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Job summary

Main area
Research
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 8c
Contract
Fixed term: 2 years (We would support and encourage secondment opportunities)
Hours
  • Part time
  • Flexible working
30 hours per week (Hybrid working)
Job ref
465-6443403
Employer
Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board
Employer type
NHS
Site
Priory House
Town
Shefford
Salary
£70,417 - £81,138 pro rata per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
25/07/2024 23:59
Interview date
06/08/2024

Employer heading

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board logo

Head of Research

NHS AfC: Band 8c

The Bedfordshire Luton and Milton Keynes (ICB) is responsible for planning and allocating resources to meet the four core purposes of the Integrated Care System (ICS), namely: to improve outcomes in population health and healthcare; tackle inequalities in outcomes, experience, and access; enhance productivity and value for money; and help the NHS support broader social and economic development.

Within this context, as the ICB develops as a statutory organisation, a significant challenge will be to determine how it effectively supports and enables place-based and local partnerships to take necessary action that will improve population health outcomes and reduce inequalities.

If you need support with the application process, please contact the ICB [email protected]

Job overview

The key aim of the Head of research is to develop our R & I strategy with the Head of Innovation and delivery plan. Key to its success and implementation will be:

  • Collaboration across multiple health, care and educational organisations to encourage sharing of resources.
  • Support and facilitate research studies and projects focused on population health, reducing inequalities, improving outcomes and healthcare delivery.
  • Data analytical decision-making use to develop predictive models and conduct or facilitate population health studies. Use of accurate data can be used to understand health needs and target interventions.
  • Engagement with Academic Institutions, such as Universities and Further Education establishments.
  • Identify funding opportunities that are relevant to the healthcare needs of the local population and support the development of grant applications.
  • Involvement of patients and public to co-design and co-produce studies so that their relevance and impact is enhanced.
  • Work with the NIHR infrastructure to develop a joint strategic approach to the planning and placement of portfolio studies.
  • Manage our relationship with the University of Bedfordshire Research and Innovation Hub.

Main duties of the job

As BLMK Head of Research , the post holder will work as part of a team covering all the statutory NHS and LA partners within the ICS.

The post holder will lead the provision of an efficient, effective and high quality professional and well-co- ordinated service capable of meeting all statutory, regulatory and NHS requirements ensuring alignment with the activity of the organisation.  

The post holder will be accountable to the BLMK ICB Deputy Chief Medical Director and responsible for:  

  • Leading and directing the delivery of a portfolio of work aligned to delivering the aims and objective contained within the BLMK Joint Forward Plan 2023. 
  • Developing a constructive, honest and transparent relationship and culture with all ICS Partners (e.g. HEIs, research bodies, NHSE, NIHR infrastructure) to provide support, challenge and advice and foster a collaborative working approach to portfolio and programme delivery.
  • Working with the Higher Educational Institutions in the East of England Region, particularly University of Bedfordshire to agree and deliver on research objectives within BLMK. Building relationships with other HEIs to grow the research agenda.
  • Participating in setting the operational agenda for the Programme Management Office, ensuring its function and activities evolve with the needs of the R&I strategy. 

Please see Job description for full details.

Working for our organisation

We are committed to promoting equal opportunities to achieve equity of access, experience and outcomes and to recognising and valuing people’s differences. We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity; we see this as a strength and part of our founding mission, values and behaviours. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers patient outcomes.

We are committed to creating the best place to work, where your contribution is valued, your wellbeing is supported and all our colleagues can reach their full potential. We welcome and encourage applications from all areas of the community, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of their protected characteristic. We work to ensure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone, including making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition and support with the recruitment process for people with lived experience.

We are happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles.

We operate a Carer friendly working environment that is supportive and inclusive. We actively encourage Carers to self-identify themselves.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and commit to shortlisting suitable applicants who meet the essential criteria for an interview. Please inform us of any adjustments you may require.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details about the role.

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrable experience of working in a large complex organisation.
  • Demonstrable understanding and experience of research at a senior level.
  • Experience of supporting funding bids for research.
  • A proven track record of delivering complex programmes to multiple stakeholders
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working within the NHS.

Qualifications/Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Extensive knowledge of specialist areas, acquired through post graduate diploma or equivalent experience or training plus further specialist knowledge or experience to master’s level equivalent
Desirable criteria
  • Member of relevant professional body
  • Programme management or change management qualification (MSP or similar)

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to deliver at pace in complex environment.
  • Skills for managing relationships with a range of different stakeholders.
  • Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues.
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to carry out procurements for highly detailed, high value contracts that require analysis, comparison and assessment.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident committedHappy to Talk Flexible Working

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Dr Sanhita Chakrabarti
Job title
Deputy Chief Medical Officer
Email address
[email protected]
Additional information

Alternatively, please contact Emma Brown - Head of Innovation by email [email protected]

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