Policy Fellow (Clean Maritime Research)

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 our Why Join Us? - Information Page.

The Role and Department 

Durham University has been successful in securing additional funding for UK Clean Maritime Research Hub (UK MaRes Hub) to undertake further innovative maritime decarbonisation research and is seeking a Policy Fellow to strengthen its knowledge mobilisation activities acting as a key link between the research consortium, UK government and other stakeholders.

The UK MaRes Hub coordinate a major programme of research activity aimed at understanding how to accelerate the decarbonisation and elimination of harmful pollution for the maritime sector. The project presents a major opportunity for research to inform future policy in this area at all levels and as such will need support to connect research and policy agendas.

The Policy Fellow (Clean Maritime Research) will play an important role supporting the Policy Lead in ensuring that research activity is informed by the interests and priorities of key policy and industry stakeholders, through intelligence gathering and dissemination, stakeholder engagement and facilitation and will aim to work with partners to develop actionable policy recommendations underpinned by the research findings aimed at national, regional and local Government, Industry and regulators. They will be a point of liaison between the research consortium and the major stakeholders, including Department for Transport and the UK SHORE team, industry bodies, local authorities and a broad range of other interested parties. 

The Policy Fellow will be based in Durham University’s Research and Innovation Services Department but will work flexibly across the consortium of partners to understand research strengths, engaging closely with the projects supported through the hub to identify and promote policy insights and learning. This is a fixed term of 12 months to end no later than 31 March 2028 and open to hybrid working and flexible location, although there would be an expectation of being in Durham on a regular basis. The position would potentially suit a secondment from a related policy role. While previous policy experience is not necessarily a prerequisite, candidates with experience and understanding of the UK policy sector are preferred. We welcome interest from people with experience of clean energy, transport or environmental policy or other relevant areas and with a background in engineering.

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’ll receive 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, and 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 ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.

• We have 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.

• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.

• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.

• Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).

• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.

• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.

• Various salary sacrifice schemes are 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. 

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.     Experience of delivering knowledge exchange activities and providing advice to a range of internal and external stakeholders.

3.     Experience of developing strong and productive working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders

4.     Experience of managing competing organisational demands and work practices.

5.     Experience of working in a public policy environment and understanding of the needs and interests of policymakers and other policy actors

6. Experience of working at the interface of research and policy.*

7. Experience of the Higher Education sector and knowledge of research processes

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

6.     Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.

7.     Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems.

8.     Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.

9.      Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

10.  Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

11.  Strong planning and organisational skills

12. background in engineering

13. An understanding of  policy issues relating to maritime, transport or related sectors and engineering.

Desirable Criteria 

14. Knowledge of the UK net-zero policy landscape and international agreements relating to decarbonisation.

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 essential criteria within the Person Specification. Please include headings to show which of the essential criteria each element of the letter/statement relates to.

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 or Dr Claire Copeland, Policy Lead: claire.copeland@durham.ac.uk
 
Typical Role Requirements  

Service Delivery/Development

• Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.

• 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 policy engagement support to a high standard and ensure that they are delivered in a customer focused way.

• Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from key stakeholders and contributing to ideas and service improvements.

• Provide specialist knowledge and support when interpreting policy implications of research and vice versa.

• Look for ways to improveprocesses across all areas of your work.

Planning and Organisation

• Contribute to the development of operational and strategic plans and service level agreements.

• Continually seek to enhance the services provided to your stakeholders and plan and implement any required improvements.

• Seek feedback from  key stakeholders so that the role is being adapted to meet customer expectations and to plan future requirements.

• Manage and monitor the performance of specified services and make recommendations to relevant Service Heads on how it can be improved.

Communication/Liaison

• Use your operational expertise to lead and participate in business meetings, working groups and particularly the policy forum

• Keep stakeholders updated by sharing key service information about the UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub.

• Use the best media and method to communicate with internal and external stakeholders.

• Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.

• Use your expertise to participate in and monitor communities of practice and partnership working, both internally and externally.

Any other reasonable duties.

Useful links 
 
If you would like further information you may find the following will help 

Embedding EDI and the development of under-represented groups and ECRs through every aspect of UK-MaRes Hub activity. The delivery is the responsibility of an EDI Champion through the established EDI Action Group.

 
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 Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Privacy Notice which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.       

Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.

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