Regional Science and Innovation Manager

Role: Regional Science & Innovation Manager (RSIM)

Location: Based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, with travel required within the North East Innovative Region

Salary: £50,088 - £54,879

Hours: 37

Contract Type: Temporary for 2 years

The RSIM will coordinate and drive science and innovation activities to address policing challenges in the North East Region, which includes South Yorkshire, Northumbria, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Cleveland, Humberside, and Durham. The role involves enhancing the effectiveness of Science and Innovation routing between forces and the centre, fostering a culture of innovation, and promoting productivity and value for money.

Policing faces new challenges but through utilisation of tools and investing in technological advancements such as facial recognition, artificial intelligence and drones, resources can be optimised. Working to the Regional Research and Innovation Coordinator you will be central to delivering innovation for policing and the public. Embracing innovative approaches will enhance productivity, ultimately providing a better service to our communities, victims and the public.

Key Responsibilities:

Coordination: Oversee regional Science and Innovation activities in partnership with other innovation networks.
Support: Assist the Regional Innovation Lead in raising awareness of policing problems and embedding innovation into regular operations.
Piloting and Blueprinting: Collaborate with the College of Policing to pilot and plan the implementation of innovative solutions.
Evaluation: Ensure consistent delivery of baselining and evaluation with the College of Policing.
Problem Translation: Translate the policing problem book into local innovation initiatives.
Mapping: Support the mapping of innovation activities.
Decision Making: Provide oversight of regional decision-making and consult with Senior Leadership Teams on funding and prioritisation.
Funding Guidance: Offer guidance on funding opportunities and applications.

Essential Skills and Experience:

Strong leadership and decision-making skills.
Exceptional verbal and written communication.
High-level analytical and interpersonal skills.
Creative problem-solving and resilience under pressure.
Ability to travel within the region.
Experience in delivering complex change.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Desirable Skills:

Experience with OPCCs, public sector procurement, and NPCC structures.
Project or programme management qualifications (e.g., Prince2, MSP).

Skills and experience as documented in the role profile need to be evidenced in your application to be considered for interview

For more detailed information relating to the role, skills and experience for this role, please click here to view the role profile

What we offer:

We offer generous entitlements and supportive policies to enable a better work-life balance, some of which are listed below:

A highly competitive salary and access to a generous pension scheme
Generous annual leave allowance
A wide range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
Flexible working arrangements including flexi-time and hybrid working
A transparent and collaborative team culture underpinned by our core values of Fairness, Integrity & Trust
Comprehensive range of development and leadership courses to develop your career with South Yorkshire Police
Employee Assistant Programme (accessible 24/7) offering confidential support and advice
Flexible lifestyle benefits such as: Blue Light Card, Company Shop, Cycle to work scheme
Committed to embedding sustainability: South Yorkshire Police Sustainability Strategy 2020-2025 (yhrn.police)
Membership to the Sports and Social Club
Access to a wide range of staff support groups and networks

Eligibility:

Applicants must meet the minimum requirement checkable history criteria, which must be taken into account for individuals applying to work with South Yorkshire Police in any capacity. A minimum checkable history of 5 years is required for this role and successfully undergoing recruitment vetting procedure is a pre-requisite of employment with South Yorkshire Police.

Appearance & Standards:

South Yorkshire Police is committed to striking a proportionate balance between self-expression and the need to maintain role sensitive professional standards in dress and appearance. Officers, staff, and volunteers of South Yorkshire Police are permitted to have tattoos visible whilst on duty provided the tattoo is not considered to be unacceptable or otherwise inappropriate. Tattoos will be reviewed as part of the recruitment and selection process.

Smarter ways of Working:

South Yorkshire Police is committed to developing working practices which assist staff to balance their personal and professional lives, whilst meeting the needs of the organisation. This in turn enables South Yorkshire Police to provide an outstanding service to the community.

There are 3 different categories as part of this which are: Fixed, Field and Hybrid.

This role has been evaluated as a hybrid role.

Hybrid: Applicable when the work can be undertaken at any location, whether that be a SYP building or from home.

South Yorkshire Police’s Key Values:

At South Yorkshire Police we have 3 key values which run through everything we do Fairness, Integrity & Trust, the attached document details the key behaviours we expect all employees to adhere to.

Contact details:

For further information about the role, please contact: Jamie Smith on 07464 983914

Closing Date: 4^th April 2025

Closing dates are not normally extended, other than in exceptional circumstances and agreement is made between the Talent Acquisition Manager and the Line Manager for the role.

How to apply:

Please click ‘Apply’

Candidate Information:

Please note that, should you be successful at the interview stage and before appointment, the relevant pre-employment checks are required. These include references, medical clearance, vetting clearance and sickness absence criteria check.

Diversity & Inclusion:

Applications are particularly welcome from female and ethnic minority candidates.

It is really important to us that the department represents the community we serve, in order for us to provide the best service, utilising a range of backgrounds, experience and skills. We support and value all officers and staff and the unique experiences they bring to the role. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from these valuable underrepresented groups.

If you are from an underrepresented group and want to find out more about the support we can offer, please contact our dedicated team on positiveaction@southyorks.pnn.police.uk

In addition, we will look to support anyone who requires Part Time/Job share working hours.

Internal Candidates:

This vacancy is temporary therefore, you must have the support of your current Line Manager to apply. If you are a permanent member of staff, this would be classed as a secondment opportunity. If you are on a fixed term contract, you must contact the Talent Acquisition Team before applying.

Please ensure that you and your current line manager complete the attached consent form. Please email the completed form to the hiring line manager, with the role title and the closing date stated in the subject of your email.

Without support, your application will not be considered any further.

Documents to Review:

For the Police Staff Recruitment Vetting Handbook - Please Click here

For Application Guidance and Tips - Please Click Here

For the FIT Values of South Yorkshire Police - Please Click Here

For Secondment Approval - Please Click Here