work closely with research staff and project PIs throughout the grant, and direct planning for research  administration processes; 
• To lead on the production of regular progress and update reports on all projects, both for reporting to the Centre’s funder, and to update the Centre’s management. This will require proactive and independent communication with the relevant members of the Centre’s staff to acquire  updates and information; 
• To take the lead for the day-to-day management and upkeep of the Centre’s website. To manage the content, updates and other technical aspects of the site, including the management of the relationship with the external organisation who provide technical support for the site. To provide  regular updates to the Centre Manager regarding content, areas for improvement and other suggestions, and to keep up to date records of analytics;
• Lead on communication with the Centre’s Management Team regarding update of changes and developments in all of the research conducted by the Centre, particularly regarding timescales and delivery of outputs. This will involve project managing each project from a resource and  administration perspective, and planning the delivery of interim and final reports, working with printers, designers, proof-readers, authors and other parties to deliver a complex schedule of reports throughout the life of the research grant; 
• To provide dedicated support to the Centre Manager in the compilation of comprehensive financial reporting for each of the Centre’s grants;
• To undertake the day-to-day management, recording and reporting for all research grants across the Jubilee Centre;
• To proactively source external opportunities for collaboration, application and partnership that will benefit the Centre’s research. This will involve building key strategic relationships both inside and outside of the University to seek out opportunities for collaboration and/or additional  funding;
• To lead and advise the Centre on the Ethical Review process within the University, taking charge of liaising with the Ethics Committee and providing clear and constructive feedback to academic staff at all levels. The post-holder will be responsible for the preparation and submission of  ethical review forms and related documentation for all research projects, actively consulting with key contacts in the Ethics Committee group to ensure a seamless process;
• To significantly contribute to the academic work of the Centre through delivering presentations and writing publications both internally and externally. The postholder will need to acquire proficient knowledge across all of the Centre’s work and be confident presenting this information in a  variety of formats, including at seminars and conferences, team meetings and in written publications and reports;
• To act as a lead authority on administrative and research-related processes for the Centre, both internally and across the University. The postholder should act as a knowledge broker between University departments, and also take the lead on research administration issues and to play a  major role in the development of the Centre’s Professional Services team regarding team ethos and development;
• Be approachable and available to provide dedicated support to the development and implementation of existing and new large projects actively managing and co-ordinating timescales and delivery of outputs;
• To act as Secretary to the Management Team to include taking accurate minutes of regular meetings and maintaining a high level of confidentiality around issues of a sensitive nature;
• Lead team meetings with the Centre’s staff to discuss updates and progress of each project and draw lines between projects to encourage cross-Centre collaboration;
• Carrying out any relevant tasks, or oversee the completion of any task, delegated by the Centre Manager; 
• Conduct research data collection as and when required and/or appropriate.

The Senior Projects Officer will provide dedicated support to the Centre Manager and be an integral figure in the Centre’s core team to embed a culture of high quality customer service (internal and external), and adherence to agreed procedures. The postholder will need to command both authority and respect from the Centre’s Management, Academic and Professional Services staff, and across the University.

The postholder will lead the recruitment and administration of casual and temporary workers in the Centre, including self-employed workers, student and non-student casual workers through Worklink. This will involve active and strategic planning for when suitable workers will be required, and for what length of time, and act as a point of contact and information to the rest of the Centre. This will also involve the management of casual workers, planning their workload and managing day-to-day duties and responsibilities when appropriate.

Policy development and implementation

• Documenting policies and procedures, and standards, for data collection and management;
• Maintaining awareness of issues affecting the field of research and the wider work of the Centre to include an awareness of issues affecting HE;
• Creation, maintenance and manipulation of detailed and accurate databases detailing outcomes and milestones of all research projects. Ensuring that projects remain on schedule to be concluded successfully, on time and within budget. Provide regular update reports to the Centre  Manger on how projects are progressing, to be presented to the Management Team;
• To lead on delivery of impact and data management across the Centre’s numerous and complex research projects, identifying areas for improvement and making recommendations for changes as appropriate; 
• To lead on the creation, management and maintenance of detailed and accurate databases related to research data collection, research impact and analysis, ensuring databases are fit-for-purpose and maintained/adapted in line with any relevant changes to University systems or  procedures - therefore identifying and acting upon any opportunities for improvement;
• To lead and oversee compliance with the University’s strategy and policies for recording research publications and impact on PURE; working with academics and Professional Services staff in the Centre to encourage and promote active maintenance of staff records on PURE, providing  guidance and support where necessary.  The post-holder will consult regularly with the University’s Open Access and Publications adviser, Planning Partner, and other colleagues to ensure any relevant policy developments are implemented in Centre processes and to identify and make  recommendations as appropriate. This will require a fully comprehensive knowledge of live and changing procedures and policies affecting the recording of information in PURE;
• To manage and have responsibility for the visa applications and compliance with UKVI regulations for visitors to the Centre and for invited casual workers and fellowships, whilst demonstrating knowledge of wider University procedures;
• To manage, monitor and implement opportunities to develop and build existing resources and programmes offered by the Centre.

Person Specification

• A good first degree (First or Upper Second) or equivalent.
• A higher degree in a related Social Science field is desirable.  
• Prince II qualification in Project Management or equivalent practical experience
• Significant and demonstrable experience in a HE institution, ideally with experience of leading research administration.
• Knowledge of character and virtues education and/or social sciences research.
• High level of IT literacy including knowledge of website editing, HTML coding software and social media.  
• To also have a willingness to learn new technologies, processes and systems. Local training will be given. 
• First-rate written skills, able to articulate complex arguments and information succinctly and clearly to meet deadlines. Ability to write high quality reports, presentations and other outputs for use by senior colleagues, by high profile external stakeholders, and other public audiences; this  includes a clear style of communication and the ability to write for different audiences.
• Excellent oral communication and presentation skills, with an ability to confidently influence decision makers and use a range of communication skills and strategies to gain commitment to action or change.
• A demonstrable ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, engage in tasks at short notice and maintain an impeccable degree of accuracy. 
• An ability to work across multiple tasks at once, both leading and delivering research administration to the appropriate standard for a world-leading research centre.
• Ability to work independently and autonomously and be pro-active in their work, e.g. in growing strategic relationships within areas of mutual interest internally and externally, with experience of working effectively to influence a team, ideally within HE research administration.
• Ability to analyse complex and diverse sets of information and communicate understanding effectively and clearly to a range of audiences. 
• Experience of leading teams to access and organise resources successfully, make recommendations and suggest changes to processes and strategies as appropriate.

For informal inquiries please contact Danielle Edwards (0121 414 4439) - d.l.edwards.1@bham.ac.uk

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment

We value diversity at The University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community’
 
Primary Location GB-GB-Birmingham
Job Clerical/Administrative
Organization Education
Schedule Temporary
 Full-time
Job Posting 16.12.2019, 12:00:00 AM
Grade (for job description) Grade 7
Salary (Pay Basis) 30,942.00
Maximum Salary 42,792.00