Job Description

Job Title:
Department:
Grade:
Location:
Responsible to:
Responsible for:

Research Support Officer (Impact)
Guildhall School - Research
D
Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Head of Research Office
Casual and temporary staff as appropriate

Appointed Candidates Signature:
Please sign and date here upon receiving your offer of employment
I confirm I have read the Job Description below:

Full Name: ………………………………………………………….

Signature ………………………..………. Date: …………………

Purpose of Post
To  assist  the  Senior  Research  Manager  and  the  Head  of  Research  in  the  delivery  of  the
Research  strategy’s  impact  objectives  and  the  development  of  the  research  culture  at  the
Guildhall School.

To  support  the  Senior  Research  Manager  in  the  development  of  impact  case  studies  for
Research  Excellence  Framework  (REF)  2028  and  to  ensure  impact  capture  activities  are
appropriate, effective, and adopted.

Under strategic direction from the Head of Research, and with operational guidance from the
Senior Research Manager, to take a major role in the project management and co-ordination
of the School’s impact submission to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and to lead
on all the administrative impact processes, being able to utilise knowledge and experience of
impact capture processes, REF requirements and best practice in the sector.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

1.  To  support  the  Head  of  Research  in  actively  fostering  the  consolidation  and  further
development  of  a  strong  portfolio  of  impact  case  studies  in  the  context  of  strategic
preparation for the next REF submission.

2.  To contribute ideas for strategies and initiatives, and support the Head of Research in their
development and implementation, to consolidate and embed impact generation across a
wide range of research activities. To lead on elements of strategies and initiatives and their
implementation.

3.  To identify opportunities for impact and advise and support staff (many of whom are part-

time, with busy international careers) in developing them.

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4.  To support the development of impact generating activities from concept to measurable

effect:
a)  To identify research and creative practice with strong impact potential, i.e which will

benefit those beyond the institution (in the ‘real world’)

b)  To  support  researchers  to  identify  pathways  to  impact  and  appropriate  translational

and dissemination activities.

c)  To  work  with  researchers  to  design  and  embed  appropriate  impact  capture
mechanisms  (for  example,  surveys,  testimonials,  and  data  such  as  increases  in
revenue)

d)  To  coordinate  activities  and  take  an  active  role  when  required,  for  example

coordinating events with policy makers.

5.  To oversee impact documentation and administration:

a)  To  ensure  compliance  with  Research  Excellence  Framework  (REF)  guidelines

(providing appropriate information and advice to the researcher);

b)  To maintain a central repository of all information underpinning impact case studies in
Pure,  the  School’s  Research  Information  Management  System.  This  will  extend  to
metrics  measuring  the  wider  contribution  of  research  to  society  and  the  economy,
when  Research  England  publish  requirements  for  the  Engagement  and  Impact
structured statement.

c)  To  provide  administrative  and  advisory  support  to  case  study  leads  as  required,

working closely with the Guildhall Innovation team and Marketing department.

d)  To provide reports for internal and external parties as required.

6.  To support the Senior Research Manager in the co-ordination of the School submission to
the national research assessment exercise, the Research Excellence Framework (REF):
a)  To develop and implement processes and procedures that align with national policy

and internal needs.

b)  To manage the collation of data for the submission, ensuring accurate and complete

records that are transparent and auditable.

7.  To manage internal research impact processes, supporting individuals to ensure effective

project completion.

8.  To support the implementation of Pure, including the verification of data and support for

researchers in uploading content.

9.  To support the Senior Research Manager in the development of research-related policies
and  procedures  that  ensure  effective  research  development  and  meet  national  and
international standards. To support effective research ethics policies and procedures.

10. To perform such other duties consistent with the postholder’s skills and experience that
may reasonably be requested as directed by the Head of Research or Senior Research
Manager.

11. To comply with the City of London Financial Regulations and properly monitor and report
budget outturn positions on a regular basis as required, including alerting the Line Manager
and Chamberlains representative of any significant budget variance in a timely manner
and taking appropriate corrective action.

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12. Actively seek to implement the City of London’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy in
relation to the duties of the post, and at all times give due regard to the health and safety
of both themselves and others when carrying out their duties.

13. Actively seek to implement the City of London’s Equal Opportunity Policy and the objective

to promote equality of opportunity in relation to the duties of the post.

13.

14.

15.

16.

Actively seek to implement the City of London’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy
in relation to the duties of the post, and at all times give due regard to the health and
safety of both themselves and others when carrying out their duties.

Actively  seek  to  implement  the  City  of  London’s  Equal  Opportunity  Policy  and  the
objective to promote equality of opportunity in relation to the duties of the post.

To undertake any other duties that may reasonably be requested appropriate to the
grade

[Budget  Holders  Only]  Comply  with  the  City  Of  London  Financial  Regulations  and
properly monitor and report budget outturn positions on a regular basis as required,
including alerting the Line Manager and Chamberlains representative of any significant
budget variance in a timely manner and taking appropriate corrective action

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Person Specification

Job Title:
Department:
Grade:
Trent Position number:
DBS Criterion: (delete as appropriate)

Research Support Officer (Impact)
Guildhall School - Research
D

No DBS
Security Vetting Criterion: (delete as appropriate)

Politically Restricted Post Criterion: (delete as appropriate)

This post is not politically restricted

No security vetting is required

Please find below the qualifications, experience and technical skills required to undertake this
post. Each criterion will be assessed at application (A), interview (I) or test (T) as indicated
below.

Professional Qualifications / Relevant Education & Training
[Please ensure only relevant qualifications are listed for the post being advertised]    e.g.
Must be qualified as a Chartered Member of the CIPD or be able to demonstrate  a level of
knowledge at this level -   (A,I etc)

1.  Educated to degree level or equivalent professional qualification (A)

Experience Required

1.  Significant administrative experience advising on policies, procedures and processes
in a research organisation in Higher Education (HE) or a similar environment (A,I)

2.  Experience of research impact generation and capture, preferably within the HE

sector (A,I)

3.  Experience of writing project reports and summaries (A,T)
4.  Experience of developing internal policies/process guides in respect of institutional

research (A)

5.  Experience of coordinating and advising on complex administrative processes (A)
6.  Experience of supporting senior staff/teams (A)

Technical Skills & Knowledge

1.  A very good understanding of the Higher Education (HE) sector and research

environment. (A,I)

2.  Very good knowledge of impact and related areas (e.g. Public Engagement,

Knowledge Exchange) within HE sector (I)

3.  Very good understanding of Research Excellence Framework (REF) requirements

and related processes (I)

4.  Ability to contribute to the development of strategies and initiatives to develop impact

case studies and a broader engagement and impact agenda. (A,I)

5.  Strong planning, organisational and administrative skills with ability to deliver multiple

projects in a HE setting in a timely and efficient manner (A,I)

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6.  Excellent written communication skills e.g. ability to write impact case studies, draft

policies (T)

7.  Ability to communicate effectively with different client groups, such as researchers,
end users and external contacts/collaborators and provide detailed advice. (I)

8.  Eye for detail and meticulous handling of bibliographical and other data (A,I)
9.  Excellent IT skills including proficient use of the Microsoft office suite (above all Word
and Excel), databases, external funding application systems e.g. J-es, etc. (A,T)

Other Relevant Information
(e.g. working hours if applicable)

1.  Willingness to work out of office hours to meet needs of business (I)
2.  Experience of project design and management is desirable (I)
3.  Experience with Pure is desirable (A)

Recruitment – Note to Applicants

The qualifications, experience and technical skills will be used in the decision-making
process for recruitment. Please give examples of how you have exhibited these
behaviours in your previous role(s) and experience.  It is essential you address the
criterion marked as (A) on your application form in the section for supporting
information, this will be the minimum criteria for shortlisting.

Be as specific as possible, we cannot guess or make assumptions, but will assess your
application solely on the information provided.   Try to provide evidence, by examples,
where  possible,  of  skills,  knowledge  and  experience  contained  in  this  person
specification.

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Summary of Terms and Conditions of Employment

This summary is given as a guide and is not intended to form part of an individual’s
contract of employment.

Salary
The salary range for this job is £44,110 - £54,054 per annum including Inner London
Weighting, inclusive of all allowances. This figure will be reviewed annually from 1 July
in line with the pay award for other salaried staff within the City of London Corporation.

Contract
The position is offered on 12-month fixed term basis.

Hours of Work
Normal hours of work are 9.00am – 5.00pm, being 35 hours per week excluding lunch
breaks, Monday to Friday, inclusive but the post holder shall be expected to work the
hours necessary to carry out the duties of the position.

Frequency and Method of Payment
This is a monthly paid appointment, and salaries are credited to a Bank or Building
Society Account on the 11th of each month.

Annual Leave
There  is  an  entitlement  of  28  days  annual  holiday  plus  Bank  Holidays.  There  are
subsequent increases to entitlement to annual holiday according to length of service.

Sickness Absence and Pay
The City of London Corporation has a comprehensive Occupational Sick Pay scheme,
details of which can be found in the Employee Handbook which will be made available
to you upon commencement.

Pension
You  will  automatically  be  admitted  to  the  City  of  London  Corporation’s  Pension
Scheme. Employees contribute between 5.5% and 12.5% of their pensionable pay to
the scheme, depending on salary.
If you do not wish to join the Scheme you must make a formal declaration stating you
wish  to  opt  out. You may  contact  the  Pensions  Office  directly  should  you  have  any
queries  relating  to  the  Local  Government  Pension  scheme  and  your  entitlements
under this scheme.

Continuous Service
If you join the City of London Corporation without a break in service (subject to certain
exceptions)  from  another  body  covered  by  the  Redundancy  Payments  (Local
Government) (Modification) Order 1999, your service with that institution will count for
the purpose of continuous service. The amount of continuous service which you have
will affect your entitlement to certain contractual benefits; for example, annual leave,

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sick leave and maternity leave. A full explanation of Continuous Service is contained
within the Employee Handbook.

Probationary Period
You will be employed initially on a six-month probationary period. Should either party
wish to terminate the employment during this period, then one week’s notice will be
required on either side, except for summary termination for gross misconduct.

Notice Period
Three months by either party after satisfactory completion of probationary period.

Learning and Employee Development
The  City  of  London  provides  for  financial  support  and  time  off  for  staff  to  study  for
appropriate qualifications which relate to their duties or undertaking professional skills
update training. There is also an in-house programme covering more general training
needs.

Employee Volunteering Programme
The City Corporation, in line with its aims to contribute to a flourishing society, shape
outstanding  environments  and  support  a  thriving  economy,  offers  employees  paid
special leave time during normal hours to encourage employees to volunteer their time
and  skills  to  Volunteer  Involving  Organisations  (VIOs)  operating  within  the  Square
Mile, London and beyond.
Full-time employees may take up to 2 days or 14 hours per year in which to volunteer,
between 1 January and 31 December. For temporary and part time employees these
hours are adjusted pro rata. Volunteering time can be taken in smaller bite size e.g. 2
hours a week over 7 weeks, where this can be accommodated by the City Corporation
and meets the requirements of the volunteer organisation.

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