Programme Officer (National Contact Point/Infrastructure)

UKRI; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading research organization as a Band D position in the Science and Technology Facilities Council. This role involves supporting UK participation in Horizon Europe and managing strategic planning activities. You'll work with experts to drive impactful research initiatives and enjoy a flexible working environment with a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

30 days annual leave

Flexible working hours

Exceptional pension scheme

Subsidised restaurant

Qualifications

• Ability to manage and deliver activities in a strategic context.
• Strong commitment to teamwork and relationship building.
• Effective decision-making and delegation skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as National Contact Point for Research Infrastructure.
• Support management of STFC’s Infrastructure Fund project portfolio.
• Coordinate information gathering for UKRI Infrastructure Roadmap.

Skills

Planning and organizational skills

Team collaboration

Stakeholder engagement

Flexibility

Job description

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: £36,650 per annum
Hours: Full-time/Part-time (minimum 0.8 FTE)/Job-share considered
Contract Type: Open Ended
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire or Polaris House, Swindon

Together, our scientist, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.

As part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) develops and exploits frontier research in particle physics, astronomy, nuclear physics and space science through activities at UK universities and its own national laboratories, working internationally through a range of long-term collaborative research projects. STFC also builds and operates many of the UK’s largest multi-disciplinary research facilities at our research and innovation campuses.

Our Strategy, Planning and Communications (SPC) Directorate brings together the essential functions that are needed to help shape, communicate and monitor progress against STFC’s strategic plans. Our role is to enable the organisation to determine its strategic direction and translate this into a coherent set of plans, communicating these across the organisation.

In SPC, open communication and mutual support are encouraged. We are always looking to build positive change in our Directorate: our teams cultivate a safe environment and are ambitious in our actions to challenge inequities when we find them.

About the role:

This Band D position with be a split role that will cover two core areas of responsibility within SPC, sitting between the International and Strategy teams:

1. National Contact Point (NCP) for Research Infrastructure (RI) (50%):

NCPs work to increase and promote successful UK engagement and participation in the Horizon Europe programme. The UK network of NCPs is based within UKRI and their responsibilities include answering queries, supporting partner and funding identification, providing assistance throughout the application and assessment process, and influencing wider programme priorities. This role focuses on the delivery of the NCP for RI specifically and STFC are under contract from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to deliver this.

Key responsibilities of the NCP for RI role include:

• Supporting UK participation in Horizon Europe programmes and acting as the subject matter expert for the UK on European programmes relevant for RI
• Provision of a helpdesk service to the UKRI community
• Producing and delivering regular communications materials and awareness raising activities
• Building relationships with relevant bodies and networks nationally and internationally including research organisations, government departments, and other countries’ NCPs
• Supporting the influencing and shaping of future priorities for RI aspects of the Horizon Europe programme, through attending Programme Committee meetings and disseminating information with UK RI networks
• Reporting on activities to DSIT, and providing briefings to DSIT for relevant meetings and engagement events

2. Wider infrastructure and strategic planning activities (50%):

• Support for the management of STFC’s Infrastructure Fund project portfolio, including supporting the development of bids for future rounds of the Infrastructure Fund and working closely with existing projects on implementation and monitoring
• Helping to coordinate information gathering from across the STFC and multidisciplinary communities to input into the ongoing development and implementation of the UKRI Infrastructure Roadmap
• Supporting the Secretariat to the cross-UKRI Facilities Strategic Advisory Group (FSAG): organisation and delivery of meetings, agenda planning and supporting the drafting of meeting papers, reporting to a wide range of stakeholders and ensuring that actions are followed-up
• Collaborating with colleagues across UKRI to support cross-UKRI infrastructure planning
• Supporting the coordination and development of STFC’s input into wider strategic planning processes as necessary

Whilst these are the core areas of responsibility, this role will also work flexibly across SPC to provide Band D resource where required, as informed by the Directorate’s priorities.

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Whatever our role, we have the freedom to explore, learn and connect, as part of a community that loves to share knowledge and support one another.

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, this is a place where there’s always something new to learn – about the world around us, about your career, but most of all, about yourself. Join us and discover what’s possible.

STFC values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, exceptional average salary pension scheme, social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant.

Person Specification

The criteria below will be assessed at Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I)

• Understanding of how activities sit within the wider strategic context, and in turn the ability to manage and deliver activities in this context. (I)
• Ability to delegate where appropriate and make informed decisions including being able to articulate a clear vision, set priorities, solve individual and/or team problems, and inspire others towards a shared goal. (S&I)
• Strong planning and organisational skills and the ability to prioritise conflicting tasks at short notice to meet organisational priorities, as well as thoroughness and attention to detail. (S&I)
• Effective team player who demonstrates a strong commitment to working with others, including the ability to develop relationships and networks with a range of internal and external stakeholders at all levels. (S&I)
• Appreciation of the wider R&I landscape in the UK and globally. (I)
• Ability to work flexibly, including a willingness to travel in the UK and abroad as the role requires. (S)

Additional Information

To apply for this position, please submit a CV, and a covering letter in which you describe your motivations for applying and how you meet the criteria in the person specification. You are advised to write no more than 3 pages, and applications without a covering letter will be excluded from shortlisting. CVs should be no more than 3 pages long.

We encourage this role to operate using a hybrid working model. The post holder will be encouraged to work across all of STFC’s sites, and will focus significant time working at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Harwell, Oxfordshire) and Polaris House (Swindon¸ Wiltshire). Depending on location, there may be occasional travel with the costs covered by STFC.

We offer flexible working arrangements, including the provision for some remote working. The post is available as full time, part-time or job-share. Applicants should be open as to their desired working pattern when they apply.

Candidates may have backgrounds in research, industry, or the third sector, including those considering returning to work from a career break, health change or caring responsibility.

Please contact [e-mail] , FAO the recruiting manager if you have any questions, including working patterns and travel requirements.

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.

We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.

For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/

You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.