Research Grants Manager

Job content

We are delighted you are interested in joining CTRF. The Climate Crisis will define this century and we are far off the path to stabilising global warming. Doing this will require the removal of gigatons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere which is an unprecedented challenge. Carbon removal technologies are still in their infancy and further research, innovation and significant scale up is needed to meet this challenge. At CTRF we will fund research into new ways to remove carbon from the atmosphere, which have their roots in nature but which could be enhanced and scaled significantly using biotechnology. We envisage transformational change, whereby the world responds successfully to the severe and accelerating risks associated with cumulative greenhouse gas emissions.

As a new enterprise, we are ambitious about the long term impact we want to have. We are excited by the opportunity to collaborate, learn and innovate with others with the same passion and commitment to tackling the climate crises. We will be part of the movement of people and organisations working to keep the planet rich and diverse, in which future communities, societies, economies and biodiversity can thrive and be healthy.

One of our first steps is to build a small but dynamic core team to establish CTRF and take it forward. This is where you come in. We are looking for highly motivated people that can come together to create a diverse and expert team with the capabilities to grow CTRF and make an impact on the climate crises. If you are ready for the opportunity to make a difference, please join us.

Dave Hillyard, CEO

Sarah Wagstaffe-Jones, Director of Research

About The Carbon Technology Research Foundation (CTRF)

Big problems need visionary solutions. By identifying and then funding promising research into ways to remove carbon from the atmosphere, we will do our bit to build a safer future.

We are visionary professionals that believe in urgent action to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to help prevent dangerous warming. We believe in the power of technology to supercharge the solutions already found in nature, and we look forward to collaborating with people who share our vision and commitment to a different world.

Founded in Oslo in late 2020 by Norwegian entrepreneur Stig Arff, CTRF seeks to apply private sector principles to the challenge of climate change. It forms the grant-making body of its member company, Fremr (www.fremr.no), a private equity firm with a focus on sustainable investments based in both the UK and Norway, that has made a 10 million Euro founding commitment to CTRF.

For more information visit https://www.ctrfoundation.com

The Role

Salary: £35 - £42k, depending on experience

Accountable to: Director of Research

Hours of work: Full time, permanent. Part time also considered.

Location: Hybrid working with time in the Oxford office. This role requires the right to work in the UK.

Other: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, pension, healthcare & life insurance.

Job Summary

The Research Grants Manager will directly support the Director of Research in all aspects of developing and delivering the CTRF portfolio of research projects. This will include the day to day management of pre and post-award research grant processes.

The Manager will work closely with the Director of Research and other team members to set up and manage all stages of the grant awarding and management process, thus ensuring that CTRF funds research of the highest quality. This will include outreach, solicitation, assessment, due diligence, review, contracting, reporting and monitoring.

Whilst collaborating with all the CTRF team, the Manager will also be required to work independently, taking the lead responsibility for delegated initiatives and projects and exercising sound and measured judgement. The Manager will need to be able to handle a demanding and varied workload, managing their time and prioritising their work effectively and efficiently and contributing to the activities of the small team, being flexible and able to respond to new opportunities and challenges.

Candidate Profile

An experienced grant manager who has been involved in the full cycle of grant giving processes, preferably in an academic research or funding agency environment. A confident self starter, able to take the initiative and get things done, consulting and collaborating with others to get high quality outcomes. Strong communication and interpersonal skills and ability to manage financial/budgetary information in an accurate and timely manner.

Responsibilities

1. Managing research projects

• Implementing appropriate grant information and application forms and guidance notes
• Advertising funding opportunities and developing and maintaining related web content
• Implementing governance and management processes for grant administration and peer review
• Provision of support and advice to potential grantees in the preparation and submission of research grants and awards
• Organising events for applicants/grantees to allow effective information sharing, learning, collaboration and progress to be disseminated

2. Managing external engagement with the research community

• Providing advice on eligibility and selection criteria to grant applicants
• Supporting Advisory Council members with documentation and responding to questions
• Preparing communications and grant decisions to applicants and facilitating delivery of particular actions or feedback
• Preparing grant contracts and associated correspondence
• Monitoring financial spend and post-award grant management
• Gathering and analysing data and preparing interim or final reports
• Supporting the delivery of new and renewal bids/proposals
• Gathering stories and research outcomes and updates for use in external communications and impact reporting
• taking responsibility for Twitter and Linkedin posts on the CTRF accounts relating to our research programme and projects
• building our contact database of scientists on Hubspotand keeping them informed of CTRF activities as appropriate

3. Research Team Administration

In addition to managing research funds, the post holder will support other research administration activities including:

• Managing regular and ad hoc coordination and communications relating to the research activities
• Organising meetings/visits to and from grantees and funders/potential funders
• Undertaking review/evaluation projects and activities to inform management/strategic decision making (e.g. analysis of research portfolio, development of case studies)

Essential Requirements

• Educated to degree level or equivalent, preferably in a biological or biochemical science subject
• Demonstrated administrative and project management experience, preferably within the higher education or foundation/trust sector
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including written and verbal communication skills
• Able to write clearly and effectively
• Well-developed diplomacy skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a wide range of stakeholders
• Strong project management skills
• Able to present and analyse statistical information and interpret numerical data
• Able to organise own workload effectively and flexibly, and manage deadlines
• Proven IT skills (e.g. word processing, e-mail and spreadsheets), and the ability to work with corporate databases and reporting tools

Desirable Requirements

• Experience reviewing and understanding budgets and financial proposals
• Knowledge of the climate research funding environment

How to Apply

For informal discussions about the post, please contact Dr Sarah Wagstaffe-Jones (swagstaffe-jones@ctrfoundation.com).

Please submit a CV and short cover letter of no more than two pages outlining your interest and suitability for this role to recruitment@ctrfoundation.com by midnight on Sunday 22nd January 2023.

The document should be saved in MS Word or PDF in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document Name-Date (mmyy)-CTRF-RGM. For example: Dave-Hillyard-CV-1222-CTRF-RGM.

Timeline

Closing date for applications: 22nd January 2023.

First stage interviews: W/B 6th February 2023.

Final interviews: TBC

Selection process

All candidates will receive an update regarding their application after the closing date. We advise candidates to add the role email to their safe senders list and regularly check their spam folder.

Equality Statement

Equality and diversity are at the core of the CTRF values. Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.