Approvals Specialist

Health Research Authority; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension

Flexible working

Hybrid work

Job summary

Health Research Authority seeks to simplify the approvals process for health research, delivering a streamlined system across NHS studies. This role supports operational delivery of HRA Approval, coordinating with NHS staff and REC Chairs to ensure timely, robust assessments and approvals.

We offer flexible working including home-based contracts, with Nottingham staff able to be office-based and hybrid. The organisation values diversity and provides opportunities for development within a

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification or evidenced ability to work at a similar intellectual level.
• Thorough understanding of the HRA role and remit including knowledge of principles and processes for approving and conducting health research in England, including legal and ethical requirements relating to research, and the ability to apply this knowledge practically.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation including Human Tissue Act, Mental Capacity Act, Data Protection Act, GDPR, Clinical Trials Regulations, and understanding of NHS research funding and contracting arrangements.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise against change and uncertainty, with problem solving and analytical skills, including ability to prepare reports and manage multiple processes and cases.
• Experience in research approvals system and change management/ service improvement.
• Highly self-motivated, proactive, innovative, able to work independently and develop good communications with REC Chairs and Members and the research community; flexible approach to change.
• Willingness to regularly travel nationally including being absent from home and outside of core hours.
• Presentation skills including the ability to conduct meetings and deliver presentations and workshops using various aids.

Responsibilities

• Be part of the team that delivers the operational function for HRA Approval.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the HRA role and remit and apply knowledge to practical tasks.
• Work with NHS staff and REC Chairs to ensure efficient approvals and governance.
• Prioritise multiple processes and meet tight deadlines in a changing environment.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and communicate effectively at all levels.

Skills

HRA knowledge

Regulatory knowledge

Organisation & prioritisation

Change management

Stakeholder communication

Presentation skills

Travel availability

Education

Degree-level qualification

Job description

The HRA is a dynamic organisation, delivering excellent services through its committees, simplifying the health research process and championing research in the NHS. We hope that you are as enthused by our vision, our plans and our operations as we are.

The HRA is a Non Departmental Public Body with the remit to protect and promote the interests of patients and the public in health and social care research. We do this by supporting and promoting a robust and efficient regulatory and governance framework in the UK. We provide the Research Ethics Service (RES), Confidentiality Advice function, assessments and assurances on behalf of the NHS, and learning, guidance and advice for the research community. Our ambition is to make the UK a great place to do research, where more money invested in research goes into carrying out relevant, good quality research.

Our purpose is to ensure that research involving NHS patients and members of the public is approved through a proportionate and robust system, that they are provided with the information they need to help them decide whether they wish to take part, and that their opportunity to do so is maximised by simplifying the processes by which high quality research is assessed. We have already delivered significant improvements by centralising and simplifying the approval of research in the NHS in England, and are undertaking a range of significant programmes to deliver further improvements.

Job overview

HRA Approval is a system that simplifies the approvals process for research, to make it easier for studies to be set up and reduce duplication and bureaucracy. It provides a single application, single assessment and single approval for research in the NHS across all study types and incorporate assessments by NHS staff alongside the independent Research Ethics Committee opinion, allowing local resources to be focussed on successful local delivery of studies.

This post is an exciting opportunity to be part of a team that delivers the operational function for HRA Approval. We are looking for individuals who can bring experience of health research and can demonstrate enthusiasm to deliver an effective and efficient approval system for research.

Main duties of the job

They must have an understanding of the HRA role and remit, knowledge of a range of administrative practices and procedures plus evidence of practical experience at a similar level. They will have a well-developed knowledge and expertise of operating systems within the NHS or similar field and excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise against a background of change and uncertainty. Experience of working to complex policies, of working with people at all levels in an organisation and of working to tight deadlines is essential.

Working for our organisation

At the HRA, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive working environment where we actively invest in the development and empowerment of our staff, enabling them to perform at their best. We strive to promote a healthy workplace culture where wellbeing, collaboration, andprofessional growth are valued and encouraged.
Working at the HRA, we support flexible working, recognising that home based or hybrid arrangements provides us with the most productive environment to work well. Where possible, we’ll offer a working pattern that suits you.
The HRA offers home based contracts for all locations. Newcastle, Manchester and Nottingham based staff can be office based and hybrid working arrangements are also possible. We encourage
you to speak with us to explore how this could be accommodated.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that helps us to deliver the best services. We welcome applications whichrepresent the rich diversity of our community: age, disability, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and other diverse characteristics, and we have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Person specification

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree-level qualification or evidenced ability to work at a similar intellectual level

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERTIS

• Thorough understanding of the HRA role and remit including knowledge of principles and processes for approving and conducting health research in England, including legal and ethical requirements relating to research, and the ability to apply this knowledge practically
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and national policy including Human Tissue Act, Mental Capacity Act, Data Protection Act, General Data Protection Regulation, Clinical Trials Regulations, which impacts on conduct of research and some understanding of NHS research funding and contracting arrangements
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise against a background of change and uncertainty with problem solving and analytical skills, including ability to interpret and prepare reports and ability to work to frequent deadlines and to manage multiple processes and cases simultaneously
• Research approvals system and change management/ service improvement experience
• Highly self‑motivated, confident, pro‑active, innovative, with ability to work independently and on own initiative and able to develop good communications with REC Chairs and Members and the extended research community. Flexible working approach, with proactive approach to change
• Willingness to regularly travel nationally including being absent from home and outside of core hours
• Presentation skills including the ability to conduct meetings and deliver presentations and workshops using a range of presentational aids

In return for your commitment, we offer excellent opportunities for personal development and a healthy work-life balance. The HRA is committed to promoting and enhancing inclusion, diversity and equality. We welcome and encourage applications, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of age, gender identity and gender expression, disability, race, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, sex or sexual orientation or any other personal circumstances. Reasonable adjustments to the interview process can be made upon request, for candidates with a disability. The HRA welcomes applicants who are interested in flexible working including job share, part time work, secondments or home-based working. Please discuss any preferred flexibility at your interview.

The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of applications.

The HRA does not hold a sponsor licence in respect of skilled worker visas and so is unable to employ candidates requiring sponsorship.

The NHSBSA is responsible for the processing of your application; a privacy notice is available at the following link to advise you on how we will process your personal data.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

The HRA offers a variety of career paths for its staff as well as a wide range of benefits, including NHS pensions and discounts.

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