PRA - Strategic Lead for Social Care at Newcastle University

Key Accountabilities

• Ensure the NIHR RSS Hub develops in accordance with its agreed objectives to increase capacity in Social Care and that the NIHR contract is delivered successfully through collaborative working with the Directors and the Senior Management Team.
• Develop, deliver and lead Social Care-focussed strategic and operational plans, with input from relevant stakeholders.
• Establish new and develop existing links with statutory and voluntary Social Care communities regionally and nationally (both adult and children’s Social Care). Create and sustain strong collaborative links with colleagues based in the University, NIHR and other external partners (nationally and internationally).
• Ensure methods and processes for effective Social Care research guidance and support are embedded in all aspects of RSS Hub activity including RSS governance, service access and outreach, methodological advice, training, and are relevant and appropriate to Social Care throughout the research cycle from design, development to impact and dissemination of research.
• Bring together intelligence from exisiting and new Social Care networks and groups within the University, regionally and nationally, to share best practice, inform and develop training, both internally for RSS methodologists and externally for research grant applicants, and support an increase in research in this area.
• Lead the development of a national network for RSS Hub Social Care leads to share best practice, inform and develop staff development, mentorship and training, and support research in this setting.
• Provide line management and mentorship to members of the RSS Hub research support team.
• Deputise for the RSS Hub Directors at regional and national forums as required.

The Strategic Lead for Social Care (Principal Research Associate) will also contribute expertise to:

• Provide expert methods guidance and input at application and post award stage and act as a central point of contact for investigators considering applying to peer-reviewed funders.
• Lead the development of applications for research funding, leading and managing research, ensuring projects are completed within budget, meet milestones and deadlines for completion.
• Lead sustained impact activity including public engagement and make a significant contribution to policy development at a national level.
• Facilitate and chair meetings involving researchers, experts by experience and members of the public, the Social Care workforce and methodologists to ensure these are constructive and efficient and that actions are clear.
• Remain up to date with NIHR RSS and NIHR/Department of Health and Social Care national developments across all strategic priority areas.
• Work with others in the NIHR RSS team to develop and operationalise common processes nationally and across the NIHR RSS Hub to enable equity in service access and provision.
• Promote the NIHR RSS at local and national events, including leading discussions or chairing sessions at conferences, playing a prominent role in driving forward the national work programme of the NIHR RSS.
• Regularly review individual and collective data on the NIHR RSS Hub and national activities, analysing and monitoring own and RSS performance against projected milestones to inform focused action, and reports.
• Contribute to activities associated with the running and administration of the NIHR RSS, or perform other duties as required.

The Person 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Strong track record in the design, development and delivery of research in the Social Care setting in the UK, reflected in a high-quality output, level of innovation, impact on subject and recognition.
• An excellent reputation and track record of working with key Social Care partners, actively promoting research in the Social Care setting.
• Exemplary communication and interpersonal skills including diplomacy, negotiating and influencing at a senior level. Ability to understand and interpret complex ideas and communicate these simply to broad audiences.
• Significant knowledge and experience from a research perspective of identifying challenges and developing interventions to address issues in Social Care research.
• Proven leadership skills, including leading research teams, supervising less experienced colleagues and demonstrating leadership in a multi-stakeholder environment, pre-empting requirements, identifying opportunities and facilitating change management.
• Extensive experience of shaping strategic direction, including designing and delivering capacity development activities.
• Substantial knowledge of the methods, processes and requirements for conducting applied health and care research (including randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews and qualitative research).
• Experience of acting as a peer reviewer, for grant awarding bodies and/or academic journals.
• Track record of external grant funding as a lead or co-applicant. Substantial experience in conducting research, as evidence by impactful publications in high-quality peer-reviewed journals.

Attributes and Behaviour

• Self-motivated and pro-active; keen to help others and play a role in positive research culture.
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues from a wide range of professional and research backgrounds and roles.
• Willingness to travel regionally and within the UK.

Qualifications

• A PhD in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience.
• Membership of influential, national and/or international organisations pertinent to research in the Social Care setting.