Research Council Joint Units and Services

The Research Councils work together to provide a wide range of common business services via joint Council business units. A number of these units also provide services to external customers. Joint units are hosted within individual Councils. Line management and financial accountability are provided through the host Council. The work of the Units is overseen by a supervisory board of representatives from all eight Councils. The operational effectiveness of established units is reviewed on a regular basis by Research Councils Internal Audit Service as part of their audit programme with each host Council.

The current joint units in alphabetical order are:

• Joint Building and Office Services (JBOS)
  JBOS provides efficient, cost effective and timely services to meet the agreed needs of the five Swindon-based Research Councils. The unit is responsible for ensuring that health and safety and other relevant legislation is implemented to ensure that the Polaris House site offers a healthy and safe environment for all employees, visitors and contractors. This unit is hosted by BBSRC.

• Joint Reprographics Service (JRS)
  JRS is the Research Councils in-house reprographic service, based in Swindon. The unit offers a wide range of services to all Research Council staff including design, copying, printing and finishing. This unit is hosted by EPSRC.

• Joint Superannuation Service (JSS)
  JSS administer the Research Councils' Pension Scheme, which is "by analogy" to the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme. The unit offers a range of services, booklets and leaflets to help Research Councils staff understand the benefits of the scheme and to take advantage of the options available. The unit is hosted by BBSRC.

• Audit and Assurance Services Group (AASG)
  The unit provides independent, objective audit and consulting services to the Research Councils. Its aim is to help the Councils deliver their objectives through improving the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance. This unit is hosted by BBSRC.

• Research Council Libraries & Information Consortium (RESCOLINC)

  The Research Council Libraries & Information Consortium (RESCOLINC) is the focal point of the Library & Information Services of the UK Research Councils. Its aim is to obtain optimum information service supply benefits in support of researchers across the entire Research Council sector.
  
  RESCOLINC is associated with the RCUK Research Outputs Network.