Capacity Development and Training Manager at Newcastle University

Key Accountabilities

• Take operational responsibility for the day-to-day management and delivery of the Consortium’s capacity development and training plan including providing a programme of training to increase capacity and capability for maternity inequalities research and provide opportunities for career progression
• Working with the co-lead for Research and Capacity Development and the Consortium’s Programme Manager and with external stakeholders, undertaking a training needs survey of those conducting or aspiring to conduct maternity inequalities research
• Scope the existing training available nationally, negotiate with training providers to ensure access to training, as appropriate, and work with the Consortium’s Communications Manager to develop a capacity building portal that effectively signposts to existing training opportunities
• Working with the Capacity Development Leads Group and external stakeholders, identify gaps in training and plan, design and deliver training programmes and, where appropriate, commission external provision to fill these Proactively monitor these programmes, identifying and managing all relevant risks and issues, and initiating appropriate corrective action to ensure that they are delivered on time and within budget
• Develop and manage the Consortium’s capacity development schemes working closely with the Community Engagement workstream and the Capacity Development Leads Group to ensure there is diversity in applications to the schemes through a programme of proactive engagement
• Ensure that all awardees have equitable access to high quality training, development opportunities and mentorship that supports their career development
• Undertake evaluation of all schemes to ensure effective quality assurance of the capacity development programme, ensuring it offers value for money and that any national policy and regulatory requirements and good practices are embedded
• Develop and deploy appropriate processes to capture, report and retain evidence of delivery in accordance with the requirements of the funder and stakeholders
• Work with the Consortium’s Communications Manager to promote the successes of the programmes, regularly provide content to update the NIHR MDC website and manage associated training communications through social media and publicity material
• Manage, monitor, control, and report budgets for the capacity development programme, working closely with the MDC Programme Manager and university finance teams, to ensure that career development opportunities and training are delivered on time and target.  Produce progress reports to the MDC’s Executive Board, meeting reporting deadlines as required
• Represent the MDC at local, regional and national meetings, at national and international conferences, preparing and delivering presentations as appropriate
• Work with colleagues in other parts of the NIHR infrastructure including the NIHR Academy, NIHR ARCs, NIHR Schools, and NIHR BRCs as well as the Research Delivery Network, Local Authorities, and industry to develop synergy, joint working and shared activity that will support the delivery of the NIHR Consortium’s business plan.
• Undertake other tasks relating to capacity development and training as agreed with the co-lead for Research and Capacity Development
• Identify own learning needs, including appropriate courses to ensure up to date knowledge and skills

The Person 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience of leading on the delivery and evaluation of capacity development and training within and across complex organisations
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills including diplomacy, motivation, negotiating and influencing.
• Significant experience of project management and demonstrable ability to deliver results on time and within budget
• Proven high level of decision making and problem-solving skills, and a demonstrable ability to lead initiatives, prioritise and plan appropriately within a strategic framework
• Success in developing effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels and across a range of disciplines and partner organisations
• Ability to work independently, and to make decisions on complex or overlapping matters
• Strong digital literacy skills and ability to communicate and collaborate easily using digital tools
• Well-developed understanding of funding and financial management procedures

Desirable

• Experience of working with research funders
• Knowledge of the UK research funding landscape
• Experience of working collaboratively with academic, professional and managerial staff at a senior level, within healthcare, academic or research setting

Attributes and Behaviour

• Able to effectively collaborate and communicate with a variety of colleagues and stakeholders. Acts in a collaborative, inclusive, transparent and open manner, acting with integrity and able to build high levels of trust.
• Able to see the “big picture”, to think strategically and to consider the detail in complex situations, including where there are conflicting priorities
• Ability to think creatively to come up with new ideas, good problem-solving skills and ability to imagine beyond the status quo
• Uses benchmarking to analyse external practices, gain a deeper understanding of the issues and to identify opportunities
• High drive and initiative, able to demonstrate professional resilience
• An articulate, confident communicator, ready and able to deal with difficult situations and to challenge where necessary
• Works collaboratively with others, plays a positive role in teams and establishes and grows relationships across an organisation where different skills, expertise and opinions are valued
• An energetic and “can do” approach which will inspire and enthuse others, ready to take the lead in driving forward initiatives

Qualifications

• Educated to degree or equivalent level qualification plus experience in a similar capacity development and training-related role or significant vocational experience, demonstrating development through progressively more demanding, relevant roles
• Professional qualification in relation to training, development, organisational development or project management and/or relevant professional experience