Programme Manager - NERC

Positions: 3
Hours: Full time or Part time (0.8)
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire (Hybrid working available)

As a Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Programme Manager, you will engage with the academic community, business, and policy makers to help maintain the UK’s leadership in environmental research and innovation, both nationally and internationally. You will contribute to the development and delivery of NERC and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) investments aligned with NERC’s strategic delivery plan, demonstrating a strong aptitude for programme delivery across areas such as research funding competition management and post-award monitoring.

Key activities:

• Supporting the development and management of a portfolio of investment in research, innovation and postgraduate training within NERC’s priorities.
• Take responsibility for the peer review and panel assessment of proposals for funding, by: selecting appropriate reviewers and panels members, acting as secretariat for the associated assessment panel meetings; ensure appropriate and timely communications at all times with those involved; promoting good decision making through equality, diversity and fairness in funding opportunities.
• Carry out active management of funded research, through specific programme activities, e.g. monitoring programme budgets; organising programme meetings and communications; preparing papers, reports and briefings; maintaining webpages. 
• Engagement with communities and stakeholders in the UK and internationally. Act as an interface with researchers (universities, other environmental agencies, and research centres) and research users (business, government and policy makers) for agreed areas of NERC activity. 
• Provide high quality expertise and advice in areas of responsibility informed by the latest developments in the area, evidence and engagement with relevant external stakeholders. 
• Promoting and contributing to cross-council projects and projects funded jointly with external funders. 
• Activity manage Assistant Programme Managers, as necessary, and administrative support staff in order to achieve NERC’s delivery goals. 
• Other tasks such as analysing investments (funding outcomes, outputs and impacts), data gathering and analysis. 

Person Specification

• Working knowledge or experience of the research and/or innovation landscape in the UK and the science areas and/or communities supported by NERC.
• Ability to absorb, evaluate and communicate complex information in language appropriate to the audience.
• Ability to prioritise, multi-task, and work to deadlines.
• Ability to work flexibly on own initiative, as well as contribute well to team working.
• Demonstrable track record in influencing effectively (both verbal and written media) across teams, wider organisation and external stakeholder communities.
• Effective use of Microsoft Office applications, e-mail and internet.

Benefits

• 30 days’ annual leave plus 10.5 public and privilege days (FTE)
• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
• Flexible working options and hybrid working
• Employee discounts and wellbeing initiatives
• Continuous learning and development opportunities
• A supportive, inclusive, and forward-thinking work environment

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

How to Apply

For full details, please visit our careers site. Please submit an application including your CV and a Cover Letter that showcases how your skills and experience align to the requirements of the role.

A well thought through application providing evidence and examples of how you meet the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.

Advert information