The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking a Research Funding Officer (BIRI) to join our Research Funding Team providing key support to the programme of funding for the BIRI (British International Research Institutes), as well as managing the Wolfson Fellowships and the Wolfson Professorships schemes together with being the Academy’s representative for the APEX (Academies Partnership in Supporting Excellence) funding scheme which is managed by the Royal Society.

ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW

The Research Funding Officer works closely with other members of the Research Funding Team and specifically for around 50% of their time with the Deputy Head of Research Funding on the British Academy’s programme of funding for the British International Research Institutes.

The Academy’s Research Funding Team is friendly and hardworking and sits within the Academy’s wider Research Directorate with colleagues from the International Team, the Monitoring and Evaluation Team and the team who manage the Early Careers Researcher Network. We take great pride in supporting our colleagues across the Academy as we deliver specific activities within the portfolio of funding schemes - this role will have specific responsibility for the those which are funded by the Wolfson Foundation – Fellowships and Professorships as well as being the Academy’s representative for the delivery of the APEX funding scheme which is managed by the Royal Society. 

The role provides high quality support for the management of the funding that the Academy provides to the BIRI including the organisation of BIRI Oversight and Engagement Committee meetings and BIRI Forums as well as preparing grant payments and aggregated progress reports from the Institutes’ individual six-monthly reports.

They are also responsible for implementing and delivering to a high standard funding information and support for the research community, including: pre and post award management; planning and budgeting; advising applicants, award-holders and assessors; monitoring and reporting on award outcomes; producing statistics and summary reports; and maintaining effective information databases.

They will be an effective communicator, able to collaborate with both external and internal stakeholders with a high attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem solving, in terms of planning, prioritisation, and working effectively under pressure.

OFFICE LOCATION - 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1Y 5AH

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Providing key support for the programme of funding for the British International Research Institutes (c.50% of time)

• Processing grant payments against an agreed annual forecast

• Arranging key meetings and producing main points of the discussions

• Producing a quarterly BIRI Newsletter

• Supporting the production of aggregated reports for the BIRI Oversight and Engagement Committee from the six-month submissions from the Schools and Institutes

• Monitoring the plan for the additional projects as appropriate over and above the core programme

Leading on the opening, closing, and award-making aspects of the BA/Wolfson Fellowships scheme and BA/Wolfson Professorship scheme

• Manage the Academy’s funding system Flexi-Grant, to create the annual schemes and review applications made

• Moving the applications through the appropriate eligibility, assessment, and shortlisting stages

• Managing the inbox to answer queries from applicants, award-holders, university research offices, and assessors including ensuring appropriate arrangements for mentoring for award-holders are in place     

• Prepare draft text and collaborate with the Communications team to ensure promotion of schemes via e-bulletins and social media as appropriate 

Financial tracking, monitoring of the Wolfson-funded schemes and reporting

• Take responsibility for monitoring expenditure within an allocated budget using the financial tracker for the scheme, making payments for the scheme and updating accordingly

• Providing senior members of the team with up-to-date statistics and summary reports of expenditure

• Collecting and reviewing final expenditure statements, filing them accordingly with Finance and managing refunds and payments monthly

• Chasing for submission of final reports by award-holders as necessary

• Monitoring and reporting on award outcomes and producing reports for the funder by liaising with the Development Team

• Maintain effective information databases including Flexi-Grant.

Working on the preparation for and delivery of Symposia for Wolfson-funded award-holders in collaboration with the Development team

• Inviting award-holders to the agreed symposia

• Supporting the design and delivery of the symposia in conjunction with the Development Team and colleagues from the Research Funding team.

• Supporting the evaluation of the symposia in conjunction with the Academy’s Monitoring and Evaluation Team.

• Sharing any recommendations for future symposia.

Leading on the Academy’s role and responsibilities for the delivery of the APEX funding scheme which is managed by the Royal Society

• Attending meetings with the other Academies and panel meetings related to the scheme and its delivery ensuring that all actions are processed to agreed deadlines.

• Working with the Academy’s Communications Team to ensure that the scheme guidance notes, FAQs and successful awards are posted on the Academy’s website.

• Supporting the recruitment of assessors to review applications which fall within the Academy’s remit

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

Internal

• Head of Research Funding

• Deputy Head of Research Funding

• Colleagues across the Research Directorate

• Monitoring and Evaluation Team

• Development Team

• Communications Team

External

• FBAs (Fellows of the British Academy) and specifically the Vice-President for the BIRI, the members of the BIRI Oversight and Engagement Committee and the members of the Wolfson Awarding Committee

• BIRI Staff and volunteers

• Representatives from the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering

• Representatives from the Wolfson Foundation

• Senior Personnel and Research Funding staff from institutions and IROs (Independent Research Organisations)

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Works and communicates effectively

• Is proactive in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with others internally and externally

• Demonstrates a positive attitude towards helping others by providing appropriate support, using initiative and not waiting to be asked

• Adopts a communication style appropriate to the situation and the audience, understanding that communication is two-way

• Is sensitive to different working styles and views, adapting where appropriate

• Is willing and able to compromise and negotiate, including to resolve possible conflicts

• Handles difficult situations with sensitivity & respect

• Communicates effectively with staff across departments

• Promotes a positive impression of the Academy both internally and externally

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills

• Demonstrates knowledge around the work the British Academy does

• Is receptive to new ideas and change, adapting own ways of working as appropriate

• Proactively makes suggestions for improving processes and policies

• Is aware of own strengths and weaknesses and capabilities.

• Seeks and uses opportunities to learn and develop, and is quick in picking up new tasks

• Shares knowledge and skillset with others

PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING

Manages time and resources effectively in order to achieve own and organisational objectives

• Keeps relevant colleagues up to date with workload and tasks. Seeks input where needed.

• Can prioritise tasks to meet deadlines, and managed conflicting priorities

• Takes ownership of tasks, including delegating effectively where appropriate

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach

• Approaches tasks with a positive attitude and is not afraid to ask for help when needed.

• Identifies problems early on and acts on them

• Anticipate conflict and thinks ahead to resolve them quickly

• Takes a flexible approach to their work, happy to take on different responsibilities in the interests of the Academy

LEADERSHIP

Gives a clear sense of direction while inspiring others with vision and actions

• Is happy to support other team members during busy periods, whilst not compromising your own workload

• Treats other staff members and stake holders with respect and honesty.

• Sets the right balance between referring decisions to the appropriate level and taking things forward without referral

WORKPLACE VALUES

The Academy’s workplace values and supporting text are set out below. We share these core values with each other. They guide how we work together and with others. We demonstrate them through our behaviours.

COLLABORATION- We consistently work together to a common purpose, supporting each other, communicating openly and sharing knowledge. We are flexible and adaptable, receiving feedback constructively

CREATIVITY - We bring imagination and curiosity to our work, valuing learning, diverse thinking, and innovation. We are open-minded, receptive, and responsive, taking account of alternative perspectives

EMPATHY-We are understanding, sensitive, compassionate, and considerate, mindful of our own wellbeing alongside that of others

EXCELLENCE - We always do our best, without striving to be perfect, applying our expertise and experience to develop and grow

INTEGRITY - We are open and honest with each other, accepting personal responsibility and demonstrating loyalty. We are reliable and dependable, having belief that we will be transparent and clear

RESILIENCE - We are confident, bold, and tenacious, knowing when to listen as well as when to speak up. We respond positively to challenges and overcome problems

RESPECT - We are inclusive in our regard for each other, showing courtesy and appreciation. We treat people fairly and equally, welcoming everyone’s contribution and difference

APPLICATION PROCESS

We have a two-step approach to hiring, beginning with submitting an application through the Applied platform. This will be followed by a panel interview and will involve a task component.

Please note that you may be asked to reference any literature that you may refer to, as applications that are highly plagiarised and not your own work. e.g. ChatGPT, will be declined.

The deadline for applications is 18 April 2024.

Interviews for this role are currently scheduled for 2 May 2024 but this may be subject to change.