Professional Specialist Officer
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post title: / ProjectManagerAcademic Unit/Service: / Faculty Operating Service
Centre for Higher Education Practice (CHEP)/Public Engagement with Research Unit (PERu)
Faculty: / Faculty of Social Human and Mathematical Sciences
Career Pathway: / Management, Specialist and Administrative (MSA) / Level: / 4
*ERE category: / n/a
Posts responsible to: / Director of Centre for Higher Education Practice (CHEP)
Posts responsible for: / n/a
Post base: / Office-based (see job hazard analysis)
Job purpose
To fully implement the Research Councils UK (RCUK)Strategic Support to Expedite Embedding Public Engagement with Research (SEE-PER) project. Lead thedevelopment, piloting and review of new/enhanced Public Engagement training provision. Take ownership of the collaboration required with research staff at all levels in the University.
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities / % Time
/ Project Management
To take ownership of all planning, processes and operational delivery required to implement the SEE-PER project.
To lead on consultation to identify enablers and barriers to take-up of PER training/professional development with selected discipline-groups at the University of Southampton, using specialist knowledge, through:
- Drawing on current knowledge from sector studies/surveys/learning to inform work
- Proactively working with colleagues in the University to identify key factors through designing and conducting surveys/focus groups to inform and develop defined skills/needs profile for PER in selected discipline-groups
- Sharing key findings of the consultation with researchers through discussions/interview groups, providing specialist advice and assessing feedback
- Producing a briefing document to inform next stage of project
To lead the collaborative development, scheduling and management all aspects of pilot activities for the enhanced PER CPD offer, working closely with colleagues in CHEP, Public Engagement with Research Unit (PERu) and discipline-groups.
Lead the coordination of pilot CPD activities between multidisciplinary teams through convening and leading regular meetings, delegation of project tasks, management of project work to fit required timelines and documenting progress.
By working collaboratively with the wider project team, devise and run an evaluation of the pilot CPD provision, producing data to inform project review points and final reporting.
/ Administrative Management (Planning/Organising)
Develop a sound working knowledge of the SEE-PER project activities to lead on the day-to-day running of the project.
Attend meetings of the SEE-PER Project Group (SEE-PER PG) as the administrative specialist; deliver excellent support services to the SEE-PER PG, anticipating committee and other requirements and taking ownership for actions and outputs.
Develop and communicate clear operating systems to ensure the efficient running of the project and effective administration.
Take ownership for managing and maintaining accurate and reliable data, in conjunction with other colleagues, to inform strategic decision-making.
Act as an initial filter for issues and/or problems, aiming to resolve them where appropriate to provide effective support and problem resolution. / 20 %
/ Project Reporting
Continuously monitor and report on the work of the project, providing interim project reports (internal and external), a final briefing document to inform CHEP work in other contexts/disciplines, and a University of Southampton briefing document for the SEE-PER project to inform wider sector and external stakeholders.
Attend and contribute to internal and external project meetings, including regular SEE-PER meetings scheduled by RCUK, and liaise with colleagues at other Higher Education Institutes and relevant organisations, as required. / 15 %
/ Knowledge Management:
Lead project knowledge management activities that cover in-depth analysis of information management needs, and identification of gaps in knowledge sharing. Manage the development of solutions and implementation of processes that enable effective knowledge capture, storage and exchange within the SEE-PER project and partners. / 10 %
/ Any other duties as allocated by the line manager following consultation with the post holder. / 5 %
Internal and external relationships
PERu team, CHEP team
Doctoral College Professional Development Manager
Public Engagement with Research Network
Nature and Biodiversity Public Engagement Hub members
University academics and researchers.
External contacts, including RCUK, NCCPE and other SEE-PER Award holders
Special Requirements
Willingness to travel to project meetings and conferences.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Criteria / Essential / Desirable / How to be assessedQualifications, knowledge and experience / Skill level equivalent to achievement of HND, Degree, NVQ4 or basic professional qualification
Experience of successful project management
Ability to accurately analyse and interpret complex quantitative and qualitative data, presenting summary information in a clear and concise format.
Ability to make effective use of standard office computer systems including word-processing and spreadsheets.
Expert knowledge of information management principles and data analysis
Ability to understand, evidence and communicate the impact of research projects
Ability to apply an awareness of principles and trends in public engagementof research and an awareness of how this affects activities in the University, including training needs.
Experience of professional development activities as a delegate or provider. This may be in a research, public engagement or teaching context.
Experience of participation in the delivery or planning of public engagement activities. / Studying at PhD or Masters level with experience of public engagement in that sphere
Experience of managing projects involving multidisciplinary teams
Formal training in project management (e.g. PRINCE2)
Experience of planning or delivering professional development or teaching episodes. This could include teaching, leading seminars or demonstrating
Planning and organising / Able to plan and prioritise a range of one’s own, and the team’s, standard and non-standard work activities.
Ability to successfully plan and deliver administrative and/or technical support of projects over a period of several months.
Problem solving and initiative / Able to identify and solve problems by applying judgement and initiative to tackle some situations in new ways and by developing improved work methods.
Management and teamwork / Able to proactively work with researchers and academics at all levels to successfully deliver the project outcomes.
Able to work effectively in a team, as well as working independently and proactively in managing priorities and workload.
Able to positively influence the way a team works together.
Communicating and influencing / Able to provide accurate and timely information in an appropriate format to the project team, researchers and academics and external contacts, e.g. RCUK, National Centre for the Coordination of Public Engagement.
Able to use influencing and negotiating skills to develop understanding and gain co-operation.
Able to work confidently with researchers and academics at all levels through excellent interpersonal skills.
Other skills and behaviours
Special requirements / Willingness to travel to project meetings and conferences.
JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS
Is this an office-based post?
☒Yes / If this post is an office-based job with routine office hazards (eg: use of VDU),no further information needs to be supplied. Do not complete the section below.☐No / If this post is not office-based or has some hazards other than routine office (eg: more than use of VDU) please complete the analysis below.
Hiring managers are asked to complete this section as accurately as possible to ensure the safety of the post-holder.
## - HR will send a full PEHQ to all applicants for this position.Please note, if full health clearance is required for a role, this will apply to all individuals,including existing members of staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES / Occasionally(<30% of time) / Frequently
(30-60% of time) / Constantly
(> 60% of time)
Outside work
Extremes of temperature (eg: fridge/ furnace)
## Potential for exposure to body fluids
## Noise (greater than 80 dba - 8 hrs twa)
## Exposure to hazardous substances (eg: solvents, liquids, dust, fumes, biohazards). Specify below:
Frequent hand washing
Ionising radiation
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS/MACHINES USED
## Food handling
## Driving university vehicles(eg: car/van/LGV/PCV)
## Use of latex gloves (prohibited unless specific clinical necessity)
## Vibrating tools (eg: strimmers, hammer drill, lawnmowers)
PHYSICAL ABILITIES
Load manual handling
Repetitive crouching/kneeling/stooping
Repetitive pulling/pushing
Repetitive lifting
Standing for prolonged periods
Repetitive climbing (ie: steps, stools, ladders, stairs)
Fine motor grips (eg: pipetting)
Gross motor grips
Repetitive reaching below shoulder height
Repetitive reaching at shoulder height
Repetitive reaching above shoulder height
PSYCHOSOCIAL ISSUES
Face to face contact with public
Lone working
## Shift work/night work/on call duties
SEE-PER Project Officer 10Oct17.docxMSA Level 41