Principal Social Researcher, Resources & Waste Newcastle upon Tyne, England
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About the job
Job summary
In Defra, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people’s lives. We are responsible for England’s environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and lead responsibility for protection from natural threats and hazards. This role sits in the Environmental Quality (EQ) Directorate working across Resources and Waste policy.
Resources and Waste Policy goes to the heart of how society interacts with goods and services, from material extraction, industrial production through to how it is managed as waste. Material resource use is fundamental to how our economy works and is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions as well as other environmental impacts such as biodiversity loss. The 2018 Resources and Waste Strategy signals the path for England to become a world leader in using resources efficiently and reducing the amount of waste it produces.
The Resources & Waste Evidence team is a friendly multidisciplinary team of economists, statisticians, scientists, operational and social researchers working together to provide analytical input across Resources & Waste to support policy decision making. Our social research team contribute to the design and implementation of policy evaluation, commissioning social research projects and supporting policy to understand and design behavioural interventions. Our work touches on many parts of Defra and we work closely with other social research teams in Defra to deliver our goals.
Job description
In this post you will:
Develop and implement an evaluation strategy. This includes managing the delivery of an evaluation budget of £1 million spanning 2023/24 and 2024/25 and overseeing the delivery of the five-year evaluation programme of the Resources & Waste Strategy. This will involve working with analysts and policy teams to develop evaluation plans, frameworks and theories of change to determine evaluation priorities.
Build the profile of social research & behavioural insights across Resources & Waste and Defra. This includes identifying areas for information sharing/join-up with other social researchers in other directorates (e.g., agri-food, air quality, chemicals, and pesticides), bringing in external findings and representing Resources & Waste in evaluation, behavioural insights and social research communities within Defra and across Government.
To set direction, lead, manage and develop a team of a Senior Research Officer, a Research Officer and oversee a behavioural insights project led by a ERSC funded fellow.
Liaise with policy and evidence colleagues to agree priorities, achieve timely delivery of evidence, design and oversee qualitative and quantitative projects providing strategic social research and behavioural insights to support policy and delivery decisions across Resources & Waste and to communicate the analysis effectively to various audiences.
The role is flexible and can be shaped to fit your interests/areas of development. As well as the above there are also opportunities for more hands-on ad hoc analysis (qualitative and/or quantitative). If you are new to Resources & Waste policy, there are a wide range of learning and development opportunities designed to support your knowledge and understanding.
Person specification
We are searching for a social researcher with excellent analytical skills, a strong delivery record and experience working with policy colleagues and other analytical teams.
You should have technical expertise in scoping, design, conduct and analysis of social research projects including evaluation and behavioural science.
You will display excellent interpersonal skills and be a trusted adviser, with the credibility to influence and challenge effectively to gain consensus on complex areas. You will display excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to present complex technical information to a diverse audience.
With exceptional collaborative skills, you will confidently engage to build constructive relationships within your own team, colleagues and senior leaders across the Department.
You will be proactive and organised with outstanding project management skills and high attention to detail.
You will have experience of working as a professional social researcher or analyst, with skills in social research, evaluation and data analysis as per the requirements of the Government Social Research Technical Framework.
Essential criteria:
- Have excellent knowledge and experience of research methods and analytical skills (qualitative and quantitative) with at least three years of applied experience.
- Experience of being a self-starter, demonstrating ability to work on own initiative, and of identifying research needs, designing and specifying research.
- Experience of managing and commissioning social research including contractor management, financial management and resolving legal and ethical issues.
- Experience of analysing, interpreting, and communicating analysis, evidence and concepts clearly in a way that is easy to understand.
- Experience of delivering high quality analytical outputs.
- Able to lead a complex portfolio of work and manage your work flexibly to adapt as priorities change, often at short notice.
- Able to demonstrate ability to build and maintain a network of colleagues and contacts within and outside government to achieve progress on shared outcomes.
- Experience of line management and inclusive leadership.
- Knowledge and/or experience of process, impact and economic evaluations and an interest in learning with new methodologies as needed.
- Knowledge and/or experience of behavioural science and/or research methods.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Working Together
- Making Effective Decisions
Benefits
Defra operates a blended working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.
Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs. There is flexibility to split the working week, spending minimum of 40-60% in the workplace, unless exceptional circumstances apply and/or you are a contractual home worker.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
How to apply
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, 3 x Behaviour statements (max 250 words per statement) and Personal Statement (max 750 words) to cover relevant skills and experience for the role. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
When considering your experience, please tailor your CV and personal statement (max 750 words) to provide evidence of when you have;
- A broad experience of social research and evaluation methods, and commissioning research projects.
- Working with policy or customers to identify what evidence is needed, and delivering research or evaluation which impacts on decision-making and policy design.
- Managing competing, and sometimes conflicting, priorities to ensure that work delivered meets the needs of the organisation.
When writing your personal statement it may be helpful to use the STAR approach to show examples of specific instances where you have met these criteria. That is:
- Situation - Describe the situation you found yourself in?
- Task - What was the task that you had to complete and why?
- Action - What did you personally do?
- Result – What was the result of your actions?
When writing your CV, please provide detail of your work history, including your previous roles and the dates you held these roles.
Please ensure you include your qualification details in the qualification section of the application form.
- Any social research modules taken as part of your undergraduate or postgraduate degree
- Any relevant professional qualifications you hold, such as the MRS Advanced Certificate or equivalent
A variety of assessment tools are available for sift and/or interview through the success profiles method of recruitment.
You do not need to use all elements of the Success Profile, only those which you feel will be most relevant for the role being advertised. We usually recommend testing 2 or 3 elements.
Please state the preferred method of assessment which will best test your selected element(s) of the Success Profile.
You must not add anything additional into the selection process and you must test all elements declared in your advert to ensure your campaign meets the fair and open civil service recruitment principles.
Experience:
Experience is the knowledge or mastery of an activity or subject gained through involvement in or exposure to it. Experience is used to demonstrate what a candidate has previously achieved or their knowledge in a particular field. Experience is usually explicitly related to the job role. It is important to remember that time served in a particular field does not tell you how the candidate has performed in a particular role.
For more information, please see the Defra Intranet for more information on creating a Success Profile.
Sift
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Leadership. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
The interview will be conducted via Telephone.
Location
Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Candidates applying for these roles will be based at one of the Defra hubs as advertised.
For information, our core Defra hub locations are:
- York – the Kings Pool
- Newcastle – Lancaster House
- Bristol – Horizon House (Please note that space at this office is limited and it may not be possible for all Policy roles to be recruited to this location)
- London – Nobel House and 2 Marsham Street
Internal (core Defra) employees can apply for this role and choose to remain in their current location or to be based in one of the advertised locations.
All other applicants will be based in one of the advertised locations.
Defra continues to support a blended working model and candidates are currently expected to attend their office base for 40-60% of the week.
Travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to a base office location.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Merit Lists
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.
Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Please note tests on this vacancy are timed, therefore if due to the need for a reasonable adjustment such as additional time contact us as below.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government 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 wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offenses. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Higher Security Clearance
All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to London may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
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)
- 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.
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team :
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: [email protected]
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission
