Internal Applicants Only – Research Associate – WCPP (HDRC)

Job title:

Internal Applicants Only – Research Associate – WCPP (HDRC)

Company

Cardiff University

Job description

School / DirectorateCardiff Business SchoolAdvertThis post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only. Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.Internal Applicants Only – Research Associate – WCPP (HDRC)Co-funded by the Welsh Government, Economic and Social Research Council and Cardiff University, the Wales Centre for Public Policy bridges the gap between academic research and policy makers/practitioners by generating and mobilising evidence that improves policy decisions and public services.Its staff come from a range of backgrounds including academia, the civil service, health service, local government, think tanks and the voluntary sector.The Centre is a member of the UK’s What Works network and the International Public Policy Observatory. It collaborates with leading researchers from across the UK and internationally to generate, synthesise and mobilise research evidence that can be applied to tackle pressing economic, environmental and social challenges. Staff enjoy excellent access to senior policy makers and public service leaders which enables them to achieve research impact at national and local level.The Centre also supports delivery of Rhondda Cynon Taf Health Determinants Research Collaboration (RCT HDRC). HDRCs are a new element of National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) research infrastructure that aim to enable local authorities to increase capacity and capability to become more research-active, undertake new research, and use existing evidence to inform decision making. There is a central focus on health inequalities and actions to tackle issues faced by disadvantaged groups and areas.We are seeking to recruit an outstanding individual to contribute to our work with RCT HDRC, public services and the Welsh Government. The post offers a unique opportunity to manage and conduct high quality, policy research, working closely with leading researchers and policy makers who are at the heart of current policy developments and debates including how to achieve net-zero, tackle poverty and inequalities.You must have a good understanding of public policy; the ability to work directly with public service leaders; a commitment to high quality policy relevant research; excellent communication and organisational skills; and the ability to work as part of the Centre’s wider team.The post is full-time and available from 1st October 2024 until 30th December 2028. It offers a stimulating and supportive working environment with flexible working arrangements; a generous university pension scheme; a wealth of training opportunities; and a base in the new Social Science Research Park (SPARK) located on Cardiff’s £300 million Innovation Campus. The Centre supports hybrid working and the successful candidate will need to be available to work from its offices in Cardiff for a minimum of one day per week. There will also be a requirement to work from RCT Council Offices at Ty Elai, Tonypandy for a minimum of one day a week.We encourage potential applicants to contact Dr. Amy Lloyd (HDRC Research and Evidence Lead) – email amy.lloyd@wcpp.org.uk or Dan Bristow (Director of Policy & Practice – email dan.bristow@wcpp.org.uk) for an informal discussion about the role. We will consider applications to join the Centre on a secondment basis for a minimum of 12 months.Applicants are asked to answer the following question at the start of their supporting statement. Your answer must NOT exceed 300 words in total.The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) provides evidence to enable Welsh Government, local authorities, health boards and other public bodies in Wales make policy decisions and improve public services. Choose a policy area you have demonstrable experience with and explain whether it relates to WCPP’s priority areas. Then outline your approach to how you would synthesise the evidence to answer a challenging question in this policy area. Finally, highlight the key factors which need to be considered about the quality of this evidence to ensure it is sufficiently robust to help Welsh policy makers.This post is full-time (35 hours per week), advertised on a fixed term basis until 30th December 2028.Salary: £39,347 – £44,263 per annum (Grade 6)Closing date: Tuesday, 1 October 2024External applications are currently not being considered for this post. If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements. Cardiff Business School is particularly looking to recruit from under-represented groups within the School.Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:Post Reference Number19137BRJob DescriptionMain Duties and ResponsibilitiesResearch

• To contribute to the identification of the evidence needs of public services and policy makers in Wales.
• To manage processes to identify and evaluate potential research projects for RCT County Borough Council.
• To work with local authority decision makers and service leaders in new and innovative ways to review and synthesise research evidence to identify policy-relevant findings and recommendations.
• To commission, manage and quality assure research commissioned from policy experts.
• To contribute to the design and delivery of initiatives to embed evidence use in local authorities.
• To disseminate research findings to public service leaders, policy makers and others through engaging reports, policy briefings, blogs, social media and podcasts.
• To design and facilitate workshops, roundtables and events with a range of stakeholders, including academic experts, experts-by-experience, local authority staff, policy makers and other stakeholders.
• To promote awareness of and engagement with the Centre’s work among local authority staff, policy makers and research networks.
• To contribute to other activities that enhance research impact, such as engaging with local and national media.
• To participate in networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects.

Other

• To participate in personal and professional development that is appropriate to the role and will enhance performance.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Salary Range Max.44,263GradeGrade 6Salary Range Min.39,347Job CategoryAcademic – ResearchAdditional InformationIMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES
It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criterion as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (e.g. BR) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application.Cardiff Business School
Cardiff Business School is a leading business and management school in the UK, holding AACSB and AMBA accreditations and ranked 1st for its Research Environment and 2nd on Research Power (REF2021). The School has a Public Value purpose and focuses on the co-creation of high quality, interdisciplinary education and knowledge that delivers economic, social and environmental value. The School’s activities are oriented towards five Grand Challenges: Decent work, fair and sustainable economies, future organisations, good governance, and responsible innovation.Career PathwayResearchPerson SpecificationEssential CriteriaQualifications and Education
1. A postgraduate degree in a related subject area, or relevant equivalent professional experience.Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2. An established expertise and proven portfolio of policy research and/or research management, effective knowledge mobilisation and research impact.
3. A proven ability to engage with public services and/or government in innovative ways to encourage the use of evidence to improve policy and practice.
4. An understanding of the barriers to evidence use in public services and/or government and of practical approaches to overcoming them.
5. Experience of developing and delivering effective stakeholder engagement and management.
6. Knowledge of current public policy issues in Wales and beyond.Communication and Team Working
7. Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively – in writing and in person – with a diverse range of stakeholders including public service leaders and policy makers.
8. Ability to work effectively with colleagues in the Centre and researchers in the wider university and beyond as well as experts-by-experience and other stakeholders.Other
9. Ability to develop and maintain excellent relationships with external stakeholders including public service leaders, politicians, civil servants and other opinion formers.
10. Ability to work at pace across a range of projects and policy areas.Desirable Criteria11. Experience of working in or with public services and/or government.
12. Knowledge of policy design, systems thinking, implementation science or behavioural science.
13. The ability to communicate in Welsh.

Expected salary

£39347 – 44263 per year

Location

Cardiff

Job date

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 01:44:37 GMT

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