Research Funding Officer

Motor Neurone Disease Association

Hours
37 hours per week

About the Organisation

Motor neurone disease (MND) is a fatal, rapidly progressing neurological condition affecting more than 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time. The disease causes messages from nerves (motor neurones) in the brain and spinal cord that control movement to gradually stop reaching the muscles, leading them to weaken, stiffen and waste. The result is that people become locked in a failing body, unable to move, talk and eventually breathe.

Some may experience changes in thinking and behaviour, with a proportion experiencing a rare form of dementia. MND does not usually affect senses such as sight, hearing and touch. MND kills a third of people within a year and more than half within two years of diagnosis. It affects people from all backgrounds, and a person’s lifetime risk of developing MND is around 1 in 300.

Today, six people will be diagnosed, and six will die from MND. There is no cure. The MND Association focuses on funding research, improving access to care and campaigning for people living with or affected by MND in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

We have over 11,000 members forming a powerful network that provides information and support for people with MND, their families and carers. We fund and promote research that leads to new understanding and treatments, and brings us closer to a cure. We campaign and raise awareness so the needs of people with MND are recognised and addressed by wider society.

About the role

This is an excellent opportunity for an organised and detail-focused professional to join our Research and Innovation team as a Research Funding Officer. The Research Funding Officer plays a vital role in supporting the administration and delivery of research funding competitions, ensuring applications are managed efficiently, fairly and to a high standard. 

Working closely with researchers, reviewers, advisory panel members and colleagues across the organisation, the Research Funding Officer will help coordinate key funding processes and contribute to the delivery of high-quality research that advances understanding of motor neurone disease (MND). The Research Funding Officer will also support the ongoing development of systems, processes and stakeholder engagement activities that underpin successful research funding programmes. 

Responsibilities

Main Responsibilities:

• Support the Research Funding Operations Manager to run the funding rounds for the various Association funding schemes throughout the year.
• Support in the organisation of the Biomedical and Healthcare Research Advisory Panel meetings.
• Communicate with panel members regarding conflict of interest, assessor allocations and panel documentation.
• Take responsibility for setting up funding rounds and other commissioning-related tasks using the new Research Grant Management System.
• Support the wider team as a Research Management System Subject Matter Expert.
• Run fortnightly commissioning check-in meetings with the Research Funding team.
• Create detailed project plans for funding competitions with final approval by the Operations Manager
• Create relevant Panel documents such as application summaries, agendas and other meeting documentation
• Create communications (outcome letters) for research applicants ready for the Research Funding Operations Manager to dispatch
• Support the maintenance of the two Research Advisory Panels by keeping records up to date and sourcing new members when required in collaboration with the Research Portfolio team.
• Assist the Research Funding Operations Manager in planning and setting up online and in-person Advisory Panel meetings.
• Maintain accurate records of research contacts (eg grantees, applicants, panel members, reviewers) on internal databases.
• Assist the Research Funding Portfolio Coordinators in sourcing peer reviewers for submitted applications and set up and run the peer review and rebuttal process using the Research Grant Management System until this process is fully managed by the Ops team.
• Ensure that Research Funding Portfolio Coordinators are identifying and sourcing qualified peer reviewers on time according to the commissioning timelines, when needed. Support researchers in the submission of applications to specific funding schemes, in particular questions about using and applying through the Research Grant Management System.
• Ensure that applications to the Association’s research funding schemes are treated fairly and equitably as described in the appropriate Research Governance Overview documents.
• Assist in the process and template development and testing of the new Research Grant Management System.
• Work collaboratively with other Directorates in the Association to showcase the research portfolio and document impact and involvement.
• Manage the team mailbox on days when the Research Funding Administrator isn’t available.
• Respectfully challenge processes and make suggestions for improvements.
• Contribute to the strategic direction and operational effectiveness of the Association.
• Undertake any other task relevant to the job purpose and ensure that all functions performed reflect the Association’s core values.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Essential Criteria:

• Experience with digital systems, such as Research Grant Management Systems.
• Experience with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Excellent communication verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to process and check data accurately and consistently.
• Accurate numeracy skills and a strong attention to detail.
• Proven ability to work on own initiative.
• Flexible approach to a variety of work.
• Good time management, with the ability to prioritise and to work to deadlines.
• A thorough approach to record-keeping and completing tasks.
• Experience in research funding in charities and other relevant organisations, such as

Required Qualifications

• Degree in relevant scientific field (desirable)

Compensation & Benefits

• 28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays
• Access to UK Healthcare, including dental, eye care, health screenings, and therapies
• 24/7 GP access via phone and video
• Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Buy/Sell Annual Leave)
• Access to the Benefit Hub for discounts on everyday shopping
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Opportunities for training and personal development

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the Northampton office and remotely

How to apply

• Please apply via our website.
• To support an inclusive application process, we are open to receiving alternative applications from candidates who may find it difficult to complete our online form. If you would like to apply via video or audio file, please send your recorded application, ensuring you cover the supporting statement aspect, to [email protected]

Interviews

• Once we have shortlisted candidates, we'll get in touch with all applicants to let you know if you've got to the next stage.

Policies

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We work to remove barriers for everyone affected by MND, including employees, volunteers, and stakeholders. As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the role's requirements.

The information provided to the MND Association when applying for a vacancy will be treated in full accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The MND Association is committed to protecting your personal information and being transparent about what information we hold, whether you are a donor, volunteer, shopper, campaigner, or a person living with or affected by MND. For more information, visit the Privacy Policy 

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