The University At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally. Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here. Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on ourWhy Join Us? - Information Page. The Role and Department Programme Development Manager The Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN) was set up in 2018 by approximately ten higher education institutions, including Durham University. It now has more than 110 UK university and policy members. Institutional leads from each university comprise the knowledge exchange brokers/policy impact colleagues whose responsibilities include disseminating opportunities to relevant colleagues within their institution. The network is voluntary, and is funded entirely by member donations. In 2025 UPEN was awarded funding from Research England and ESRC to deliver a project focused on infrastructure and capabilities for academic-policy engagement. This includes i) supporting people - specifically those working to enhance research and policy connectivity, ii) understanding place and the relationship between local and national research and policy systems, and iii) practice - i.e. the approaches taken to better connect research and policy. Durham University is a key partner in this major investment and with Public Policy Southampton is co-leading the area of UPEN Programmes activity that focuses on supporting people and building capacity and capability for people and institutions. The postholder will play a lead role in advancing our understanding of the key skills and competencies involved in policy engagement and developing related ideas and programmes to enhance professional development. This will include exploring what a professional competencies or career development framework for knowledge mobilisers working at the research/policy interface might involve. The post holder will engage with people working in universities and policy settings as well as other professional bodies to gather input, test ideas and co-design a structured package of UPEN provision. They will also lead on the delivery and coordination of programmes, such as peer mentoring and pairing schemes. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion will be a central focus of the programme of work, in terms of approach to activities, delivery of opportunities and desired outcomes. While there is a broad set of ambitions for the post, it is an excellent opportunity for someone to bring their own ideas and approaches to it. The postholder will be someone with experience of developing and managing programmes who has a strong collaborative and creative approach to work, can connect people and ideas, is able to understand the needs of both policy and research environments and navigate university systems and processes. This role, situated within Durham University's Public Policy Hub in the Research and Innovation Services Department, will directly support the Senior Policy Engagement Manager in the successful delivery of this area of UPEN Programmes. The post-holder will collaborate with key stakeholders across UPEN Programmes, including Public Policy Southampton who jointly lead the People pillar of work, the Professional Development sub-committee and the project host, University College London, where they will liaise with the team on a regular basis as well as being responsible for representing Durham University's interests at monthly meetings, encompassing meeting attendance and the timely delivery of written and verbal project progress reports to the Head of Programmes and Operations. Other key stakeholders include core UPEN Programmes partners and its wider membership. The role will involve hybrid working and some occasional travel across the UK. Flexible working arrangements will be considered, and we are interested in hearing from a diverse range of candidates. The postholder will receive support for their own professional development, including through the wider Durham Policy Hub team, mentoring and an annual development plan. The base location for this role is at our exciting new professional services hub based at Boldon House. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House will bring a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. To find out more about this project, please visit this webpage: Boldon House - Durham University. Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year. We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS). No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16. Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community. Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here. Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered. Your application should cover the following criteria: Essential Criteria Qualifications/Experience 1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience). 2. Expertise in the delivery and development of programmes and projects to specific deadlines. 3. Experience of working collaboratively with a broad range of organisations and individuals, to co-design projects or products. 4. Experience of participating in networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships. 5. Experience of developing and delivering training and/or professional development programmes or materials. 6. Experience of integrating approaches to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion into the delivery of projects. Skills/Abilities/Knowledge 7. Knowledge of policy engagement activity in higher education research contexts. 8. Highly developed verbal and written communication skills enabling effective engagement and information exchange across institutional boundaries and the creation of comprehensive project progress reports and presentations. 9. The ability to facilitate groups discussions and engage with diverse stakeholders. 10. Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including Microsoft 365 and collaborative working software. 11. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions. Desirable Criteria 12. Experience of working at the interface of research and policy. 13. Knowledge of professional competencies frameworks or standards. How to Apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. What you need to submit A CV: and A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification. Contact details For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Neil Heckels, Senior Policy Engagement Manager. neil.heckels@durham.ac.uk. Typical Role Requirements Service Delivery/Development Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values. Review and look for ways to improve systems and procedures that are relevant to your area of work in line with the University's frameworks and regulations. Provide specialist advice and guidance relating to your professional area of expertise, in line with the University's policies, regulations and values. Manage the delivery of programmes to a high standard. Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from key stakeholders and contribute to ideas and service improvements. Provide specialist knowledge and support when interpreting and analysing complex data and information sources. Look for ways to improve [processes, techniques and outputs/results] across all areas of your work. Identify any learning needs that should be met by the project and design activities and arrange any training. Planning and Organisation Contribute to operational leadership teams to influence the programmes that are delivered. Contribute to progressing the strategic and operational priorities of your Department. Seek feedback from staff, students and other key stakeholders so that the service is being adapted to meet customer expectations and to plan future requirements. Meet the development needs of your stakeholders, providing training when required. Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services. Communication/Liaison Provide advice and share guidance with your stakeholders to ensure that the University's policies, procedures and regulations are complied with. Use your operational expertise to lead and participate in working groups and network meetings. Use your expertise to provide training or guidance to other stakeholders. Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers. Any other reasonable duties. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.