Head of Research Grants and Contracts

Candidate Information

Who we are

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes (NBI)

The Earlham Institute (EI) www.earlham.ac.uk The EI is internationally recognized for research focused on exploring living systems by applying computational science and biotechnology with the strategic properties of agriculture and food security, industrial biotechnology and bioenergy and bioscience for health.

The John Innes Centre (JIC) www.jic.ac.uk/ The JIC has a global reputation as a leader in the field of plant and microbial sciences, tackling research problems in the areas of food security, agriculture, healthy foods and the production of complex clinically-valuable molecules derived from plants and microbes.

Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB) www.quadram.ac.uk The Quadram Institute is at the forefront of a new interface between food science, gut biology and health, developing solutions to worldwide challenges in food-related disease and human health. It engages in fundamental and translational food and health research, alongside clinical studies, endoscopy and industry, combining scientific excellence and clinical expertise.

The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL) www.tsl.ac.uk TSL is also world-leading, working on the science of plant-microbe interactions to address improvements to plant health, agriculture and food security.

The NBI Partnership NBI Partnership Ltd (The Partnership) is owned by the Norwich Bioscience Institutes. The Partnership provides non-scientific services to each of the owner institutions, supporting their internationally renowned scientific research. The Partnership employs around 135 staff to cater for the needs of approximately 1100 Research Staff, Students and visiting workers, who are all located in close proximity, on the Norwich Research Park.

The Research Grants and Contracts Team The Research Grants and Contracts Team plays a key role in supporting the world class science of the Norwich Bioscience Institutes (NBI) through identifying funding opportunities, increasing the volume of externally funded research activity and managing grant income. The team negotiates and administers all stages of the grant process from pre-award to audit, proactively engaging with scientists and ensuring institutional and regulatory compliance.

The service provides expert advice on grants submissions, a large and varied portfolio of awarded projects and other contracts. It develops informed project budgets, advises on policy, risks and liabilities and liaises with key stakeholders on the IP portfolio.

Job Description

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Head of Research Grants and Contracts Main purpose of the job:

The Head of the Research Grants and Contracts is a senior leadership role within the NBI Partnership

(NBIP) responsible for leading the team which supports the Norwich Bioscience Institutes (NBI) in

identifying and realising external funding opportunities.

The postholder plays a key part in the delivery of the Institutes’ science strategy and policy through

identifying sponsored funding opportunities, providing strategic and specialist advice on funding

submissions, managing grants processes at all stages from pre-award to audit and ensuring institutional

and regulatory compliance. This includes leading the management of research related contracts to protect

freedom to operate, determination of risks, mitigation of liabilities and liaising with key stakeholders on the

IP portfolio for the NBI.

Enabling the achievement of stated research plans and research excellence, the postholder has impact

across the whole science base of research leaders at the NBI.

Key relationships:

Institute Directors and their senior leadership teams, Heads of Support Services, Heads of Departments

and Group/Project/Research Leaders.

The post holder will also maintain effective working relationships with contacts in BBSRC/UKRI and other

funding bodies.

Main activities and responsibilities: 1. Leadership and Management

• Contribute to policy, strategy and corporate decision making of the Institutes through direct contact with Directors and through membership of the Senior Management Committees.

• Lead the Research Grants and Contracts Team to deliver an excellent, customer focussed service to support the institutes

• Develop a high-performance culture, informed by regular feedback, monitoring performance against key performance indicators and providing appropriate mentoring, support and development for team members.

• Determine departmental work priorities and manage workflow, application support and contract management within the Research Grants and Contracts Team, ensuring appropriate support for researchers.

• Manage the resource budget allocated to the Research Grants and Contracts Team to maximize effectiveness and efficiency.

2. Contract Management

• Draft, analyse and negotiate research contracts on behalf of the institutes, provided by both public and

private sector external bodies.

• Act as administrative authority for EI, JIC and QIB and signatory for all research contracts.

• Ensure contractual, legal and ethical compliance in respect of research contracts, managing and

mitigating potential liabilities.

• Protect science’s freedom to operate and reputation.

3. Review of research activity to support policy and strategy

• Lead the management of process and procedures for research activity data management.

• Undertake analysis to provide reports and strategic advice to the Directors and senior management on

income generation, bidding strategies and achieving a balanced portfolio for sustainability.

• Regularly provide forecast information on external income and, in collaboration with the Finance

Director, communicate overall Institutional research performance.

• Manage reporting to research sponsors, e.g. BBSRC GABRIEL return, Researchfish annual returns,

open access compliance reporting, etc.

4. Specialist advice

• Identify and communicate sponsored funding opportunities aligned with NBI strategy and advise

scientists on bidding strategies.

• Provide strategic help and editorial input to major grant submissions such as the Institute Strategic

Programmes and Core Capability Grant.

• When Project Manager capacity is exceeded, help develop grant submissions including the provision of

editorial input and strategic advice on project management.

• Contribute to and, where required, coordinate grant submission review panels across the Institutes, or

oversee appropriate input from the team.

• Provide advice to help resolve contractual/project management issues related to grants.

• Review, advise on and draft other relevant contractual agreements, including collaboration, consultancy

and partnering agreements.

• Contribute to training for grant writing and fellowship submissions.

5. Relationship Management

• Build strong relationships with the Norwich Research Park LLP, University of East Anglia, BBSRC and

other relevant campus teams.

• Maintain links with peers and relevant individuals in key institutions and the research funding

environment, including UKRI, ARMA UK, UKRO, European research programmes and private and

charitable sector funders.

6. Other responsibilities

• Oversight of IP, including facilitating scientific freedom to operate and exploit research results. Liaise

with Institute Business functions, PBL and other third-party technology transfer companies (if

appropriate) to ensure the interests of the Institutes are protected.

• Any other activities which would reasonably fall within the remit of the role.

Person Specification

PERSON PROFILE Essential Desirable

Education and qualifications

First degree in a science or contract management related field.

Membership of ARMA or other relevant professional bodies.

PhD in a science field.

Specialist knowledge and skills

An excellent understanding of the principles and practice of contract negotiation and management, costing, pricing and budgeting.

An excellent understanding of the academic environment, research culture in higher education and research institutes gained through experience in an equivalent role.

Excellent IT and numeracy skills, including data management.

Leadership and Management

Confident and effective leader and manager with proven ability to lead a team, ensuring a customer focused and proactive service.

Ability to think strategically, while influencing and effectively negotiating.

Ability to cope with ambiguity, complexity and consider the big picture implications of actions.

Experience of successfully managing change.

Relevant experience A proven record of inter-disciplinary working.

A proven, sustained record of successfully participating in complex research bidding to strategic funders and post award management.

Substantial experience of interaction with the Research Councils and other public and private research funders relevant to NBI, and authoritative knowledge of their funding calls and operational policy.

Significant experience of contract law and developing contracts.

Proven ability to manage a mixed portfolio of activity, juggling competing demands and meeting deadlines whilst always maintaining attention to detail.

Ability to develop comprehensive strategic research reporting and modelling.

Budget management experience.

Experience of contributing to the development of academic strategy relating to research, knowledge exchange and innovation.

Experience of Intellectual Property management and protection.

Interpersonal and communication skills

Excellent interpersonal skills, inspiring confidence with colleagues and external partners at all levels.

Ability to work collaboratively.

Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage complex projects and prioritise workloads to meet competing deadlines.

Ability to communicate cogently and persuasively in writing, meetings, and in presentations.

Clear logical approach to problem solving.

Adaptable and resilient.

Ability to articulate a strategy for research grant and contract services in the context of the Institute’s objectives.

Ability to establish processes and procedures to forecast and track overall research revenues.

Additional requirements

Promotes equality and values diversity

Willingness to embrace the values and behaviours of the Partnership, ensuring it is a great place to work.

Further Information

Further Information

Location: NBI Partnership, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich, NR4 7UH Pension: The NBI Partnership operates a Group Personal Pension Plan, which you are eligible to join from your date of commencement. The pension plan is a defined contribution scheme. Holidays: 25 days on appointment. Plus 8 Public holidays and 2.5 Privilege days. Voluntary Employee Benefits scheme: ‘NBI Lifestyle’ gives employees access to a great range of discounts on: travel bookings, high street vouchers, gift cards, cinema tickets, days out, leisure activities and day to day spending. The scheme offers something for everyone and endless ways to save online and in store. Employee Assistance Programme: Employees and their families can also access wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme, part of NBI Lifestyle. In addition to articles, webinars and information on many work, home and health related matters, the scheme offer a 24/7 telephone counselling service. Sport and recreation facilities: Employees and their families can access a range of sports and recreation events and facilities. Cycle to Work Scheme: The NBI Partnership endorses a salary sacrifice scheme for 12 months where the cost of a bike is taken out of the gross salary before tax and NI deductions. Catering: Hot and cold food is provided across the site. Confectionary, hot and cold drinks and vending machines are also available. Car Park: There is a car park for all staff and visitors on site.

Living in Norfolk Norwich is a city of culture, with its rich history of art and writing, as well as a city of science - hosting some of the leading centres for life science research in the world. You'll find an exciting blend of the old and the new, with plenty of things to do for all ages, all year round.

Getting around is a breeze, with regular trains to Cambridge and London, plenty of city bus routes and an international airport. Life in Norfolk is relaxed and exciting at the same time, whether you’re into the vibrant nightlife or the stunning natural beauty of the Norfolk Broads. Voted the best place to work in the UK in 2015, Norwich is a city you are sure to fall in love with. Norfolk is a great place for families. Not only are there plenty of things to do, such as wildlife trips, adventure trails and family-friendly holiday parks, but there are also many excellent nurseries, schools and colleges in the area.

Your application Applications should consist of a comprehensive CV (of not more than 4 pages) and a covering letter (of not more than 2 pages) explaining how you meet the requirements of the role outlined in the Person Profile. To apply, please follow using this link.

The closing date for applications is 31 May 2018.

Human Resources

NIB Partnership

Norwich Research Park Colney Lane

Norwich Norfolk NR4 7UH

Tel 01603 450462

nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk