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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Project Officer (Research Support Service Network) - College of Medicine and Health - 108116 - Grade 6 - **Company:** University of Birmingham - **Location:** Birmingham, UK - **Salary:** £33,002.0 - £35,608.0 - **Contract:** Temporary contract - **Skills:** Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Network Functions Virtualization, Microsoft PowerPoint, Performance Monitor - **Published:** October 14, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=ee8ee37bb562fce8 ## About the Role * Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications). Where no equivalent qualification is held, significant practical relevant experience and expertise in a similar role will be required. * Significant practical experience in a similar role - in particular, experience of using project management tools. * Evidence of literacy and numeracy, with the ability to write clearly, and to analyse information and data. * Highly proficient IT skills, including the wider MS Office suite of programmes including excel and powerpoint. * Ability to understand policy, processes / procedures; also to recommend improvements and implement change. * Excellent analytical skills used to produce reports, identify issues and resolve them decisively. * Excellent interpersonal skills. The postholder must inspire confidence and command authority with a range of colleagues and provide excellent customer service at all times. * Excellent and demonstrable attention to detail - in particular in proof-reading and ensuring evidence to support performance reporting, governance processes, information sharing and external communications. * A high degree of professionalism, tact, and diplomacy, and the ability to exercise discretion regarding the handling and management of sensitive information/issues. * A high degree of initiative, personal judgement, resourcefulness, flexibility, and a self-motivating approach. * Ability to work effectively in a large, complex organisation, and to develop a good understanding of how the University and higher education institutions within the RSS Network function. * Knowledge of the protected characteristics and duties under the Equality Act 2012, including fostering good relations and advancing the universities Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). Other relevant criteria from our equality and diversity knowledge, skills and experience document . * ## Description The role will support delivery of the RSS mission - that being to support access to funding for healthcare research, from pre-application through to post-application phases for healthcare researchers (NIHR and non NIHR funded) in England. With a central portfolio team based at the University of Birmingham, the RSS Network provides strategic leadership and coordination to 8 RSS expert Hubs and the 4 RSS Specialist Centres (2 for Public Health and 2 for Social Care) across England. Drawing on the breadth of expertise and experience across the partnership, we foster collaboration to maximise impact of the RSS Network to deliver a national service that is equitable, innovative, and responsive to the needs of researchers across health, public health, social care, and the industry sector. A new national RSS Network strategy provides aligned strategic direction, to collaboratively deliver a 'One-RSS' mission. The national strategy will define and drive the brand identity, coordinate development of a consistent national network of research support, and surface-and-share innovations to continuously enhance the quality of the service. The RSS Network will contribute to the Government's health and growth missions by delivering on the 'three big shifts' and NIHR's mission to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. The role will be hosted within the University of Birmingham's Research Delivery team, part of the College of Medical & Health Research Office. The Research Delivery team is a vibrant hub for Professional Service staff (~120 individuals) supporting high-value, strategically important projects and programmes. We work closely with both Professional Services colleagues and Academics across the University and partner organisations, to maximise the impact of funded research, and lead on the development of renewals for large infrastructure awards. The portfolio of research supported is wide ranging ( https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/medical-dental/index.aspx ) This role will be embedded within the Research Delivery team's Applied Health pillar (currently providing programme and project management support to over £100m of research funding) and benefit from established relationships with programme partners and key stakeholders including NHS Trusts, collaborating research institutions both locally, nationally and globally, patient and public contributors, charities and funders., Working to the Research Support Service (RSS) Network Project Manager within a central Portfolio Management Office (PMO), you will assist in the management of and deliver governance functions and elements of project / programme delivery throughout the portfolio life cycle, across the National Institute for Healthcare Research (NIHR) Research Support Service (RSS). In order to flexibly use resource, you may be offered the opportunity to work elsewhere in the department or wider University., Project Officers will manage smaller projects in their entirety or manage elements of larger projects or assist in management of one or more larger projects and portfolio level governance / quality processes through the provision of well-developed and timely support. You will be expected to work proactively and use your initiative and planning skills to set your own priorities to ensure progress is maintained as expected, identify any issue and propose solutions. Main Duties include: * To support the delivery of RSS Network objectives including Project delivery, governance forums, workstream delivery and working groups within the RSS portfolio. This includes management of elements of larger projects or smaller projects and governance / quality / performance processes on your own as required. * Support may include some or all of the following: * carrying out project planning activities; * identifying milestones which will need to be adhered to; * data collection and analysis; * milestone tracking/key performance indicator tracking; * developing and proposing solutions for any issues; * recommending improvements to project management; * preparing progress reports for project boards or other meetings; * Meeting coordination and support, including but not limited to meeting organisation, minute-taking and after-action reporting. * assisting in budgetary monitoring and management, including reporting; * assisting with stakeholder management, developing and maintaining regular contact with internal and external stakeholders to understand requirements; * assessing and escalating issues and risks as part of managing the portfolio risk strategy, as directed. * Contribute to developing communications plans, presentations, and promoting the projects and outcomes of projects / workstreams. * Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of project management methodologies. * Determine short term priorities for own work, ensuring you maximise quality, efficiency and continuity. * Assist in the evaluation and review of projects. * You may be asked to manage other colleagues working on the project/s and this will include allocating work. * Supports the University's sustainability agenda through resource efficient working. * Fosters a fair and equitable workplace for all staff. * Identify and respond to equality and diversity issues in line with relevant university policies and procedures. * Any other duties commensurate with the grade.