Job description Interim Head of Research Full or part time: Reporting to: Based location: Salary: Full time post of 9-12 months duration Chief Research Officer Oxford Circa 45,000 pro rata per annum Picker Institute Europe Picker is an Oxford-based charity with an international reputation as a key authority in the measurement and improvement of patient experience. Our mission is to make person-centred health and social care a reality for everyone. Researching and measuring the experiences of patients, service users, and staff are key areas of our work. We develop and run surveys for a wide range of public and private healthcare organisations, as well as national bodies, voluntary sector organisations and international healthcare providers. Furthermore, we conduct original research using qualitative and quantitative social research methods to investigate issues related to people s experiences of care and organisations efforts to improve services. The Group Research Division The Research Division is responsible for Picker s research planning and delivery, as well as major survey co-ordination projects. The Division undertakes quantitative and qualitative research on person centred care and the measurement of patient experience. Its portfolio of work includes a mix of longer-term development work and shorter projects, focused on the rapid delivery of high quality evidence and resources. The Division works with policy makers to provide evidence that supports the development of national and local strategic and operations polices. This includes consultancy type work to rapidly generate or synthesise evidence on new and emerging policy priorities. The Division delivers a portfolio of projects within a wide range of market sectors, including research on children and young people s experience of healthcare, partnering with charities and research with more vulnerable groups. The Division co-ordinates the NHS s national staff and patient survey programmes on behalf of NHS England and CQC respectively. The programmes include a range of large scale and high profile surveys, which are typically co-ordinated centrally but administrated locally by NHS organisations. 2017 Picker. All Rights Reserved. 1
The Division produces impactful work that advances Picker s charitable objectives as well as producing a surplus to support the organisation s development. This includes seeking out new and extension business development opportunities to help the organisation to achieve its charitable activities. Purpose of the role The Head of Research is accountable for the management, delivery and financial performance of the Research business unit, while supporting the Chief Research Officer in the growth and development of the team and the client base. The post holder is responsible for managing and proactively building a research portfolio comprising a diverse range of high value projects, as well as building and maintaining effective partnerships with academic and third sector collaborators. The post holder will lead a small team of professional research personnel and will deputise for the Chief Research Officer and the Head of Survey Coordination when necessary. The post holder actively contributes as a company ambassador increasing awareness, demonstrating expertise and promoting the brand. Duties and responsibilities Responsibilities for research and development Lead, co-ordinate and ensure effective delivery of a portfolio of research-related projects within a business line, with direction from the Chief Research Officer as required, to maximise charitable impact and client/partner satisfaction while ensuring timely and cost effective delivery. Provide expert advice to colleagues, clients and partners on research matters, referring to the Chief Research Officer regarding resourcing or contentious matters, to enable the organisation to successfully complete projects to the highest standards. Responsibilities for service development implementation a) Governance In conjunction with the Chief Research Officer, support the development of the Research unit s strategic direction, including prioritising activities and resources utilisation, to best meet the charitable objectives and ensure business continuity in a challenging and political operating environment. Build strategic relationships with suppliers, ensuring that they are appropriately engaged to ensure that Picker achieves the best possible product or service from them Responsible for contract management for functional activities, ensuring all contracts meet service, project, legal, financial and strategic goals. Leads / participates as a member of cross functional teams to ensure that organisational quality standards, targets and missions are achieved. Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory standards (including data protection, information governance and safeguarding) at all time Plays an active part in the continuous improvement of quality processes and standards to ensure an efficient and high-quality service. 2017 Picker. All Rights Reserved. 2
b) Strategic Leadership In conjunction with the Chief Research Officer, develop and implement the strategic direction of the research function, pursuing a long-term strategy to develop the team s research portfolio in order to maximise business growth, and build the organisation s reputation as an expert and thought leader in line with its overarching charitable objectives and mission. Support the Chief Research Officer in development of the charity s policy outputs, alongside all senior staff. In conjunction with the Chief Research Officer, supports the development of Key Performance Indicators for the Research unit and provides comprehensive monthly reports to the Chief Research Officer. c) External UK & International Development Act as ambassador and spokesperson for the organisation, attending conferences and speaking engagements, liaising with the media and other interested groups and to increase the organisation s visibility and enhance its reputation. Establish, build and maintain relationships with senior staff and policy makers at other organisations, including clients, stakeholders and partners, to ensure Picker s representation in high-level discussions, while maximising opportunities for business development. Optimise income generating opportunities for the group alongside the alignment of the group s resources to maximise charitable impact Lead on or contribute to developing proposals for new services and/or in response to competitive tenders, co-ordinating input from colleagues as needed, to enable the organisation to successfully secure new work. Represent Picker in high-level national and international advisory groups and other policy settings in order to promote evidence-based research and policy around potentially very contentious and politically charged issues and to build the organisation s reputation. Present research findings, evidence and ideas about highly complex subjects to a wide range of audiences in order to share learning and convince others of the importance of effective person-centred care. Provide the professional lead across the organisation on research governance to ensure excellent research practice is undertaken and the organisation s reputation for research is enhanced. Responsibilities for information resources Produce complex statistical reports including analysing and interpreting survey data. Presenting evidence and findings about highly complex and sometimes contentious subjects to a wide range of audiences, ensuring an understanding of the subject and issues arising and enabling informed decision making. Ensure that data and information are collated, stored and analysed in compliance with all company policies, internal working practices and external regulatory requirements. Ensure that all surveys and other documentation are published in accordance with company working practices, internal working practices and external regulatory requirements (including, for example, the code of practice on National Statistics). 2017 Picker. All Rights Reserved. 3
Design and develop bespoke information systems, including interactive reporting tools, for client applications and to improve efficiencies within the organisation. Responsibilities for financial and physical resources Full P&L responsibility for the Research unit, driving revenue and ensuring that research is delivered within the agreed budgets. Contribute to the organisation s annual and longer term budget and be responsible for budget setting and planning for the Research unit. Provides agreed monitoring reports and ensures the unit s compliance with agreed financial standards, ensuring the team s objectives are delivered within agreed financial resources and targets. Responsibilities for human resources Provide excellent leadership to the Research unit ensuring organisational, team and individual objectives are achieved to agreed standards and timescales. Carry out line management responsibilities effectively, to include recruitment and selection, workload management, personal development, performance management and formal and informal grievance and disciplinary proceedings, ensuring the correct policies and procedures and legislative requirements are followed. Flexibility The jobholder may be required to carry out other reasonable duties commensurate with the grade, as requested by line manager. This job description is not exhaustive and may change as the post or the needs of the business develop. Such changes will be subject to consultation between the post holder and their manager and, if necessary, further job evaluation. 2017 Picker. All Rights Reserved. 4
Person specification Interim Head of Research Knowledge, training and experience Postgraduate-level qualification or equivalent knowledge or experience in a relevant discipline Extensive knowledge of health and social care policies and the social research landscape, including funding opportunities Evidence of frequent and continuing professional development Significant proven experience in social research methodology, including applied experience of analysing quantitative and qualitative data Considerable proven experience in leading the production of research outputs including full research programmes, reports and surveys Significant experience of managing large scale and complex programmes and projects. Proven experience with a successful track record of dealing with key stakeholders from other organisations Significant proven experience in research and evaluation management, including major project management Leadership and management skills including people, performance and budget management Significant working knowledge of the Data Protection Act 1998 and ISO27001 Communication and relationship skills Skills Operates at a senior level including close working with the Chief Research Officer, Chief Executive and Senior Management Team Effectively influences internal and external stakeholders at very senior levels Has credibility and gravitas with audiences at all levels, both internally and externally, due to style and content of communication Proactively initiates, builds and maintains a strong network of relationships throughout the organisation, with external partners and stakeholders Works collaboratively corporately and departmentally to align plans across teams and create a strong team spirit Confident and effective media spokesperson, comfortable representing the organisation in live radio and television broadcasts Freedom to act Work autonomously at a senior level to ensure the successful delivery of a complex range of research, survey and policy projects Sets requirements and expectations for team members, who themselves work autonomously, to ensure the team s activities are coherent and support the organisation s wider goals Planning and organisational skills Identifies business critical priorities, risks, and opportunities in the team and Division s work 2017 Picker. All Rights Reserved. 5
Carries out effective business planning responsibilities for the team and contributes to the Division s overall business plan Manages multiple demands, adjusts priorities, and negotiates timescales as necessary Analytical and judgemental skills Thinks strategically about issues, looking to longer term solution and impact Demonstrates high degree of autonomy and decision making and uses judgement to balance complex and sometimes competing demands of a diverse and high profile project portfolio Demonstrates sound judgement in the absence of clear guidelines or precedent, seeking advice as necessary from the Chief Research Officer Analyses highly complex numerical and written data, assesses options, draws appropriate conclusions and makes recommendations Physical skills Uses a keyboard to produce documents and analyse information Drives or is driven to other work locations, including exhibition and conference venues Mental effort Other Concentrates for prolonged periods to develop research proposals, undertake statistical analysis, attend and chair advisory group meetings, seminars, etc Work pattern is unpredictable with frequent interruptions, multiple demands on time and requests from stakeholders Emotional effort Manages informal and formal staff matters and occasionally communicates difficult and/or unwelcome news Very rarely may be required to deal with emotionally challenging responses from service users and other stakeholders Physical effort Limited requirement to use physical effort Working conditions Works in an office environment and uses DSE equipment more or less continuously on most days Occasionally attends conferences and exhibitions with some requirement for overseas travel 2017 Picker. All Rights Reserved. 6