This is the Internal Only Recruitment Site for UK Research and Innovation Staff for roles within Innovate UK (UKRI). Please apply for jobs via this site only if you are employed by UK Research and Innovation (employees with access to Innovate UK's Workday system may apply via the "Careers" application within the system). If you are not a current UKRI employee you can view vacancies at the externally advertised stage at the links given in the "About Us information on the right". If you wish to apply for the position below, please ensure that you comply with the requirements of the recruitment process by submitting both a full CV and application letter. Ideally, you should also advise your manager of your application. Applications must be submitted by 08-11-2024 Vacancy for Horizon Europe National Contact Point - Sustainable Agriculture and the Bioeconomy An National Contact Point is a European Commission-recognised technical expert with privileged access to Commission officials, who works closely with and advises UK Government policy leads responsible for the relevant programme area. Please note this advert will close on the 7th November 2024 at 23:59pm. Watch our video “Why Join Innovate UK?” here. Title: Horizon Europe National Contact Point - Sustainable Agriculture and the Bioeconomy Band: UKRI Band F (UKRI Ts & Cs) Salary: £54,043 gross per annum Reports to: Head of Agriculture & Food Location: Field based Contract: Permanent Innovate UK recognises the importance of work-life balance and we will be happy to discuss any requests for flexible working arrangements. The Team: Innovate UK’s leads in agriculture and the bioeconomy sit in the Healthy Living and Agriculture directorate which includes teams focused on Health and Care as well as Agriculture and Food. Collectively these teams deliver dedicated R&D funding to the UK’s health and life science sector. As well as UK opportunities the team also seeks to influence and support UK businesses in securing partnerships and funding through European programmes, Horizon EU in particular. The team also plans to identify and support other international collaborative opportunities, outside of Europe, under for example the EUREKA Framework and in developing economies via the Newton and Prosperity fund. The post holder will be a member of the AgriFood team. We particularly welcome female applicants as women are under-represented within Innovate UK in this type of role. Job Purpose: An NCP is a European Commission-recognised technical expert with privileged access to Commission officials, who works closely with and advises UK Government policy leads responsible for the relevant programme area. This is achieved by helping ensure future calls for proposals are informed by UK interests and priorities, proactively identifying key UK organisations that could benefit from engagement in the programme, and by enabling UK entities to navigate and identify the most suitable opportunities and partners to take forward their research and innovation priorities. The network of NCPs is the main structure through which Member States and countries associated to the Horizon Europe programme influence priorities and provide essential guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in Horizon Europe. The objective being to increase UK engagement and success in the programme. The intention may be to leverage the capacity of the NCPs to accelerate this endeavour; broadening the scope of their contribution, and to look at wider global opportunities, whilst prioritising EU programme work and ensuring a clear strategy is in place for this area. Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities: Assist all types of UK entities understand and navigate the matrix of opportunities across the Horizon Europe Cluster 6 including its Partnerships and Missions. This includes 1:1 advice by email and phone, presentations in person or webinars, creation of online resources etc. Support UK participation in European programmes, within the spirit of Commission guidance on NCPs, being the subject matter expert for the UK on European programmes in the Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment areas. Build strong relationships with relevant bodies and networks such as businesses, research organisations, trade associations, government departments (e.g. DSIT, DEFRA) and agencies/local authorities, private investors, charities and regulatory bodies to support and promote participation. Develop an understanding of UK capabilities in this sector. Participate in the Cluster 6 NCP CSA (Coordination and Support Action) CARE4BIO and deliver actions in Work Packages to support increased understanding and training of Cluster 6 NCPs and participants. Input to and attend meetings of the Cluster 6 and Missions Programme Committees in Brussels. This done in conjunction with DEFRA, BBSRC and NERC with input from stakeholders including devolved UK Administrations, to create a unified UK wide response Influence the development of future Work Programmes up to 2027 and then the successor programme FP10. Support relevant programmes beyond those run by the EU, drawing on corporate UK resources such as Customer Support Services (CSS), Innovate UK Business Connect and Innovate UK Business Growth. This is not an exhaustive list and you might be encouraged to undertake any other duties across the wider directorate, commensurate with the Band and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post holder has the key experience and/or training. Person Specification: This position requires a person with commercial awareness who can manage competing priorities and a complex domestic and international stakeholder environment. The role holder will need to make sense of multiple data sources, to establish underlying patterns and articulate a clear and compelling vision and strategy of what needs to be done, as well as being able to engage an external audience on regular occasions through being an accomplished communicator. A good team player, willing to share knowledge and ideas with others and to learn from them. Able to self-start when needed. Qualifications: Degree or post-graduate qualification in relevant science, engineering or related discipline, or equivalent experience Experience: Essential – Knowledge of European Framework programmes e.g. as participant, adviser, or National Contact Point Up-to-date and broad-based knowledge of innovation in Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment applications Appreciation of the wider landscape in the UK, including the key businesses and initiatives relevant to Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Familiarity with the wider research environment, both in the UK and globally Stakeholder management experience, including working with senior level individuals managing conflicting demands and priorities Knowledge and experience of innovation in a commercial environment and a good broad understanding of the support companies need to develop and deploy new technology Communication and presenting experience, including online Working within a cross-functional team requiring time and resource management Skills: The ability to respond calmly under pressure and to make impartial and well-considered judgments in complex situations, when required The capability and gravitas to engage effectively with senior representatives from business, UK and other Governments, and the EU. Excellent presentation skills with the ability to hold an audience large or small in your specialist role Strong written and oral communication skills in developing papers/reports for Innovate UK and others, including the ability to produce clear, concise and accurate reports Highly developed team working skills, able to form effective working relationships both internally and externally Self-starter, able to work unsupervised and on own initiative with the ability to prioritise and multitask Excellent interpersonal skills, including tact, discretion and experience of liaising with senior stakeholders and staff High competency of ICT skills/ IT systems and applications including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access Competencies: All team members demonstrate compatibility with and capability against our Core Competencies such as: Thinking and Problem Solving – Stakeholder management – Communication skills – Influencing – Self-awareness/self-management – Strategic awareness – Working with others– Project management Travel Requirements: Field-based: There will a requirement to travel, mostly national, and there is some flexibility in this. Innovate UK staff make extensive use of telepresence tools for meetings to minimise unnecessary travel. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Innovate UK is a diverse workforce of people. We believe that encouraging these differences and drawing the best from them will build a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, where talents are fully utilised and in which organisational goals are met. Underpinning this is a belief that it is a fundamental right for everyone to be treated equally, with fairness, respect and dignity. We will act directly and use our influence to ensure that this right is promoted and upheld; we encourage applications from all those who meet the criteria set-out in our role profiles. Equal Opportunities: We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to employing any person who meets the criteria for our roles. When undertaking recruitment we may require applicants to undertake certain tests or assessments, some of which will be online and others may be in-person. If you have a disability, heath condition or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia then you may be entitled to support with undertaking this type of assessment exercise. Where you feel that reasonable adjustments are required to support you, we ask that you advise your recruitment point of contact in a timely fashion, providing further information. In confidence, Innovate UK will then review your application for adjustments and provide support as required. UK Research and Innovation: Innovate UK is partner organisation within UK Research and Innovation. If successful in securing the position, your employer will be UK Research and Innovation. More information can be found online http://www.ukri.org/ Employee Benefits: We offer a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance. This includes 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege days, flexible working hours, an exceptional defined benefit pension scheme, and access to a variety of support networks and discount schemes. Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Flexible Working: We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants. Pre-employment Screening: To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a comprehensive pre-employment check on successful applicants as part of the recruitment process. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment. UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider how this aligns with your personal values or beliefs. To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as a crucial part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. Applications must be submitted by; 08-11-2024