Main Purpose. Main Duties and Responsibilities JOB DESCRIPTION. Position Number. Job Title Newcastle Science City Partnership Officer

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1 Job Title Newcastle Science City Partnership Officer Academic / Service Unit Stakeholder & Funding Development Team Corporate Affairs Directorate Position Number Effective Date February 2016 Faculty / Central Services Professional Support Services Grade G Vacancy Ref Main Purpose To provide policy support and co-ordination to the strategic partnership between Newcastle University and Newcastle City Council. This Partnership is working together to identify and address some of the biggest challenges facing the city. This post will be key to developing, delivering and implementing key initiatives and demonstrator projects to maximise the Partnership s contribution to the city, including around the Future Cities agenda and the role of the city as a Living Lab. Working collaboratively within and outside the Partnership; and acting as an external ambassador the post holder will lead and promote a range of engagement activities. Main Duties and Responsibilities 1. To provide support and coordination to the strategic partnership between the City Council and the University; identifying and developing the opportunities for the partners to work together understanding key national policy drivers to provide maximum scope to achieve the Partnerships ambitions. 2. To develop the strategy and operational plans on behalf of the partnership, reconciling and consolidating input from each partner and ensuring the generation of targeted action plans for the delivery of agreed objectives. 3. To develop and implement mechanisms to ensure effective networking between officers and staff of the two partners and regular communications of the activities such as the strategic business group and agreed themes of the Partnership such as City Futures. 4. Be responsible for the identification of strategic opportunities for the Partnership; working collaboratively within and outside the Partnership to lead and promote a range of public engagement activities as part of a coherent and overall strategy. 5. Organise and deliver business and community engagement events as required by the Partnership, providing an effective infrastructure; and overseeing the delivery of a rolling12 month calendar of activities, working within available resources. 1

2 6. To act as an external ambassador for the partnership, developing networks across the private, public and 3 rd sector; supporting key NSC Executive members in meetings with stakeholders and providing secretariat support where required. Positively promoting the Partnership and Science Central in the areas of public, community and private engagement regionally and nationally. 7. To deliver engagement activities as directed by the Partnership working with partners including Invest Newcastle on marketing opportunities for inward investment to Science Central or other sites within the city, with the aim of increasing the number of companies and organisations choosing to invest in the City. 8. Working closely with the University s three Societal Challenge Theme Institutes and key City Council policy advisors; support the Science City Partnership work; and develop proposals for Newcastle under the City Futures theme of the NSC Partnership. 9. To provide administrative support for the Newcastle City Futures initiative, including web development and marketing; working with its chair to maximise the impact of this group. 10. To lead the on the development of strategic partnerships and collaborations, working closely with the NSC Funding Development Specialist in the submission of proposals. The Partnership Officer will be responsible for the project management and delivery of Partnership themes including City Future s projects to successful and timely completion. 11. To support the Science City Partnership Board (comprising the City Council Chief Executive and the University Vice-Chancellor and senior executives and councillors) as required; produce briefing papers and ensure follow up of agreed actions. 12. To contribute to the broader activities of the Science City Partnership and support to the Deputy Director Stakeholder & Funding Development on partnership activities as required. Dimensions The post is jointly funded by Newcastle University and Newcastle City Council. Staff: The post will report directly to the Deputy Director, Stakeholder & Funding Development. Whilst this role will not involve direct line management responsibility, the post holder will work within a small team comprising the Newcastle Science City Funding Development Specialist and clerical support; and with a wider virtual team including the officer network at Newcastle City Council. The position will sit within the Newcastle University structure, the strategic aspects of the role will be developed through regular liaison between the post holder, the University and the Council. The Council s engagement will be led by the Assistant Chief Executive and the Council s Principal Adviser for Economic Policy. Liaison with staff at all levels and with complex and sometimes devolved structures. The post holder will be expected to develop and establish relationships within the Partnership with a significant number of staff who work in public, business and community 2

3 engagement, in order to influence them to ensure co-ordination and join up in the Partnership s engagement activity. Finances: Reporting to the Executive Finance Director and Deputy Director, Stakeholder & Funding Development, the post holder will be involved in the management of the virtual Science City Partnership budget agreed by the two partners (envisaged to be ca 0.5m p.a.). The post holder will be responsible for developing and overseeing project budgets and expenditure which may exceed 500,000. Stakeholders; The post holder will be required to develop an authoritative and thorough understanding of the issues and complexities relating to partnership engagement in a city context. The role will involve strategic partnership working with senior management within the Partnership, academic staff, businesses and members of the wider community. Administrative: Formal responsibility for developing and overseeing the administrative infrastructure needed to support the coherent implementation of the Science City Partnership Board; City Futures Group and related partnership activities, including organisation and facilitation of meetings internally and externally. Representation: Attend and present at committees, working groups, project management teams and training events. Act as an external ambassador for the Partnership across a range of sectors regionally and nationally. Policy formulation: Contribution to policy and strategy formulation. Significant briefing to senior and Executive staff on policies and impacts on the partnership. Working closely with a wide range of staff at both partner organisations. Planning and Organising The post holder will take the lead responsibility for coordinating the Partnership s approach to risk management in relation to partnership activities. The range of work involved will require management of own workload and supporting those of the Science City Partnership Team. The post holder will need to meet regularly with staff from many academic and service units; and City Council departments. Decision Making The post holder will facilitate decision making by the two partners and then take responsibility for implementation of those decisions. The post holder has a high level of accountability for decisions, judgements and negotiations within the Partnership. 3

4 Internal and External Relationships The development of effective working relationships within the City Council and the University will be essential. This will need a good understanding of the respective goals and priorities; and empathy with the differing governance and internal communication processes of the two partners. The time-and people-intensive nature of the role sometimes involves long and unsocial hours. Organisation Chart Person Specification Knowledge (inc. qualifications) Essential Professionally qualified/relevant degree, plus a minimum of 4-6 years hands-on experience in a similar or related roles. Or Substantial vocational experience (10 years) in a series demonstrating development through involvement in a series of progressively demanding work/roles; 4

5 Excellent knowledge of the regional landscape including regional stakeholders, locally based national government departments, Local Enterprise Partnerships and partner organisations; Demonstrates a good level of knowledge and understanding of key national economic development policies and initiatives; Demonstrates a good level of knowledge and understanding of current partner policies, strategies and initiatives; Desirable Excellent knowledge of the partner organisations and their activities i.e. Newcastle University and Newcastle City Council; Knowledge of administrative procedures and governance structures of universities or councils. An understanding of current economic and relevant political issues and their implications for the partnership; An understanding or basic knowledge of inward investment needs, and potential in the City or North East; Demonstrates a good level of knowledge of the current funding landscape, regionally, nationally and within the European Commission; Understanding of the Future Cities policy agenda. Skills (professional, technical, managerial, practical) Essential Demonstrate leadership capability; Excellent oral and written communication skills; Excellent negotiation skills; A high degree of flexibility and skill in adapting to different working environments and structures with an ability to facilitate and enhance objective outcomes; Ability to build and manage productive relationships; Policy and strategy development and planning skills; and the ability to co-ordinate a wide range of activities in a coherent manner to meet strategic objectives. Ability to work under pressure; Be politically astute and sensitive to partners priorities and negotiations; An ability to interpret and present briefings on a wide variety of regional and national policies and strategies; Skilled at presentation preparation and delivery; Possess a high level of confidence in networking at a senior level; Excellent project management skills; Excellent financial acumen and budgeting skills; Have a solution orientated approach. Experience and Achievements (paid or unpaid) Essential Experience of working in either the Higher Education or Local Authority; Experience of working across a range of organisations, dealing with varying aspirations and objectives; Substantial proven experience of multi-partner project management; 5

6 Experience of contributing, developing and implementing strategies; Experience of delivering policy briefings to senior personnel; Experience of leading and working in multi-functional/multi-disciplinary teams; Developing financially sound budgets and the subsequent delivery of milestones within budget and against agreed timescales; Demonstrable track record and experience of managing projects and the delivery of organisational initiatives or objectives; Can demonstrate excellent networking ability; Experience of organising and delivering events; Experience of servicing and managing high level committees. Desirable Commitment to and understand of engagement with the public, business and community sectors. Behaviours (Success Factors) Thinking strategically Has the ability to see the big picture, to think strategically across two partner organisations and to manage complex problems and issues emerging from organisational or cultural differences. Has the ability to transform strategy and policy into operational reality. Communicating Uses clear, concise and accurate communication, tailoring the approach accordingly and encouraging a two way communication process. The post holder will communicate with a wide variety of internal and external customers and will be required to convey sometimes opposing viewpoints with a high level of diplomacy. Influencing and Understanding Others Persuades, convinces and influences others in order to achieve results and gain support. The post holder will regularly be in positions where understanding organisational or unit objectives and pressures are critical. A high degree of sensitivity is required in conjunction with exemplary negotiation skills. Team-working Works collaboratively with others, plays a positive role in teams and establishes and grows relationships across the organisation where different skills, expertise and opinions are valued. Planning and organising The post holder will have a broad understanding of organisational structures, processes and approval procedures of both partnership organisations. 6

7 The post holder will be responsible for the planning and organisation of partnership activities and organisational operational regulations. Manages own time and resources by prioritising and organising effectively. Finding solutions Generates a range of viable options and decides on an appropriate course of action that best fits both partners organisational and area goals. The post holder will be confidence at presenting innovative and practical solutions to partnership issues. For full details about this vacancy and essential information on how to apply, visit our Job Vacancies web page at Signatures: Signature Name in Capitals Date Job Holder: Manager: Head of Unit: 7