R&I Grants Co-ordinator

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

The R&I Grants Co-ordinator supports the Head of Research Governance & Innovation in the co-ordination and promotion of funding and grant opportunities to current and potential partners, and to manage successful awards to completion. The post holder will be part of the team that promotes, develops and leads a research innovation culture that supports high quality research by supporting the research leaders in the partnership and their teams including encouraging, initiating and developing programmes of research by building collaborative relationships with other partners.

The Grants Co-Ordinator is the first point of contact for all grant-related enquiries and provides general and specialist advice and assistance in the preparation, negotiation and execution of a range of contracts and agreements including: Research Grants and Contracts; Funding Agreements and returns; Collaboration Agreements, Data Sharing Agreements, Non-disclosure [confidentiality] Agreements, and any other contract documentation related to the research operations of the Trust. The post holder will be responsible for high quality and audit assured finance processes to ensure the smooth transfer of funds between partners for the effective delivery of projects being undertaken within the Trust and to provide advice on over/under spends and to highlight any delays or issues in the projects being delivered.

Main duties of the job

1. To support the R&I Senior Management Team in managing new and ongoing grant funded projects and pathways and to support the ongoing business of the R&I Department.
2. To support the Senior Management Team in the preparation, negotiation and execution of funding applications and subsequent contracts where the Trust is named as host or collaborator.
3. To provide a source of expert advice for clinical and academic colleagues undertaking research.
4. To use and organise systems to register, track and monitor activity against contract timelines and to be an integral part of a streamlined R&I service by being the first point of contact grant finance and contracting enquiries - building a hub to support strategic priorities as identified and addressed collaboratively through research and knowledge exchange with our partners.
5. The post holder will also work as a project manager for any large scale project or programme grants which MPFT holds or hosts as necessary.
6. Understand and process complex and varied research projects, themes and specialties, in order to then take on the role of innovation champion for those themes is essential; as is searching out, organising and presenting new initiatives and partnerships in the complex local healthcare environment.

About us

By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping your communities and in return for this, we will support you by;

• Supporting your career development and progression
• Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Options for flexible working
• Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days) and the opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
• If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients
• Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
• Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
• Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
• Free car parking at all trust sites
• Free flu vaccinations every year
• Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met)

And more. We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Job responsibilities

1. Support the Head of Research Governance and Innovation in the co-ordination and promotion of funding and grant opportunities to current and potential partners, and manage successful awards to completion.
2. Promote, develop and lead a research innovation culture that supports high quality research by supporting the research leaders in the partnership and their teams including encouraging, initiating and developing programmes of research by building collaborative relationships with other partners.
3. To provide general and specialist advice and assistance in the preparation, negotiation and execution of a range of contracts and agreements including; model Clinical Trial Agreements, Study Site Agreements, Research Grants and Contracts, Funding Agreements, Collaboration Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, Non-disclosure [confidentiality] Agreements, and any other contract documentation related to the research operations of the Trust.
4. To act as the first point of contact for all grant-related enquiries.
5. Assist in the negotiation of disputed contractual clauses and escalate to the senior management when needed.
6. Liaise with external Sponsors, funding agencies including industry, charities, Department of Health & Social Care, NIHR, and other organisations to negotiate contractual obligations liaising with Trust contracts officers as required.
7. Quality Control (including checking vs costing templates) of agreements prior to signing.
8. Work with the Head of Research Governance and Innovation to maintain a portfolio of contract agreement templates and advise partners of their use.
9. Highlight issues and provide leadership in designing new processes to address them.
10. To work closely with the Head of Research Governance and Innovation to maintain a grants monitoring system which provides support for colleagues in an accurate manner keeping to deadlines.
11. Support to Research and Innovation (R&I) within the Trust, through the day to day provision of advice and financial information to researchers, the R&I Department and the Finance Department, under the guidance of the Head of Research Governance and Innovation.
12. Identify new and innovative grant opportunities.
13. Provision of up to date and accurate information for the co-ordination and monitoring of the associated funds flows, at both individual and programme level, with appropriately developed reports, to provide assurance on staff funding and development needs.

Person Specification

Experience

• Significant experience in a similar role - within NHS, HEI or charity sector
• Experience of Research & Innovation in a healthcare setting

Experience

• Experience of working across complex organisational structures and effective matrix management

Experience

• Significant finance and contracting management and/or processing experience

Knowledge

• Knowledge of systems, structures and processes for research grants and awards

Knowledge

• Knowledge of research and innovation pathways and delivery, including governance and oversight
• Knowledge of how research and innovation is applied and delivered within the NHS

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 name

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Head of Research Governance & Innovation