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Job description

START YOUR APPLICATION BY CLICKING HERE > http://bit.ly/3lXZKFp

Key information:

• Applications open: Monday 20 February 2023
• Applications deadline: Monday 20 March 2023 (11:55 AM)
• Locations: Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Cardiff, Coventry, Darlington, East Kilbride, Fareham, Glasgow, Ipswich, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Newport (Gwent), Nottingham, Sheffield, Stafford, Wolverhampton, York
• Start date: September 2023
• Salary: £29,000 minimum (London), £27,000 minimum (nationally)
• Number of roles: 94

Join our live recruitment Q&A Session

Interested in finding out more about being a Social Research Officer in Government?

Attend our Q&A session from 2pm to 3pm, Thursday 2 March 2023. The joining link can be found on the Civil Service job profile.

We will give you:

· an outline of the recruitment process for the scheme

· our tips on filling out the application form, including the sift form (attached at the bottom of this page)

· a chance to ask a current social researcher more about their role in government and their career

We will give you:

· an outline of the recruitment process for the scheme

· our tips on filling out the application form

· a chance to ask a current social researcher more about their role in government and their career

Overview

Are you interested in helping shape government policy by producing high quality analysis?

Do you want to develop a career developing technical expertise essential to decision making?

We are recruiting over 90 social researchers to join us to help us deliver analysis and influence the day-to-day lives of every person in the UK.

Join us as a research officer!

Who we are looking for?

As a research officer, you will be joining a community of over 1,800 social research professionals across more than 50 organisations.

As a Research Officer working for a civil service organisation you can contribute to the reporting of social trends, the development of government policy and evaluation of how policies make a difference to public services.

Your work might involve developing surveys, analysing data, producing statistics, reviewing existing research evidence and working with other analysts in government to provide timely, relevant and robust briefing for policy colleagues and Ministers.

The Government Social Research Profession (GSR)

Government Social Research (GSR) is the analytical profession within Government for Civil Servants who generate and provide social and behavioural research and advice.

GSR members enable the government to understand issues relating to society, groups and individuals; and support policy debate and decision-making through a variety of approaches, advice and evidence.

You will be assigned to a department for your first posting within the GSR. We will take into consideration candidates’ preferences on department/location but may not be able to fulfil these on all occasions.

Consider applying if you wish to make a meaningful change to the lives of UK citizens and work alongside other change-makers across the country.

Job description

The Government Social Research Profession:

• provides analytical insight to enable decision makers to understand systems, processes and change associated with people, groups, organisations and society – their attitudes, perceptions, behaviours and intentions – to inform and improve the quality of strategy, delivery and policy debate decision-making
• anticipates and evaluates the impact of government decisions, understand ‘what works, for whom, to what extent, in what contexts, how and why/why not?’
• provides expert social research advice and evidence to design, challenge, reduce risk, trial, improve quality and implement government strategy and policy
• maintains and grows social research professional skills, knowledge and expertise
• represents society through our membership profile and the work that we do

For a sense of the roles available across government, please see the Job Descriptions Pack.

Person specification

To be eligible for a Research Officer Role, there are two entry routes – the Qualification Route and the Experience Route. When applying, make sure you have filled out the Sift Form, which you can download at the bottom of this job advert. You will be asked to upload a copy of the form as part of your application.

Locations

Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Cardiff, Coventry, Darlington, East Kilbride, Fareham, Glasgow, Ipswich, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Newport (Gwent), Nottingham, Sheffield, Stafford, Wolverhampton, York

Entry Requirements

Essential Qualifications

In order to be eligible to apply for these posts you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Qualification route:

− you need, or should expect, to achieve a minimum of a 2:2 in your undergraduate degree in a relevant subject; or a 2:2 in any subject with a postgraduate degree in a relevant subject

− the relevant degree must contain a minimum of 30% in social research methods covering all the criteria outlined below (it is not sufficient to hold the majority in one area – coverage across all areas is required)

− if you satisfy both the Nationality and Right to work: Immigration requirements

− It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate these criteria clearly on application.

• Qualification and experience route:

− you need, or should expect, to achieve a minimum of a 2:2 in your undergraduate degree in a relevant subject; or a 2:2 in any subject with a postgraduate degree in a relevant subject

− the relevant degree must contain a minimum of 30% in social research methods covering all the criteria outlined below (it is not sufficient to hold the majority in one area – coverage across all areas is required)

− if you satisfy both the Nationality and Right to work: Immigration requirements

− It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate these criteria clearly on application.

• Social Research Methods Criteria:

To qualify as a relevant subject, a degree must include quantitative research methods including research design, data collection (i.e. questionnaire design, sampling, weighting) and data analysis (e.g. statistical analysis).

It must also include at least three of the following:

− qualitative methods, including research design, data collection (i.e. interviewing, focus groups, ethnographic), data analysis (e.g. thematic analysis)

− study design, hypothesis formation, testing and evaluation

− systematic/literature reviews

− interpretation of data (qualitative and quantitative), presentation of results, provision of recommendations/ conclusions

− application of ethics to research

It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate these criteria clearly on their application. Please ensure you indicate the number of credits associated with the relevant modules covering your social research methods training.

We receive a high volume of applications for the scheme, so please ensure you are clear and concise in outlining the relevant modules for consideration in the Sift Form.

Qualifications

You need at least a 2:2 or higher in your undergraduate degree.

Nationality requirements:

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

· UK nationals

· nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

· nationals of the Republic of Ireland

· nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)

· relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service

· relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service

· certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Please review the civil service website for further information on nationality requirements.

Selection Process

For further information on the selection process, please download a copy the Candidate Pack on the Civil Service job profile.

· Applicants fill out the online application form. Applicants must also fill out the Sift Form and upload it as part of their application.

· After applications close on 20/03/2023, applicants will be invited to take the GSR Knowledge Test. The test is online, multiple choice and timed. If you need reasonable adjustments, this can be arranged.

· Candidates who meet the pass mark for the test will have their sift forms examined to see if their qualifications meet the criteria.

· Candidates who are deemed to meet the criteria will be invited to book an interview. Interviews will be held virtually on Microsoft Teams. Interviews are expected to take place between 24/04/2023 and 26/05/2023 (excluding Bank Holidays).

· If successful at the interview stage, candidates will then be allocated to a government department. Roles are allocated on your location preferences where possible. It is not possible to express a preference for a Government department, as GSR needs to meet the needs of all government departments equally.

· Onboarding - the employing department will commission security checks and allocate you to your new role. They will advise you on your office location, start date and pay.

· Successful candidates can expect to start their role in September or October 2023.

Recruitment Process

· Stage 1: Applications Open / Applications Close​

o 20/02/2022- 20/03/2023​

· Stage 2: GSR Knowledge Test

o ​ w/c/ 20/03/2023​

· Stage 3: Sift​ 27/03/2023

o 07/04/2023​

· Stage 4: Interviews​

o 24/04/2023 - 26/05/2022​

· Stage 5: Allocation to department​

o June 2023​

· Stage 6: Onboarding and security checks​

o [Can take up to three months]​

· Stage 7: Start Role​ Expected

o September/October 2023​

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• You will be invited to complete a GSR Knowledge Test prior to sift. If successful at the Knowledge Test and sift stage you will be invited to attend a scenario-based interview (further details will be sent to successful candidates)

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to understanding, respecting and representing as broad a range of views and backgrounds as we have in UK society. We know that diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to an effective, modern Civil Service. Our vision is to ensure the Civil Service represents modern Britain and is a truly inclusive employer - an example to other employers. We will create an organisation where diversity is not only respected and valued - but celebrated.

The Civil Service is committed to…

· Challenging the attitudes towards disability

· Increasing understanding of disability

· Removing barriers to disabled people and with those with long-term health conditions

· Ensuring disabled people have their opportunity to fulfil their potential

Benefits:

· Learning and development tailored to your role

· An environment with flexible working options

· A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

· A Civil Service pension

Start your application on the Civil Service website and apply before Monday 20 March 2023 (11:55 AM).

START YOUR APPLICATION BY CLICKING HERE > http://bit.ly/3lXZKFp

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: From £27,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Wellness programme

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in London

Application deadline: 20/03/2023
Reference ID: Civil Service Job Ref: 263303
Expected start date: 01/09/2023