Please note that this job is open only to current members of staff of Cardiff University who are eligible for redeployment. Operations & Communications Specialist Division of Population Medicine School of Medicine College of Biomedical and Life Sciences This is an exciting post that will support the development of PRIME Centre Wales – the Health and Care Research Wales (via Welsh Government) funded centre for primary and emergency care research. The post-holder will be an active member of PRIME Centre’s Operational Management Group. The Operations & Communications Specialist of PRIME Centre Wales (Wales Centre for Primary and Emergency Care Research), will be responsible for the day-to-day operational management and communications of the centre, working in close liaison with the Centre director and colleagues at Swansea, Bangor and South Wales universities. The role will involve following clear financial processes within the Centre, taking into account mandatory University policies and procedures, and the specific requirements of external funding bodies, as well as supporting the Director in delivery of reports and engagement activities as per the funders’ requirements. We would also like the post holder to have knowledge of designing and updating websites. The post is based at the Heath Park site. The majority of roles at Cardiff University are currently operating under “blended working” arrangements, with staff having the flexibility to work partly from home and partly from the University campus depending on specific business requirements. Discussions around these arrangements can take place after the successful candidate has been appointed. Informal enquiries about the role should be directed to: Adrian Edwards, Director of PRIME Centre Wales edwardsagcardiff.ac.uk Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (incl bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter. This post is 28 hours per week, fixed term and is available from 1 April 2025 until 31 March 2030. Salary: £40,247 – £45,163 per annum, pro-rata for hours worked (Grade 6) Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances. Closing date: Tuesday, 28 January 2025 Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements. Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English. Job Purpose Support the University within the Wales Centre for Primary and Emergency Care Research (‘PRIME Centre’) funded by Health & Care Research Wales, Welsh Government, carrying out supporting work, providing advice, guidance and support, and leading projects within this area. Duties and Responsibilities Key Duties Provide professional advice and guidance on the Wales Centre for Primary and Emergency Care Research processes and procedures to internal and external customers that will have institute wide impacts, using judgement and creativity to suggest the most appropriate course of action where appropriate, and ensuring complex and conceptual issues are understood. Take responsibility for resolving issues independently within the Wales Centre for Primary and Emergency Care Research where they fall within set role objectives. Investigate and analyse specific issues within the Wales Centre for Primary and Emergency Care Research, creating recommendation reports, supported by advances within the Wales Centre for Primary and Emergency Care Research. Ensure that the provision of research management and communications is delivered to the institution, including financial monitoring, reporting and reconciling, proactively changing the delivery according to customer requirements. Establish working relationships with key contacts, developing appropriate communication links with the University’s Schools/Directorates and outside bodies as required. Create specific working groups from colleagues across the University to achieve school/departmental objectives. Plan and deliver specific small scale projects, co-ordinating and supervising project teams created as needed. Develop and deliver training within the Wales Centre for Primary and Emergency Care Research. Undertake a variety of administrative duties to support the department. Instruct and guide other employees across the University within the Wales Centre for Primary and Emergency Care Research as required. To develop and implement clear financial and research / engagement recording processes within the Research Centre, taking into account mandatory University policies and procedures, and the specific requirements of external funding bodies and partner Universities and working closely with the Centre Manager of the Health & Care Research Wales Evidence Centre also in Division of Population Medicine. To contribute to the development of links with actual and potential external funding bodies and other organisations in the public, private and education sectors. To contribute to the development of the Research Centre’s Strategy, and specifically to lead on the development of the business plan. To line manage staff within the Research Centre. To make an active contribution as a member of the Research Centre’s Executive Management and Operational Management Teams. To prepare quarterly and annual reports for external bodies and meetings as appropriate. To oversee the recruitment and appointment of Research Centre staff. To oversee the Research Centre’s research administration including strategic allocation of resources for research infrastructure and core laboratory services. To undertake other administrative tasks associated with the Research Centre, including the organisation of management meetings and annual workshops. To prepare documentation and implement procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting. To assist with the development of bids for funding and to contribute to the project management of the development of larger scale funding opportunities. Continues in the Additional Information Section Continuation of the Job Description To lead on the delivery of the Research Centre’s communication and public engagement strategy. To work with the School’s research groups to promote commercial application and exploitation of the School’s research. To develop and monitor the Research Centre’s research databases. To assist in developing and overseeing the maintenance of the website. Day-to-day management of the centre finances, including staff salary projections and monitoring of spend against budget General Duties Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties. Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity. Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role. To lead on the delivery of the Research Centre’s communication and public engagement strategy. To work with the School’s research groups to promote commercial application and exploitation of the School’s research. To develop and monitor the Research Centre’s research databases. To assist in developing and overseeing the maintenance of the website. Day-to-day management of the centre finances, including staff salary projections and monitoring of spend against budget General Duties Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties. Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity. Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role. The Health and Care Research Wales Evidence Centre is hosted at Cardiff University School of Medicine and funded by Welsh Government, from March 2024 for 5 years. The Centre’s Core Team is based across Cardiff and Bangor universities. The Centre’s work involves conducting relevant, rapid, responsive, and rigorous evaluations (both evidence synthesis and primary research) that will be readily available to inform evidence-based decision-making in Welsh Government, the NHS and social care in Wales. The Centre works with a number of partners to do this work including Health Technology Wales, Centre for Health Economics and Medicines Evaluation (CHEME), Specialist Unit for Review Evidence (SURE) and Wales Centre for Evidence Based care (both Cardiff University), SAIL Databank (Swansea University), Welsh Value in Health Centre, Bevan Commission, Public Health Wales among others. There are between 20-30 staff across the Centre at any one time. We also work with numerous stakeholders across the Science-Policy-Practice Interface and Public Partners are integral to the work of the Centre. This post and post-holder is a key member of the team in co-ordinating the work and outputs of the Centre. IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria It is the School of Medicine's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to your application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance for this post, 19536BR If candidates do not provide written evidence of meeting all of the essential criteria then their application will not be progressed. The School of Medicine welcome the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria. Essential Criteria Qualifications and Education 1. Degree/NVQ 6 or equivalent Professional membership/experience. 2. Able to demonstrate professional knowledge within specialist discipline, including social media and rich media, to give advice and guidance to internal and external customers. Knowledge, Skills and Experience 3. Substantial experience of working within communications and website design. 4. Substantial experience of website design and development, and writing/editing of content for the web. 5. Experience of using specialist design digital software including photo editing software photoshop, and desktop publishing software e.g. QuarXPress for the production of high quality newsletters. 6. Experience in the design and conduct of online surveys using specialist software e.g. SurveyMonkey and Bristol Online Surveys. 7. Proven experience in developing new processes and procedures Customer Service, Communication and Team Working 8.Evidence of ability to explore customers’ needs and adapt the service accordingly to ensure a quality service is delivered 9. Ability to communicate conceptually detailed and complex information effectively and professionally with a wide range of people. Planning, Analysis and Problem solving 10. Evidence of ability to solve expansive problems using initiative and creativity; identify and propose both practical and innovative solutions. Desirable Criteria 11. Postgraduate/Professional qualification. 12. Experience of working in a Higher Education environment. 13. Fluency in Welsh, written and oral.