Approvals Specialist in Nottingham

The HRA is a dynamic organisation, delivering excellent services through its committees, simplifying the health research process and championing research in the NHS. The HRA is a Non Departmental Public Body with the remit to protect and promote the interests of patients and the public in health and social care research. We do this by supporting and promoting a robust and efficient regulatory and governance framework in the UK. Our ambition is to make the UK a great place to do research, where more money invested in research goes into carrying out relevant, good quality research.

Our purpose is to ensure that research involving NHS patients and members of the public is approved through a proportionate and robust system, that they are provided with the information they need to help them decide whether they wish to take part, and that their opportunity to do so is maximised by simplifying the processes by which high quality research is assessed. We have already delivered significant improvements by centralising and simplifying the approval of research in the NHS in England, and are undertaking a range of significant programmes to deliver further improvements.

HRA Approval is a system that simplifies the approvals process for research, to make it easier for studies to be set up and reduce duplication and bureaucracy. It provides a single application, single assessment and single approval for research in the NHS across all study types and incorporates assessments by NHS staff alongside the independent Research Ethics Committee opinion, allowing local resources to be focused on successful local delivery of studies.

This post is an exciting opportunity to be part of a team that delivers the operational function for HRA Approval. We are looking for individuals who can bring experience of health research and can demonstrate enthusiasm to deliver an effective and efficient approval system for research.

Main duties of the job:

• Understanding of the HRA role and remit.
• Knowledge of a range of administrative practices and procedures.
• Evidence of practical experience at a similar level.
• Well-developed knowledge and expertise of operating systems within the NHS or similar field.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise against a background of change and uncertainty.
• Experience of working to complex policies, with people at all levels in an organisation and to tight deadlines.

Working for our organisation:

At the HRA, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive working environment where we actively invest in the development and empowerment of our staff, enabling them to perform at their best. We strive to promote a healthy workplace culture where wellbeing, collaboration, and professional growth are valued and encouraged.

We support flexible working, recognising that home based or hybrid arrangements provide us with the most productive environment to work well. Where possible, we’ll offer a working pattern that suits you. The HRA offers home based contracts for all locations. Newcastle, Manchester and Nottingham based staff can be office based and hybrid working arrangements are also possible.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community: age, disability, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and other diverse characteristics, and we have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

Qualifications:

• Degree-level qualification or evidenced ability to work at a similar intellectual level.

Knowledge, Skills and Expertise:

• Thorough understanding of the HRA role and remit including knowledge of principles and processes for approving and conducting health research in England, including legal and ethical requirements relating to research.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and national policy including Human Tissue Act, Mental Capacity Act, Data Protection Act, General Data Protection Regulation, Clinical Trials Regulations.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise against a background of change and uncertainty.
• Research approvals system and change management/service improvement experience.
• Highly self-motivated, confident, pro-active, innovative, with ability to work independently and on own initiative.
• Willingness to regularly travel nationally including being absent from home and outside of core hours.
• Presentation skills including the ability to conduct meetings and deliver presentations and workshops.

In return for your commitment, we offer excellent opportunities for personal development and a healthy work-life balance. The HRA is committed to promoting and enhancing inclusion, diversity and equality. We welcome and encourage applications, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of age, gender identity and gender expression, disability, race, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, sex or sexual orientation or any other personal circumstances.

The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of applications. The HRA does not hold a sponsor licence in respect of skilled worker visas and so is unable to employ candidates requiring sponsorship.

The NHSBSA is responsible for the processing of your application; a privacy notice is available to advise you on how we will process your personal data.

The HRA offers a variety of career paths for its staff as well as a wide range of benefits, including NHS pensions and discounts.