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Applicant guidance for Evidence Synthesis Programme Prioritisation and Advisory Group membership

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Published: 27 October 2022

Version: 3.0 July 2023

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Background information

The NIHR funds health, public health and social care research that leads to improved outcomes for patients and the public, and makes the health and social care system more efficient, effective and safe. We work closely with stakeholders across the system to ensure we address the challenges they face and are responsive to their research needs.

This recruitment round seeks to appoint an NHS representative to the Evidence Synthesis Programme Prioritisation and Advisory Group (ESPPAG). ESPPAG will support the Evidence Synthesis Programme (ESP) Director in an advisory capacity as well as prioritising topics that will be allocated as work to the Evidence Synthesis Groups (ESGs).

What are NIHR Advisory Groups or Committees?

To enable delivery of the NIHR research programmes, we support a number of different committees including prioritisation and funding committees, and advisory groups. These are composed of independent individuals with the broad spectrum of knowledge, skills and experience needed to get a well-rounded view of research needs and research assessment. We seek input from patients, members of the public, academics, subject experts, clinical staff, service managers, health, social care and public health professionals.

These committees are essential to NIHR research programmes as they provide independent input, assessing research briefs and proposals, and as such are the cornerstone to ensuring that only the highest quality research is funded.

What do NIHR Committee members do?

Our committees serve different functions, so the nature of the tasks undertaken vary depending on the purpose of the specific committee. In general terms they help to ensure that research is high quality, scientifically robust, represents good value for money and meets the needs of patients, the NHS and the wider public. Members of ESPPAG will be asked to contribute on the following:

Advisory Group

ESPPAG will provide advice and guidance on the work and future strategic development of the ESGs and how this can inform health care decisions within the NHS and social care settings, including the Devolved administrations.

Advisory Group meetings will be held up to a maximum of twice a year, alternating between in-person (London) and virtually. The first meeting will be held in July 2023.

Prioritisation

ESPPAG will review and prioritise topics that have been proposed by stakeholders. ESPPAG will provide the ESP Director with the following support:

  • Strategic advice on the topic prioritisation processes
  • Oversight and prioritisation of topics received by the ESP, ensuring appropriate balance, affordability and quality
  • Helping to manage the ongoing pool of prioritised topics and re-prioritising when required by considering the importance, original priority, deliverability and the ESG portfolio
  • Guidance on the overall value for money of topics under consideration

Prioritisation meetings will be held every two months, virtually, for up to 2 hours. 

How are Advisory Group or Committee members appointed?

Members are usually appointed via open advert for a fixed period of time. In some instances, for example when particular areas of knowledge, skills or experience are required to support the work of a particular committee, an individual may be directly appointed by the Programme Director.

Membership is open to people from across the United Kingdom and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

The NIHR is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture, as outlined in our EDI strategy 2022-2027. We want everyone to realise their full potential and make a positive contribution. We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and communities. We are committed to having leadership and teams that are made up of diverse skills and experiences. To find out more, visit our equality, diversity and inclusion page.

We will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments to remove barriers to this post in the application process. If you have any access needs or require any support throughout the application process, please contact the programme liaison stated in the advertised role. If appointed, we will also work with you to identify adjustments to carry out the role.

Applications to become a member will be considered for the best match between the skills and expertise the committee needs to recruit, and the knowledge and experience of applicants.

Successful applicants may only serve on one NIHR committee at a time* and will have a period of tenure of three years with the option to extend this for a further two years.

Members are asked to subscribe to our mailing list to receive email updates, newsletters and information about calls for proposals. Members can unsubscribe from our mailing list at any time.

*No individual should be a standing member of more than one NIHR Research Programme Funding Committee at one time, other than in very exceptional circumstances when no other person is available to cover the role. Those people who are involved in awarding NIHR Research Training and Leadership Programme funding (NIHR Academy Programmes) can also be a member of an NIHR Research Programme Funding Committee so that they have insight into the research pathway.

Role description, responsibilities, and Terms and Conditions

Advisory Group and Committee member role and responsibilities

  • To act in accordance with the agreed Advisory Group’s Terms of Reference (ToR). An offer to become a member will include details of its ToR.
  • To prepare for meetings by reading the agenda papers and supporting papers in advance and raising any issues for clarification with programme staff. The agenda and associated papers can be lengthy documents and may require considerable preparation.
  • From your professional perspective, undertake a detailed review of research topics, briefs and/or applications along with other papers, as required by the role, and provide feedback and contribute to general discussion of the merits of each at the meeting.
  • To regularly attend meetings and to be an active member of the Advisory Group.
  • To contribute to discussions and decision-making that take place during meetings, drawing on overall knowledge and experience, and with consideration of the papers provided.
  • To participate in appropriate training, development and support activities (likely to be the equivalent of one day per year).
  • To declare any conflict of interest in accordance with the protocols of the committee and as instructed by the Chair.
  • To maintain the confidentiality of agenda papers, discussion and decisions made.
  • To liaise promptly with programme staff regarding all administrative matters relating to the meeting, for example, submission of required paperwork, expense forms, commitment to meeting dates and confirming attendance.
  • To inform NIHR of any changes to contact details and to update member profile regularly (e.g. annually when prompted by programme staff).
  • In addition for prioritisation committees, if allocated a research topic or brief to present at the meeting, members are asked to prepare in advance by spending a short amount of time reading around the subject and asking colleagues with relevant expertise for their views on the importance of the topic.

Terms and conditions

  • Duration of role - successful candidates will be advised of their term of office at the time of appointment. In most cases it is likely to be three years; though in some cases there may be an option to extend for a further two years. Members may not serve on more than one NIHR committee simultaneously. A maximum overlap of one meeting of each prioritisation or funding committee is permitted.
  • Payment - members (other than chairs) are not paid to undertake the role, however they can claim reasonable expenses associated with their committee work (e.g. travel costs within the UK) in accordance with our policy.
  • Support for members - support is available from programme staff at any time. Programme staff will work with new members to ensure an appropriate induction programme is in place.
  • Attendance - if members are unable to attend a meeting, they should still undertake assessment of their allocated committee topics, research briefs or applications to ensure that their views are represented at the meeting. If a member is unable to attend three consecutive meetings (unless due to exceptional circumstances) they may be asked to tender their resignation so that a new member may be appointed.
  • Declarations of interests/conflict of interests - all members are required to declare if they have any interest that might be in conflict with their committee member role, for example whether they are connected to an application to be discussed as either an applicant or co-applicant. We will ask any member with a conflict of interest relating to applicants to leave the room for that agenda item. Members should declare any other conflict of interest such as if an individual is known personally, or if the member could gain financially if the research was funded. If there is a potential conflict of interest, the risk should be raised with the programme staff or meeting Chair immediately. In addition, NIHR committee members are required to complete and sign a declaration of interests form when they join; this information is to be reviewed and updated at least annually thereafter.
  • Continued Professional Development (CPD) - In discussion with the relevant professional body, members may be able to claim CPD points. Where appropriate, NIHR will provide written confirmation of a member’s contribution.
  • Expert review - The contributions and perspectives of external reviewers inform the decision-making process in committee meetings. Serving committee members are not asked to undertake reviews during their period of tenure, but will be invited to join the NIHR Reviewer Community on completion of their term.

Generic person specification

ESPPAG candidates should have a breadth of experience and knowledge of UK health issues. A good understanding of the evidence synthesis landscape would also be useful.

Role criteria – knowledge, skills and experience

Esssential

  • Knowledge and understanding of the importance of, and need for, health and social care and/or public health research
  • Relevant clinical/healthcare background; current or recent experience of working in or with the UK health sectors
  • Relevant qualifications and registrations

Desirable

  • Knowledge and experience of prioritisation processes
  • Knowledge and experience of NHS, social care or public health R&D, including research methods

Applicants must be able to:

  • Understand, review and summarise information from long documents
  • Confidently and constructively take part in meetings and group discussions
  • Clearly communicate and share feedback and thoughts
  • Use a computer-based management information system and be computer literate

Application process

To apply for a role you need to undertake the following steps:

  • Review the advert, role description and person specification
  • Complete and submit the online application form
  • In addition to your application form, provide an up to date and relevant summary curriculum vitae (2 to 4 pages)
  • As part of our recruitment process, we monitor all applicants data and you will be asked to complete an anonymous equality monitoring form. After the closing date, you will receive an email from the NIHR EDRS – Equality and Diversity Recording System, asking you to complete the form. You can be sure we will deal with your data responsibly.
  • If you have any queries regarding your application, please contact agmembership@nihr.ac.uk in the first instance