Company Description
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is the UK’s largest funder of health and care research. The NIHR is committed to engaging and involving patients, carers, the public and communities in all the research it supports to improve the reach, quality, and impact of funded research. At the NIHR Coordinating Centre, we involve members of the public in our work.
We value the knowledge, experience, and skills they bring to research management. We have a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) team that delivers our involvement and engagement plan which develops and supports opportunities for PPIE across the organisation.
The
PPIE team sits within an arm of the NIHR Coordinating Centre that manages two global health research programmes in the Low- and Middle-Income Countries, five research programmes in the UK, the Research Design Service and a wide range of applied health and experimental medicine research schemes such as the Health Protection Research Units, Biomedical Research Centres, Applied Research Collaborations among others. CCF also manages prestigious awards such as the Senior Investigators. This NIHR arm is hosted by the Grant Management Group (GMG) of the science and innovation company LGC and is based in Twickenham.
Job Description
The NIHR Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Team The PPIE team supports patient and public involvement and engagement activities and responsibilities, and undertakes key functions, including:
- Supporting research programmes by recruiting public contributors to act as reviewers of applications and committee members
- Supporting programme teams in monitoring performance of research award holders against contractual PPIE requirements and providing support to public contributors and public involvement leads, including induction and training
- Helping to ensure that there is effective community engagement and involvement in Global Health Research Portfolio
The Programme Manager role:
This is a new and important post in our Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) team for someone wishing to demonstrate and develop their skills, knowledge and experience of PPIE in the context of research management.
The postholder will be responsible for ensuring that patients, carers, service users and members of the public are able to get involved in the NIHR’s funding decision-making processes as reviewers and committee members. This is a vital task that requires a high degree of operational efficiency, excellent people skills and the ability to develop the processes in the interests of greater diversity and inclusion.
The post holder will also have the opportunity to be involved in the coordination, support and delivery of a range of other PPIE activities within the team’s plan.
Qualifications
About You
Required Criteria
- Relevant Academic or Professional Background: A strong academic qualification in a relevant field (or equivalent), and/or substantial professional experience in a related area
- Patient and Public Involvement Expertise: Demonstrable knowledge and experience of patient and public involvement (PPI) within the healthcare and/or research sectors
- Stakeholder Engagement: Proven experience in working directly with the public, building and maintaining effective stakeholder relationships, and responding confidently and appropriately to a broad range of enquiries
Key Competencies
- Strong Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders
- Technological Proficiency: Proficient in IT with hands-on experience using a variety of platforms, including Google Workspace (formerly Google Apps for Work) and Microsoft Office. Experience in working with and analysing large datasets is highly desirable
- Self-Motivation and Time Management: Highly self-motivated and capable of working independently with minimal supervision. Demonstrated ability to perform under pressure, manage competing priorities, and meet tight deadlines
- Attention to Detail: Consistently produces work to a high standard of accuracy, demonstrating strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
- Commitment to Equality: A clear understanding of and commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equality of opportunity in the workplace
- Alignment with Organisational Values: Dedicated to upholding the values of the NIHR and the GMG, and contributing positively to the organisational culture and mission
Additional Information
Job Summary:
- Location: Twickenham / Hybrid working model
- Contract Type: 0.2 FTE (1 day per week, ideally Fridays)
- Working Hours: 7.5 hours per day
- Salary: £8,060+ per year (pro-rated based on 0.2 FTE)
- Annual Leave: Pro-rated based on 0.2 FTE, plus UK public holidays
Employee Benefits Include:
- Annual bonus, subject to company performance
- Enhanced Contributory Pension Scheme
- Life Insurance Cover
- Benenden Healthcare Membership
- Training and Development Opportunities
- Season Ticket Loam
Please note: This is a permanent, part-time position (0.2 FTE), based in the office for one day per week at our Twickenham, London location.
Application Process
If you are excited about the prospect of joining our team and believe you possess the relevant skills and background, we invite you to apply. Please submit your CV along with a 'Statement of Suitability' that showcases your key skills and experiences in relation to the 'Essential Criteria' outlined in the job description. Additionally, share your enthusiasm for working with NIHR.
Our Commitment to Equality and Diversity
LGC strongly believes that every job applicant and employee should be valued for their individual talents regardless of age, disability, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief. Short listing, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital status, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age or trade union membership. 
