ID 3996
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The Welsh Government operates name-free recruitment. The recruiting panel will not see personal information such as a candidate’s name and address during the sifting process. This policy is in line with our commitment to end bias and promote equality and diversity.
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Vacancy details
Vacancy title
Senior Manager - Research Prioritisation and Utilisation
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Closing date
31/07/2026, 16:00
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Advertising basis
Permanent
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Actual starting salary
If the successful candidate has significant relevant experience a starting salary of up to point 3 of the SEO pay scale may be offered.
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Salary range or pay band
SEO £47,675 to £56,445
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Allowances
No
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Allowance
,
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Work pattern
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
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Group
Health, Care & Prevention Group
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Directorate
Office of the Chief Medical Officer
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Branch
Programmes
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Location (s)
Pan Wales
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‘Pan Wales’ means the post holder can be based in any Welsh Government office, subject to business needs. Roles based outside Wales, including London, are not available unless explicitly stated in the advert.
A list of the Welsh Government’s offices can be found on www.gov.wales/welsh-government-offices. Please note it may not always be possible to accommodate a preference for a specific office location.
The post holder’s travel from their home to their assigned Welsh Government office is considered their ‘ordinary commute’ and must be done in their own time and at their own cost.
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Purpose of post
Science Research Evidence division (SRE) is part of the Health, Care, and Prevention Group in Welsh Government. Our purpose is to work to Cabinet Ministers and support the Chief Scientific Advisor for Health (CSAH) and the Chief Medical Officer, through the facilitation and use of high-quality Science, Research and Evidence, to improve health and care outcomes for people and communities in Wales. SRE division has a role to develop and implement the policies and priorities for health and social care research and development in Wales to ensure that research and development activity meets the needs of the Welsh Government’s priorities. The Division also provides funding to support a research infrastructure across Wales in health and social care as well as running a range of programmes that build capacity and fund excellent research, all of which come under the brand of Health and Care Research Wales.
The post holder will have responsibility for delivering activities within SRE health and social care research prioritisation and utilisation workstream, and managing and supporting a range of initiatives linked to evidence generation and research knowledge mobilisation. They will work directly to, and be line-managed by, the Head of Research Prioritisation, Commissioning and Knowledge Mobilisation (G7). They will need to support strategic partnerships with Welsh Government policy officials working in this field, as well as public and practice stakeholders (such as NHS, social care, third sector and public) to enable SRE to identify, develop and address priority research questions and research evidence gaps. They will have responsibility for creating engagement processes and opportunities with users of research to ensure that research knowledge is mobilised and can inform policy and practice. They will support the Head of Research Prioritisation, Commissioning and Knowledge Mobilisation in providing operational, technical and strategic advice, and assistance to the Head of Programmes and Deputy Director Science, Research, Evidence/Director of Health and Care Research Wales. As well as leading and supporting the delivery of Welsh initiatives, the post holder will be expected to engage with other UK funders, as appropriate, to ensure that funding opportunities for research questions relevant to the needs to Wales are offered through UK programmes.
The post holder will have:
Management and delivery responsibility for Health and Care Research Wales’ research prioritisation exercises and the commissioned research programme;
Responsibility for engagement with policy officials and other stakeholders to inform SRE prioritisation exercises and the work programme of the Health and Care Research Wales Evidence Centre;
Responsibility for ensuring Wales’ research priorities are co-created with Welsh stakeholders and are systematically fed into Wales-led and UK-wide funding programmes e.g. NIHR, UKRI;
Responsibility for creating processes to support the dissemination and knowledge mobilisation of research findings;
Responsibility for analysis and the provision of information and strategic advice to the Head of Research Prioritisation, Commissioning and Knowledge Mobilisation and the Head of Programmes.
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Key tasks
Manage the delivery of core initiatives in support of research prioritisation and research findings utilisation activities;
Contribute to the development of strategies, programmes, and implementation plans focused on the Welsh environment and/or in line with developments in the UK as appropriate;
Develop and manage the delivery of effective processes to ensure the effective implementation of Welsh initiatives, seeking funding when appropriate and ensuring value for money;
Liaise with key external bodies to ensure successful implementation of relevant Research and Development programmes in Wales, including, where relevant, NHS, social care sector, UK government departments, UK funding agencies, higher education institutions, voluntary organisations and industry;
Where appropriate represent Wales and/or support the Head of Research Prioritisation, Commissioning and Knowledge Mobilisation at UK meetings to ensure that Welsh interests are promoted and taken into account by the UK Government, UKRI and other research agencies;
Engage widely (Wales and broader UK) to seek specialist advice from the research community where required, establishing and maintaining links;
Draft briefings and contribute to Ministerial correspondence, as required, and draft/contribute to the drafting of divisional level analyses and reports, at all times sifting and presenting information on relevant issues in a clear, concise and timely way to inform strategic discussions and decisions;
Draft material to inform relevant publicity and communications activity;
Contribute to team-level activity relevant to the post, including where required, activity in relation to open access, impact evaluation, and dissemination and knowledge mobilisation activity;
Liaise effectively and develop strong communication with other relevant Welsh Government policy leads and represent Research and Development Division at meetings;
Maintain information on activities and offer advice to the Head of Research Prioritisation, Commissioning and Knowledge Mobilisation, Head of Programmes, Head of Policy and Deputy Director Science, Research, Evidence on issues related to the role;
Ensure effective financial management of any budgets allocated in accordance with corporate and divisional requirements;
Contribute, as required, to strategic and operational plans within Research and Development Division;
The post holder will work both independently and in a close team environment, ensuring harmonization of all activities associated with relevant research initiatives.
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Development opportunities
The post holder will be expected to work with autonomy and with minimal supervision. They will have considerable discretion and have responsibility for the achievement of defined objectives and for identifying issues which have political or policy implications, and taking work forward appropriately. As a direct result of the high profile associated with all of these work areas, the post holder will also have significant influence on the organisation’s reputation with internal and external stakeholders.
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Other vacancy related information
In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Experience 1. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.
The successful candidate must have a postgraduate qualification, or experience in health and social care or a related scientific area where research is a key component. It is also a requirement to have experience of public and/or academic sector partnership working. Evidence must be provided by onboarding stage.
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Vetting level
Basic
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Number of posts
1
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Contact point for further information regarding the post
[email protected]
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