Research Capacity, Training and Development Lead

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our dynamic Evidence Islington team as the research capacity, training and development lead.

Evidence Islington is a NIHR-funded Health Determinants Research Collaboration that aims to improve how local authorities gather, link and use evidence to inform decision-making and practice, with a particular focus on wider determinants of health (e.g. housing, environment). This initiative is a collaboration between Islington council, Healthwatch Islington, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and University College London. We are curious, collaborative and committed to producing efficient, effective and timely evidence to inform policy and practice, and to meaningful engagement with residents and VCS organisations throughout our work.

You will be responsible for building sustainable research and analysis capacity across the Council and with partners by creating a learning and development offer to improve opportunities for colleagues and partners to gain research skills and practice.

You will have an exciting and fundamental role in enabling officers and local councillors to become 'evidence confident' by supporting others with skills to be evidence users and develop the knowledge and skills needed to choose and use rigorous evidence across our workforce. This will involve developing and overseeing the research training and development programme for staff, working in close collaboration with our partner NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North Thames Academy and the Council's Organisational Development team.

The role is essential to ensure that Evidence Islington develops a research-informed, data-driven workforce and culture.

Proven ability to teach at any level within applied health/methods based research and across a range of subjects at a more introductory level
- Experience of presenting applied health research and/or research around wider determinants of health to a range of audiences including those who deliver or commission public sector services and lay audiences
- Experience of developing (and delivering ) innovative training and courses, course materials and methods of delivery
- Proven ability to support others to upskill and achieve their goal or develop in either a formal or informal pathway
- Experience working in multi-disciplinary and cross-organisational team
- Strong communication skills.

Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council our sense of purpose couldn't be clearer: we serve. It's in the logo. We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Together we can change the future.

We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive.

To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out 'CARE', which is what we think public service is all about.

Watch our video to hear more about our mission and how you can help us achieve it from the Leader of the Council, Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz.
Recruitment information
It is the policy of Islington Council that no user of service, present or future employee or job applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of their sex, perceived or actual sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion or belief, age, creed, colour, nationality, national origin, ethnic origin, or disability, or on the grounds of their association with someone in one of these groups; nor is disadvantaged by any conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justified. We welcome applications from Black and Minority Ethnic candidates and acknowledge our responsibility to mitigate against racial discrimination.
Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and we are committed to providing support to applicants who request reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process and throughout their career with us.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.