Job description

With a multi-disciplinary team of over 70 staff based in London and Leeds, an administration budget of over £3m, and a central programme budget of over £1bn per annum, the key elements of the role are:

• Working with the Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser, to lead the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to deliver ground-breaking research to improve patient care, public health and social care and reduce health inequalities; cement the UK’s reputation as a leading international center for health and care research; and to support economic growth.

• Ensuring timely and economic delivery of evidence to Ministers, DHSC colleagues and Arm’s Length Bodies, meeting priority needs to inform policy development, implementation and evaluation in the health and care system;

• Running a global health research programme deploying Official Development Assistance funding to benefit the poorest people living in low and middle income countries;

• Developing policy on genomics science, rare disease and emerging technologies, including overseeing implementation of the UK Rare Diseases Framework in England;

• Acting as Departmental Sponsor for the Health Research Authority holding it to account for delivery of agreed priorities and objectives within budget, supporting it to operate effectively and efficiently;

• Contributing to cross-government and cross-funder work on policy for research and science, and strategy to support the life sciences industry.

• Supporting Ministerial business including correspondence, briefing, parliamentary questions, debates and inquiries, and working across Whitehall in departments where aims and mandates overlap, including the Government Office for Science, BEIS, HMT.

As Director of SRE you will report to the Chief Scientific Adviser, and through them to the Chief Medical Officer.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Supporting NIHR to deliver the objectives and priorities described in Best Research for Best Health: The Next Chapter, working closely with NIHR co-ordinating centres and NIHR Strategy Board members;

• Overseeing the funding and commissioning of research projects, programmes, units and centres to provide the evidence necessary to inform decisions by Ministers, Arms Length Bodies, policy makers, professionals, patients and the public about health and care;

• Ensuring close collaboration of the SRE Directorate with the Office of the Chief Economist to ensure a coherent research and analysis offer to colleagues across DHSC and its ALBs;

• Promoting the interests, participation and safety of patients and public in research;

• Developing strategy for the training of clinical and applied health and social care researchers and support staff of the future;

• Maximising the contribution that research makes to the health, wellbeing, and economic growth of the country through proactive engagement with other Government Departments, Arms-Length Bodies, patients and the public, and stakeholders in the NHS, public health, social care, academia, charities and life science industries;

• Supporting the Office for Life Sciences to deliver specific elements of the Life Sciences Vision including by leading delivery of the clinical research delivery Recovery, Resilience and Growth Programme;

• Working with BEIS to support delivery of the UK R&D Roadmap and the strategies which emanate from it

• Supporting the Government in developing and delivering policies, strategies and structures that promote health, public health and social care research, and the use of research evidence, including working with the devolved administrations to maximise opportunities for cross-UK working to benefit patients and the economy;

• Working with partner organisations to improve the strategic coordination of health and care research, to speed up the translation of research into health and economic benefits and address the government’s levelling up commitments (including other government departments, research councils and the health and care research charities);

• Working with other government departments and partners to maximise the coherence and impact of ODA funding for global health research;

• Securing financial resources for the SRE Directorate and overseeing the planning, management and control of the SRE budget so that it supports the strategic aims of DHSC and the Government more widely;

• Ensuring the delivery of relevant support to Ministers;

• Actively liaising with the other directors in the CSA group

• Contributing positively to the quality of people management, enhancing equality, diversity and inclusivity, in the Directorate and DHSC more broadly.

Responsibilities

It is important through your CV and Statement of Suitability that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:

• Innovative and transformational approach, able to drive positive change through a confident balancing of risks and benefits, creating a culture where change is seen as an opportunity.

• Confident and effective attitude in building relationships and influencing at senior levels, operating with sensitivity and political astuteness and remaining calm under pressure. Though not necessarily a scientist by background, you should be comfortable representing scientific expertise with the wider science, health and research sector including universities, research charities and the NHS.

• The ability to simplify the complex, remain strategic and make effective, corporate and open decisions by focusing on key facts, with a determination to take on the big challenges and make tough decisions at pace

• Experience of managing large budgets and teams. Excellent leadership skills with a flexible leadership style, balancing operational accountability, empowerment and space for creativity.

• A strong understanding of, enthusiasm for and experience of, science relevant to health and care, with the ability to integrate into policy initiatives.

• Experience of science funding, including peer review and funding panels.

• Post-graduate qualification in a relevant field (Masters, PhD or equivalent experience) would be advantageous.

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role

• An environment with flexible working options

• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

• A Civil Service pension

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.

See our vetting charter.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.

2. A Statement of Suitability (no longer than two pages) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.

Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only has limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.

For further information download the candidate information pack attached below.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

UK nationals

nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

nationals of the Republic of Ireland

nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service

relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service

certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals