JOB DESCRIPTION

Title:Innovation, Research and Development Manager

Department: Policy and Engagement

Reports to: Director of Policy and Engagement

Main function:The Innovation, Research and Development Manager will work with staff and service users across the organisation to identify trends in areas of interest to Inspire, collate evidence based outcomes and link them to the development of newproducts and services, influence policy and ultimately demonstrate a positive impact on the lives of the people who use our services.

Main duties and responsibilities are to:

  1. Clarity of Purpose
  1. Actively engage with Directors and their teams across Inspire to identify ideas for new products and services to meet emerging needs and undertake research to determine their viability, sustainability and impact.
  1. Pro-actively undertake research to identify trends, developments and emerging needs in mental health, learning/intellectual disability and addictions.
  1. Design and facilitate a range of service user centred ideas generation tools for use in Inspire
  1. Design and implement a range of action learning, data collection, evaluation, impact measurement and bench marking tools for use across Inspire to monitor and record the impact of our work
  1. Work in close liaison with the Data Protection Officer to ensure Inspire meets the highest standards of Data Governance, including but not exclusive to, GDPR compliance and offer proactive advice to staff across the organisation.
  1. Build and develop relationships with external agencies and organisations relevant to Inspire’s IRD function and represent Inspire at events and on relevant partnerships or advisory bodies.
  1. Effective Communication
  1. Develop professional working relationships and networks with relevant stakeholders and potential partnership bodies in NI and Ireland.
  1. Manage relationships and collaborate with multiple stakeholders throughout Inspire
  1. Create opportunities such as workshops, team and network events, innovation labs and presentations throughout the organisation to encourage engagement

C. Leadership

  1. To develop the Innovation Research and Development function within Inspire, secure funding or support for its development and line manage staff
  1. Make connections with new and existing areas of work in Inspire and current market trends, opportunities and government policy
  1. Act as an advocate and leader for innovation, research and development within Inspire and embed it within our strategic vision.
  1. Have knowledge and understanding of, and contribute to, Inspires strategic objectives and how your role and personal objectives contribute to their achievement.

Team and Partnership Working

  1. Provide data governance and regulatory compliance support and advice to Inspire staff and individual services.
  1. Share knowledge, skills, training and learning across the team.
  1. Ongoing Commitment to Development
  1. Stay abreast of latest developments within Inspires areas of interest at local, regional and international level and their relevance to our work
  1. Contribute effectively to a cost conscious and value for money culture including awareness of, and adherence to, the wider Policy and Engagement budget.
  1. Suggest and present ideas for improvement and be actively involved in their planning, implementation and evaluation.
  1. Plan and organise own work to achieve results that are aligned to personal objectives.
  1. Manage your own time effectively to achieve deadlines.
  1. General
  1. Members of staff are expected to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner in accordance with the Dignity at Work Procedure.
  2. Staff are expected to demonstrate their commitment to Inspire by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.
  3. All staff must comply with the Smoke Free Policy and associated procedures.
  4. All Staff must take care of their own health and safety and that of people who may be affected by what they do (or do not do).
  5. All staff must co-operate with others on health and safety, and not interfere with, or misuse, anything provided for their health, safety or welfare.
  6. All staff must follow the training they have received when using any work items their employer has given them.
  7. Inspire iscommitted to equality of opportunity and to selection based on merit. The Policy and Campaigns Officeris required to adhere to Inspire’s Equal Opportunities Policy and associated procedures throughout the course of his/her employment.
  8. TheInnovation, Research and Development Manager will endeavour to ensure the on-going confidence of the public.
  9. The Innovation, Research and Development Manager will maintain high standards of personal accountability.

This job description is neither exhaustive nor exclusive and may be reviewed and amended in the future to include any other reasonable duties, projects or tasks as may be requested from time to time and to reflect changing organisational requirements, changing staffing levels, etc.

Last Reviewed: December 2017