Policy Lead

Insights North East (INE) is a new partnership between Northumbria University, Newcastle University, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, North of Tyne Combined Authority and Newcastle City Council. Its aim is to build a new policy-research infrastructure that will help to bridge the gap between research, policy making and practice in North East England. We are seeking to create better links between academics and policymakers to join publicly funded research with policy design and implementation to address the needs of communities in the region.

As Policy Lead, you will play a critical role in supporting a newly formed policy team and helping to shape INE’s output to underpin evidence-based policy making across the region. You will work closely with the programme director in producing policy reports and briefs and supporting the wider team and academic partners in developing policy recommendations from research. You will assist in the management of INE and manage the activity workplan.

Further information is available in the job description.  

This appointment is a secondment or 12-month fixed term contract position, with potential opportunities beyond that as INE grows into its next phase and new roles are developed. We are looking for candidates who can bring current experience of policy development. Should you wish to apply as a secondee, please discuss the role with your current employer in the first instance to confirm their approval.

Whilst this role is managed by Northumbria University you will be based in the INE office on Newcastle University's campus, working in an integrated team of staff from both universities. Your Northumbria manager will be Prof David Charles, but day to day management of the INE team is provided by Liz Shutt the INE Programme Director. The team also draws on twelve senior academics from the two universities for academic leadership and connections.  

You will have significant experience of working in a public policy setting and a deep understanding of how evidence-based policy decisions are made. You will be adept at working across complex, multi-partner programmes with strong relationship building skills and understanding of political nuances. Working in a start-up project, you will be highly adaptable, motivated and systematic in your approach.

You will have an established reputation working at the interface of research and policy, with ambitions to move into a more senior and challenging role. You may already be working in the higher education sector supporting academic engagement and impact.  Or you may be working in the public policy sphere in a local/combined authority, LEP or in a consultancy business or think tank focussing on local economic development.  We are also interested in applicants from the private sector or NHS who can demonstrate they have the knowledge and experience we are looking for.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role and working at Northumbria, please contact David Charles, Professor, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Strategy, david.charles@northumbria.ac.uk or for further detail on the INE Project, Liz Shutt, liz.shutt@newcastle.ac.uk, INE Programme Director (based at INE offices).

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