ROLE TITLE Research Grants Officer DIRECTORATE Research REPORTS TO Senior Manager, Research Funding (long-term programmes) DIRECT REPORTS None

ROLE OUTLINE

OVERVIEW OF DIRECTORATE

The Research Directorate is the expert, externally-facing, driver of research strategy, research funding, research insight, research governance, research information and research innovation for Breast Cancer Now. Its primary responsibility will be as a catalyst ensuring that Breast Cancer Now’s strategy is delivered, maximising the potential of Breast Cancer Now’s strong reputation and track record through its scientists, clinicians and patient community.

The Research Funding Team oversee our research portfolio and ensure that our £16 million annual research spend is invested in innovative and ground-breaking breast cancer research. The team manages our research portfolio, oversees the scientific reviews and renewals of our research, our high-level scientific advisory committees and evaluates the success of the research we fund against our research strategy.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

To support the management of Breast Cancer Now’s research funding processes for long-term programmes:  To act as secretariat for the management of Breast Cancer Now’s high-level Scientific Strategy Committee and Quinquennial Review Committees  To lead on the implementation, monitoring and on-going review of Breast Cancer Now’s research funding policies, including data sharing, animals in research, full-economic costing, and updating and maintaining of our Research Grant Terms and Conditions.  To project manage the large-scale reviews of Breast Cancer Now’s long-term programmes, including five-yearly (quinquennial) reviews, and lead on the peer-review to ensure that Breast Cancer Now gets the best advice for its long-term research funding This is a diverse role and will offer scope to develop and lead specific projects that fulfil strategic ambitions of the Research Directorate.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Research Governance  Providing operational and secretariat support to the high-level Scientific Strategy Committee and expert review committees, including: o Managing the agendas meeting logistics o Preparing papers and reports o Preparing and disseminating quality committee minutes providing a clear record of discussions, decisions made and actions o Recommending improvements and applying best practice to the committees’ operations  Ensure terms of reference, conflicts of interest and operational guidelines for the committees are in place and up to date  Coordinating the update and development of research governance information on the website

Grant Management  Manage the review of Breast Cancer Now’s long-term research programmes, including: - Developing and updating applications and liaising with applicants as appropriate - Performing peer-review for all applications, including leading on the selection and allocation of peer-reviewers - Project manage the planning and delivery of quinquennial reviews (QR) - Ensuring that annual reports are reviewed by the relevant committees - Contributing to the preparation of QR committee papers and reports - Leading on the set-up and management of scientific QR meetings and events and providing quality and professional secretariat support, including attending meetings, drafting minutes and monitoring resulting actions - Ensure efficient and effective processes are in place to manage Breast Cancer Now’s research, grant-related documentation are accurately saved and filed for audit and working closely with the other Research Grant Officer, to ensure consistency across our different funding streams  Assisting the Senior Manager – Research Funding in developing and implementing new funding streams to ensure the long-term delivery of the strategy  Updating the internal peer review handbook  Assisting with peer review audits by the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC)  Ensure that appropriate teams across the organisation are kept up to date with relevant research funding information  Respond to queries relating to Breast Cancer Now’s long-term funding renewals or funding streams  Develop and maintain excellent relationships with key external stakeholders, including grant holders, applicants, host institution staff and committee members

Research Funding Policy  Update Breast Cancer Now’s grant funding Terms and Conditions and review accordingly, and ensure they are adhered to by Breast Cancer Now’s grant holders  Maintain an awareness of the external environment in relation to research funding issues and along with the other Research Grants Officer, be the lead contact for Breast Cancer Now’s research funding positions and queries  Lead on the development and review of Breast Cancer Now’s research funding policies, including data sharing, animal in research, full-economic costing

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

 Maintaining accurate records of the team expenditure  Represent the Research Funding Team across the organisation, to ensure that key teams are kept up to date with relevant research funding information, particularly Research Directorate, Communication Directorate and Fundraising Teams  Stakeholder management - ensure that those who provide their time, such as those who support our long-term programme funding reviews through peer review or providing scientific advice, have a positive experience and feel valued so as to provide their continued support  Influence members of the research community to advocate for and publicise Breast Cancer Now amongst peers  Deputise as required for the Senior Manager, Research Funding at internal and external meetings  Develop and maintain a good level of scientific knowledge on breast cancer issues and research  Undertake any other duties as directed and agreed with your line manager  Build and maintain relationships with key contacts internally across Breast Cancer Now, and externally with our grant holders, host institution and external partner organisations.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL  Postgraduate degree in a relevant scientific discipline or equivalent experience  Research grant management experience  Sound knowledge of research principles and the UK research funding environment  Demonstrable experience/knowledge in the processes for quality assessment of research  Sound knowledge of scientific research, particularly in the cancer field, and a good understanding of the systems from where research information can be obtained  Experience of working independently, prioritising and coordinating multiple projects of significant score and complexity  Ability to absorb and interpret new information quickly  Excellent IT skills, including MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint  Excellent organisational skills for effective management of a diverse workload  Commitment to voluntary sector values and methods

DESIRABLE  Advanced postgraduate degree (Ph.D.) in a relevant scientific discipline  Understanding and /or experience of managing quinquennial reviews  Experience of operating database management system  Proven ability of working with and supporting high-level scientific committees  Established contacts within the cancer research field  Understanding of research outputs, outcomes and impact

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

 Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to proactively develop effective working relationships with Breast Cancer Now staff and external stakeholders  Ability to work independently, managing own time and projects, and also working well within a supportive team environment  Shows an innovative approach, and able to implement new ideas and projects  Ability to set realistic and achievable deadlines to make sure projects run smoothly in an agreed time- frame, with little supervision  Strong interest in contributing to areas beyond specialist responsibility  Excellent verbal and written communication skills  Highly driven and ambitious, both personally and for the organisation, and willing to work with energy and enthusiasm  Well-spoken and presentable ROLE INFORMATION

Location: Ibex House, London

Band: 3B

Salary: £24,500 - £28,000

Contract: Permanent, full time 35 hours per week

Key internal relationships:  Senior Manager, Research Funding (long-term programmes)  Research Funding Team  All members of the Research Directorate, particularly Research Insight and Innovation Team  Chief Executive Office Team  Fundraising Teams

Key external relationships:  Scientific Trustees  International scientists and clinicians  Grant holders  Host Institution contacts  Contacts at external partnership organisations

Key dimensions:

Number of colleagues in Directorate 19 Number of colleagues in team 8 Budget /Income targets