Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Neighbourhood Research Co-Ordinator

The closing date is 31 August 2025

Job summary

The Neighbourhood Research Co-ordinator (NRC) is a pivotal role within a 12 month pilot funded by the NIHR RRDN Strategic Call. The pilot aims to test a new model of Integrated Neighbourhood Research Teams, embedding research into the heart of communities and aligning it with local health and care delivery.

The NRC will act as a connector and catalyst, working across NHS, local authority, VCSE, and community settings to:

Increase accessibility and participation in NIHR Portfolio Studies

Build local research capacity and capability

Drive community-led and place-based research

Reduce duplication and improve trust in research

This role is part of a dual-site pilot in Paulsgrove (urban) and Central Isle of Wight (rural)- two areas with known health inequalities and strong existing community networks.

Main duties of the job

Research Recruitment and Delivery

Promote and support recruitment to NIHR Portfolio Research Studies within the neighbourhood.

Identify and facilitate research opportunities in collaboration with local services and community groups.

Support the shift from hospital-based to community-based research.

2.Community Network Development

Build and maintain a local research network across health, social care, local authorities, VCSEs, and non-traditional settings.

Act as a connector between researchers and community stakeholders to ensure research is relevant, inclusive, and accessible.

Map and extend existing community infrastructure to support research delivery.

3.Neighbourhood Insight and Capacity Building

Gather insights into local health and care needs to inform research priorities.

Support the development of community-led research initiatives and peer researcher involvement.

Increase local research literacy through outreach, education, and training.

Contribute to the development of new research proposals and funding bids.

4.Collaboration and Evaluation

Work alongside the evaluation team (Co-Lab) to support rapid, iterative learning and data collection.

Participate in co-design of evaluation indicators with community members and collaborators.

Contribute to the development of sustainable, scalable models for neighbourhood-based research.

About us

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a newly established organisation, bringing together expertise from across mental health, learning disabilities, community, and physical health services. We are dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality, and accessible care to the diverse communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

With over 13,000 dedicated staff working across more than 300 sites, we place patients and staff at the centre of everything we do. Our goal is to create an integrated healthcare system that improves accessibility and ensures more consistent care for patients. By working together, we aim to improve patient outcomes, drive innovation, and meet the unique needs of the populations we serve.

Our Trust unites services from Southern Health, Solent NHS Trust, Isle of Wight NHS Trusts community and mental health teams, as well as Hampshire CAMHS, originally part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. This transformation enables us to deliver more seamless care across the region, ensuring that patients receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We are deeply committed to our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence, and offer outstanding opportunities for career development, training, and collaborative working.

Date posted

18 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year Based on full time hours

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

1 years

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

348-COR-8914

Job locations

St.Mary's Community Health Campus (Portsmouth)

Milton Road

Portsmouth

Hampshire

PO3 6AD

St. Mary's Hospital (IOW)

Parkhurst Road

Newport

Isle of Wight

PO30 5TG

Job description

Job responsibilities

Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached. It is important to us that we ensure our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive to everyone - if as a potential candidate you are concerned a person specification may prevent or restrict your application for employment as a result of unintentional barriers on the grounds of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or disability please initially contact the Trust's Recruitment team - detailed in the advert. The Trust will seek to resolve this issue wherever possible.

We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.

Job description

Job responsibilities

We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field (e.g. health, social care, public health, social sciences, community development)
Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

Research methods training (formal or informal)
Project management or community engagement training

Experience

Essential

Experience supporting or delivering research projects
Understanding of health inequalities and the importance of inclusive research
Awareness of NIHR Portfolio Studies and research infrastructure and importance of inclusive research
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including with diverse audiences
Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Desirable

Experience of working in or with community, health, social care, or VCSE settings
Experience of engaging with diverse or underrepresented communities
Experience of partnership working across sectors
Experience of organising events, workshops, or community engagement activities

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field (e.g. health, social care, public health, social sciences, community development)
Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

Research methods training (formal or informal)
Project management or community engagement training

Experience

Essential

Experience supporting or delivering research projects
Understanding of health inequalities and the importance of inclusive research
Awareness of NIHR Portfolio Studies and research infrastructure and importance of inclusive research
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including with diverse audiences
Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Desirable

Experience of working in or with community, health, social care, or VCSE settings
Experience of engaging with diverse or underrepresented communities
Experience of partnership working across sectors
Experience of organising events, workshops, or community engagement activities

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St.Mary's Community Health Campus (Portsmouth)

Milton Road

Portsmouth

Hampshire

PO3 6AD

Employer's website

https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St.Mary's Community Health Campus (Portsmouth)

Milton Road

Portsmouth

Hampshire

PO3 6AD

Employer's website

https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)