Key Responsibilities Analytical/Judgmental skills Manage research processes for confirmation of capacity and capability for research applications, identifying any areas that are inconsistent or unclear and communicating with the researcher any changes or further information that is required Analyse and make definite judgements on complex research applications to determine whether projects are compliant with current legislation Carry out full and comprehensive Capacity and Capability Assessments for those research studies that need this assessment. This involves checking that research staff are appropriately trained/qualified and that facilities are suitable for research etc. This review requires a full understanding of the requirements for research governance and ethics review procedures and may involve the post holder visiting the department involved to ensure that research can commence. Assess amendments to ongoing studies for any changes to the resources or facilities required and any effect upon compliance with legislation, policy or guidance, and provide recommendations regarding continued study participation. Provide appropriate RM&S advice to information requests coming into the research office, including acting as first telephone and email contact for enquiries from external researchers and research organisations. Undertake regular monitoring and audit of research studies and research office processes to ensure that research complies with Research Governance standards, including ethically approved consent processes, and Clinical Trials Regulations where applicable. Negotiate with Trust pharmacy, radiology, pathology and other support departments regarding feasibility and costing of potential studies to be run in the Trust. Negotiate with research study sponsor or sponsor representatives regarding study costing using appropriate guidance eg AcoRD. Assess researchers requirements for access to data or patients, and recommend appropriate HR actions regarding research passports, honorary research contracts, letters of access, and pre-engagement checks, following national guidance and local policy. To write departmental and implement Trust wide/departmental policies, procedures and guidelines. Manage research processes for applications for Trust sponsorship Communication/relationship skills The post holder will promote a professional, helpful approach to all researchers and others who contact the research office, providing timely responses. Effective and adaptable communication skills are required to ensure that changes in local or national policy are communicated in appropriate and timely ways to researchers or others who may be affected. Tact and diplomacy is required to communicate governance requirements to researchers, providing clear advice and support to ensure that governance standards are met while high quality research is facilitated. Persistence and flexibility in approach will be used to persuade and influence researchers and their colleagues to comply with research governance processes and standards. Advise and support researchers in all aspects of research, including the application process and HR requirements, communicating the requirements and motivating and persuading researchers in order to ensure correct completion and submission of documentation. Communicate with external agencies i.e. other R&D/RM&S departments, ethics committees, Universities, commercial companies etc regarding all aspects of the application and approval process. Build and maintain productive relationships with external partners, identifying the needs of researchers and supporting them with clear information to enable them to meet their legal and policy obligations. Provide regular communications to clinicians, research nurses and other applicants on the progress of research submissions. Represent the Trust at research meetings, deputising for the Research Manager as required. Prepare regular and ad-hoc reports to allow the Trust and its partner NHS organisations to monitor standards of research governance processes, compliance with research standards, and levels of research activity. Use sensitive methods to communicate findings from audits in ways that support researchers to make improvements in their research practice. Support and liaise with the Research Business Development Manager to ensure accurate and timely grant submissions. Responsibility for information resources Maintain and update internal and external databases making suggestions on how to improve systems for better data recording. Input consistent and accurate data as part of the research approval process. Maintain comprehensive electronic and paper files as appropriate for individual research studies, ensuring that contractual, legal and policy requirements are complied with. Develop and maintain systems for recording and retrieval of files relating to contacts with the RM&S office, ensuring that other staff can access information to progress enquiries and projects in the event of absence. Review the RM&S web pages on the trust intranet, ensuring they are up to date and suggesting amendments and improvements. Contribute to standard operating procedures, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports as required. Responsibility for Human Resources Answer queries from researchers regarding HR requirements and processes Provide training to researchers and colleagues, if required on a one-to-one basis, on the research application and approval system, Edge, Sponsorship and research governance Line management, training and mentoring of junior members of the RM&S team where required Monitoring/Auditing and performance monitoring Monitor research studies to make sure they follow all applicable legislation and/or frameworks, and that studies are meeting required recruitment targets. When monitoring, communicate effectively in order to ensure that all involved parties understand what is required. Write up monitoring and performance reports. Advise research active clinical teams how to work with internal and external auditors, when required. Support the Research Management Team during inspections Planning and Organisation Plan and organise own workload Maintain an efficient filing system of research, document repository and other electronic and paper files. Ensure local and national standards for the speedy processing of research applications are met, reporting potential exceptions to the Research Governance Manager in a timely manner to ensure delays or problems can be overcome. Freedom to Act A high level of initiative is required in order to act autonomously. The post holder will be required to make immediate decisions regarding research, monitoring whilst carrying out the Capacity and Capability or Sponsorship Assessment, referring to relevant legislation and policies in order to make judgements. The post holder will work autonomously and will be required to manage their own day-to-day workload, prioritising as needed The post holder will be expected to seek advice from colleagues in their own RM&S department, or from RRDN on difficult issues relating to RM&S matters. Knowledge Post holder will be required to keep abreast with new legislation and government requirements relating to research governance in order to carry out their role The post holder will have a good working knowledge of legislation as it relates to research, including but not restricted to the Data Protection Act, Human Tissue Act, Mental Capacity Act, Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations, and the Clinical Trial Regulations. Attend conferences and workshops related to the post. Maintain knowledge of the HRA approval process (and any successor systems), and other R&D processes by regularly reviewing websites, bulletins, e-mails etc. To have a good understanding of IRAS, NIHR, HR Good Practice pack/research Passport, NHS Support Funding, ICH-GCP and other related RM&S functions to support researchers The post holder will have a good working knowledge of Edge More details can be found in the full job description attached