Science Evidence Project Manager (ID4831)

Job summary

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and works on behalf of the Scottish Government and Welsh Government. Our diverse teams of over 3,000 skilled and committed professionals come together to provide research, advice and support to UK Government for safeguarding animal, public and plant health for benefit of the environment and economy.

APHA is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, because it helps us be more innovative and make better decisions. We are dedicated to being an inclusive employer, offering equitable opportunities for all individuals. Our goal is to build a diverse workforce, and we hope to attract applications from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups.

The Science Directorate (SD) delivers high quality, high impact and highly relevant multidisciplinary science. Our People are diverse, talented, engaged and inspired to deliver innovative outcomes.

The purpose of this role is to support, coordinate and drive the delivery, implementation and continuous refinement of the Science Impact Framework and Science Impact & Influence Dashboard. You will work with scientists, analysts, data specialists and senior leaders to improve the capture, analysis, visualisation and reporting of science outcomes and impacts, ensuring that evidence of scientific contribution, influence and organisational impact is robust, accessible and actionable.

The role requires the collation of impact metrics, reviewing impact reporting methods, creating project management tools and supporting staff across the Science Directorate in evaluating the outcomes and impact of their projects. Supporting staff includes the preparation and delivery of training on the use of impact tools and methods for maximising the impact of research (e.g. running workshops and drop-in sessions). This role also includes navigating ways of streamlining impact framework uptake and use by project and portfolio staff. Additional tasks include the review of current performance reporting metrics and the production of impact narratives and case studies for showcasing.

Job description

Science Impact Framework Project:

• Aiding with the delivery of the Science Impact Framework, as an embedding and refining project, including:
• Assisting in the design and development of the Science Insight and Influence dashboard
• Reviewing impact reports created by Science staff and providing feedback as necessary
• Assisting in the collation and reporting of impact data for projects, portfolios and reporting
• Utilising third-party platforms to gather up-to-date data on APHA’s science impact
• Supporting the communication and showcasing of APHA’s impact.

Utilise project management, administrative and communication skills to deliver at pace:

• Manage the Impact mailbox escalating to appropriate contacts or actioning responses
• Organisation of multiple meetings including those with Heads of Department and Lead Scientists
• Producing and distributing rapid summaries of meetings, including archiving
• Populate and monitor project management tools, including version tracking
• Support the planning and delivery of cross-departmental workshops.

Ensure a quality service is delivered through:

• Maintaining a SharePoint file system to store and track key information for immediate retrieval
• Assist with the production and dissemination of impact reports as required by the Senior Science Evidence Manager and Science Directorate.

Support the Science, Engagement, Evidence and Communication workgroup and the wider department:

• Attendance at Departmental team brief (monthly), and in person team meetings (quarterly at Weybridge)
• Attendance at Science, Engagement, Evidence and Communication meetings (monthly)
• Presentations at Department/Workgroup meetings to share knowledge and expertise
• Functional management of staff and mentoring/coaching of staff as required
• Monitoring of shared team mailboxes as required.

Person specification

You will be someone who can combine analysis, impact evaluation, delivery management and problem-solving to a high standard. You will be comfortable working with ambiguity, building new approaches where no established model exists, and balancing strategic thinking with practical implementation; equally proficient discussing impact pathways with scientists, data structures with analysts, and strategic outcomes with senior leaders. This role requires someone who can move the work from concept and pilot stages into a sustainable, embedded business process.

You will need to demonstrate the following:

Experience and Skills

• Research impact and evaluation expertise, including impact assessment frameworks, outcomes measurement, monitoring and evaluation, bibliometrics, citation analysis, and research evaluation methodologies.
• Strong analytical skills with experience analysing complex datasets, interpreting research intelligence, and using tools such as SciVal, Overton, Altmetric, Power BI, and other data visualisation platforms to generate actionable insights.
• Knowledge of scientific, evidence, and policy environments, including scientific publishing, policy influence metrics, and the development of impact narratives and case studies.
• Excellent communication and reporting skills, with the ability to translate complex technical information into clear reports, dashboards, presentations, and stakeholder-focused narratives.
• Project and stakeholder management experience, including gathering business requirements, coordinating multiple stakeholders, managing shared mailboxes, and delivering work to agreed standards and timescales.
• Strong organisational and digital capabilities, including proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications (Excel, Outlook, Word, Visio, SharePoint Online) and experience of, or willingness to learn, Power Automate and Power BI solutions.

Qualifications

Relevant biological/scientific undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in a scientific research setting

Security clearance

The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Government’s response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason, all postholders based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance or above. It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the residency criteria. Applicantsmust be currently resident in the UK & have at least three years continuous UK residency as this is a requirement to work at the Weybridge site where the team and work is situated.

Workplace arrangements

The post holder must work from the location listed in the Location section of the advert.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expect