Posted on :
7 Feb, 2019
7 Feb, 2019
We are a dynamic, ambitious and growing university community. We offer a friendly working environment and are committed to developing:
Lancaster University Ghana/Transnational Academic Group Ghana is looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic and self-motivated individual with a passion for teaching, research, technical support and a commitment to excellence for a
Job Description
Job Title: RESEARCH/ENGAGEMENT OFFICER (IRP, FITA)
Job Summary
This new high profile role will be an important member of the research team for the £6.8M RECIRCULATE project funded by Research Councils UK through the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). GCRF funding over 4 years will support new partnership-based approaches to enable West African researchers to grow transformational impact through (i) working with, in and for their communities and (ii) developing robust, durable and equitable partnerships with UK researchers. RECIRCULATE is a collaboration between Lancaster University (LUMS LEC, Engineering and Biomedical & Life Sciences), LU Ghana, CSIR Ghana, and University of Benin, with phased expansion to other partners in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Botswana.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
The post holder will play a leading role in Work Package 1: Entrepreneurship and Innovation to develop an 18-months Integrated Research Project (IRP) around Fostering Incubation of Technology across Africa (FITA). This IRP initially focused on exploring, understanding and sharing experiences of incubation models in knowledge intensive environments across RECIRCULATE partners (such as universities and research institutes). It was agreed to support a pilot, creating a CSIR technology incubator at the Institute of Industrial Research. This project could provide physical space, in under-utilized offices and labs at the Institute of Industrial Research facilities in Accra, for technology-focused start-ups, which have the potential to encourage with the CSIR knowledge base and contribute to the CSIR entrepreneurial ecosystem. The CSIR technology incubator could also provide a facility to host SETS workshops, networking events and become a Tech Hub for Accra. Importantly, the model developed by the pilot could be used across all partners
Impact
Business Engagement
Other Duties
The candidate will be required to produce relevant documentation/reports in line with requirements of the funding body as directed.
Duration
The candidate will be part of RECIRCULATE IRP based at Lancaster University Ghana. The appointment would be for 18 months in the first instance but, subject to funding, these could be extended if desirable.
Required Skills or Experience
Required Academic Qualifications and Competencies | Essential/Desirable | * Application Form /Supporting Statements/Interview |
MPhil. Degree or equivalent | Essential | Application Form |
Experience of working with/for or researching small and medium sized businesses, and an understanding of their needs | Essential | Supporting Statements |
Experience of working internationally with multiple stakeholders and/or experience of working in Africa | Essential | Supporting Statements |
Ability to facilitate workshops/sessions or an interest to learn | Essential | Supporting Statements |
Excellent communication skills, both verbal, written and graphical | Essential | Interview |
Good networking skills | Essential | Interview |
Experience of organising and analysing quantitative and/or qualitative research | Essential | Supporting Statements |
Experience of conducting applied academic research | Essential | Interview |
Proven experience in writing, presenting and publishing academic work | Essential | Application Form |
Research interests that overlap or complement: business/entrepreneurship, innovation, networks or entrepreneurial learning, knowledge management | Essential | Interview |
Ability to compile reports (both consultancy reports and research papers) | Desirable | Interview |
An understanding of project-based work – and procedures associated with good working practice | Desirable | Supporting Statements |
Motivated and confident self-starter | Essential | Interview |
Accuracy and attention to detail | Essential | Interview |
Ability to plan and organise own work, and work to deadlines | Essential | Interview |
Ability to work collaboratively in a team both within the School and across the institution. | Essential | Interview |
Ability to gain access and maintain the interest and cooperation of collaborating organizations | Desirable | Interview |
Able to travel to other locations including locations in UK and Africa | Essential | Interview |
How to Apply
* Application Form: Assessed against the application form, curriculum vitae and letter of support. Applicants will not be asked to answer a specific supporting statement. Normally used to evaluate factual evidence e.g. award of a qualification. Will be “scored” as part of the shortlisting process. * Supporting Statements: Applicants to provide a statement to demonstrate how they meet the criteria. The response will be “scored” as part of the shortlisting process. * Interview: Assessed during the interview process by either competency based interview questions, tests, presentation, etc. Qualified persons should please send their Curriculum Vitae (CV) together with a Statement of Support to [email protected] and mention either Research/Engagement Officer(IRP, FITA), Research/Engagement Officer(IRP, WINA) OR Research/Engagement Officer(IRP, SETA) in the subject line.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.