Economic and Social Research Council - Portfolio Officer x 2
(Smart Data Research UK Strategic Hub Team / Data Strategy and Infrastructure Team)
Job title: Portfolio Officer.
Salary: £30,895 per annum.
Band: UKRI Band C.
Hours: Full-time or 0.8 FTE role.
Contract Type: Fixed Term (until March 2029 x1 / February 2027 x1).
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available.
Closing Date: 13th July 2026.
Employees applying for any opportunity which may mean being away from your substantive role for a temporary period of time, please refer to the Recruitment Policy for further information in the first instance. If you are made an offer, please ensure you liaise with your Line Manager and the designated HR Team as soon as possible in order that implications of any move are clear and understood, prior to a move taking place.
Responsible to:
Post 1: Head of Programme and Investment Management.
Post 2: Senior Portfolio Manager.
Contract Type:
Post 1: Fixed Term until March 2029.
Post 2: Fixed Term until February 2027.
About hybrid working
We support a hybrid approach, and you can expect a mix of working from home, the office, and occasionally at other UK locations.
ESRC staff will be assigned to Tier 2 meaning a standard expectation of 40–60% onsite attendance (pro-rated against working time) including those hosted by ESRC. This will come into effect on 1st October 2026.
At times, this may involve overnight stays and/or occasional work outside of standard office hours.
About the role
ESRC is a major funder of the creation, collection and sharing of high-quality data that researchers, policymakers and practitioners use to address social challenges, increase public benefit and advance the UK’s reputation as a world leader in social science.
An ESRC Portfolio Officer plays a crucial role in the delivery of their team’s objectives, particularly in relation to the management and development of key programmes, investments and partnerships.
As this role will involve interaction with grant holders and partners, as well as attendance at events and conferences, the role may involve travel, including overnight stays.
Data Strategy and Infrastructure Team
The Data Strategy and Infrastructure team carries out the development, commissioning, and investment management for our data collections (such as Understanding Society and the birth cohort studies) and data services (including the UK Data Service). We provide strategic direction for investments and facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange through engagement with the investment teams and other partners. We are also responsible for the monitoring and assurance of the investments to ensure that the data collections are of high quality and meet the needs of the social science research community, and to ensure that the data services and facilities enable safe and ethical use of data in research and innovation.
Smart Data Research UK
Smart Data Research UK (SDR UK) is the UK’s national programme for smart data research, with a mission to unlock the power of data to improve lives
www.sdruk.ukri.org. At the heart of the programme are six data services - teams of experts from research institutes across the country. The data services build partnerships with data owners and provide secure access to data for researchers. Coordination and leadership are provided by a Strategic Hub team, based at the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
Your responsibilities:
- Play an active role in team activities to support the delivery of the ESRC’s vision for social science and data infrastructure.
- Operate effectively within a matrix management environment on one or more assignments with the flexibility and resilience to respond to the changing demands of a fast-paced environment.
- Support programmes of work with attention to detail in the creation and maintenance of a range of programme documentation.
- Meeting servicing and support to organise and administer a range of meetings, workshops and events.
- Meeting management including creation, collation and distribution of agendas and papers, attending meetings, taking notes/minutes and recording actions.
- Assist with the development of information and promotional materials, both online and in print, for audience groups.
- Support the organisation of a series of online and offline events to build awareness about our work, services, and impact.
Coordinate and support a range of administrative functions including the team mailbox, team days, workshops, events, and other operational activities.
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Personal Specification
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
Essential
- Planning and organisational skills, including the ability to effectively prioritise and manage complex activities. (S&I)
- Good communication skills, including the ability to use appropriate styles and methods to maximise impact and understanding. (S&I)
- Ability to work both collaboratively and independently to achieve progress in objective delivery, escalating where necessary. (S&I)
- Analytical skills with the ability to evaluate, report, and act on complex information of various forms, including numerical data. (S&I)
- Experience of meeting support, such as creating agendas, minute taking, and sending invitations. (S&I)
- Good general PC skills including a good working knowledge of MS Office packages and document management systems such as MS Teams. (S)
A degree or equivalent experience or experience of working in an equivalent environment or role (S)
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Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. Committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
A list of benefits below:
- An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
- 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
- Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
Flexible working options.
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Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!
For further information on our benefits please see:
Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.
Please apply online, if you experience any issue applying, please contact [email protected]
