Job summary
- Main area
- Senior Instructional Designer (RSP)
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 6
- Contract
- Fixed term: 21 months (Ends May 2027)
- Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
- Home or remote working
- Job ref
- 980-HRA7281536
- Employer
- Health Research Authority
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Newcastle Blood Donor Centre
- Town
- Newcastle
- Salary
- £38,682 - £46,580 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 31/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Senior Instructional Designer (RSP)
NHS AfC: Band 6
The HRA is a Non Departmental Public Body with the remit to protect and promote the interests of patients and the public in health and social care research. We do this by supporting and promoting a robust and efficient regulatory and governance framework in the UK. We provide the Research Ethics Service (RES), Confidentiality Advice function, assessments and assurances on behalf of the NHS, and learning, guidance and advice for the research community. Our ambition is to make the UK a great place to do research, where more money invested in research goes into carrying out relevant, good quality research.
Our purpose is to ensure that research involving NHS patients and members of the public is approved through a proportionate and robust system, that they are provided with the information they need to help them decide whether they wish to take part, and that their opportunity to do so is maximised by simplifying the processes by which high quality research is assessed. We have already delivered significant improvements by centralising and simplifying the approval of research in the NHS in England, and are undertaking a range of significant programmes to deliver further improvements.
Job overview
· The Senior instructional designer will be responsible for the development and delivery of the digital programme of learning for the Research Systems Programme.
This post is key to the successful, implementation and smooth transition to the new digital services for all users of our research systems. The post holder will work closely with the skills and capability manager but will have clear management over the digital learning required to support the new digital service The postholder will be expected to have experience in Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation (ADDIE), instructional design principles and the design, development and delivery of e-learning
Main duties of the job
The postholder will put in place a digital training strategy to achieve this including: analysis of core IT skills in the workforce including our external stakeholders and HRA community to support the use of the new digital service (RSP). Full analysis of the current business as usual (BAU) training requirements across the HRA landscape with focus on the correct methodologies of learning to support the varying stakeholders with consideration to the 70/20/10 methodology. The postholder will focus their approach on the programme’s transitions stages, set out in the roadmap. They will make sure they deliver the training strategy objectives by optimising the correct methodologies of traditional face to face learning, self-paced learning, webinars and interactive e-learning.
1. The post holder will provide strategic capability, learning and development advice and support to staff, managers, teams change programmes; and external stakeholders facilitating a culture where professionalism is valued.
Working for our organisation
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for you, not just us and the work we do.
We’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that help us to deliver the best services.
We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community. This includes:
• age
• disability
• ethnicity
• gender identity and expression
• religion or belief
• sex
• sexual orientation
• other diverse characteristics
We have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.
When applying to work here, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement – if it works for you, we’ll do our best to make it work for us.
Please note, if applying to our Nottingham or Bristol locations, we are only able to offer the role as home based.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Qualifications:
• Educated up to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area of learning and development/digital learning design
• Diploma level 6 in Instructional Design
• CIPD Level 5 or further training or significant experience in learning and development
• Proficient in Articulate, VYOND, Canva, Synthesia
Knowledge, Skills and Expertise:
• Experience and understanding of evaluating and measuring the performance of services.
• Experience in communications and stakeholder management
• High level of computer skills with demonstrated competence in Microsoft programme, Excel and learning software as appropriate to the role eg Articulate and Camtasia.
• Highly competent in the development of HRA bespoke learning platform/website technology and databases.
• Specialist experience of using digital technologies to create robust, quality-assured online and/or blended learning journeys. This will include:
• up-to-date knowledge and experience of the design and technical implementation of online learning and events management platforms/websites
• Up-to-date knowledge and experience of new and emerging approaches and technologies to support online and blended learning.
• Up-to-date knowledge and experience of software and technical solutions for the development of online learning resources, including: webinars, annotated presentations, podcasts, video and eLearning.
• Data analytical skills (both quantitative and qualitative) including the analysis of multiple sources of information to ensure compliance with targets and performance indicators.
• Knowledge of information governance structures within the HRA and nationally as required by the remit of the post.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise against a background of change and uncertainty.
• Ability to work to frequently challenging deadlines, reprioritising own and others’ work as needed.
• Ability to work in a dynamic, rapidly evolving environment with minimum supervision.
Analytical and Judgemental Skills:
• Highly skilled in design and use of online metrics and analysis of data sets of different types – eg performance metrics, qualitative data and synthesis of recommendations.
• Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis
Interpersonal Skills:
• A proven ability to build, maintain and develop effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders, including subject matter experts and be skilled at facilitating the integration of differing perspectives into online learning journey design.
• Proven experience of working collaboratively in a team structure to meet key performance criteria and deliver to a consistently high standard across multiple, concurrent projects
• Excellent presentation, interpersonal and communication skills, with a high level of literacy and strong command of the English language, along with the ability to review, edit and quality assure design and content to ensure suitability for the online learning environment to engage diverse learner communities.
• The ability to support and mentor colleagues to enhance their professional development in digital learning.
• Evidence of success in efficient and effective project management, to include engaging and collaborating with subject matter experts and other stakeholders
• Skills for communication on complex matters, contentious issues and difficult situations, requiring persuasion and influence
• A willingness to engage and collaborate with subject matter experts and other stakeholders
• Resilient and able to manage a varied caseload of different activities with minimum supervision
- Developed ability to convey difficult messages to senior external stakeholders
Other:
- Commitment to inclusivity and valuing diversity
Person specification
Knowledge, Skills and Expertise:
Essential criteria
- Experience and understanding of evaluating and measuring the performance of services.
- Experience in communications and stakeholder management
- High level of computer skills with demonstrated competence in Microsoft programme, Excel and learning software as appropriate to the role eg Articulate and Camtasia.
- Specialist experience of using digital technologies to create robust, quality-assured online and/or blended learning journeys. This will include:
Qualifications:
Essential criteria
- • Educated up to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area of learning and development/digital learning design
- Diploma level 6 in Instructional Design
- CIPD Level 5 or further training or significant experience in learning and development
- Proficient in Articulate, VYOND, Canva, Synthesia
Analytical and Judgemental Skills:
Essential criteria
- • Highly skilled in design and use of online metrics and analysis of data sets of different types – eg performance metrics, qualitative data and synthesis of recommendations.
- • Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis
Interpersonal Skills:
Essential criteria
- • A proven ability to build, maintain and develop effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders, including subject matter experts and be skilled at facilitating the integration of differing perspectives into online learning journey design.
- • Proven experience of working collaboratively in a team structure to meet key performance criteria and deliver to a consistently high standard across multiple, concurrent projects
- • Excellent presentation, interpersonal and communication skills, with a high level of literacy and strong command of the English language, along with the ability to review, edit and quality assure design and content to ensure suitability for the online learning environment to engage diverse learner communities.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Claire Pettitt
- Job title
- Head of Learning and Knowledge Management
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 02071048238
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