Senior Policy Advisor

Senior Research Excellence Framework (REF) Policy and Engagement Advisor

Research England

Salary: £46,743 per annum | UKRI Band E | Closing date: 14th July 2026

Hours: Full time (Hybrid working available)

Contract Type: Fixed-term until June 2030

Location: Westward House, Lime Kiln Close, Stoke Gifford, Bristol, BS34 8SR

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions, with the most recent exercise concluding in 2021. It is a peer review assessment process involving submissions from higher education institutions across the UK. The REF is delivered by Research England on behalf of the four UK higher education funding bodies (Scottish Funding Council, Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, Department of the Economy Northern Ireland). Research England is a council within UK Research and Innovation.

REF is a fast-moving exercise managing a wide range of policy areas, expert panel members that span all research disciplines and types of research outputs. Key to our success will be close team working and supporting each other through peak periods. Joining our team provides a great deal of opportunity to learn and develop.

Purpose

Are you looking for a new challenge? An opportunity to work on a major, high-profile, project in a close-knit team and a fast-paced environment? Do you want to use your knowledge and skills in an agile way across a broad range of focus areas, learning new things and innovating along the way? Do you want to learn about the UK’s different funding bodies, and work with some of the most highly respected people across the UK’s research community? Then this may be the opportunity for you!

Research England and the UK’s other funding bodies undertake periodic assessments of research quality to inform their funding allocations and to provide quality assurance as to how these funds are spent. REF 2021 was the second REF and the sixth national exercise in broadly its present form. 157 Higher Education Institutions submitted returns to REF 2021, with assessment taking place across 34 disciplinary units of assessment.

REF 2029 is gearing up to publish the final guidance and criteria for this assessment exercise, before moving into the submissions phase from later in 2026 where will be supporting and collaborating with both universities and our expert panels as they make their preparations. From late 2028, we will then enter the assessment phase of the exercise, supporting 1200 panel members to assess submissions made by universities across the UK.

You will have experience of working in a policy field or strategy field and be keenly aware of the importance of stakeholder engagement to successful policy and strategy development.

This role will support the effective implementation of the Research Excellence Framework by leading and managing the delivery of policy areas key to the exercise, briefings, and related community engagement.

Main outputs and activities

• Supporting the final development of the detailed guidance for REF 2029 at pace
• Supporting the implementation of detailed policy for REF 2029 through the submission and assessment phases
• Supporting additional REF panel recruitment and relationships
• Representing the REF team, giving presentations and leading discussions at external meetings
• Providing authoritative advice and guidance on the REF to a range of audiences
• Providing policy input to FAQs and queries
• Supporting the development of the REF 2029 audit approach
• Leading on relationships and policy on the use of HESA data in REF 2029
• Leading development and maintenance of key stakeholder relationships
• Leading internal projects and groups

This role requires flexibility to travel to meetings, including in locations that may require travel outside of work hours.

Assessment criteria

(S) – Assessed at shortlisting

(I) – Assessed at interview

(S&I) – Assessed at both shortlisting and interview

• Experience of policy or strategy development and delivery, or of strategic engagement for policy or strategy development (S)
• Excellent communications skills, with good attention to detail and nuance, able to communicate effectively with a mixture of audiences and levels of seniority, in written and verbal formats (S&I)
• Able to plan and prioritise a varied workload to ensure that work meets deadlines, and be flexible and adaptable to competing and changing priorities and demands (S&I)
• Able to think and work creatively to tackle problems and challenges, demonstrating own initiative and judgement within given constraints and asking for and giving help when needed (I)
• Experience of building, maintaining and influencing a strategic network of stakeholders to work collaboratively and find the best possible outcomes (S)
• Highly collaborative, able to take responsibility for delivery, and to trust and empower others to take ownership and deliver independently (S&I)
• Proven ability to motivate, empower and inspire others to work effectively to deliver personal and team objectives (S&I)
• Ability to travel across the UK, including overnight stays (S)

Benefits

UKRI values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, outstanding average salary pension scheme, employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities and employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.

For further information on our benefits please see the Benefits of Working at UKRI page on our website.

Should you be ready to make a meaningful contribution to the future of research and innovation in England, we'd love to hear from you. Join a collaborative, inclusive organisation where your expertise will help shape policy, influence investment, and support world-leading research that benefits people, places and the economy. Apply today and be part of a team making a real difference.

Please note: if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you (and any dependants travelling with you) will be required to pay costs directly to the UK Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee, and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.