Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Embedded Researcher

Job description

Job responsibilities

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is providing up to £5 million of funding to a number of local authorities to establish Health Determinants Research Collaborations (HDRCs) in their local areas. HDRCs aim to boost research capacity and capability within local government to embed a culture of always using evidence when making decisions. HDRCs use research findings to understand how Council decisions and initiatives impact on health and health inequalities. They also carry out research where evidence isnt already available.

The Sandwell HDRC Better Research for Better Health is a partnership between SMBC, the University of Birmingham, and the voluntary & community sector. Our HDRC vision is to undertake evidence-informed, robustly evaluated activities that reflect the needs and values of our diverse local communities. The Sandwell HDRC will align with a borough-wide Levelling Up Programme to improve the wider determinants of health, ultimately leading to improved health of the local population.

The HDRC aims to transform SMBCs research culture and infrastructure to:

Make the best use of empirical evidence to inform decision-making and investment

Robustly evaluate services to ensure quality, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness

Facilitate research activity with partner organisations and local residents

Effectively disseminate research outputs for wider influence

This will be achieved by:

Strengthening research and development capacity, resources and infrastructure

Embedding a strong research culture for evidence-informed decision-making

Developing robust systems and partnerships for cultural and knowledge exchange

Creating a community-led research culture

As one of two Embedded Researchers, you will work closely with academic partners and wider stakeholders, including local communities, to identify and take forward research priorities relating to the wider determinants of health. This will involve working across Council directorates and with external partners and stakeholders to strengthen research activity and culture, supporting the embedding of evidence-informed practice alongside effective evaluation of programmes, projects, services and interventions. The post holder will be expected to work flexibly across the HDRC and wider Council to support the development of research skills and culture across directorates, and to identify research priorities and opportunities that will make a positive contribution to improving the health and wellbeing of Sandwell residents.

You will also be responsible for overseeing and managing evaluation of the HDRC programme of work, co-ordinating specialist input from internal and external partners including Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), the voluntary and community sector, and SMBC Directorates.

The post would ideally suit a postdoctoral researcher looking to apply and develop their research skills in a Local Authority

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to Doctoral level in relevant subject

Experience

Essential

• Three years or more experience in research.
• Experience of developing and conducting evaluations of public health interventions, programmes and policies.
• Report writing and presentations for a wide range of audiences including members of the public, multi-agency groups, boards-level meetings and committees.
• Experience of data management, analysis and associated IT software.
• Experience of working with a range of stakeholders, such as Higher Education Institutions, local government, the NHS, local communities, community groups and the voluntary sector
• Experience of research systems and processes
• Practical experience in managing and facilitating change.
• Experience in project supervision and the training and development of others in information and research skills.
• Experience of working collaboratively to develop bids/proposals
• Scientific publications, presentation of papers at conferences, seminars.
• Experience of applying knowledge of relevant policy /legislation in the
• development and implementation of strategies for service delivery/improvement.
• Experience of successfully operating and managing resources in a politically sensitive environment.
• Significant experience of project management.
• IT literacy including working knowledge of Word, Excel and powerpoint.

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

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Address

Freeth Street

Oldbury

B69 3DE

Employer's website

https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)