Job overview
Description of the Unit or Project
The post holder will be actively involved in developing innovative approaches to implementing new digital innovations in mental health services. This is an unique opportunity to work within a programme of major national significance for mental health with a variety of stakeholders (industry, researchers, clinicians, lived experience experts). The postholder will be part of a key national team driving innovation in mental health.
Main duties of the job
The Research and Innovation Digital Navigator will contribute towards supporting service users, healthcare professionals and researchers to use digital mental health tools.
The Research and Innovation Digital Navigator will be involved in driving the design and implementation of digital mental health projects to support the UK Mental Health Goals Programme. The postholder will contribute to the accurate collection and secure management of data, and assist with quantitative and qualitative analysis. They will work widely with a range of stakeholders including service users, healthcare professionals, senior NHS leaders, researchers, industry partners and other key digital mental health stakeholders. They will also support the coordination and facilitation of focus groups and digital co-design workshops with participants.
The post-holder will receive line management support from the Digital Navigator Team Lead/Research Unit Manager based in the GM.Digital Research Unit in Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH). This includes regular line management supervision, clear objective setting for 3, 6 and 12 months and annual appraisals thereafter (depending on continued funding for the post).
Working for our organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Implementation of digital mental health innovations • To support the roll-out and implementation of digital mental health research and innovations in mental health services • To develop and refine models for implementation of digital tools in mental health • To work with broader national and local mental health innovation and research teams to develop implementation playbooks and approaches to support digital tools Communication and networking • To regularly liaise with the healthcare professionals and other collaborators to identify and recruit eligible service users for digital innovations; • To assist with the promotion of the digital tools to stakeholders; • To contribute towards writing papers about digital implementation for reports and publications; • To help present information on implementation progress and outcomes to management groups; • To assist with the presentation of findings at internal and external meetings, and conferences nationally and internationally; and • To liaise with research colleagues and support administrative staff on routine matters. • To communicate effectively with national and international stakeholders in-person and virtually Administrative activities • To contribute to the development/design of implementation approaches with the members of the team. • To assist with the running of any pilots, innovations and research studies. • To liaise with relevant funding bodies, research support network ( NIHR Research Design Service, MRC, OLS) and R&I departments of partner organisations. • To assist with the running of focus groups or consultation groups with service users and/or other stakeholders to inform research and innovation • To assist in running meetings, including production of agendas, writing of minutes and reports and taking follow-up action as required. • To support the team members on other relevant research/administrative activities as required. Research & Innovation management • To populate, maintain and manage relevant and accurate databases on a daily basis, ensuring they represent a comprehensive and accurate record of progress. • To work effectively under time-pressure in order to meet tight deadlines and project milestones. • To retrieve complex data from digital tools and analyse outcomes to produce summary reports on activity for a variety of purposes. • To implementation research and innovation policies / standard operating procedures for their own work area and to be able to propose improvements to policies/procedures where relevant. • To assume responsibility for the safe and secure use of equipment • To provide advice or demonstrate own activities or workplace routines to new research staff or temporary researchers working on the project. • To contribute to the production of accurate information and timely submission of the Progress Reports to the relevant bodies ( funders, the Trust). • To organise their own day-to-day tasks and activities; the post holder must be able to take significant responsibility for planning and implementation of specific elements of the research activities conducted by the Unit. • To have a reliable method of transporting themselves independently to the Unit’s site and willing to travel to meetings with other team members and relevant stakeholders throughout the UK, and internationally if required. • To be aware of national developments, attend national events and undertake any necessary and relevant training to keep up to date with research developments and related issues as required. • Comply with data management and quality assurance according to regulatory guidelines (ICH GCD and Data Protection Act 1998). • Comply with departmental policies concerning security, safety and patient confidentiality and to ensure that procedures are carried out with safe systems of work and current legislation. • The post holder may be required to carry out other related tasks that may not be specifically mentioned above. The job description may be reviewed and amended at a later date.
Person specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Good Honours Degree in a relevant field (2:1 or above) or equivalent experience.
Experience
Essential criteria
2. •Experience of working with digital tools in a healthcare setting.
3. •Experience of conducting research or innovation projects in mental health.
4. •Experience of working with a a range of stakeholders, including service users, researchers and industry partners.
Desirable criteria
5. •Experience of working in a clinical mental health setting within the NHS.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
6. •Knowledge/experience of analysis and interpretation of statistical/analytical research outcomes.
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
7. •Excellent Communication skills (written and verbal).
8. •Ability to take responsibility for planning and implementation of specific elements of research studies.
9. •Computer Literacy – advanced skills in database (eg Microsoft Excel) and word processing packages.
Other Requirements
Essential criteria
10. •Reliable method for traveling independently across the UK to support national meetings and digital tool implementation projects.
The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.
The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications
A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application. The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one’s achievements, success and challenges.
We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.
Sponsorship
We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government’s website – click .
If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.
The Home Office introduces new changes from 22/07/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it.
Do you have experience outside the NHS?
We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.
We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment.