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We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.
Overview
IMPACT (‘IMProving Adult Care Together’) is a UK-wide centre for implementing evidence in adult social care, funded by the ESRC and the Health Foundation. IMPACT is an ‘implementation centre’, building on knowledge gained from different types of research, the lived experience of people who draw on care and support and their carers, and the practice knowledge of social care staff. Its aims are to enable practical improvements on the ground, and make a crucial contribution to longer-term cultural change. At Sheffield, IMPACT is based within CIRCLE, alongside other major social care investments, the ESRC Centre for Care and the NIHR School for Social Care Research.
This role is an exciting opportunity to work closely with stakeholders across adult social care and academia to affect positive change. If successful, you will work closely with the IMPACT Networks team, review and synthesise existing research and evidence-based publications within the broad field of adult social care, and support IMPACT activities across the North of England and the East Midlands, including our IMPACT Assemblies.
We are looking for someone with strong relationship-building and organisational skills, and the ability to communicate and share evidence with a variety of audiences. In addition, the successful candidate will have experience of undertaking applied research in social care or a related setting; expertise in appraising and synthesising evidence from a broad range of sources; a high level of analytical capability; the ability to communicate complex information clearly; and the skills needed to contribute to IMPACT’s broader management, administration and evidence implementation processes.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
* Work with the IMPACT Networks Delivery model team to prepare materials for Local Networks, recruit coordinators, organise and facilitate meetings.
* Support IMPACT’s work to enhance effective use of research findings and other forms of evidence in adult social care.
* Review and synthesise existing research and evidence-based publications within the broad field of adult social care, focusing these as directed.
* Draft evidence briefs and summaries to support policy and practice implementation of robust evidence and contribute to IMPACT-related academic publications.
* Ensure accurate and timely reporting and the implementation of IMPACT procedures.
* Contribute to the evaluating and embedding IMPACT’s delivery models and to the organisation of IMPACT’s work UK-wide, and work on cross-cutting issues with other national IMPACT project officers.
* Support IMPACT’s North and East Midlands Geographical Lead to develop IMPACT’s North and East Midlands Assembly, which brings together diverse stakeholders and people with lived experience of adult social care in IMPACT’s wider work.
* Represent IMPACT across the North of England and the East Midlands and keep abreast of policy and practice developments there, reporting on and summarising these as required.
* Organise and design IMPACT Assembly meetings in the North of England and the East Midlands, and attend external events as required.
* Deal appropriately with any problems that may affect timely achievement of Centre objectives.
* Promote equality and value diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
* Contribute to CIRCLE’s research-related activities.
* Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Essential criteria
* A PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant subject area (assessed at: application)
* Demonstrable interest and/or expertise in applied research in a social care, disability, mental health, ageing or other setting relevant to IMPACT’s work (assessed at: application/interview)
* Awareness of the current state of research in one or more fields relevant to adult social care (assessed at: application/interview)
* High-level analytical capability (including problem-solving skills and the ability to gather, analyse, and summarise data and evidence) (assessed at: task)
* Experience of knowledge exchange and impact work, and of taking research findings into real world application (assessed at: interview)
* Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 and how to ensure, in day to day activity in one's own area, that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly (assessed at: interview)
* Ability to communicate complex information clearly to a range of audiences (assessed at: application/interview)
* Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and skills in coordinating own work with that of others to ensure effective team-working (assessed at: application/interview)
* Ability to contribute to the management and administration of IMPACT with good planning, organisational and time-management skills (assessed at: application)
* Commitment to co-production and engagement, and to valuing the lived experience of people who use services and the practical knowledge of front-line staff (assessed at: application/interview)
* Experience of research which influences policy, practice and people’s lives, or which engages people with lived experience and/or carers (assessed at: application/interview)
* Knowledge of the different policy and practice contexts in different parts of the UK (assessed at: application/interview)
Desirable criteria
* A relevant professional qualification and/or experience in adult social care (assessed at: application)
* Experience of working with social care leaders, commissioners, providers and/or front-line staff (assessed at: application/interview)
Further Information
Grade: 7
Duration: 1 May 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter, and an end date of 31 December 2027.
Line manager: Networks' Lead, IMPACT Implementation Centre
Direct reports: None
For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Kelly Davidge, CIRCLE Manager on k.s.davidge@sheffield.ac.uk
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place week commencing 17th March 2025. This will consist of a timed task and interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 10th March. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Richard Franey via ssrfinance@sheffield.ac.uk.
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
What We Offer
* A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
* Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
* Generous pension scheme.
* A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
* A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
* Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
* A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
* A range of generous family-friendly policies
o paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
o support for those going through the menopause
o paid time off and support for fertility treatment
o and more
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
Closing Date : 28/02/2025
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone. #J-18808-Ljbffr