Project Development Officer Roles
Yorkshire Universities Technical Assistance Project
Full-time, 2 Fixed Posts until 30 June 2015
Salary level up to circa £40,000 pro rata
Secondments will be considered and welcomed
We will consider either full or part time (0.5) applicants for these posts
Background
Yorkshire Universities Higher Education Technical Assistance Project for the 20142020 EU Structural Funds Programme
Yorkshire Universities (YU) is establishing a dedicated Higher Education (HE) Technical
Assistance (TA) team to work with three Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in Yorkshire
(Leeds City Region, York North Yorkshire and East Riding, and Humber) on the production
of EU Investment Strategies and the identification and development of a pipe-line of EU
compliant projects (estimated value £12m-20m) for delivery during the 2014-2020 Structural
Funds Programme.
The YUTA Project will access the research and technology strengths of the universities to
work with the LEPs to support local economic growth. It will capture and disseminate HE
good practice in relation to Structural Funds, build HE/private sector delivery partnerships,
identify appropriate match funding (including private) and create a strong pipe-line of
projects for the 2014-2020 Structural Funds Programme.
You will have responsibility for engagement with the LEPs and higher education institutions
at an operational level, and the development of good quality, eligible strategic Research &
Development & Innovation projects to the next 2014-2020 Structural Funds Programme.
You will be a creative individual able identify collaborative opportunities, create
partnerships, build consensus and be able to demonstrate a proven ability to take forward
new projects from idea to funding proposal.
You will be able to demonstrate credibility with a range of stakeholders, be able to work
autonomously and as part of a team. A good understanding of universities in relation to
innovation and knowledge exchange alongside excellent facilitation, networking and
brokerage skills are essential. Knowledge and experience of European Structural Funds
(ERDF and ESF) would be an advantage.
One project development officer post will be based at the Yorkshire Universities
Office on the University of Leeds campus and will cover the Leeds City Region LEP
area.
The second post is likely to be based at the University of Hull and will cover York and
North Yorkshire, and Humber LEP areas.
Both posts will also be based for some of the time at their relevant LEP offices to
support closer working with these partners.
Further information about Yorkshire Universities and its work is available at:
http://www.yorkshireuniversities.ac.uk/
Informal enquiries may be made to Emily Wolton (including secondment and 0.5FTE
opportunities), 0113 343 1586, email e.wolton@yorkshireuniversities.ac.uk
Closing Date: 1700, Friday 31 January 2014
Interviews are expected to be held: week commencing 17 February 2014
Job Description
You will be managed by the Yorkshire Universities Technical Assistance Project Director.
Overall aim of the Job
To work with the Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to support the production
of EU Investment Strategies and the identification and development of a pipeline of EU
compliant projects for delivery during the 2014-2020 Structural Funds Programme.
Main Duties and Responsibilities

Responsible for engagement with LEPs, HEIs and private sector partners at an
operational level, in relation the Structural Funds and the development of good
quality, pipeline of eligible strategic projects:
o This will involve organising and attending regular meetings with LEP, HE and private
sector partners to identify opportunities for collaboration between the region’s HEIs,
LEPs and private sector and to develop funding proposals for new project activity.

Reporting on university innovation assets in Yorkshire:
o You will undertake an analysis of HE activities/expertise and facilities in sector
areas/support to business (e.g. writing summary reports and presenting findings to
partners).
o This is likely to involve conducting desk research and meeting with liaising/meeting
with university partners to understand HE capabilities in a number of areas e.g.
innovation support to companies (both general business support and sector specific).

Developing a pipeline of eligible project applications to the EU Structural
Funds 2014-2020 Programme which respond to shared HE and LEP priorities:
o This will involve working as part of a small project development team and liaising and
consulting with university, LEP and private sector partners to develop collaborative
funding submissions to this new funding programme.
o You will manage the development process of the project applications. This will
involve producing and maintaining key project application and management
documents (e.g. project plans, midterm reports etc.) and the co-ordination and
management of all project work, including monitoring progress of deliverables and
performance, and regular reporting of these to relevant YU members and groups.

Designing and delivering project development workshops to identify
collaborative ideas and potential project partners and for consultation with
partners and wider stakeholders to understand priorities, evidence and
complementary activity to inform bid writing for YUTA projects
This will involve taking a lead role in developing workshop agendas, identifying
speakers and representatives to attend the workshops, facilitating workshop
sessions, producing notes and following up actions outside the workshops to take
forward recommendations.

Progress reporting to the YUTA Project Director:
o For example regular project team and individual meetings with the Project
Director (requiring both verbal and written updates).

You will also be required to perform other duties commensurate with your job
role and responsibility as required by your line manager.
Person Specification
Essential
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
 A proven track record in multi partner project development and the ability to
demonstrate creativity, partnership and proposal development from idea to funding
proposal.
 Good understanding of higher education and knowledge exchange and innovation
 Ability to engage with Local Enterprise Partnerships and other partners (including
private sector)
 Experience of designing and delivering workshops with a range of stakeholders
 Excellent written, oral communication, facilitation and presentation skills
 Excellent IT skills (high degree of familiarity with MS office programmes (Outlook,
Word, Excel, etc)
Personal Qualities
 Highly motivated, committed and effective team member
 Able to work autonomously with the drive, energy and enthusiasm to lead project
development groups and to develop and deliver complex project applications
 Sound judgement and ability to spot key issues and opportunities
 Good organisational skills with an ability to meet tight deadlines and work on and
manage several concurrent activities
 Excellent negotiation and influencing skills with an ability to work, and demonstrate
credibility, with a broad range of stakeholders and partners
 Ability to create and maintain good working relationships with colleagues in different
organisations
 Attention to detail and good analytical skills
Desirable
 Experience of European Structural Funds (ERDF / ESF)
 Knowledge and understanding of at least one of the following broad priority
sectors/themes to be developed by the YU TA Project would be an advantage: Low
Carbon/Renewables, Healthcare and Medical Technologies, Agritech, Advanced
Manufacturing, Higher Level Skills
Additional Information
Yorkshire Universities in general follows the University of Leeds Human Resources policies.
Details of the terms and conditions of employment for all staff at the university, including
information on pensions and benefits, are available on the Human Resources web pages
accessible via the links on the right hand side, or at http://www.leeds.ac.uk/hr/index.htm
Disabled Applicants
One post will be located at the Yorkshire Universities Office, 22 Clarendon Place, Leeds,
LS2 9JY. The second post is likely to be located at the University of Hull.
Disabled applicants wishing to review access to the building are invited to contact the
departments direct. Additional information may be sought from the University of Leeds
Recruitment Officer, email disclosure@leeds.ac.uk or tel + 44 (0)113 343 1723.
Disabled applicants are not obliged to inform employers of their disability but will still be
covered by the Equality Act once their disability becomes known.
Further information for applicants with disabilities, impairments or health conditions
is available in the applicant guidance.