University of Birmingham Dubai Hiring for Research Support Manager (Dubai) at Dubai Full Time

Job Summary

The Dubai Research Support Manager will join an existing network of senior research professionals within the University’s Research Strategy & Services Division (RSSD). They will be based in Dubai, ensuring that UoBD researchers, their funders and partners receive professional research support services across the life-cycle of a research partnership, grant, or contract. There is an expectation that the post-holder will travel to the University’s UK campus as needed to ensure the connection is maintained between the campuses.

They will ensure that expertise from the RSSD and other key Professional Services departments including HR, the Finance Office, and R&KT Teams in the Colleges are working in a symbiotic way to provide robust and timely advice and guidance, in support of the UoBD research strategy. Experienced in at least one element of research support and/or partnerships, the Research Support Manager (Dubai) will be a confident and effective communicator, with a proven ability to bring resources and expertise together in the pursuit of a single goal. They will require high levels of political acumen, an intellectual curiosity and interest in research and challenges in the MENA region and an ability to make things happen in complex organisations.

The University of Birmingham is an exceptional university that has set itself the ambition to be in the top 50 of the world’s leading universities by 2030. The post-holder will play a major role in this – developing the University’s networks with international, national and regional business in Dubai to grow our reputation and our research impact. Our existing partnerships have had a game-changing impact on the University and have allowed us to support and further our research, enabling our academics to make crucial breakthroughs, to provide an enhanced student experience through internships, and to offer academic consultancy and professional development for our partners.

Working to individual, team and institutional key performance indicators, alongside a wide network of colleagues, the post-holder will identify internal opportunities and match these to potential external partners. The post-holder will be expected to develop excellent relationships with existing and potential supporters, which will culminate in a corporate or strategic partnership, and be committed to the vision of the University.

Main Duties

Strategic Thinking 

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Operations, the role holder will work with a range of senior stakeholders including the Dubai Provost, the Dubai Vice-Provost (Research) the UoBD senior leadership team, the Directors of Research, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research & Knowledge Transfer), Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International), Director of Research Strategy & Services, Heads of College, and others that play an important role in developing and shaping strategies and major research investment priorities aligned to delivery of the University’s mission in Dubai. Working relationships will be established with Professional Services teams, and in particular, the RSSD, Birmingham International and the Development and Alumni Relations Office.

The post-holder will be expected to:

• Analyse, review and develop current and future strategic partnerships in Dubai.
• Build close links with the RSSD College Hubs, to embed Dubai research into the day-to-day operations of the RSSD.
• Undertake frequent horizon scanning business intelligence and analyses – maintain an awareness of the funding and wider political, economic and social environment in Dubai.
• Identify opportunities and threats that inform new strategic directions and share this information accordingly, making recommendations about how to exploit new opportunities or to manage possible threats.
• Feed into (internal and external) policy consultations and other UoBD discussions of strategic importance relevant to the development and expansion of research capabilities in Dubai.
• Produce high quality written papers/reports and presentations for a range of audiences.

Risk Management and Best Practice 

• In developing opportunities, the post-holder must ensure that key project delivery risks have been fully understood and accepted or mitigated appropriately by the delivery teams, and that key delivery partners (both internal and external to UoBD) have been engaged in the design and development of opportunities at the appropriate time.
• Once funding is successfully secured, the post-holder will be required to provide leadership and support to the project delivery team (academics, professional services) through to project start-up, advising in the negotiation of contractual positions with key funders/stakeholders to ensure best outcomes for the University and ensuring key obligations are communicated to and understood by lead academics/delivery team.
• The role will be expected to develop and/or identify best practice in the successful development and management of research proposals within the UoBD operation through, inter alia, consultation with funding bodies, government agencies, partner institutions etc. Implement and maintain such practices working closely with others supporting the development of large scale, complex research projects across the University.
• Support the development of appropriate gate review and sign off mechanisms for institutional investment in major strategic research projects.
• Establish good working relations, workflows and coordination between the necessary areas of the University, including, for example, the Marketing Teams, Events Teams, wider RSSD colleagues and the wider University of Birmingham.

Partnership working 

• Working closely with the Head of Research (Dubai) and liaising with relevant academic and Professional Services leads, the post-holder will work on behalf of and as required to represent UoBD and its interests to external bodies: in particular, government bodies and funders; key industry partners, as well as philanthropic foundations, and other stakeholders and partners.
• Assist in establishing and maintaining a network of contacts at a senior level across these organisations and proactively cultivate appropriate strategic partnerships in collaboration with Heads of College, the Directors of Research, academics, relevant College Professional Services leads, Business Engagement Partner(s), the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO), and the wider University. Through these relationships ensure institutional priorities are communicated to, and understood by, stakeholders and funders and maximise the University’s influence on these organisations in order to best position our strategic interests in Dubai.
• Working closely with relevant senior academic and Professional Services colleagues, take a key role in maintaining strategic links with key international funding agencies critical to supporting delivery in order to influence and align funder opportunities with the interests and priorities of the University in Dubai.
• Ensure the University’s key messages are being clearly communicated to stakeholders in a timely fashion, including working with Professional Services teams supporting and delivering impact and shaping the use of institutional funds in support of this where appropriate.
• Work with Marketing and Communications teams to ensure key messages are developed and delivered through appropriate channels in a way that supports the development of strategic proposals.

Research Development

• Support the development of research opportunities at the UoBD through activities including but not limited to:
  • Research proposal development, partner liaison, costing/pricing, institutional contribution, funder terms & conditions, effective pre-to-post award handover;
  • Renegotiation of awards with funders, where required;
  • Accurate reporting of research applications and awards in Worktribe, the University’s Research Management System;
  • The due diligence of external partners/collaborators;
  • Grant transfers from national and international universities
  • Liaison with the RSSD College Hubs on the negotiation of research contracts and research related agreements
• Proactively contribute to the development, evaluation and review of UoBD’s research delivery plans with relevant senior colleagues and manage the subsequent direction and prioritisation of support.
• Participate in UOBD fora on strategies for research and associated activities to ensure the area’s delivery plans complement and support the wider University research strategy in Dubai.
• Provide specialist and authoritative advice for applicants regarding their grants and contracts based on expert professional knowledge of funder expectations in terms of eligibility, terms and conditions, content, presentation, collaborators and associated arrangements, institutional requirements and deadlines.
• Proactively contribute to all aspects of the research application and tender submission process, and support team members to do the same including: informing and preparing of budgets; drafting of non-specialist sections in the application; organising internal academic peer review; advising on grant terms and conditions and funder requirements or informing the contractual requirements for the proposal; coordinating final approvals and submissions, and the smooth setting-up of successful awards.
• Working closely with appropriate colleagues, be responsible for providing solutions on issues relating to: major bid development; tendering strategies; negotiations including contracting and related procurement issues; complex budgeting; Electronic Submission systems; research governance, due diligence, and ethics processes.
• Working closely with the Heads of Research Support and the wider Research Support Manager network to develop a strong and inclusive research support community for the UoBD, from the recruitment of excellent staff through to professional development and helping colleagues to progress through the University’s research support career pathway.
• Lead on the design and development/maintenance, evaluation and improvement of processes, associated guidance and best practice around research support in Dubai, ensuring proactive liaison with all relevant stakeholders (which may involve working with external partners as well as internal colleagues).

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience 

• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications) plus significant relevant practical experience – where no equivalent qualification is held substantial practical relevant experience and expertise in a series of progressively more demanding roles will be required.
• Evidence of literacy and numeracy, with the ability to write clearly for a variety of audiences, and to produce and analyse source material, information and data.
• Experience of providing senior practitioner support to complex issues relating to research support including research facilitation, meeting funder conditions, budgeting, aspects of contracting and collaboration, set-up and delivery of projects, research culture and being recognised as a trusted expert and developing individuals and teams to do the same.
• Authoritative knowledge of the strategic issues impacting the UK and/or overseas research funding environment, including broader sector/commercial awareness
• Experience of successfully leading the development of major research grants and contracts.
• Substantial experience of engaging, and collaborating, with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal and management skills, with proven experience of leading, motivating and managing teams, including engaging with peers and staff who are not direct reports.
• Excellent analytical skills with an ability to analyse complex qualitative and quantitative information and present conclusions clearly and concisely.
• Judgement and proven problem-solving skills that will help to identify and implement improvements and efficiencies across the service area and beyond.
• Excellent communication skills, including orally and in writing, with the ability to influence and negotiate effectively with a range of stakeholders.
• Highly proficient IT skills, including the MS Office suite and corporate systems such as WorkTribe or Tableau. Confident and able to quickly learn new IT skills and software packages as required.
• High level of self-motivation and personal accountability with ability to plan and deliver goals to deadlines under pressure.
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied.
• Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action.

Role context

Roles at this level provide authoritative professional advice and opinion across a range of activities and/or will lead and manage diverse team(s) and resources. You will use your professional skills to resolve problems where the solution is not immediately apparent. Significant evaluation and independent thought is therefore required to resolve ambiguity. You will have wide discretion to decide on direction whilst ensuring activities are broadly consistent with operational policies. You will be able to influence policy through advising on the impact of policy change and implementation in your area of work. You will need to assess the impact of your activities across your area, with related areas and to ensure they fit with the broader objectives of the University.

Core competencies/transferable skills:

Working at this level you will be able to develop and successfully use the following core competencies/transferable skills in each of the areas shown below. You will be expected to take ownership for getting things done, including calling on or joining others to assist. You will be expected to be flexible as required in supporting your department and wider University.

Planning and organising:

• provide professional expertise, and manage resources and/or a diverse team;
• integrate and co-ordinate work across different parts of the department/university;
• lead and manage staff who are likely to be carrying out diverse duties, and ensure collaborative working to deliver a successful service;
• project manage activities to facilitate major changes;
• develop policy within functional guidelines, and contribute to strategic development within own area;
• be accountable for the quality and professionalism of service delivery, with an appreciation of longer term issues.

Problem solving and decision making:

• anticipate, interpret and assess customer needs, identifying trends, generating original ideas and testing innovative solutions;
• deal with significant people management issues such as change programmes;
• resolve issues which may not have arisen before through use of experience and judgement.

Organisational understanding:

• have an excellent understanding of your own working area and a broad understanding of the contribution other areas make to the success of the University;
• have an excellent understanding of how the University operates, together with an understanding of how academia operates in the UK;
• demonstrate empathy with the academic endeavour and seek to encourage others to do so.

Relationships and communication:

• use coaching skills to motivate and develop staff;
• proactively and sensitively manage the performance of their team and create a motivating environment;
• influence others (including across the University) to follow a particular course of action;
• represent the department at internal and external meetings/events/network with colleagues in other institutions to share best practice.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment

We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.