The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do.
Benefits
- Competitive annual leave entitlement, including purchase option
- Generous pension scheme
- Flexible working opportunities
- Commitment to development and wellbeing
- Wide range of retail discounts and rewards
- Family‑friendly policies (paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies, menopause support, fertility treatment support, etc.)
- Staff networks, including Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks
- Acknowledgement through recognition awards
- Professional services shared skills framework
Overview
We are seeking three individuals with experience of working in policy across international, national, and local government, health, regulation and related sectors. The role will collaborate with academics to generate real‑world policy impact from research findings, supporting the REF 2029 exercise. Candidates will identify opportunities to connect research with policy makers, organise seminars, respond to consultations or parliamentary inquiries, and monitor evidence of research use by policy makers.
Work under the guidance of Faculty Impact Managers, liaising with internal stakeholders to support academics developing impact case studies with a policy dimension. Advise senior academics on maximising research policy impact and maintain strong working relationships and networks.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
- Provide focused support around policy engagement and wider knowledge exchange activities for REF impact case studies, offering bespoke advice to academics.
- Work with REF impact case study leads to plan, gather and evaluate policy impact evidence and support academics accordingly.
- Identify and develop effective partnerships with policy makers to create conditions for research impact.
- Collaborate with the Knowledge Exchange Policy Engagement team to inform training sessions for REF impact case study leads.
- Monitor policy engagement opportunities and updates issued by the Knowledge Exchange Policy Officer.
- Support academics to develop policy briefings and related content.
- Assist REF impact case study leads and Faculty REF Impact Manager in identifying internal funding opportunities.
- Align activities with other support offered to REF impact leads through liaison with relevant internal stakeholders.
- Carry out other duties commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Essential Criteria
- Undergraduate degree in social science, science or health related subject (or equivalent experience).
- Experience and understanding of policy work at local, national or international level.
- Understanding of challenges and opportunities in policy engagement and experience advising senior stakeholders.
- Ability to monitor and gather evidence of policy impact.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, explaining complex ideas to non‑specialist audiences.
- Effective negotiation, persuasion and diplomacy skills.
- Evidence of developing and maintaining strong working relationships and networks internally and externally.
- Evidence of creative approaches to problem solving.
- Understanding of the HE landscape and REF 2029.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of a range of project management approaches.
Job Details
- Grade: 7
- Salary: £38,784 to £43,482 per annum.
- Work arrangement: Full‑time (35 hours per week).
- Duration: 1 August 2026 – 31 July 2027.
- Line manager: Faculty Impact Manager.
- Direct reports: None.
Equal Opportunities Statement
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and encourage diversity and inclusion. Our community recognises the unique abilities and beliefs of all staff and students.
