Programme Officer Didcot, England
Job description
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £31,931 to £34,709 per annum (dependent on skills and experience)
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Open Ended
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire or Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire
Together, our scientist, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.
Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.
As part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) develops and exploits frontier research in particle physics, astronomy, nuclear physics and space science through activities at UK universities and its own national laboratories, working internationally through a range of long-term collaborative research projects. STFC also builds and operates many of the UK’s largest multi-disciplinary research facilities at our research and innovation campuses.
Our Strategy, Planning and Communications (SPC) Directorate brings together the essential functions that are needed to help shape, communicate and monitor progress against STFC’s strategic plans. Our role is to enable the organisation to determine its strategic direction and translate this into a coherent set of plans, communicating these across the organisation.
In SPC, open communication and mutual support are encouraged. We are always looking to build positive change in our Directorate: our teams cultivate a safe environment and are ambitious in our actions to challenge inequities when we find them.
About the role
As a Programme Officer working at STFC, you will be working across the Strategy, Planning and Communications Directorate initially focusing on activities within both the International and the Evidence and Impact teams. This is a diverse role, offering the opportunity to deliver a number of key activities by engaging with various stakeholders within STFC, across the UK and internationally.
Initial responsibilities will include:
- working with stakeholders to support key relationships for STFC both nationally and internationally
- establishing internal and external networks to understand STFC’s international priorities and the priorities of our external partners so that you can support a programme of high-profile international visitors to our sites, as well as supporting activities to develop international programmes and activities
- building high-level briefings and respond to information requests
- writing Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plans and case studies
- undertaking research to support economic cases, providing data for reporting and/or data analysis
About you
An ideal candidate would have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, combined with the ability to see the big picture, be pro-active and work flexibly.
Understanding our stakeholders is important, as is being able to tackle problems, analyse situations, and digest sophisticated information, to be able to offer insight, produce reports and offer recommendations.
We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Whatever our role, we have the freedom to explore, learn and connect, as part of a community that loves to share knowledge and support one another.
As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, this is a place where there’s always something new to learn – about the world around us, about your career, but most of all, about yourself. Join us and discover what’s possible.
Person Specification
The criteria below will be assessed at Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I)
Essential:
- analytical skills - ability to use and synthesise data and evidence, and summarise findings optimally (S&I)
- good communication skills including the capability to write clearly and work collaboratively with others (S&I)
- strong planning and organisational skills – including an ability to prioritise and work to agreed deadlines (S&I)
- computer proficiency – good knowledge of Microsoft Office packages, and be confident in use of a computer (S&I)
- willing to work flexibly, and ability to travel as required (I)
Desirable:
- an understanding of the UK higher education system and/or experience in higher education administration, research funding/administration, or a similar environment (S&I)
- experience in areas relevant to this job, including interpreting policy and/or monitoring and evaluation of projects (S&I)
Previous experience in programme or project management, evaluation or international relations is not a prerequisite although would be desirable. Candidates will be considered who have backgrounds in research, industry, or the third sector, and those considering returning to work from a career break, health change or caring responsibility.
We are looking for core and transferable proficiencies and skills which will enable candidates to develop into the role and move fluidly through an ever-evolving research and innovation environment. Training opportunities to support you in this role will be provided.
To apply for this position, please submit a CV, and a covering letter in which you describe your motivations for applying and how you meet the criteria in the person specification. You are advised to write no more than 3 pages, and applications without a covering letter will be excluded from shortlisting. CVs should also be no more than 3 pages long.
Additional Information
This role is based on a hybrid working model. The post holder will be encouraged to work across all of STFC’s sites and will focus significant time working at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Harwell, Oxfordshire) and Polaris House (Swindon¸ Wiltshire). Any travel costs will be covered by STFC. We offer flexible working arrangements, including the provision for remote working. The post is available as full time, part-time or job-share. Applicants should be open as to their desired working pattern when they apply.
Please contact [email protected], FAO the recruiting manager if you have any questions, including working patterns and travel requirements.
About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.
We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/
About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
