JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE
: Programme Officer - DRILL
RESPONSIBLE TO
: Disability Rights UK Deputy Chief Executive
LOCATION
: Disability Rights UK Office, London N1 6AH
HOURS
: full time 35 hours per week
SALARY
: £28,000 per annum
Background
1
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Disability Research on Independent Living & Learning
(DRILL) Programme
1.1
The Disability Research on Independent Living & Learning (DRILL)
Programme is a UK wide research programme delivered in
partnership by the four major pan-disability organisations covering
each of the UK nations: Disability Action Northern Ireland;
Inclusion Scotland; Disability Wales; and in England, Disability
Rights UK (DR UK).
1.2
The programme will work with groups of disabled people and
academics with diverse expertise to create a new and innovative
research agenda in each nation and UK-wide. It will engage policy
makers and senior practitioners and use dissemination and
influencing strategies to build an appetite for the findings and
ensure that findings inform positive policy and practice solutions, to
fit future economic and social trends.
1.3
DRILL is funded by the Big Lottery. The Programme will have the
following staff:-
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 Programme Manager (Northern Ireland based with extensive
travel across the UK)
 Contract Officer (Northern Ireland Based)
 4 Programme Officers (one per nation)
1.4
DRILL will run for a period of 5 years. It will set up a total of 6
large research projects and 20 smaller research projects that will
result in the establishment of 14 pilot projects. These research
and pilot projects will be spread across the UK.
1.5
The structure of the DRILL Programme is given overleaf.
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Big Lottery
Disability Action
Programme Board
Programme Manager
Contracts Officer
Central Research Committee
Disability
Action NI
NI
NAG
Wales
NAG
Programme
Officer
Disability
Wales
Programme
Officer
England
NAG
DR
UK
Programme
Officer
Inclusion
Scotland
Scotland
NAG
Programme
Officer
NB NAG = National Advisory Group
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Reporting Arrangements
The Programme Officer is responsible to and reports to Disability Rights
UK’s Deputy Chief Executive. The role will be based at DR UK’s office
at CAN Mezzanine, 49-51 East Rd, London, N1 6AH.
Major responsibilities
Major responsibilities will include the following:
 In partnership with the line manager to assist in the development
and manage a detailed project plan for England in line with the
Programme Work Plan.
 Promote the involvement of disabled people, through capacity
building and co-production activities with local Disabled People
User Led Organisations (DPULO's or DPO's).
 To establish and maintain networks in relation to the work and
development of the Programme, for example with disabled
people’s organisations, academics, professional and service
leaders, and government.
 To provide the secretariat support to the National Advisory Group
(NAG) and co-ordinate activities in line with the programme work
plan.
 To assist in the development of Nation specific research and pilot
programme calls in line with programme work plan.
 To work with the National Advisory Group to assist in evaluating
the calls for research and pilot programmes.
 In conjunction with the Programme Manager and Grants Officer, to
provide support at a Nation level to projects which have been
successfully awarded funding.
 To establish and maintain accurate records and monitoring
systems in relation to the Programme activities and to prepare
monthly and other reports as required.
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 To work collaboratively with other Programme Officers in each
Nation and with staff within Disability Rights UK who may provide
support to the Programme.
 To keep up-to-date with new developments within the field of
disability and research that may have an impact on this particular
Programme.
 To ensure that all meetings, events and outreach activities are
accessible to disabled people including ensuring that all
reasonable adjustments requests are met.
 To ensure that accurate records for travel and other expenses of
participants are maintained.
 To evaluate, or assist in the evaluation, of all elements of the
Programme's work.
Other
 To adhere to the policies and procedures of Disability Rights UK.
 To undertake any other duties as may be required from time to
time by the line manager or other appropriate colleague, in line
with the status of the post.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Requirements
 Relevant experience of working to a project plan to deliver specific
outputs and outcomes.
 Relevant experience of working collaboratively with voluntary and
community organisations, including those led by disabled people.
 Demonstrable experience of facilitating a diverse range of
stakeholders.
 An understanding of co-production as a method of joint working in
relation to policy and practice.
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 Experience in collating and analysing programme monitoring
information and producing reports.
 Personal or professional experience of disability or long-term
health conditions.
 Demonstrable awareness of a range of academic research
methods.
 Experience of using community development / capacity building
techniques.
 Knowledge and understanding of funding application processes.
 The ability to communicate and market ideas
 Good administrative skills
Desirable Requirements
 Demonstrate an understanding of disability rights and in particular
independent living.
 Experience in undertaking and delivering research studies.
 Experience of producing evaluation reports.
 A working knowledge / understanding of the government structures
in England.
 Experience of working to tight deadlines and manage a diverse
workload.
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