The University of Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) and University of Southampton (UoS) are inviting expressions of interest for the role of Deputy Director for the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Wessex. The successful applicant will also be expected to act as ARC Wessex Director Designate, leading the preparations for, and submission of, an application (1). This is contingent on NIHR confirming organisations will be invited to submit applications to host an ARC for the period 2026 - 2031. Applicants should be an NIHR Senior Investigator and/or a renowned academic with national and international standing as a leader in their field. Any future application will build on the success of the current ARC, and thus applications for the Deputy Director/ Director Designate position will be open to theme leads, infrastructure leads and senior researchers engaged with the ARC. NIHR ARCs support applied health and care research that responds to, and meets, the needs of local populationsand local health and care systems. These local partnerships (of which there are currently 15) between NHS providers, universities, charities, local authorities, Academic Health Science Networks and other organisations also undertake implementation research to increase the rate at which research findings are implemented into practice. NIHR ARC Wessex is hosted by the UHS/UoS Clinical Research Partnership, working on behalf of, and in partnership with stakeholders across Wessex. The Deputy Director will be appointed with the twin purpose of taking specific leadership and management responsibilities for aspects of the ARC programme (to be negotiated with the successful applicant) and deputising where necessary for the Director, together with leading the application for the next funding NIHR application, and if successful, lead the ARC in the capacity of Director, initially for the term awarded. Expressions of interested should be made through submission of an curriculum vitae (CV) and covering letter, explaining why you would be a suitable candidate and would like the role, to Chloe Mabey PA to Directors R&D Email Chloe.Mabey@uhs.nhs.uk. The deadline for submissions of expressions of interest is 5.00pm on30th September 2023 Expressions of interest will be shortlisted. An interview will be scheduled for shortlisted applicants.
Job role and person spec:
Role title: | Deputy Director of National Institute for Health and CareResearch (NIHR) ARC Wessex (2) |
Role accountable to: (3) | ARC Wessex Director UHS CEO (4) Head of School of Health Sciences, the hosting School ARC Partnership Board (5) |
Post reporting regularly to: | ARC Wessex Director UHSFT Director of R&D UoS Deputy Head of School Research HealthSciences Managing Director Wessex Health Partners |
Posts responsible for: | Academic and research staff in their role(s) delivering ARC activities |
(1) And subsequently Director for the period of the ARC 2026-2031 in the event an application is successful
(2) And Director Designate in anticipation of UHSFT making an application to next competition call on behalf of Wessex HealthPartners
(3) Line management arrangements for the substantive post within which this role sits will remain unchanged
(4) Or delegate
(5) Post will be responsible to the Partnership Board, who act on behalf of our Member Organsations
Job purpose
Working together with the ARC Director and ARC Chief Operating Officer, take responsibility for deliveryof specific ARC Wessex strategic objectives, and deputising for the Director as appropriate. In particular the postholder will be responsible for furthering strategic relationships and alliances across the health andcare system, ensuring the ARC portfolio fully attends to the research priorities of health and care providersand population of Wessex. To lead activities to engage ARC stakeholders across Wessex Health Partnersto inform the focus and shape of the ARC programme in any future application. To lead bid preparations,including decisions about Themes and appointment of Theme Leads and other infrastructure leadershippositions.
To demonstrate a significant national and/or international reputation for leadership of research and innovation, adoption and scale up of research findings into policy and professional practice, characterisedby a sustained and continuing track record of academic excellence. They will be recognised as eminentleaders in their field of study and possess demonstrable skills and experience in leading research teamsacross organisational boundaries. Contribute to activities and initiatives to further the national and international reputation of Wessex in Applied Health Research, through the accountabilities detailed below.
Key accountabilities/primary responsibilities | % Time |
Deputy Director of NIHR Wessex ARC | 10 % |
1. Provide local, national and international leadership in the delivery of specific areas of focus (to be negotiated) across the NIHR ARC Wessex portfolio, developing further the international reputation of Wessex in Applied Health Research | |
2. Develop strong strategic relationships and alliances with internal and external partners(co funders), for mutual benefit in the delivery of the ARC Wessex contract and wider research and innovation agenda | |
3. Lead the delivery of world class research through high quality outputs and impact | |
4. By prior agreement deputise for the ARC Wessex Director at meetings internal to UoS/UHS research partnership, Wessex Health Partners, NIHR and other relevant stakeholders, ensuring ARC continues to develop and sustain productive relationships with member organisations , partners and stakeholders | |
5. Working together with the ARC Director be accountable to UHS and UoS as hosts and the ARC Wessex Partnership Board for the overall leadership, management and performance of the ARC Wessex strategy and objectives | |
6. Provide effective academic leadership of ARC related research, undertaking management, research and educational activities, and make a significant contribution to the overall success of the UHS/UoS clinical research partnership and Wessex HealthPartners | |
7. Working closely with the ARC Chief Operating Officer and current ARC Director lead the design and management of a transparent process to develop a high quality application for a subsequent ARC on behalf of UHSFT (the anticipated host organisation), Wessex Health Partners and other relevant stakeholders | |
Internal and external relationships |
Develop and maintain strong relationship with University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust as host for ARC Wessex contract Develop and maintain strong relationships across ARC Wessex member universities and participating faculties to maintain cohesiveness and encourage cross-university working and collaboration in the ARC Develop and maintain productive relationships with NIHR ARC Wessex member organisations, senior leaders of Wessex Health Partnersand Hampshire and Isle of Wight and Dorset Integrated Care Systems. Develop and maintain strong relationships with the senior leadership team of the Wessex Academic Health Science Network and other Southampton/Wessex based NIHR infrastructure. |
Person Specification
Criteria | Essential | Desirable |
Qualifications, knowledge and experience | PhD or equivalent professional qualifications and experience in applied health research Detailed knowledge of applied health research A significant national and international reputation in applied health research A sustained record of excellence in teaching and learning activities in applied health services research A sustained record of excellence in research activities as indicated through high impact publications and citations in applied health research | Membership of national or international advisory bodies learned societies Experience of and engagement with NIHR and Department of Health & Social Care at a national level Involvement in national and international academies of science and organisations in scientific areas of relevance to ARC Wessex NIHR Senior Investigator |
Planning/Leadership and organising | Proven ability to champion and oversee key contributions to applied health research & translation and implementation in health and care settings Proven ability to lead research activities, grants and/or contracts of national and international importance Proven leadership ability in University, NHS and other settings | Qualification in leadership or attendance at recognised leadership programmes (e.g. those provided by NIHR) |
Problem solving and initiative | Proven ability to implement successful change management initiatives and formulate strategic plans that reflect and support the priority needs of the ARC, NIHR, NHS, University, UHS/UoS clinical research partnership and other stakeholders | |
Management and teamwork | Proven ability to oversee people and resource management processes in order to deliver key research and implementation activities Proven ability to make a sustained contribution to academic leadership at a senior level Proven ability to demonstrate leadership abilities in multiple settings and to raise performance standards through own work areas Proven ability to recognise and deal with obstacles and difficulties so that teams can deliver | |
Communicating and influencing | Proven ability to establish and build major relationships with stakeholders Proven ability to act as the main figurehead for key activities, developing important national contacts Able to contribute to the development of the ARC and UHS/UoS partnerships profile in the UK Proven ability to use influence to develop positions or strategies | |
Other skills and behaviours | Compliance with relevant Health & Safety issues Positive attitude to colleagues and students | |
Special requirements | Able to attend national and international conferences as required | |