Research and Innovation Services

Grade 7: - £35,333 - £42,155 per annum
Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date: 16-Jan-2023, 7:59:00 AM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.

Job Title: Research Grants and Contracts Manager        
Department: Research & Innovation Services      
Grade: 7 
Salary range:  £35,333 to £42,155 per annum   
Working arrangements: Full time, working Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.  

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here 

The Role and Department

The Research Operations Team is part of Research and Innovation Services (RIS) and provides comprehensive support to academic and PSS colleagues across the lifecycle of a research project. The team comprises pre- and post-award services, consultancy support, and systems implementation and development. Support includes tailored financial and contractual advice and management to all researchers at Durham, from planning, costing, and pricing the initial proposal to ensuring that contracts and agreements are negotiated effectively and efficiently to ensuring robust financial management and compliance of awarded projects. Research Operations works alongside the various teams which make up the Research & Innovations Service and in partnership with Professional Support colleagues across the University to help facilitate research-related planning, reporting and development and to meet the needs of both the individual researcher and the wider institution. 

As a Research Grants and Contracts Manager (RGCM) you will play a key role in supporting and developing externally funded research grant activity by providing high quality support and advice to academic staff in the preparation, submission and contractual negotiation of research grants and awards. You will join an enthusiastic and supportive team of RGCMs based in the central office but will also be expected to spend time in the academic departments you support to provide a key link role between the academic community and RIS.

The RGCM will be first point of contact for an academic wishing to apply for external research funding and will provide support and expert advice in a number of key activities including: identifying and disseminating funding opportunities, delivering training and information events, lay reviewing applications, project managing the submission process of the bid including responsibility for budget development and seeking internal approvals. Once awarded, and working closely with post-award colleagues, you will provide support to ensure timely acceptance of the award including contract negotiation and ensuring all ethical and due diligence checks are complete. It is essential that the RGCM is highly organised, pays close attention to detail, and has a pro-active approach to problem-solving. The capability to prioritise and manage a busy and varied workload is crucial. The ability to work across a number of concurrent projects at different stages of development is essential. A confident communicator, you will form close working relationships with the other members of the Operations Team, Research Development Team, Faculty Officials, Heads of Department, Directors of Research, Department Managers and other members of Professional Support Staff.  

Core responsibilities:

• Recognised professional practitioner and service specialist.  Implement changes to the design and development of service processes, techniques and deliverables for one or more service strands or project streams. 
• Provide specialist expertise and support with complexity of data and information sources, interpretation and analysis. 
• Contribute to development of operational service activities to ensure excellence in the stakeholder experience. 
• Collect and analyse stakeholder feedback to help define needs and requirements and the design and planning of services. 
• Internal and external relationship development and partnership working, networking and participation to engage and influence future services and the University reputation. 
• Identify and design activities to meet learning objectives and outcomes. 
• Deliver training, coaching and mentoring for stakeholders. 
• Maintain an awareness of university policies for research and research related activity, and provision of advice using specialist knowledge. 
• Contribute to and lead business meetings, working groups and sub-committees at departmental and operational service levels. 
• Devolve responsibilities to team members to ensure continuity of service provision and encourage skills development. 

Role Responsibilities;

• Provide expert advice and guidance to academics for a portfolio of Departments to support the development of research funding bids. 
• Manage the bid submission process, ensuring all internal and external regulations and procedures are adhered to.  
• Provide advice to stakeholders in relation to University, School or Department policy, procedures and regulations 
• Develop, plan and deliver funder/scheme specific information events and grant delivery workshops for stakeholders. 
• Provide training and or instruction to stakeholders 
• Coordinate and oversee internal demand management exercises and internal selection processes. 
• In consultation and collaboration with Durham University’s Legal Support team review draft agreements and contracts received from sponsors and negotiate appropriate changes, ensuring consistency and adherence to set standards, aiming to achieve the best possible terms for the institution 
• Undertake due diligence and risk management activities and propose actions to mitigate risk to ensure contracts and agreements are in compliance with university policy and governance regulations (for example ethical approval). 
• Analyse research data and provide reports to Service Heads, making recommendations for improvement as appropriate. 
• Contribute to operational leadership teams and decision making to shape the nature and level of the support service 
• Ensure the review and improvement of systems and procedures in line with University and Department frameworks. 
• Maintain awareness of the external environment and sector best practice to support high quality services
• Travel with occasional overnight stays may be needed.
• A flexible approach to working to provide a consistent service during peak periods and at times of absence within the team.
• Any other reasonable duties 

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: 

• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.  
• We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. 
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. 
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. 
• If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.  

Where a criteria has an asterix* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.  Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria  

1. Relevant experience of supporting grant applications preferably within an HEI environment.
2. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop excellent working relationships both internally and externally.   
3. Proven IT skills, including use of Microsoft Office
4. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).   
5. Continuing professional development required to maintain professional recognition.     
6. Experience of implementing policy and procedures and involvement with future changes for a service area.   
7. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.    
8. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.   
9. Experience of being able to network effectively and develop strong and productive working relationships, to influence perceptions of the University.   
10. Ability to prioritise work effectively to meet demanding and often conflicting deadlines

Desirable Criteria

• An understanding of costing and pricing methodologies
• Experience of negotiating research contracts

How to Apply   

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.   

Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
  
What you need to submit   

• A CV
• A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the essential criteria within the Person Specification (above).    

Contact details   

For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Sally Hewlett (s.a.hewlett@durham.ac.uk).

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery

• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
• Contribute to development of operational service activities to ensure excellence in the stakeholder experience. 
• Responsible for managing small budgets for consumables and some capital items, keeping records and processing invoices.
• Provide management for stakeholder service areas and/or processes ensuring a high-quality and timely service to all stakeholders, including prospective, existing and past students and staff. 
• Ensure the review and improvement of systems and procedures in line with University, School, Department or unit frameworks. 
• Distribute service information and provide advice to stakeholders regarding compliance and regulations. 
• Ensure regulations and procedures are updated to take account of internal and external changes. 

Planning and Organisation

• Implement changes to the design and development of service processes, techniques and deliverables for one or more service strands or project streams. 
• Collect and analyse stakeholder feedback to help define needs and requirements and the design and planning of services. 
• Analyse service data and provide reports to Service Heads making recommendations for improvement as appropriate. 

Teamwork

• Contribute to operational leadership teams and decision making to shape the nature and level of support services. 

Communications and Networking

• Internal and external relationship development and partnership working, networking and participation to engage and influence future services and the University reputation. 
• Deliver training, teaching and/or development delivery for stakeholders. 
• Contribute to and lead business meetings, working groups and sub-committees at departmental and operational service levels. 
• Provide proactive and comprehensive input and support to Head of Services, School and/or Department to achieve strategic and operational priorities. 
• Provide advice to stakeholders in relation to University, School and or Department policy, procedures and regulations. 
• Coordinate and oversee committee working and deal with complaints. 
• Provide training and/or instruction to stakeholders. 

Knowledge and Experience

• Recognised professional practitioner and service specialist. 
• Provide specialist expertise and support with complexity of data and information sources, interpretation and analysis. 
• Identify and design activities to meet learning objectives and outcomes. 
• Maintain an awareness of current policy for University business goals such as widening participation and access, and provision of advice using specialist knowledge. 
• Awareness of the external environment and sector best practice to support high quality services.   
• Any other reasonable duties.   

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.durham.ac.uk/about-us/governance/information-governance/privacy-notices/privacy-notices/job-applicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.   

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.