Job Description

Location: Westward House, Bristol
To provide high quality support on governance, risk and information governance matters to Research England, working collaboratively with Research England colleagues and with UKRI colleagues within the Governance, Risk and Information Governance functions. In so doing, developing and demonstrating a thorough understanding of research and knowledge exchange in the higher education sector and the political and organisational context within which Research England and UKRI operate.
Governance

• Manage implementation of the Research England Governance Framework.
• Coordinate the cyclical review of the effectiveness of the Executive Group and Council.
• Manage the induction programme for, and onboarding of, new Research England Council members.
• Manage Research England gifts and hospitality declaration process.
• Manage the conflict of interest process for the Executive Group and Council, including conducting an annual review of conflicts of interest.
• Develop and implement relevant governance, risk and information governance guidance and processes ensuring alignment with wider UKRI policies.
• Contribute to the effective implementation of the Research England risk management framework, including maintaining the strategic risk register, managing the operational risk management framework, and collation of risk reports for the Executive Group and Council.
• Manage implementation of the Research England risk maturity action plan.
• Coordinate the Research England Executive Accountability Exercise.
• Manage implementation of the Research England risk training plan.

Risk
Information Management

• Have a thorough understanding of Data Protection legislation and its applicability to Research England operations, including exemptions/derogations from the EU General Data Protection Regulation.
• Coordinate responses to complaints, Freedom of Information requests, Environmental Information Regulations requests, Subject Access Requests, information requests and other requests.
• Conduct an annual review of the Research England Information Asset Register.

Personal Specification

• A successful track record in governance with significant recent experience in UK law.
• Experience of providing a successful Secretariat function.
• Information governance experience and/or expertise.
• Experience of developing and maintaining robust operational guidance and processes.
• An ability to communicate in a succinct, engaging, accurate and convincing way, producing materials that are straightforward and clearly articulated for external and internal audiences as appropriate.
• Proven strength in stakeholder management, with the ability to build effective relationships with people of all levels both internally and externally.
• Excellent listening, influencing and negotiating skills, including influencing senior leaders and external stakeholders and negotiating to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Ability to adapt to changing demands and conditions, and a readiness to make decisions, take the initiative and originate action.
• Ability to innovate and challenge established thinking in self and others, and to offer insights and ideas with practical application coupled with the ability to drive change.
• Ability to operate with political understanding and sense, in a complex environment of change and uncertainty.
• An understanding of how a public sector policy or funding organisation operates.
• Graduate or equivalent qualifications or relevant experience.

Benefits

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
• 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent)
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice
• Flexible working options

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.
How to apply:
For full details please visit our careers site via the 'Apply' button above.
45,272 per annum. Grade: UKRI band E

Skills Required