Job Description

Job Title: Research & Innovation Development Officer

Faculty/Department: Research and Enterprise / Research & Innovation
Reporting to: Head of Research & Innovation Development Team
Duration: Continuing
Job Family: Administration
Pay Band: 8
Benchmark Profile: Administrator Band 8
DBS Disclosure requirement: No
Vacancy Reference: TBC

Background and Context

The University of Hull has been shaping the future since 1927. With a vision that
emphasises the pursuit of excellence to achieve a fairer, brighter and carbon neutral future,
the Institution’s plans, as set out in our University Strategic Plan 2030, are bold and
ambitious. Motivated by societal challenges and inspired by the power of our global
community, the next few years represent a significant opportunity for the University to further
define and enhance its position within the UK Higher Education Sector. The University has a
long-established reputation as a civic research-led institution, which is internationally
recognised for the quality of research in areas such sustainability and climate change, social
justice, and applied health.

Central to the University’s plan is the investment in its Research and Enterprise service
(R&E), supporting the University’s ambition to grow its research excellence and knowledge
exchange portfolio as well as its research income through the development of high-quality
research funding applications. R&E has been a key part of the University’s mission
statement since it was founded, and we are aiming to significantly increase our level of
research capacity and the quality of our outputs, applications and impact as part of our
ambitious strategic plan.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an ambitious, creative and research driven individual
to join the University’s Research & Innovation Development Team (RIDT) to help us deliver
our ambitions to support the transformation of our research capacity and capabilities to build
our research excellence and grow our research income. The RIDT is making a major
contribution to the delivery of the University’s Research and Knowledge Exchange
Strategies, and plays a key role in helping our academic researchers to develop a world-
class portfolio of innovative impactful research that has extensive societal and economic
reach. The RIDT is tasked with identifying and developing high quality, strategic research
and innovation opportunities and projects, as well as driving high quality and high value
external funding applications with researchers and external stakeholders across and beyond
the region.

Seen as an important appointment, we are seeking to recruit a Research & Innovation

Development Officer (RIDO). The postholder will work across the University Faculties and
Research Institutes, but would preferably have expertise in the Social Sciences or
Environmental Sciences.

The RIDO will work closely with the Head of the RIDT and the rest of the team, and
proactively assist with the development and support of the delivery of the University’s
strategy to increase the quality and volume of its research and secure the external funding to
do so. They will provide advice and support to the academic research community in
developing their ideas into high-quality research projects and bids in line with the University’s
research priorities - Accelerating a net zero future; Promoting justice and fairness for all;
Improving health outcomes; Living with water; Enhancing heritage and creative industries -
securing high quality and high value external funding. This will require the development and
maintenance of strategic relationships with key funding bodies and the support of
relationships with private and third sector organisations. The post-holder will help to drive co-
production and collaborative approaches to research, facilitating ambitious research ideas
and helping with the management of research proposals. The RIDO will work closely with
other members operating within Research and Enterprise and ensure maximum support to
senior managers and the academic community.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the University’s Research & Innovation Development
Team and make a major contribution to the delivery of the University’s Research Strategy,
by helping academic researchers develop a world-class portfolio of research with extensive
impact. This post would offer a good opportunity for an internal secondment.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities of the post

1. The RIDO, working closely the rest of the RIDT, the Directors of Research &
Innovation and Knowledge Exchange, Associate Deans for Research, School
Research Directors, and the University Research Institute Directors, to support the
delivery of University, faculties and institutes’ research strategies. This includes
identifying and developing research capabilities as well as supporting strategic
thinking and the development of new research and related activities across the
Faculties and University Research Institutes

2. Develop strategic insight of major relevant funding bodies through analysis and
detailed understanding of their funding priorities and delivery plans ensuring that
upcoming strategically important opportunities are anticipated and acted on. Identify
and align opportunities for funding with the interests, strengths and research priorities
of the relevant faculties and institutes, and communicate these to key internal
stakeholders. Develop and/or adapt funding and research strategies reflecting these
horizon scanning exercises.

3. Proactively coordinate the development of strategic, high quality and high value
funding proposals. This will include planning timelines for proposal submission;
project managing the proposal development; coordinating teams of academics,
partners and administrators (particularly where the academics involved are drawn
from multiple faculties); drafting and reviewing proposals; and ensure it conforms to
the evaluation criteria of the funding agency. Drafting will include contribution in
particular to the non-technical aspects of the proposals (Track Records, Resource
Justification, Impact and Project Management and Data Management Plans etc.) and
the institutional strategic narratives.

4. Assist in building on and fostering new collaborations between academics and

external stakeholders to drive forward research by designing and hosting stakeholder
engagement workshop and/or strategic sandpits and provide support for other
research development activities including events to promote multi-disciplinarity
through scoping and networking meetings, workshops and training events.

5. Support strategic institutional bids for external funds to prime research capacity.

6. Work with colleagues in the Faculty research support teams, other Research &
Innovation teams, and the Commercialisation and Knowledge Exchange teams, to
share intelligence, provide coordinated support for significant research related
proposals across the full range of professional services and ensure compliance with
University policy and processes.

7. Identify, promote and support best practice in successful grant winning and project
management through consultation with funding bodies and University representatives
on funding agency committees and peer review panels.
 8. Work with colleagues to promote the University’s research strengths, raise
awareness of the research impact and innovation agenda, internal pump priming and
other key opportunities/activities.

9. Assist in the delivery of relevant staff training related to the development of research
proposals and research impact.

10. Network with professionals in other universities, relevant professional bodies and
external research organisations to support external collaborations, share intelligence
and develop knowledge.

11. Attend relevant Faculty/Institute meetings, and represent the University at strategic
funder and stakeholder meetings.

12. Work closely and flexibly with the rest of the R&I teams to ensure a high quality,
seamless and connected service to the University community is maintained at all
times, and to contribute to the further develop the services of the team.

The above list of duties is not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake
others duties within the scope and grading of the post.

To discuss the role informally, please contact Gethin Owen, interim Head of the Research &
Innovation Development Team, G.Owen@hull.ac.uk.

GENERIC JOB DESCRIPTION

The job duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature
of the role. The duties and responsibilities and the balance between the elements in the role
may change or vary over time depending on the specific needs at a specific point in time or
due to changing needs in the department. Candidates should note that there may not be an
immediate requirement to carry out all the activities listed below.

Overall Purpose of the Role

 The role holder will:
o Be an experienced professional who is expected to exercise a significant degree
of specialist and independent responsibility
o Have gained a professional and/or academic qualification and have extensive
specialist experience
o Be involved in planning and ensuring progress within established procedures and
clearly defined university policy by providing a high level of specialist advice and
expertise to support the Faculty or Departmental activities
o Contribute to the longer term planning in accordance with the wider University
strategy
o Advise senior University management on policy, functional or service priorities
and develop new procedures and polices within existing values
 There is a requirement to plan and organise individual and/or team activity to integrate
and coordinate work across different parts of the University, faculty or department

Main Work Activities

Communication
 Provide specialist advice and guidance to managers and staff
 Explain new and existing policies in relation to operational activities
 Create and deliver presentations to communicate information across
Faculty/Dept/University
 Attend meetings to report on specialist issues
 Take formal minutes at meetings when required
 Write formal documentation
 Write procedural documentation

Teamwork
 May be required to supervise the work of others
 Provides advice and guidance to other members of the team

Liaison and Networking

 Proactively develop and maintain internal and external contacts to benefit the University
 Participate in networks internally and/or externally

Service Delivery
 Assist in the preparation, presentation and implementation of the strategic plans and
operating statements and ensure compliance with reporting requirements within the
University
 Assist with the effective management of the quality of the service
 Assist the Head of Department/Service to maintain administrative direction
 Develop and manage projects that contribute to improving service delivery
 Develop and maintain systems and processes to ensure effective delivery of the service

Planning and Organisation

 Co-ordinate departmental processes in conjunction with senior colleagues
 Plan and monitor the work of others
 Contribute to the longer term operational planning of the Faculty/Department
 Organise and service committees as appropriate
 Organise and represent the area and University at events

Analysis/Reporting
 Analyse qualitative and quantitative data producing reports identifying key issues that
inform management interventions. Formulate recommendations and provide advice on
the implications of the data

Additionally the post holder will be required to:

 Fulfil the employees’ duties described in the University’s health and safety policies
and co-operate with the health and safety arrangements in place within the department.
May be required to undertake specific health and safety roles on request e.g. Display
screen equipment assessor, departmental safety officer, fire warden
 Show a commitment to diversity, equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices
This includes undertaking mandatory equality and diversity training
 Comply with University regulations, policies and procedures
COMPETENCY SPECIFICATION
To fulfil your role, you will need certain knowledge, skills and competencies. The following
competency specification provides a framework within which your performance will be
assessed. The interview assessment may include, for example, testing on IT skills.

The Competencies set out below are essential and are core requirements needed to
perform the role and any candidate who fails the requirement will not be taken forward for
further assessment or to interview.

Competency Identified by
Knowledge and Experience
Is a professional with proven experience in research support Application/Interview
administration and/or management.

A relevant degree or equivalent qualification. Application/Interview

Substantial proven experience of pre-award research Application/Interview

administration/management which includes the HE environment or
larger research organisation.

Substantial track record in supporting successful bids and funding Application/Interview

applications and research landscape horizon scanning to identify
new research and relevant research opportunities.

Extensive and current knowledge of the research funding Application/Interview

landscape (Research Council, EU, Government, Charities and
other key funding agencies and opportunities).

Proven experience of effective delivery of projects and proposals to Application/Interview

deadlines within complex and diverse workload

Evidence of ability to develop relationships and effective interaction Application/Interview

with public and private sector organisations.

Has an active approach to continuing professional Application/Interview

development/undertaking training as appropriate for personal and
professional development.

Communication (Oral and Written)

Can demonstrate the ability to summarise complex ideas or Application/Interview
information which may be highly detailed, technical or specialist.

Teamwork and Motivation Application/Interview

Can demonstrate the ability to delegate work to others and/or help
to build co-operation to deliver team results.

Liaison and Networking Application/Interview

Can demonstrate the ability to work across the University and/or
externally to build and strengthen working relationships. Actively
pursues a shared interest and works jointly to influence events and
decisions.

Service Delivery Application/Interview

Can demonstrate the ability to adapt the service and systems to
meet the needs of the customer and identify ways of improving
standards. Takes action to resolve issues and complaints. Collates
feedback and views from customers and keeps up to date with
changing needs to inform service development/adjustments.
Decision Making Application/Interview
Can demonstrate the ability to consider the wider impact of
decisions, assesses possible outcomes and their likelihood. Uses
judgement to make decisions with limited or ambiguous data and
takes into account multiple factors. Distinguishes between the
need to make a decision, when to defer and when not to take a
decision.

Planning and Organisation Application/Interview

Can demonstrate the ability to agree objectives and requirements
for the team or area of operation. Monitors overall progress of
project or area of operation and ensures corrective action is taken.

Initiative and Problem Solving Application/Interview

Can demonstrate the ability to gather information from a variety of
sources to develop solutions and considers the longer term
benefits against their chances of success.

Analysis/Reporting Application/Interview
Can demonstrate the ability to design and use data gathering and
analytical methods appropriate for each investigation. Recognises
and accurately interprets patterns and trends. Recognises when
additional data is required and identifies appropriate sources.
Produces reports and identifies key issues and findings.