Job summary
At the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, we are committed to working with all experts, and the patient is the most important expert of all. A large group of local people interested in our work help us plan and deliver our research with insight into the experience of living with illness.
This is a unique and exciting opportunity for an experienced or aspiring public involvement professional to join the research workforce at University Hospitals of Leicester. We actively encourage applications from individuals new to the field who have an appropriate skillset and offer a training and mentoring package to less experienced personnel. We encourage applications from people who have experience in community settings as well as in the NHS or a university and we are particularly interested in working with people who have experience working with under-represented groups.
Main duties of the job
The post will involve building relationships and networks with individuals and communities in person and online and working with those networks to support them to influence what research we do and how we do it.
This part of the role is likely to involve giving talks, attending community groups and events, hosting stalls and providing information and engagement opportunities. The work will significantly involve running consultations using focus groups, public meetings, or novel approaches like our Dance and Health programme. Some of this work will occur outside of routine working hours.
About us
Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).
We have four primary goals:
- high-quality care for all,
- being a great place to work,
- partnerships for impact, and
- research and education excellence
And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.
Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:
- we are compassionate,
- we are proud,
- we are inclusive, and
- we are one team
This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.
About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:
http://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/work-for-us/current-vacancies/
Job description
Job responsibilities
The NIHR Leicester BRC is a partnership between the University of Leicester, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Loughborough University and the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group. It has been funded £26.1 million from December 2022 to November 2027 to carry out pioneering research into medical advancements into illnesses linked torespiratory diseases,cardiovascular diseases,andtype 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease and the consequences of inactivitywill continue to push boundaries of knowledge in clinical medicine. Three new speciality areas have joined the NIHR Leicester BRC for the first time:Personalised cancer prevention and treatment,Environment looking at how the environment impacts on long term health conditions - andUsing data to better understand multiple long term health conditions and factors specific to the health of ethnic minority populations. In addition, the respiratory speciality is joined by experts ininfectious diseases.
Our overall purpose is to translate scientific breakthroughs in these areas into diagnostic tests, preventions and life-saving treatments for our patients. We do this by creating a collaborative workspace that allows scientists and clinicians to share their findings and deliver research that is relevant to both patients and the professionals who treat them.
Working within the BRC you will coordinate delivery of public involvement focussing on a key theme or themes (depending on agreed working pattern) but working flexibly according to your strengths within a team of 6-9 people covering the whole BRC.
- Coordinating public involvement and engagement in the BRC, responding to researcher requirements including scheduling focus groups, booking the public onto focus groups, arranging room bookings and catering, and taking notes in focus groups and evaluating sessions using appropriate tools like PiiAF
- Coordinating public involvement for specific studies, particularly pre-bid, including development of delivery plans to meet bid and grant criteria. Proactively seeking support when required
- Administration of events, meetings and discussions including room and catering bookings, basic finance record keeping, processing and recording expenses for attendees
- Relationship and network management, including supporting public contributors to participate and supporting them to access training, support and information
- Coordinating new public groups, notably including growing new networks in new theme areas such as cancer
- Developing own practice and supporting development of good practice across a new team of personnel. Participating in the BRC public involvement training module over the first 6 months of employment and engaging actively with mentoring
- Maintaining excellent practice in equality, diversity and inclusion to ensure that everyone affected by our research has a voice in our research
- Support colleagues to organise events and conferences and market them to researchers, sponsors and the general public
- Supporting and coordinating public engagement activities including weekend and evening work. Talking to members of the public at events about research at the hospitals.
- Supporting the Communications Teams to develop content and update information on the Trusts intranet, Leicesters Hospitals website, Leicesters Research website and the websites of the BRC and CRF
- Taking pictures and videos at events and sharing with the Communications Team with appropriate commentary adhering to partners social media policies, seeking appropriate media consent and using common sense discretion
- To liaise with all levels of staff to ensure effective communication is maintained. Be available to help researchers in person, on the phone or online who may require support, and respond appropriately and professionally
- Support the production of internal staff communications, including core briefings, and maintain up to date mailing lists
- Support researchers to write plain English accessible summaries of research as required for the purposes of press releases, articles, website content, bid and grants, public involvement and events
- To produce a high standard of work at all times, in particular when working under pressure, in order to meet deadlines
- Support and undertake administrative tasks to assist the day to day running of the team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The NIHR Leicester BRC is a partnership between the University of Leicester, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Loughborough University and the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group. It has been funded £26.1 million from December 2022 to November 2027 to carry out pioneering research into medical advancements into illnesses linked torespiratory diseases,cardiovascular diseases,andtype 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease and the consequences of inactivitywill continue to push boundaries of knowledge in clinical medicine. Three new speciality areas have joined the NIHR Leicester BRC for the first time:Personalised cancer prevention and treatment,Environment looking at how the environment impacts on long term health conditions - andUsing data to better understand multiple long term health conditions and factors specific to the health of ethnic minority populations. In addition, the respiratory speciality is joined by experts ininfectious diseases.
Our overall purpose is to translate scientific breakthroughs in these areas into diagnostic tests, preventions and life-saving treatments for our patients. We do this by creating a collaborative workspace that allows scientists and clinicians to share their findings and deliver research that is relevant to both patients and the professionals who treat them.
Working within the BRC you will coordinate delivery of public involvement focussing on a key theme or themes (depending on agreed working pattern) but working flexibly according to your strengths within a team of 6-9 people covering the whole BRC.
- Coordinating public involvement and engagement in the BRC, responding to researcher requirements including scheduling focus groups, booking the public onto focus groups, arranging room bookings and catering, and taking notes in focus groups and evaluating sessions using appropriate tools like PiiAF
- Coordinating public involvement for specific studies, particularly pre-bid, including development of delivery plans to meet bid and grant criteria. Proactively seeking support when required
- Administration of events, meetings and discussions including room and catering bookings, basic finance record keeping, processing and recording expenses for attendees
- Relationship and network management, including supporting public contributors to participate and supporting them to access training, support and information
- Coordinating new public groups, notably including growing new networks in new theme areas such as cancer
- Developing own practice and supporting development of good practice across a new team of personnel. Participating in the BRC public involvement training module over the first 6 months of employment and engaging actively with mentoring
- Maintaining excellent practice in equality, diversity and inclusion to ensure that everyone affected by our research has a voice in our research
- Support colleagues to organise events and conferences and market them to researchers, sponsors and the general public
- Supporting and coordinating public engagement activities including weekend and evening work. Talking to members of the public at events about research at the hospitals.
- Supporting the Communications Teams to develop content and update information on the Trusts intranet, Leicesters Hospitals website, Leicesters Research website and the websites of the BRC and CRF
- Taking pictures and videos at events and sharing with the Communications Team with appropriate commentary adhering to partners social media policies, seeking appropriate media consent and using common sense discretion
- To liaise with all levels of staff to ensure effective communication is maintained. Be available to help researchers in person, on the phone or online who may require support, and respond appropriately and professionally
- Support the production of internal staff communications, including core briefings, and maintain up to date mailing lists
- Support researchers to write plain English accessible summaries of research as required for the purposes of press releases, articles, website content, bid and grants, public involvement and events
- To produce a high standard of work at all times, in particular when working under pressure, in order to meet deadlines
- Support and undertake administrative tasks to assist the day to day running of the team.
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent in related area
Experience
Essential
- Experience finding out about other people's thoughts, feelings and experiences e.g. consultations, research, customer service, care
- Customer service or communicating with the public
- Experience building community networks or 'social capital' (setting up a group for example, or building a contacts list)
Desirable
- Work in research or academic environment
Communication and relationship skills
Essential
- Excellent communication & interpersonal skills
- Willing to develop and participate in team-wide constructive reflection and evaluation
Analytical and Judgement skills
Essential
- Approachable and confident dealing with the public including where sensitive health issues are involved
Planning and organisation skills
Essential
Other requirements specific to the role
Essential
- Flexible approach
- Working as a team member
- Ability to arrange and host study days, training sessions and patient/public events
Skills
Essential
- Microsoft Suite
- Social media
- Understanding of research in healthcare settings and the NIHR
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent in related area
Experience
Essential
- Experience finding out about other people's thoughts, feelings and experiences e.g. consultations, research, customer service, care
- Customer service or communicating with the public
- Experience building community networks or 'social capital' (setting up a group for example, or building a contacts list)
Desirable
- Work in research or academic environment
Communication and relationship skills
Essential
- Excellent communication & interpersonal skills
- Willing to develop and participate in team-wide constructive reflection and evaluation
Analytical and Judgement skills
Essential
- Approachable and confident dealing with the public including where sensitive health issues are involved
Planning and organisation skills
Essential
Other requirements specific to the role
Essential
- Flexible approach
- Working as a team member
- Ability to arrange and host study days, training sessions and patient/public events
Skills
Essential
- Microsoft Suite
- Social media
- Understanding of research in healthcare settings and the NIHR
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
