Head of Research, Policy and Guidance London, England
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About the job
Job summary
Acas is at an exciting time as we change our structure, ways of working and culture to be fit for the future. As a key member of the Senior Leadership team (SLT), you will lead Acas research, policy, analysis and insight functions. As part of this position, you will set and oversee a programme to gather insight, analyse trends and influence the future of working life in Britain. You will build a strong network across government departments, academic and professional bodies and build Acas’ reputation as the experts on workplace policy and practice, leading Acas’ highly regarded guidance function and Codes of Practice. Influencing internally as well as out is critical: to be successful you will work closely and collaboratively with SLT colleagues across the business and with Acas’ influential Council.
You will do all of this across workplace issues most important to Acas, including conflict management and dispute resolution, equality, diversity and inclusion, mental health and well-being in the workplace.
Job description
- Policy programme – Accountable for ensuring Acas has a proactive policy programme to 'make working life better for everyone in Britain’. You will oversee the process end-to-end from insight through policy development to change and pulling together our Workplace and Inclusive Workplace programmes into a coherent whole.
- Horizon Scanning - Accountable for leading the team’s future focus, including oversight of trends and labour market analysis using internal and external data to identify future requirements and priorities and establish Acas at the front of workplace policy and practice.
- Influencing - Accountable for Acas’ engagement inthe legislative and regulatory arenas, advising and influencing BEIS and OGDs in reviews of employment policy and legislative reform.
- Multi-disciplinary team leadership – accountable for leading and managing multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring their wellbeing, development and professional practice supported by a strong cadre of line managers.
- Research Strategy and Partnerships – Accountable for leading our research functions and collaborating with external sources, such as leading academics and think tanks, to ensure Acas prioritises, plans, commissions research activity in line with Acas strategic priorities.
- Internal Research Leadership – Accountable for providing internal research leadership – ensuring the team provides expertise and oversight of research and surveys to support the organisation's needs, including service evaluations. You will uphold quality assurance of research standards across the organisation.
- Knowledge & Guidance – Accountable for overseeing the initial development of Acas’s new ‘Knowledge Hub’ - a test-bed unit formed to gather and share knowledge of workplace, law, code and practice internally.
- Guidance and Statutory Codes – overseeing the Acas guidance programme, and ensuring it reflects the views of stakeholders and internal colleagues; is timely, accurate, and reflective of best practice / ‘what works’ and policy and legal changes.
- ‘Policy to product’ oversight - Accountable for ensuring teams support the growth of Acas’ Advice and Business Solutions service by providing insight to support the development of evidence-led products and practice.
- Influencing Internal Partners – Accountable for putting research at the heart of policy and practice to develop Acas as a research-led organisation and, alongside Digital Data, and Technology (DDaT), data-driven organisation.
Who we are
Acas exists to make working life better for everyone in Britain. We are the experts in workplace matters, we’re impartial, so we’re not on anyone’s side. That means we’re working for everyone to help prevent and resolve workplace issues.
Acas helps employers and employees by providing information, advice, training, conciliation and other services that prevent or resolve workplace problems. There's no charge for most of what we offer. Acas has been recognised for its Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace from the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion awards – Disability Confident Highly Commended; Pay Gap award winner and Overall winner for public sector organisations. Acas is committed to providing services and developing policies which embrace diversity, promote equality of opportunity and eliminate unlawful discrimination.
Person specification
Experience
Essential:
- Strong track record of leading a policy function from horizon scanning, to developing organisational policy positions with evidence of strong impact influencing practice and culture.
- Experience influencing or working in government (including managing/ influencing the legislative process through regulation, formal consultation, guidance, statutory codes and informal strategic influencing).
- Strong track record in designing and managing a portfolio of high profile and complex policy/research projects and providing research-based advice and briefings to senior leaders.
- Experience leading and managing multi-disciplinary teams.
- Experience initiating and leading strategic partnerships with research/policy/academic institutions and think-tanks – leading to tangible shared outputs and outcomes.
Desirable:
- Experience leading evidence-led guidance or best-practice programmes and/or what works centres.
- Experience of leading service/practice evaluation, to drive research-informed improvements to practice or service delivery.
Technical skills
We are looking for Professional policy capability broadly equivalent to a Grade 6 equivalent of the Policy Profession Standards and Social Research Competency Framework.
- Understanding of the end-to-end policy and research process: from identification of policy questions through research design/methodology and delivery to final publication and promotion.
- Strong working knowledge of data analysis and quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, able to apply the principles and practices of relevant approaches such as user-centred service design and behavioural science.
Note that this is not a specified ‘badged’ research role but we welcome applications from badged Social Researchers, Statisticians and Economists and we will support your ongoing professional development.
Qualifications
Relevant research-based degree in Economics, Social Research or a related Policy subject.
Desirable:
Existing membership of either the Government Social Research, Government Economic Service or Government Statistical Services or equivalent non- Government professional body.
Master’s degree or equivalent.
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Understanding of the end-to-end policy and research process: from identification of policy questions through research design/methodology and delivery to final publication and promotion.
- Strong working knowledge of data analysis and quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, able to apply the principles and practices of relevant approaches such as user-centred service design and behavioural science.
Benefits
We’re big believers in rewarding people for the amazing work they do, take a look at some of the fantastic benefits we offer:
- Learning and Development;
- Health and wellbeing;
- Pension scheme;
- Cycle to work scheme;
- Childcare schemes;
- Interest free season ticket loans;
- Volunteering opportunities.
Could you ask for any more?
You’ll have access to a Life style website, were you’ll be able to grab savings over a wide range of products from holidays to your weekly shop.
To find out more please check out Working for Acas
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Please submit a tailored CV and an evidence-based statement of suitability reflecting the Essential and Desirable Experience/Qualification requirements as outlined in the JD.
Your statement of suitability should be no longer than 1250 words. You will also be required to address the Technical skills for this position in 250 words for each.
You should avoid generalised assertions, instead including specific examples of achievements, explaining the degree of challenge, what you did and the outcomes.
Interview Details
If you have successfully passed sift, you will be invited to an interview via MS Teams which is likely to take place on 27 February 2023. The interview will be an Experience, Technical and Strength based interview and will also include a presentation.
A reserve list will be created for this position, this means that if you have passed the interview, but we couldn’t offer you this position, you’ll be on a reserve list for 12 months if a similar position becomes available.
If a person with disabilities is put at a disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Acas HR Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need accessibility considerations to enter the building or interview room, for communications or adjustments for testing procedures.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
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