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Engagement Manager, WISERD

Cardiff University

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18341BR

Cardiff School of Social Sciences

Managerial, Professional and Specialist Staff – MPSS

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Engagement Manager, WISERD

Cardiff University School of Social Sciences is seeking to recruit an Engagement Manager to work within The Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research, Data and Methods (WISERD) Research Centre that is located within the School.

The Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research, Data and Methods (WISERD) is a collaborative venture between the Universities of Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, South Wales and Swansea. We also work with other universities across the UK and have strong international links.

Our research spans the fields of sociology, geography, political science and economics. WISERD currently hosts the UK-wide WISERD Civil Society Civic Stratification and Civil Repair Research Centre, a major investment by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), and the Administrative Data Research Centre Wales (ADRC-W) at Cardiff University, which is led by Swansea University.

This is an exciting opportunity to be a key part of the WISERD Hub team, based in the Cardiff University School of Social Sciences, supporting WISERD as a national, interdisciplinary, social science research institute working on externally funded research across university partners.

The Engagement Manager is responsible for WISERD Research Engagement activities across the Institute which will include coordinating and delivery of core project strategies for engagement, liaising with a range of internal and external key stakeholders from across the public, policy and third sectors; working with a wide range of academic schools, supporting academic staff and researchers across WISERD Universities to maximise their engagement with external partners.  The role also includes managing the WISERD Engagement Team, overseeing planning, organising, monitoring progress and delegating work to deliver WISERD Engagement, Communications and Event outputs.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), fixed term to the 30th September 2024, and would be highly suitable as a secondment opportunity.

Salary: £39,347 – £44,263 per annum (Grade 6), with 4 annual increments up to £44,263 per annum (final salary at top of grade).

Responsible to the School of Social Science School Manager, Louise Jones.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Louise on [email protected]
Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (including bank holidays), blended working (meaning you will be able to work from home for some of your time), a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments up the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.

As the biggest university in Wales – and a major employer, with more than 7,000 staff – we are an ambitious and innovative university located in a beautiful and thriving capital city. We can offer you the chance to work in a vibrant organisation, with great benefits and opportunities for progression.

Date advert posted: Monday, 11 March 2024

Closing date: Monday, 08 April 2024

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job Description

Key Duties

  • To support the WISERD Universities with respect to Research Engagement, initiating activities, carrying out supporting work, providing advice, guidance and support, and leading projects within this area.
  • To work with the WISERD Director and Co-Directors to devise and implement a strategy for the development, monitoring and recording of engagement activity in relation to the Institute’s research programme. Contributing to the long term management of WISERD, writing and interpreting strategies into work priorities.
  • To develop and build networks with external stakeholders, including 3rd sector organisations and policy makers. Including developing and utilising effective tools and methods for ensuring effective dissemination of, and engagement with WISERD’s research in  line with the Engagement strategy.
  • To provide expert guidance and support across the Institute’s HEI’s and to other relevant external partners on engagement and impact strategies and processes. Liaising with relevant engagement, impact and research support staff across the WISERD partner HEI’s. Developing networks externally and across the department and school to ensure the success of WISERD’s objectives and long term plans.
  • To facilitate and support research staff participation in public engagement activities through appropriate advice and guidance. Undertake the development and delivery of training of others in areas relating to the Engagement team’s work.
  • To develop and implement systems and structures that support data-gathering and inform decision making on engagement activities and pathways to impact.
  • To facilitate the development and capture of immediate, short-term and long-term outcomes of engagement activities and case studies in conjunction with Principal Investigators and the WISERD Executive.
  • To monitor reported engagement activities ensuring that funder targets are met and identifying and devising solutions where targets are not being met. Make recommendations for developments of established processes and procedures.
  • To lead and support the work of the WISERD Thematic Networks in conjunction with the academic network leads, to include organising meetings, events and building the network’s membership and links across the WISERD portfolio.
  • To provide update reports on engagement activities for WISERD governance groups and external funders and to support and co-ordinate WISERD responses to consultations relating to the engagement agenda. Gather and analyse data to inform decisions, establishing basic trends and patterns in data and creating reports as appropriate.
  • To lead and direct the work of the WISERD Communications and Events team and associated activities, to include devising and overseeing implementation strategies for these, to include oversight of the WISERD website and communications strategy. Manage the operation of the WISERD Engagement Team, planning, organising and delegating work, monitoring progress and intervening as required. Ensure the delivery of the team’s service level agreements, adapting these according to changes in workload and customer requirements.
  • To manage the performance, induction and development of the team. Acting as line manager for the WISERD Communications and Events Officers, supporting and guiding team members in welfare issues, escalating as necessary to specialist support areas.
  • To work with the WISERD Administration Manager and School Manager to ensure that work across the various professional services teams within WISERD is coordinated, managed, and communicated effectively and contributing to the wider hub team to ensure that all hub activity is appropriately planned and resourced.

Job description continued in Additional Information

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

  • Degree/NVQ 4 and/or equivalent work experience demonstrating strong experience at a HEI/Third Sector/Public Sector body supporting engagement, with evidence of a commitment to continuing professional development.
  • Understanding and appreciation of current HE research and engagement priorities and how these relate to the impact agenda and experience of developing tools and mechanisms for facilitating effective engagement with a wide range of audiences from non-academic backgrounds.
  • Proven ability in developing and sustaining effective networks and partnerships with a range of stakeholders in order to contribute to long term developments.
  • Proven skills and experience in strategic planning, prioritisation, allocation and delegation of work. 
  • Evidence of IT skills including knowledge of MS Office applications (including Word, Access, Excel).
  • Evidence of excellent interpersonal skills and highly developed verbal and written communication skills to include ability to communicate detailed and complex information effectively and professionally to a wide range of people.
  • Experience of collating data, preparing reports and disseminating information to a range of audiences in a range of formats including previous experience of web editing and writing for mixed audiences.
  • Previous experience of managing staff, training and developing individuals and team building including experience of dealing with performance and welfare issues and evidence of ability to plan the work of a team, over extended time periods, reacting to changes in workload and priority.
  • Evidence of ability to analyse and solve problems using initiative and creativity; using detailed understanding of methodologies to select the right approach with an appreciation of possible longer-term implications and the proven ability to plan and progress work without supervision.
  • Evidence of ability to explore customers’ needs and adapt the service accordingly to ensure a quality service is delivered.

    • Desirable Criteria

    • Welsh language written and oral skills.
    • Previous experience of working in a research centre or similar environment.
    • Experience of working with Third Sector Organisations and/or with UK Funding Councils.
    • Postgraduate qualification in a related field.

    IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria

     It is Cardiff University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for shortlisting. Therefore, candidates must evidence they meet ALL the essential criteria and, where relevant, the desirable.

    As part of the application process, you are asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined in the person specification. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide for each criterion.

     When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure you name it with the vacancy reference number: XXXXBR.

    Your application will be at risk of not being progressed if you do not evidence you have met all essential criteria. The school welcomes the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.

    Please note that these are also the criteria shortlisted applicants will be assessed against at interview and/or by other means (e.g. a skills test).

    Additional Information

    Job Description continued

    General Duties

    • To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
    • To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
    • To abide by University policies on Health and Safety, Equality and Diversity and data protection.
    • To perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

    The Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD)

    The Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD) is a national, interdisciplinary, social science research institute. We have been designated by the Welsh Government as a national research centre. Using innovative approaches, our research spans the fields of economics, sociology, geography and political science.

    We are a collaborative venture between the universities of Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, South Wales and Swansea – working together to improve the quality and quantity of social science research in Wales and beyond. Our research effects change by influencing the development of policy and practice across a range of sectors.

    WISERD hosts the UK-wide WISERD Civil Society Research Centre, a major investment by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Administrative Data Research Centre Wales (ADRC-W) at Cardiff University, part of a project led by Swansea University. Other funded projects include the ESRC Skills and Employment Survey, WISERD Multi Cohort Study, Horizon RuralSpatialJustice, Rural Wales Local Policy and Innovation Partnership (LPIP) and Community Open Map Platform (COMP).

    Cardiff University School of Social Sciences
    The School of Social Sciences is an internationally recognised centre of excellence in research and teaching across a range of subject areas, including Social Policy, Sociology, Criminology, Education, Social Psychology, and Social Work.

    We deliver a substantial programme of research, both fundamental and strategic, funded by ESRC, AHRC, MRC, charitable foundations, the European Union, Central Government departments and agencies and voluntary associations.  In the 2021 UK Research Excellence Framework the School was returned to two sub panels, Sociology and Education. We were placed in the top ten in each sub panel by grade point average, joint first for impact in Education and fourth overall for research power in Sociology.

    The School hosts a number of research centres and institutes, including the University’s  Police Studies Institute (UPSI), now part of the University’s Crime & Security Research Institute; the Wales Institute for Economic Research & Data (WISERD); the Children’s Social Care Research and Development Centre (CASCADE); the Centre for Development, Evaluation, Complexity and Implementation in Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer); the Cardiff Unit for Research and Evaluation in Medical and Dental Education (CUREMeDE); and the Seafarers’ International Research Centre (SIRC). Many of the School’s research centres are housed in the University’s Social Science Research Park (SPARK) – a world first, and part of the University’s wider Innovation Campus.

    The School of Social Sciences holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award that recognises good employment practice and a commitment to develop the careers of women working in academia. Cardiff University is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. We actively encourage women to apply. We will also always consider proposals for flexible working or job share opportunities.

    Job Category

    Management & Executive

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