Job Description

Job Scope

Background

The Royal Society is a Fellowship of many of the world\xe2\x80\x99s most distinguished scientists. Our fundamental purpose, reflected in our founding charters of the 1660s, is to recognise, promote and support excellence in science and to encourage its development and use for the benefit of humanity. We are the world\xe2\x80\x99s oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.

Providing scientific advice to shape policy and the wider public debate is one of the Society\xe2\x80\x99s strategic priorities. Our work in the Science Policy directorate focuses on global challenges such as pandemic responses, climate change, and energy, food, and water security. We make the case for strengthening investment in research and innovation and developing STEM education, and we set out the potential for emerging areas of science and technology such as data science, AI and genetic technologies.

Role

The Royal Society is looking for an enthusiastic person to join us as a Policy Adviser in our Research and Innovation team in Science Policy. Working with some of the UK\xe2\x80\x99s leading scientists, the successful applicant will be a part of a friendly and highly visible team within the Society and have the opportunity to impact policy decisions that benefit science and people in the UK and globally.

The Policy Adviser will primarily work on the Society\xe2\x80\x99s policy programme \xe2\x80\x98Science 2040\xe2\x80\x99, which is exploring what the UK research and innovation landscape could and should look like in decades to come to best produce benefits for wider society.

This position is suitable for an efficient and motivated person with experience of engaging policy stakeholders at all levels of seniority.

You will have experience of successfully undertaking research and analysis, drafting reports, and managing events and projects.

You will be expected to work closely with staff, Fellows and others to provide expert insight on research and innovation policy.

In addition to working on Science 2040, the successful applicant will be expected to support the work of the wider team and task manage other members of staff on specific projects.

You will also contribute to the overall development of the Research and Innovation team and the delivery of our objectives, working under the guidance of a Senior Policy Adviser who leads the Science 2040 programme.

Reports to: Senior Policy Adviser, Research and Innovation

Location: Carlton House Terrace, London, plus hybrid remote working

Pay Band: D,

Salary: \xc2\xa335,931-\xc2\xa344,913 per annum

Hours: 35 hours/week

Contract: Permanent

Closing date for applications: 12 September 2023 23:59pm

Responsibilities

• Delivering multiple workstreams within the Science 2040 policy programme under the supervision of the programme lead. This includes:

• Developing and maintaining networks of stakeholders, in industry, policy, academia and other relevant fields to shape and secure buy-in for the Science 2040 vision.
• Researching and analysing topics within research and innovation policy and keeping up-to-date on key areas of UK and international policy which impacts the UK\xe2\x80\x99s research and innovation landscape.
• Creating programmes and project plans, setting up meetings, writing minutes and agendas for meetings.
• Drafting policy briefings and reports, editing, proof-reading and managing the design of external facing material.
• Organising the logistics for internal and external policy-related events. This involves liaising with the Society\xe2\x80\x99s internal conferencing and events section, arranging catering, sending out invitations, managing the delegate list, on the day registration, preparing relevant material for the event and expenses.
• Working closely with the Society\xe2\x80\x99s Public Affairs, Industry, Marketing, Communications and Digital teams to promote policy work to key stakeholders.
• Assisting senior members of the team with projects as well as the creative use of insights outside of the immediate programme.
• Undertaking other duties commensurate with the post.
• Build effective working relationships with colleagues and Fellows.
• Representing the Society and its policy positions in events and meetings with government, policymakers and others.
• Contributing to other activities within the Royal Society as required.

Key Knowledge and Skills Required

Qualifications

Educated to a minimum of degree level (or equivalent) Essential

Experience/abilities

Experience in policy development, ideally related to research and innovation Essential

Able to build relationships and influence with people at all levels of seniority and
manage professional networks Essential

Able to convey complex ideas effectively to expert and non-expert audiences Essential

Experience in the production of policy documents (e.g., policy briefings and reports,
consultations and inquiry responses, and blog and web content) Essential

Preparation of written and oral briefings and of synthesis reports using quantitative and qualitative data sources Essential

An enthusiastic team player, with experience of collaborative working Essential

Excellent time management and the ability to prioritise and adapt to meet challenging
deadlines Essential

Creative thinking and problem solving Essential

Managing or running projects Desirable

Managing staff or virtual teams, either formally or informally Desirable

Organisations of events, workshops or meetings Desirable

Preparing minutes from meetings Desirable

Use of customised database software Desirable

Circumstances

Able to be flexible about working hours on occasions Desirable

Able to undertake national and / or international travel on occasions Desirable

Competencies

Self-management

\xc2\xb7 Works unsupervised and can motivate self

\xc2\xb7 Produces results under pressure

\xc2\xb7 Can manage in stressful situations

\xc2\xb7 Pushes for the best results

\xc2\xb7 Pursues and encourages feedback that may reveal an error in judgment and then makes appropriate adjustments

\xc2\xb7 Recognises own personal biases or limitations, and uses this understanding to improve decisions and plans for action

\xc2\xb7 Seeks out mentors and other development resources to gain additional self-awareness and personal development

\xc2\xb7 Reflects on negative situations with maturity and seeks to understand own contribution to the situation

\xc2\xb7 Holds things together and acts as a settling influence

Working with others

\xc2\xb7 Contributes ideas and identifies opportunities to work with others both within the team and across the organisation

\xc2\xb7 Willing to provide feedback to sectional colleagues when requested

\xc2\xb7 Produces succinct presentations and papers for senior colleagues

\xc2\xb7 Understands when to seek senior advice on potentially delicate negotiations

\xc2\xb7 Reaches a variety of audiences using an appropriate mix of communication methods and tailored messages to appeal to their unique needs

\xc2\xb7 Creates an environment of transparency while respecting confidentiality requirements

\xc2\xb7 Builds consensus for delivering team goals. Frequently interacts with peers, on cross-functional matters.

Resource management

\xc2\xb7 Makes the best of internal/external resources and coordinates well with external partners to best meet the needs of the Society

\xc2\xb7 Builds contingency into projects taking into account possible outside factors

\xc2\xb7 Sets and monitors performance against quality and results orientated targets.

\xc2\xb7 Focuses on both short and long-term goals

\xc2\xb7 Creates novel solutions to problems

\xc2\xb7 Creates a detailed design or plan to implement a new solution or approach

\xc2\xb7 Evaluates new technology as potential solutions to existing issues.

\xc2\xb7 Adjusts course as new information comes to light

\xc2\xb7 Executes quickly and decisively in a time-sensitive situation

\xc2\xb7 Takes accountability to persist until opportunity is realised or problem solved

Critical thinking

\xc2\xb7 Determines and clarifies the exact requirements of any situation

\xc2\xb7 Checks information for accuracy and raises concerns if information is inaccurate

\xc2\xb7 Extracts the key points succinctly, clearly and accurately

\xc2\xb7 Puts forward suggestions for improvement concerning current processes or systems

\xc2\xb7 Tries different ways of doing things to get the best results

\xc2\xb7 Compares and evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of options

\xc2\xb7 Formulates an opinion by considering opposing views and suggestions

Adaptability

\xc2\xb7 Overcomes obstacles and is not deterred by setbacks; checks assumptions and first principles and works out alternative approaches

\xc2\xb7 Reacts proactively to new challenges and works in a flexible manner to produce solutions

\xc2\xb7 Provides feedback and participates in discussions surrounding new ideas approaches or projects

\xc2\xb7 Maintains focus and continues to deliver when things are \xe2\x80\x98up in the air\xe2\x80\x99

\xc2\xb7 Adjusts to act differently depending on the situation

\xc2\xb7 Takes steps to understand basic risk management and importance of identifying and maintaining controls

\xc2\xb7 Helps others to understand and cope with ambiguous situations

Managing people and relationships

\xc2\xb7 Delegates effectively, setting clear expectations and authority

\xc2\xb7 Monitors results and feedbacks to team on a regular basis

\xc2\xb7 Recognises others\xe2\x80\x99 contributions and acknowledges their limits

\xc2\xb7 Helps others to identify ways to improve their performance

\xc2\xb7 Prioritises supervisory responsibilities and carries them out in a timely fashion

\xc2\xb7 Understands and can identify client/stakeholder/staff needs and looks for opportunities to improve their experiences

\xc2\xb7 Demonstrates trust in others\xe2\x80\x99 ability to accomplish tasks at acceptable levels of performance

\xc2\xb7 Provides current, direct, complete and actionable positive and constructive feedback

\xc2\xb7 Has a mind-set of sharing own and others\xe2\x80\x99 expertise

\xc2\xb7 Creates an environment of transparency while respecting confidentiality requirements

The Royal Society