HDRC Programme Co-Ordinator

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join Sandwells new Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Better Research for Better Health. Sandwell HDRC is a partnership between Sandwell MBC, the University of Birmingham, and the local 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. As the HDRC Co-ordinator, you will:

Act as the main point of contact for the HDRC

Support the HDRC Programme Manager and workstream leads to deliver objectives across four parallel workstreams

Lead on co-ordinating and developing the HDRC Board, Steering Group and Independent Oversight Group

Facilitate partner and stakeholder engagement both internally and externally, including members of the public.

The successful candidate will have:

A degree level qualification in life or social sciences, or equivalent relevant experience

Experience of project management, research, and working within a complex environment

Knowledge of public sector policy and asset-based community development

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral

Strong IT skills and knowledge of data security issues

Main duties of the job

The National Institute for Health 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 decisions impact on health and health inequalities. They also carry out research where evidence isnt already available

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

The Closing date for applications is: 29 February 2024

Interviews will be held the week commencing 18 March 2024.

For an informal discussion, please contact Dr Lina Martino on lina_martino@sandwell.gov.uk

About us

Sandwell is situated at the very heart of the West Midlands, just a stone's throw from Birmingham. A large, diverse, metropolitan borough, Sandwell offers exciting opportunities for all in a friendly, supportive environment. Sandwell is made up of six towns - Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Smethwick, Tipton, Wednesbury and West Bromwich. The borough has 1,200 hectares of parks, playing fields and local green space and more than 30 miles of canals.

We offer something for everyone, with an incredibly wide range of career opportunities, at any stage of your career, from apprentices to senior managers.