LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE & TROPICAL MEDICINE PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES RESEARCH OPERATIONS TRAINEE RESEARCH MANAGEMENT GENERAL INFORMATION

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1 LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIN & TROPICAL MDICIN PROFSSIONAL SUPPORT SRVICS RSARCH OPRATIONS TRAIN RSARCH MANAGMNT GNRAL INFORMATION The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is a world-leading centre for research and postgraduate education in public and global health. Our mission is to is to improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice. Founded in 1899, the School has expanded in recent years at its two main sites on Keppel Street and Tavistock Place. Our staff, students and alumni work in more than 150 countries in government, academia, international agencies and health services. Research income has grown to more than 140 million per year from national and international funding sources including UK government and research councils, the uropean Union, the Wellcome Trust, Gates Foundation and other philanthropic sources. The School s multidisciplinary expertise includes clinicians, epidemiologists, statisticians, social scientists, molecular biologists and immunologists, and we work with partners worldwide to support the development of teaching and research capacity. Our education provision has expanded to more than 1,000 London-based Master's and Research students, 3,000 studying postgraduate courses by distance learning, and 1,000 each year on short courses and continuous professional development. Our free online courses (Moocs) are studied by more than 55,000 participants globally. The School performs strongly in various global university league tables. In the 2018 Shanghai World Ranking we placed overall, and ranked 3rd in public health, 40th in clinical medicine, and 76th in human biology. In the US News Best Global Universities Ranking 2019, we ranked ninth in the UK overall and 13th in the world in the fields of social sciences and public health. We ranked 21st for medicine in the 2018 QS World University Rankings. In 2017, the inaugural Center for World University Rankings by Subject placed LSHTM first in the world for tropical medicine research, second for parasitology and seventh for infectious diseases, public, environment and occupational health, and social sciences and biomedical. LSHTM ranked first in urope for research impact in sciences, based on its proportion of publications that belong to the top 1% most frequently cited publications, in the 2018 CWT Leiden Ranking. LSHTM was named University of the Year 2016 by Times Higher ducation and awarded a Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further ducation in 2017 in recognition of our response to the 2014 bola epidemic in West Africa. (LSHTM does not appear in the Times Higher ducation World University Rankings as universities are excluded if they do not teach undergraduates). We seek to foster and sustain a creative and supportive working environment based upon an ethos of respect and rigorous scientific enquiry. We embrace and value the diversity of our staff and student population and seek to promote equality as an essential element in contribution to improving health worldwide. Page 1 of 8

2 JOB DSCRIPTION Job Title: Research Operations Trainee Department /Division/Unit: Research Operations Office Faculty/Professional Service: Research Operations Office Location: Keppel Street London WC1 7HT Reports to: Stephen Ford, Head of Research Operations Responsible for: N/A Full Time/Part Time/Casual: Full-time Hours (if less than full time): Grade: Grade 4 Job Context: The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is a world-leading centre for research and postgraduate education in public and global health. Our mission is to improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide, working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice. LSHTM is looking to recruit three ambitious, innovative and highly motivated individuals as Research Operations Trainees to join our Research Operations Office. The new scheme (which will run as a specialised version of our generalist Management Trainee scheme) will consist of an 18-month programme whereby trainees will spend three to six months in each Research Operations team (Contracts, Service, Finance, and Funding). At the end of the Scheme, it is envisaged that trainees will have acquired the skills, knowledge and experience to be ready to assume substantive roles at LSHTM (subject to a recruitment process), and become potential research managers of the future. Overall Purpose of the job: You will be responsible for supporting and contributing to the work of your host team, delivering day-to-day outcomes to meet the business needs of LSHTM and excellence in service provision. The postholder will assist a designated Senior Manager within Research Operations with long-term research facilitation work by taking ownership of specific work strands (under suitable direction). With a focus on continually improving outcomes, you will develop and use best practice to deliver services, applying theoretical knowledge and skills within a practical and complex work environment. This ideal candidate will be ambitious, self-motivated, innovative, and have aspirations to progress to a research management position and beyond. The post holder will have excellent organisation and interpersonal skills and be able to command the trust and confidence of stakeholders at all levels. The ability to think ahead and demonstrate effective problem solving skills is essential, as is the ability to prioritise conflicting tasks Page 2 of 8

3 and a challenging workload. The ideal candidate will have an interest in the research funding sector with a commitment to making a positive impact. The successful candidates will rotate around the following placements: Research Contracts: The Contracts trainee will support the Contracts team in providing advice and guidance to research staff on contractual issues, and will contribute to reviewing, drafting and negotiating research and consultancy contracts on behalf of LSHTM. While in this placement, you would help the team ensure that: i) LSHTM can comply with funder terms and conditions ii) Appropriate due diligence procedures are followed when subcontracting iii) collaborating institutions or service providers The intellectual property, financial security, and other interests of LSHTM are adequately protected You would also manage standard contractual tasks through to completion and assist senior colleagues with the preparation, negotiation and completion of contractual tasks on complex research projects. Research Funding: The Funding trainee will support the efficient portfolio management of applications for research grants and consultancies, within agreed service levels set down by the Head of Research Operations. In this placement, you will gain experience in assessing and providing advice on the costing and pricing of standard research applications, with a view to taking responsibility for the electronic submissions of a given portfolio. You will also review terms and conditions of funders in liaison with both the Research Office Contract Officers and Research Funding Manager, and assist the Research Funding Manager with escalated issues. Research Finance: The Finance trainee will support the efficient financial management of current research projects and consultancies, ensuring an excellent level of service to both academic and professional services staff. This placement combines experience in post-award grant administration with the opportunity to develop expertise in a specific area, for example funder terms and conditions, financial reporting, or research management systems development. Research Service: The Service trainee will provide pivotal administrative support to the Research Operations Office, working closely with the Research Service Manager and Research Finance Officer to ensure projects are compliant with funder terms and conditions. In this placement you will provide administrative support throughout the lifecycle of a research project, including: Setting up project budgets using LSHTM systems Checking and collating timesheets Carrying out period reviews of research projects Assisting with closing down and archiving completed projects Principal Duties and Responsibilities Page 3 of 8

4 Communications Communicating with a range of internal and external stakeholders to provide advice and guidance, including Professional Support Services colleagues, Faculty staff, academics, and funders. Demonstrating strong written and verbal communications on a daily basis, by producing reports and other documentation, and presenting these as and when required Providing support to senior colleagues in managing ongoing consultation and engagement with stakeholders through a variety of channels Teamwork Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with all colleagues within the host function/team, project teams, other trainees, and other key contacts, internally and externally, at all times Contributing actively to support the work of the respective Research Operations team Working closely with respective colleagues and specified teams to produce and disseminate outputs Becoming a pro-active team member, playing a full part in meetings and events, as appropriate and required Liaison and Networking Maintaining excellent relations with colleagues across LSHTM and with external partners Supporting colleagues in developing and maintaining relationships with wider stakeholders, including funders and academics Disseminating communications and other correspondence to internal and external partners in relation to different projects, policies or procedures and other key areas of work To act as an operational point of contact or project lead for different projects to facilitate effective outcomes Liaising with internal partners to achieve effective business outcomes, which may include establishing working groups and other forums Service Delivery Working within various teams, taking responsibility for the delivery of specific strands of work throughout the research project lifecycle, analysing and presenting information, liaison and negotiation with internal and external stakeholders Initiating contact with internal and external partners to ensure adherence to systems and processes where necessary Checking funder requirements and financial reports as necessary Decision Making Working closely with Professional Service and/or Faculty colleagues to continuously improve systems, processes and other areas of business activity Adapting to working both autonomously and collaboratively, making effective business decisions either individually or part of a wider group as required Page 4 of 8

5 Planning and Organising Supporting the coordination of a range of projects and working groups by providing high level project support and input Assisting with compilation of information and preparation of reports Assisting with development, maintenance and administration of online databases where necessary Initiative and Problem Solving Proposing creative and innovative ideas to problem solving a range of complex business issues Constantly reviewing systems and processes, making recommendations for improvements in effectiveness and identifying potential inefficiencies Undertaking business enquiries and field research to identify potential inefficiencies and areas for improvement, making effective recommendations to senior managers and project leads to enhance systems and processes Analysis and Research Collating and analysing information as required, ensuring accuracy, and delivering to agreed timescales Undertaking research on a variety of topics and issues, and presenting findings in a confident and professional manner using a variety of audiences Additional Information Undertaking other general administrative work requested by the Head of Research Operations or other senior colleagues as necessary Contributing to general activities of LSHTM that contribute to the LSHTM s overall objectives nsuring compliance with data protection legislation and the LSHTM s relevant information assurance policy and procedure at all times Taking responsibility for your continuing professional and personal development Generic duties and responsibilities of all LSHTM employees This job description reflects the present requirements of the post but may be altered at any time in the future, as duties and responsibilities change and/or develop providing there is full consultation with the post-holder. The post holder will be responsible and accountable for ensuring all School policies, procedures, Regulations and employment legislative requirements are adhered to including equality and diversity and health and safety. This job description is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the key responsibilities and tasks of the post holder. The specific objectives of the post holder will be subject to review as part of the individual performance review (appraisal) process. Page 5 of 8

6 PRSON SPCIFICATION This form lists the essential and desirable requirements needed by the post holder to be able to perform the job effectively. Applicants will be shortlisted solely on the extent to which they meet these requirements. -ssential: Requirement without which the job could not be done D-Desirable: Requirements that would enable the candidate to perform the job well Job Title: Research Operations Trainee Scheme Department/Division: N/A Competency vidence /D ducation, Qualifications and Training Qualification at Further or Higher ducation level, or equivalent demonstrable work experience (Finance, legal or business disciplines preferred) xperience Administration experience, preferably working in a team and communicating with a wide range of people Knowledge Knowledge and understanding of different stages of the research project lifecycle D Knowledge of budgeting and financial reporting mechanisms D Understanding of the mission and values of LSHTM, including its commitment to improving health and health equity in the UK and worldwide D Skills Ability to apply intellectual rigor and understanding, and to analyse, interpret, explain and summarise complex information and issues in a logical manner Page 6 of 8

7 Ability to think ahead and demonstrate effective and creative problem solving skills xcellent interpersonal skills and the ability to adapt oral and written communication methods and styles to suit the audience Good standard of IT skills, including Microsoft Word, xcel, PowerPoint, and databases Ability to adapt to a changing environment Ability to plan, prioritize, and complete a challenging workload to agreed timescales Ability to react appropriately to short and longterm issues and to be decisive Ability to work pro-actively and use initiative within agreed limits Ability to remain calm, confident and professional Ability to apply theoretical learning within a practical environment Self-motivated and committed to achieving targets Personal Qualities Able to be assertive at times (when necessary) Ability to pass on instructions without losing clarity Ability to encourage positive working relationships and commitment to working as part of a team Personal conduct, integrity and credibility that commands the confidence of senior managers and staff at all levels, external partners and stakeholders A pro-active self-starter able to manage multiple priorities within timescales which may mean reconciling the demands of corporate and service requirements. ASYLUM AND IMMIGRATION STATMNT The School will comply with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, which requires all employees to provide documentary evidence of their legal right to work in this country prior to commencing employment. Candidates will be required to a copy of their passport (and visa if applicable) to HR prior to their interview and if appointed will be asked to bring the original documents in to be copied and verified before their start date. Page 7 of 8

8 This role does not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to enable sponsorship of migrant workers. Therefore we cannot progress applications from candidates who require sponsorship to work in the UK. Further information about Certificate of Sponsorship and eligibility to work in the UK, can be found at: Page 8 of 8