• Job Description

  Req#: 250000BZ

  Science and Technology Facilities Council

  Salary: £45,272 per annum
  Hours: Full Time
  Contract Type: Open Ended
  Location: Polaris House, Swindon. Hybrid working is available. Some office attendance and UK travel including occasional two-day meetings off site.

  Together, our scientist, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

  Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.

  About the role:

  We are looking for an experienced Programme Manager to join STFC’s Public Engagement (PE) team within the Programmes Directorate (PD), based in Polaris House, Swindon. You will play a key role in shaping STFC’s work on public engagement and managing our multifaceted engagement funding programme.

  STFC supports a diverse portfolio of public engagement grant funding, national partnerships, public engagement policy development and community support. Our operating budget is c.£950kpa. To improve our reach and impact with diverse audiences we prioritise working with and for communities living in the 40% most deprived postcodes in the UK through our Wonder Initiative .

  The PD PE team works closely with PE teams based in UKATC, Daresbury and Harwell Campuses, sharing a PE strategy and evaluation framework and an expert external advisory panel .

  The aims of our strategy are:

  • Aim 1: Celebrating STFC science, technology, people and careers
  • Aim 2: Working in partnerships
  • Aim 3: Building capacity
  • Aim 4: Improving our connections with diverse audiences
  • AIM 5: Delivering high-quality public engagement activities and evaluating outcomes

  Key Responsibilities:

  Contribute to the successful delivery of STFC’s public engagement programme, including:

  • Oversight of the PE grants programme
  • Developing and managing national engagement partnerships
  • Supporting the implementation of the Wonder Initiative
  • Leading on resources and events to support and upskill the wider STFC community to undertake public engagement
  • Supporting evaluation processes.
  • Managing budgets and ensuring commissioned activities are delivered on time and to a high standard
  • Contribute to the development of new partnerships and engage with key stakeholders, including funders, policy makers, academics and practitioners

  We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Whatever our role, we have the freedom to explore, learn and connect, as part of a community that loves to share knowledge and support one another.

  As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, this is a place where there’s always something new to learn – about the world around us, about your career, but most of all, about yourself. Join us and discover what’s possible.

  STFC values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, exceptional average salary pension scheme, social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant.

  Person Specification:

  The criteria below will be assessed at both Shortlisting (S) and Interview (I)

  • Deep understanding of the public engagement landscape and best practices in delivery and evaluation (S&I)
  • Successful track record of public engagement programme management and delivery, including grant processes (S&I)
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, able to build and maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, both internal and external. (S&I)
  • Ability to work with senior leaders and frontline practitioners (S&I)
  • Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail (S&I)
  • Strong communication skills (S&I)

  Additional Information

  Please submit a CV and a cover letter telling us in no more than 400 words why you are applying for the role.

  
  

  About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

  As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.

  We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.

  For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/

  You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/

  About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)

  UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

  Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

  More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

  Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

  The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

  How we support EDI in the workforce

  At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

  Disability Confident Employer

  As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
  
  How to apply

  Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

  UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

• About the company

  UK Research and Innovation is a non-departmental public body of the Government of the United Kingdom that directs research and innovation funding, funded through the science budget of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

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