Research Engagement and Inclusion Facilitator in Leicester

The Research Engagement and Inclusion Facilitator is responsible for providing dedicated, professional, efficient, and effective support for public engagement and inclusion activities across the NIHR Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN) region. This role sits in the Research Engagement and Inclusion domain and will facilitate conversations with public and community groups (including under-served communities) and engage with members of the public using a variety of online and in-person facilitation techniques, methods and tools to promote inclusion. This role will frequently be the first point of contact for key stakeholders and will regularly manage complex and sensitive information. This role will also be responsible for co-ordinating meetings, facilitating events and wider public engagement/inclusion engagement activities. This role will also be responsible for the collection, analysis and reporting of feedback, and the management of reward and recognition payments for participation in engagement activities.

Main duties of the job

• Attend and contribute to strategic level meetings to support public contributors in their engagement activities and the wider RRDN Team with practical duties associated with engagement and inclusion events.
• Co-develop recruitment strategies aimed at engaging diverse populations to participate in research and seek out involvement and inclusion opportunities across the region.
• Disseminate engagement and inclusion resources to key stakeholders.
• Facilitate the management of RRDN engagement activities and support the Research Engagement and Inclusion Manager with planning and delivery of these.
• Collate and analyse information from multiple systems and data sources in relation to engagement activities, interpreting complexities within to shape presentations and communications, and to inform planning and design of future engagement activities.
• Co-produce engagement tools and resources for use by RDN colleagues applicable for settings such as community groups, general practice, education settings and with under-served communities.
• Facilitate the delivery of RRDN engagement activities, including through Be Part of Research and Join Dementia Research, alongside the Research Engagement and Inclusion Manager.
• Champion and enable Research Teams to deliver the My Research Experience and reporting of data to optimise improvements in research delivery and participation at both a national and local level.
• Plan community outreach and lead partnership building activities as required.
• Create content for public engagement and inclusion training programmes aimed at increasing research participation and awareness of RDN services.
• Organise meetings and facilitate conversations with public partners and key stakeholders about initiatives aimed at increasing participation and diversity in research.
• Contribute to audit and creation of NIHR Standard Operating Procedures for public engagement and inclusion.
• Regular requirement to produce detailed reports on public engagement and inclusion activities to a range of audiences, including outputs and outcomes from participation initiatives across the RRDN region and wider RDN.
• Collate evaluation data and feedback and produce reports for wider dissemination.
• Work collaboratively with the Patient Engagement in Clinical Development Service to help signpost to regional networks/groups to support the recruitment of public contributors for commercial research engagement activity.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and wellbeing.
• Facilitate in person meetings and online public events.
• Organise meetings and facilitate conversations with public partners and key stakeholders about initiatives aimed at increasing participation in research.
• Liaise with Research Engagement and Inclusion Facilitators from other RRDN regions to understand challenges and share best practice across the RDN.
• Undertake stakeholder mapping exercises to identify new and existing partners, plan and undertake community outreach and partnership building activities as required.
• Facilitate the delivery of the RDN public partner induction programme.
• Contribute to the scoping and management of stakeholder networks across public engagement and inclusion to inform strategic planning of regional services based on the prioritisation of participant need and site-level feedback.
• Contribute to the management of a community of RDN Public Partners, often being the first interaction with the RDN, helping them to seek out opportunities to champion the public voice across RDN services and be actively involved in the RDN strategy development and delivery.
• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of key inclusion and public engagement values and principles that underpin national strategies.
• Provide key intelligence to inform meaningful and valued engagement with under-served communities and marginalised populations through regional level stakeholder engagement and mapping, and contribution of insights to actively avoid duplication and optimise continuous improvement and prioritisation of services.
• Delivery of regional targets for My Research Experience surveys and co-production of annual report.
• Data upload and reporting as required for My Research Experience.

Person Specification

• Postgraduate qualification (eg. Post Graduate Diploma) in a relevant subject or equivalent level of experience.
• Facilitation training/qualification.
• Skilled facilitator with experience of group facilitation, designing and delivering virtual public events and training using participatory approaches (a qualification or course certificate is desirable).
• Understanding of the principles and methodology of co-design and co-production.
• Experience of undertaking community engagement work in a health research and/or health service context, and in particular experience of engaging underserved communities with health and social care research or health/social care services.
• Knowledge of barriers to research participation amongst under-served communities or those experiencing health inequalities.
• Experience of writing reports and other communication material, analysing and incorporating data as required.
• Experience of developing recruitment and publicity materials aimed at members of the public.
• Project management experience with excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of data platforms such as NIHR Online Data Platform (ODP) an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to encourage communication between patients, carers, public, healthcare and research professionals.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills, have meticulous and well-structured administration skills, be able to use initiative, work independently and in a proactive way.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Google Workspace applications.
• Proficient in meeting administration and management including arranging and supporting organisational level meetings, minute taking and awareness of confidentiality requirements when communicating with members of the public.
• Excellent communication, oral and written skills with experience in presenting to different audiences.
• Ability to convey complex information to a range of stakeholders using a variety of tools and methods.
• Ability to identify opportunities and approaches to achieve goals and improve results.
• Highly motivated, enthusiastic and proactive approach to work.
• Team player, problem solver and a solution-based approach to tasks.
• Flexible and co-operative approach.
• Committed to Equality Diversity and Inclusion and passionate about equity of access to health care or research.
• Aware of and observant of Health and Safety issues especially as they relate to working with the general public in varied locations.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Address: East Midlands RRDN Office base at Paget House Leicester or Curie Court Queens Medical Centre Nottingham.

£39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum/ pro rata for part time hours.

Contract: Permanent.

Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time.