Project Manager Commissioned Research / Policy and Advocacy Advisor (UK)

Position Summary:

• Position Title: Project Manager Commissioned Research / Policy & Advocacy Advisor (UK)
• Reporting Relationship: Chief of Staff / Director, Impact & Engagement
• Team: Centre for Research Evidence & Skills Training (CREST) / Impact & Engagement
• Location: UK; position holder will be expected to work from the London office 2+ days per week
• Employment Duration: 2 years with possibility of extension
• Type of employment: Full-time, fixed-term
• Salary: £55,000 - £64,000 per annum (dependent on experience)
• Start date: ASAP

Please note, for this role, the successful candidate must have an ongoing and existing right to work in the UK.

Context of the Role

This role has two aspects:

• Developing and implementing a strategy for commissioned research and health consultancy in the UK, as part of the Institute's global CREST programme (60%).
• Implementing a programme of policy engagement and advocacy in the UK, as a member of the Institute's global Impact & Engagement team (40%).

The Role

The George Institute is seeking a motivated candidate with experience of policy engagement and advocacy, and of project management in the consultancy sector.

The Project Manager Commissioned Research will lead consultancy and commissioned research projects in the UK, including end-to-end project management, business development and client engagement activities to expand and support the Institute's consultancy portfolio. The role will also include the leadership of initiatives, and the development of processes and tools to contribute to global commissioned research projects. The Project Manager will support research leaders in the development of commissioned research proposals in response to tender and procurement opportunities and may also contribute directly to consultancy projects and research.

As UK Policy and Advocacy Advisor, this position will implement a programme of policy engagement and advocacy in the UK with the aim of increasing the impact of the institute's research, working directly with the Institute's UK-based researchers. They will build relationships with counterparts at Imperial College London, with which The George Institute UK works in collaboration, as well as developing and strengthening relationships with representatives of government, health service providers, civil society, academia and others.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in health research project management and business development, with experience in large tenders and bids for major funding agencies including government, multilateral agencies and foundations. They will also have significant experience of advocacy, policy influencing and strategy development in the UK, and of high-level stakeholder engagement across health and related sectors.

Reporting Relationships

This position will initially report to the Chief of Staff and the Director, Impact & Engagement, and will consult widely with the research, operations and finance teams, including the Institute's UK Executive Director and Chief Scientist.

Duties and Key Responsibilities

As Project Manager Commissioned Research, this position's role may include the following activities as the CREST strategy is further developed:

• Commissioned Research Strategy:
  • Market Analysis: Conduct market research to understand consulting industry trends, competitor activities, and customer needs.
  • Identify Opportunities: Research and identify new commissioned research opportunities, potential clients, and business partnerships to expand the Institute's commissioned research portfolio.
• Commissioned Research Systems & Reporting:
  • Tools: Assist in preparing and updating standardised tools for commissioned research at the Institute, including SOPs, templates, proposals, factsheets, institutional profiles and rate cards.
  • Internal Systems: Collaborate with internal teams across research, finance, HR, legal and operations to develop systems and processes to better support The Institute's commissioned research and consultancy activities.
  • Reporting: Track consultancy projects and report on TGI commissioned research success and outcomes, including maintaining a register of procurement panels and schedule of the project pipeline.

• Commissioned Research Business Development & Delivery:
  • Business Development: Assist in the development of business development materials and meetings to drive better commissioned research outcomes.
  • Proposals and Procurement Panels: Prepare proposals, tenders and procurement panel documentation for opportunities with governments, multilateral agencies and foundations, including coordinating across teams and incorporating client requirements and feedback as needed.
  • Delivery: Assist research teams with commissioned research projects if required.

As UK Policy and Advocacy Advisor, this position's role will include the following responsibilities:

• Policy engagement
  • Lead the development and implementation of a government engagement strategy in the UK, aligned with the Institute's strategic priorities
  • Work with researchers to develop meaningful pathways to impact for their research, including through drafting relevant sections of funding proposals, conducting stakeholder mapping and identifying capacity-strengthening opportunities
  • Maintain an awareness of the research impact agenda in the UK and represent the Institute in networks such as the Universities Policy Engagement Network
  • Develop mutually beneficial relationships with key stakeholders to ensure impactful outcomes
• Advocacy
  • Represent The George Institute in UK-based global health advocacy networks, actively leading and supporting activities
  • Conduct advocacy activities focused on the UK, including the UK's role in the global health sector and the UK government's support for multilaterals
  • Maintain an awareness of developments in the global health sector in the UK, and advise senior staff on advocacy opportunities and challenges
  • Use sector knowledge and experience to develop advocacy materials and activities promoting evidence from the Institute's research
  • Work with colleagues in the Impact & Engagement team to identify opportunities for collaboration across regions and amplification of activities at the global level

• Revenue generation
  • Ensure the inclusion of advocacy/policy engagement activities in successful research grant proposals
  • Support commissioned work conducted by the Impact & Engagement team, including the development of policy briefs and advocacy reports, workshops and other events, including for global partners

As a team member:

• Take responsibility for personal learning and development and for setting achievable and meaningful work objectives and managing personal targets, meeting obligations of The Institute's Performance Management and Development Policy;
• Demonstrate commitment to The Institute's organisational values, including performing to an exceptionally high ethical standard and focus on integrity, collaboration and teamwork in all efforts.

Work, Health and Safety

• Comply with Work Health and Safety legislation and operate in accordance with established Occupational Health and Safety practice and procedures at the Institute;
• Promote and contribute to a safe, secure environment for staff and visitors.

Key Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Education & Experience:
  • Degree in public health, business administration, or a related field
  • Significant experience of advocacy, policy influencing and strategy development to achieve change in the global health or related sectors
  • Proven experience managing health research and consultancy, providing exceptional service and maintaining long-term relationships
  • Experience of high-level client and stakeholder engagement, including multilateral agencies and government, to achieve impactful outcomes.
  • Experience of working in an academic research environment (desirable)
  • Experience of engaging with relevant UK Government departments and the Parliamentary system (desirable)
  • Experience of relevant health advocacy and policy issues in the UK (desirable)
• Technical & Professional Skills:
  • Strong project management experience and expertise, including planning, tracking, and reporting on multiple projects simultaneously
  • Knowledge of funding processes and requirements, with experience working with governments and other global health entities
  • Ability to think innovatively and strategically to identify potential opportunities, and to be creative in forging approaches and partnerships with key stakeholders
  • Ability to understand and interpret complex research and scientific projects and to communicate key messages to specialist and non-specialist audiences in an engaging and accessible manner
  • Proficiency in project management software and tools, and the Microsoft office suite of products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Interpersonal & Organizational Skills:
  • Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills, and written and verbal communication
  • Confidence in influencing colleagues internally and externally, and able to represent TGI in a variety of fora . click apply for full job details