AddressDepartment
The York Law School and the Centre for Applied Human Rights (CAHR) at the University of York are looking for a highly experienced, initiative-oriented and constructive-driven Research Director to provide operational leadership to the Beyond Compliance Consortium (BCC) Research Programme on ‘Building Evidence on Promoting Restraint by Armed Actors’.
Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the BCC Research Programme is a three-years applied research and knowledge exchange initiative that will contribute to the effective prevention and reduction of humanitarian need and civilian harm and facilitate a broader protective environment in armed conflict. The Consortium is built of nine academic-practitioner partner organisations: the University of York (Principal Investigator - PI), the University of Glasgow (Co-Investigator - CoI), Utrecht University (CoI), Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict (CoI), War Child UK, Diakonia International Humanitarian Law Centre, Center for Civilians in Conflict, Centre on Armed Groups, and Fight for Humanity.
The BCC Research Director will be based a CAHR and will work closely with the research's PI, Professor Ioana Cismas, and the CoIs. This is a full-time position (37 hours per week) and the salary range is £44,263 - £54,395. The position is available from 1 April 2024 (or soon after, upon agreement) until the 31st of March 2027.
Role
The BCC Research Director will:
- Provide operational leadership for the BCC Research Programme by overseeing the delivery of the Accountable Grant concluded between the University of York and the FCDO. This includes maintaining an overview of all research components and their implementation in real time and managing the financial administration of the grant, including budget projections and monitoring.
- Oversee the delivery of the contracts concluded between the University of York with the BCC partner organisations. This includes monitoring partner budgets and expenditure, with the support of the Research Programme Administrator.
- Ensure ongoing communication with the operational management counterpart in the FCDO, consulting on challenges as they are encountered and any possible risks.
- Develop systems for effective communication between the BCC partner organisations.
- Participate in BCC Leadership Team meetings and other meetings as appropriate, including with FCDO.
- Ensure ongoing communication with relevant University departments and offices.
- Ensure coordination with the activities of the Generating Respect Hub, other CAHR programmes, the York Law School and the Department of Politics.
- Co-ordinate the BCC Research Programme’s internal and external programme of events and communications, working with relevant research and professional services staff.
Skills, Experience & Qualification needed
The following are role-specific essential requirements:
- Extensive experience of working on complex multi-partner research bids, including drafting and monitoring the delivery of research contracts.
- Proven ability to take initiative in project/programme management and develop constructive solutions for complex challenges whilst facing tight deadlines.
- Excellent knowledge of university procedures and systems relating to grant administration.
- Knowledge of and experience with drafting budget projections, monitoring, and financial reporting.
- Experience working with research and finance technologies, such as Worktribe and Agresso.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
- Interest in international humanitarian law and human rights law.
The following are desirable criteria:
- Experience of working with governmental donors.
- Experience of conducting risk mapping of partners and contractors.
- Experience of line-managing and motivating professional services staff.
Interview date: TBC
For informal enquiries: Please contact Professor Ioana Cismas at ioana.cismas@york.ac.uk
The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.
We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.
We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork
