Salary: 40k pro rata Hours: 0.6 (3 days per week) Contract: Fixed term until Sept 2024

Closing Date: 30th November 2020 Interview Date: 9th December 2020

NCACE is a brand new four year initiative that is being developed and led by TCCE with funding from Research England. Its key purpose and mission will be to facilitate and support capacity for Knowledge Exchange between Higher Education and the arts and cultural sector across the country with a particular focus on evidencing and showcasing the social, cultural, environmental, as well as the economic, impacts of such activities. It will comprise a suite of cross-cutting, closely-aligned and highly complementary work packages, strategically designed to support this mission. These include: Brokerage, collaboration and networking development; Skills and capacity building; Evidencing and impact development; Showcasing and communications. NCACE is being delivered in partnership with a number of Regional Hub partners across the country.

About the role

The main purpose of the role will be to work closely with NCACE directors, wider project team and regional hub partners to achieve defined project targets in two closely related areas. Firstly,   on the development of a robust research and evidence base focusing on the social, cultural, environmental and economic impacts produced by collaborations between Higher Education and the arts and culture sector. This will be branded as the NCACE Evidence Bank (working title) Secondly, on the development of a suite of activities to bring together policy-makers, academics, Higher Education specialists in areas such as Knowledge Exchange and Public Engagement,  arts and culture sector professionals and stakeholders from other fields for information sharing, exchange and joined up thinking and working.  

Key duties

1. Play a leading role in the development of NCACE’s ‘What Works’  Evidence Bank (working title),  the key aim of which will be to develop a substantial national repository of Research Excellence Framework (REF), Impact and other case studies, reports and publications on good practice in Knowledge Exchange and collaborative models between Higher Education and the arts and cultural sectors. This will include:

• Liaising with both Higher Education and arts and culture sector organisations to connect with individuals active in this field and to gather materials and documentation that will include but will not be restricted to: REF Impact case-studies, Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF) Narratives, Public Engagement initiatives, collaborations data and documentation from the Arts and Culture Sector and so on.
• Identifying developments and examples of good practice in this emerging field
• Keeping abreast of policy and literature developments in the field
• Developing templates for case studies
• Developing resources and toolkits for use by both sectors and aggregating useful material from the public domain
• Ensuring that the Evidence Bank exists both as a public as well as an academic resource
• Ensuring programme aims and targets are met

2. Work on the development of a number of key NCACE policy and information workshops per annum. 

3. Work with NCACE directors, the Evidence Bank (working title)  Co-investigator, researchers and arts professionals on the development of two What Works publications over the life of the NCACE project

4. Work with NCACE team on the development of NCACE’s annual event to showcase excellent KE with arts and cultural sector

5. Liaise with people from other key initiatives in the field and develop occasional opportunities to bring key actors together for information sharing and networking purposes.

6. Work with partners and HEIs around the country as required.

Job requirements

Shortlisting and Interview Criteria

Essential

Demonstrable understanding of and interest in the knowledge exchange, impact and wider Higher Education policy landscape and the Arts and Culture landscape in the UK.

Knowledge of the UK funding system for research, innovation and cultural and creative industries

Excellent verbal and written communications skills with evidenced ability to write and/or co-author case studies,  reports, blogs, presentations and/or other publications as appropriate.

Proven project management skills with strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills

Ability to respond to sensitive and complex situations

Good research skills, with ability to:

• Gather, analyse, interpret, summarise and present information from a range of sources
• Write well-structured and clearly articulated documents aimed at both specialist and general audiences
• Interpret and summarise primary and secondary data and information and use graphics and images to support the narrative
• Design and deliver presentations to internal and external audiences using a range of media

             Good interpersonal skills and effective team worker with ability to:

• Establish and maintain good working relationships with others (internally and externally) and work well with colleagues at all levels
• Work calmly in tight deadline scenarios
• Think and work creatively to tackle problems and challenges
• Show initiative and judgement within given constraints; ask for and give help when needed
• Competent in using standard Microsoft Office, Google Drive, Zoom, and other applications and social media as appropriate

Educated to Masters degree level in an arts, humanities or social sciences field and/or equivalent relevant experience

Solid and demonstrable experience in a similar role

Excellent organisational skills: able to plan and prioritise a varied workload and ensure that work meets deadlines

Ability to work from home and to travel across the country as required with some overnight stays and evening work

Desirable

• PhD in a related subject
• Proven experience of developing policy or strategy in a research or arts related context
• Ability to identify, analyse and take account of emerging social, political and environmental trends that might impact in fast or unexpected ways on the work of the centre
• Authored or contributed to publications in this field or in a closely related area

Further Information

Employee Benefits: TCCE’s reward and benefit package includes: a flexible working scheme, a generous pension contribution, 28 days annual leave allowance as well as bank holidays and some office closure days, staff development opportunities

Developing Talent: We are committed to developing employees in their roles throughout their career. Learning and development plans enable employees to continue their professional development through training and development opportunities such as attending relevant events and courses. We encourage our employees to share their learning across teams and organisations.

Equal Opportunities:  TCCE is committed to inclusive ways of working that promote and value diversity across all aspects of our work.   We  encourage applicants from communities that are underrepresented in the higher education sector, including individuals from Black and minority ethnic communities. 

How to apply

Please send in a covering letter of up to 800 words, outlining your interest in the role and how your experiences aligns with the job description, duties and person specification, as well as an up to date cv to noshin@tcce.co.uk by 5pm Monday 30th November 2020. 

Please note, as this job does not fulfil the Home Office Code of Practice criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y.