ESRC Transdisciplinary Impact Officer

The Department of Research and Innovation Services (RIS) is seeking to appoint an innovative individual to work with academic and professional services colleagues to support social science-facing transdisciplinary impact and innovation work at Cardiff University.

The post holder will work with academic colleagues, primarily in social sciences, to develop the impact of their research undertaken at Cardiff University, including early-stage impact activities, Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) funded activities, specifically the ESRC IAA, but with the intention to reach out towards transdisciplinary working and activities that may lead to impact case studies for UK research assessment exercises.

Working closely with the Impact Funding Manager and the Public Engagement Manager within the Impact and Engagement Team, the post holder will be responsible for supporting the co-design, delivery and evaluation of social science-facing impact, engaging diverse professional and public communities across the Cardiff University Innovation ecosystem including research partners, strategic partners and within the spark|sbarc building community.

The post holder will be required to demonstrate strong communication and networking skills, proactivity and use of initiative and excellent event delivery abilities. They will also support the IAA Funding Manager with cross-sector collaboration to maximise partnerships rooted in a place-based approach to social science innovation, including skills, wellbeing, the environment, civic identity and pride in place.

The post holder will generate new data and deeper learning about how funding bodies, such as ESRC, can better devolve funding and opportunities to academic and other partners; create more equitable ways of working between communities, academia, and third and private sector partners; and connect IAA local practice to other groups working on co-creation across the UK through national networks.,

• Support the delivery of the University's ESRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA)


• Support transdisciplinary working and project development across Cardiff's UKRI IAA portfolio.


• Engage in co-design, delivery and evaluation of social science innovation, drawing on inclusive and equitable qualitative and participatory methods;


• Coordinate and streamline the relations between social science academic staff and a broad range of internal stakeholders and facilitate effective relationships;


• Work independently, liaising with external stakeholders (industry, third sector and community groups) to record and evaluate the impact of the University's social sciences activities, negotiating with external stakeholders to develop innovative ways to evidence this;


• Produce partnership reports, briefings and resources supporting and furthering the partnerships core to the ESRC IAA and related IAA accounts at Cardiff;


• Contribute to the external communication of partnership events and dissemination processes through attendance at meetings and other events leading to the deepening of the ESRC IAA's partnership programme of work;


• Connect with ESRC IAA regional networks and partners through relevant learning network


• Take responsibility for resolving issues independently where they fall within set role objectives.


• Plan and deliver specific small-scale projects, co-ordinating and supervising project teams created as needed.


• You may be asked to perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.


General Duties

• To ensure that an understanding of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.


• To ensure that an understanding of intellectual property and third-party rights is applied when undertaking all duties.


• To ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in respect of inclusion, equality and diversity, data protection, copyright and licensing, security, financial and other University policies, procedures and codes as appropriate.


• To take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and of other persons who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, EC directives and the University's Safety, Health and Environment Policies and procedures and to cooperate with the University on any legal duties placed on it as the employer.
  
  1. Degree/NVQ 4 or equivalent Professional membership/experience.

2. Experience of developing and delivering research and/or research communication.
3. Experience of working with external stakeholders to co-deliver events, projects or community outcomes.
4. Experience of impact generation and/or the potential to give advice, guidance and support to others.
5. A clear understanding of the ESRC Impact Acceleration Account and its mission.
6. A sound understanding of relevant external stakeholders to the University and within Wales, and of the strategies, policies and drivers of relevant external bodies.
7. Excellent interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to work and interact professionally and to a very high standard both orally and in writing, including the ability to turn conceptually detailed and complex information into a format designed for a non-specialist audience.
8. Evidence of ability to explore academic requirements and adapt support and guidance accordingly to ensure a quality service is delivered.
9. Proven ability to effectively negotiate with and maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to contribute to long term partnerships.
10. The ability to work independently with a high level of accuracy to solve expansive problems using initiative and creativity; identify and propose both practical and innovative solutions.

Desirable Criteria
1. Evidence of demonstrable knowledge of key advances within the area of research impact, its management and communication for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
2. Welsh language skills.

This role is eligible to be offered on a blended working basis, meaning that as well as spending time working on campus you can also choose to spend some time working from another location, e.g. your home. The University is committed to offering this flexibility, wherever the role and business need allows, supporting work-life balance.

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., 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. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. 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., Cardiff is an ambitious and innovative university located in a beautiful and thriving capital city. With an annual budget in excess of £500 million and around 7,000 staff, Cardiff is a member of the Russell Group of the 24 leading UK research-intensive universities. The University has 24 academic schools grouped into three colleges: Biomedical & Life Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering and Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences.

The University's ambition is to rank consistently among the top 100 universities in the world. Cardiff is also developing its Innovation System through a focused programme of investment in people and infrastructure. Research funding secured from competitive, external sources exceeds £120 million annually and the University aims to grow this further through winning grants from a wide range of national and global sources.

Research and Innovation Services, RIS supports the University's research community in initiating and delivering research and innovation activities. Led by the Interim Director, Dr Amanda Roberts-Jones, RIS provides services via over 100 expert staff organised in five specialist teams: Research Grants and Contracts; Research Integrity, Governance and Ethics; Research Development; Research Commercialisation and Impact; and Business Engagement and Partnerships. The Department works closely with academic and professional services staff from all areas of the institution.

This post is full time and fixed-term until 31st March 2028.

Salary: £39,347 - £44,263 per annum (Grade 6)