REF 2029 Delivery Officer

Research England

Delivery Officer (REF 2029)

Salary: £29,923 per annum
Hours: Full Time 
Contract Type: Fixed Term until January 2030 (Towards the end of the assignment candidates will move into the UKRI Redeployment Pool and be supported in finding suitable alternative work within the organisation)
Location: Westward House, Stoke Gifford, Bristol (Hybrid)
Grade: UKRI Band C

Closing Date: 22 June 25
Proposed Interview Date: w/c 7th July 25

About Us

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, with the most recent exercise concluding in 2021. It is a peer review assessment process involving submissions from higher education institutions across the UK. The REF is delivered by Research England on behalf of the four UK higher education funding bodies (Scottish Funding Council, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, Department of the Economy Northern Ireland). Research England is a council within UK Research and Innovation. More Information can be found here: https://www.ref.ac.uk/

REF is a fast-moving exercise managing a wide range of policy areas, expert panel members that span all research disciplines and types of research outputs. Key to our success will be close team working and supporting each other through peak periods. Joining our team provides a great deal of opportunity to learn and develop.

Purpose

Are you looking for a new challenge? An opportunity to work on a major, high-profile, project in a close-knit team and a fast-paced environment? Do you want to use your knowledge and skills in an agile way across a broad range of focus areas, learning new things and innovating along the way? Do you want to learn about the UK’s different funding bodies, and work with some of the most highly respected people across the UK’s research community? Then this may be the opportunity for you!

The REF Delivery Team is responsible for all administrative tasks throughout this complex, large-scale project. Key to the success of the REF project is team working, and while all members of the REF Delivery Team will have individual responsibilities, they will need to work together to support the delivery of key tasks during peak periods.

If you are looking for an opportunity to develop or consolidate skills and experience relating to managing multiple complex administrative tasks, supporting governance processes and building productive senior relationships, this could be for you.

Main Outputs & Activities

• Develop and maintain a good general knowledge of the REF process and administrative requirements of the exercise, and report on progress to the senior colleagues as appropriate
• Diary management, proactively and effectively managing multiple complex diaries and making appropriate use of time and resources, taking advice as necessary
• Build and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders at all levels
• Plan meetings, visits and other events ensuring all details are confirmed and correct and that plans are within budget. Sometimes this will be for very large-scale events
• Organise all travel and accommodation
• Organise and circulate relevant papers, briefing notes and action notes for meetings. This may include agenda setting and minute taking as required
• Develop and maintain spreadsheets and databases as needed
• Support the delivery of the REF panel project, assisting the Panel Project Manager with large mail outs and data management
• Support the development of, and then administer, member recruitment processes for Advisory Groups and Panels, including circulating applications for review and producing and circulating appointment letters, tracking acceptances as required and then maintain up to date records of member information
• Act as a first point of contact for Panel and Advisory Group members’ administrative queries by telephone, email and occasionally in person and ensure members are well informed about all administrative arrangements (including meetings, accommodation, fees and expenses)
• Liaise with panel members and secretariat staff on administrative issues and to ensure effective provision of administrative support
• Share meeting information via the Panel Members’ Website or via email within an agreed timescale
• All members of the REF Administration Team will be responsible for responding to REF queries from our community. This requires building accurate knowledge of REF guidelines, criteria and procedures as these develop, and ensuring that enquiries are responded to accurately and in a timely manner, and that any issues or complex queries are escalated and responded to as appropriate.
• Model exemplary professional behaviours, including flexible, agile and collaborative working, leading by example.

Shortlisting Criteria

(S) – Assessed at shortlisting

(I) – Assessed at interview

(S&I) – Assessed at both shortlisting and interview

Essential:

• Self-starter – able to prioritise, manage and organise time well, anticipating peaks and troughs in workload, and to keep up to date with routine jobs (S&I)
• Strong IT skills using Microsoft software packages (Word, Outlook, Excel) and a willingness to learn new IT packages as required (S)
• Ability to write emails, letters and draft papers clearly, accurately and following in-house style, appropriately tailored to the audience (S)
• Experience of quickly learning the detail of new areas (S)
• A creative, flexible and positive approach to problem solving and the ability to show initiative and manage ambiguity (I)
• Good team worker – committed to collaborating to achieving results, willing to assist other members of staff during busy periods, able to identify and respond positively to the needs of colleagues (S & I)
• A flexible and positive approach to developing, maintaining and managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders (S&I)
• Experience of organising and supporting meetings or external events (S &I)
• Experience of working with databases and/or spreadsheets and maintaining accurate records (S)
• Ability to demonstrate accountability and ownership – consistently taking responsibility for tasks and outcomes, exhibiting commitment to see projects through to completion. (S & I)
• Interest in developing knowledge of the higher education sector and the REF (S)
• Flexibility to travel to meetings, including sometimes working outside office hours and staying away overnight (S) 

Desirable:

• Experience of creating and maintaining administrative processes (S)
• Experience of using project management tools (S)
• Experience of finance administration and procurement (S)

APPLICATIONS

Online applications only for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter to the attachments section (ignore free textbox for cover letter under ‘Experience’ section) which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘Experience’ section of the application process. 

INCENTIVES

DEVELOPING TALENT:

We are committed to developing employees in their roles throughout their career. Learning and development plans enable employees to continue their professional development through training and development opportunities such as e-learning, classroom training and on-the-job experiences. We encourage our employees to share their learning across teams and organisations.

BENEFITS:

UKRI can offer the successful candidate:

- Flexible Working

- 30 days annual leave + Public Holidays

- Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme

- Various everyday discounts through our dedicated provider

Visit our dedicated benefits webpage for more info: Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)