Main responsibilities

Operational planning and leadership

• Develop an annual delivery plan to operationalise the PPIE Strategy, ensuring objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART), with appropriate resource allocation and risk management.

Programme delivery and line management

• Deliver the HDR UK PPIE Strategy, adhering to the UK Standards for Public Involvement, PEDRI Good Practice Standards and the Concordat for Engaging the Public with Research.

• Oversee recruitment and training of public contributors, quality improvement, budgeting, and development of long-term partnerships.

• Plan, coordinate and deliver PPIE activities (e.g. surveys, focus groups, workshops, dialogues, webinars) in collaboration with funded partners and projects

• Embed equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) considerations in all PIE methods and communication channels.

• Lead, supervise and mentor team members, fostering a culture of co-production, transparency and continuous improvement while ensuring delivery to agreed standards and targets.

·       Commission and manage external suppliers, overseeing budgets, timelines and quality of outputs.

·       Apply project management tools and processes to track progress and secure timely delivery across all activities.

Stakeholder development and management

·       Champion inclusive and diverse involvement approaches, ensuring that underrepresented communities have a voice in shaping research.

·       Recruit, support and retain a diverse community of public contributors and staff, ensuring inclusive participation and effective partnership working.

·       Build and maintain strategic relationships with internal teams and external partners (e.g., NHS, voluntary sector, NIHR, UKRI, Wellcome, DARE UK and BHF DSC).

·       Lead the management of key advisory entities including the Public Advisory Board, Strategy Steering Group, PPIE Leads Community and HDR UK Voices.

·       Act as relationship manager for stakeholders including PEDRI, Shared Commitment to Public Involvement, the Alliance, Understanding Patient Data, and use MY data.

Monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL)

·       Design, apply and evaluate innovative engagement methodologies informed by the social and behavioural sciences.

·       Develop and implement a Theory of Change and associated monitoring, learning and evaluation (M&E) framework to evidence effectiveness and value.

·       Establish systems to measure and report on the impact of PPIE, with a focus on diversity, inclusion and progress.

·       Use M&E insights to drive continuous improvement in PPIE practice across HDR UK.

·       Lead training and capacity-building to strengthen PPIE knowledge and skills across the organisation.

Reporting and impact

• Produce reports, case studies and impact summaries for internal governance, funders and partners (including Researchfish submissions).

• Communicate PPIE outcomes, successes and lessons learned to stakeholders through engaging formats.

Research, dissemination and knowledge exchange

• Build national and international collaborations to advance the science and practice of public involvement and engagement.

• Lead or contribute to peer-reviewed publications.

• Represent HDR UK at conferences, events and meetings to share learning and good practice.

• Ensure research outcomes and PPIE activity are disseminated in accessible and engaging formats.

• Support delivery of the biennial PPIE Celebratory Event.

Strategic support

·       Provide expert advice and oversight on engagement strategies, methodological rigour, behavioural insights and PPIE components across HDR UK-funded research, infrastructure and partnerships.

·       Lead and support involvement and engagement plans for research funding, strategic initiatives and national programmes.

·       Act as an ambassador for HDR UK’s PPIE work nationally and internationally, representing the organisation at external meetings and deputising for the Head of Public Involvement and Engagement as required.

·       Develop and sustain stakeholder relationships, identifying opportunities for collaboration and supporting major investments such as the Brain Health Initiative and PEDRI Good Practice Standards.

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