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Research Assistant
Wales Centre for Public Policy

The Wales Centre for Public Policy is a unique £9 million initiative which is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and Welsh Government, with additional support from Cardiff University. Its mission is to increase the use of research evidence by government and public services in order to improve policy decisions and outcomes for the public.

The Centre is independent of government but works closely with ministers, civil servants, local government, and the health service to generate high quality evidence and analysis that informs and improves national and local strategies, policies, and programmes. It is part of the UK’s What Works Network and collaborates with colleagues from across the UK and internationally to mobilise evidence that addresses major economic, environmental and societal challenges.

The Centre’s Research Apprenticeship scheme runs on an annual basis. Previous apprentices are studying for PhDs, working in the UK and Welsh Governments, and some have progressed to research posts in the Centre. We are seeking an outstanding graduate who can bridge the worlds of research and policy and is committed to producing high quality, policy relevant research and analysis. This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of current policy debates including how to achieve a just transition to a Net-Zero, reduce poverty, and promote recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

You will work with experienced researchers to scope and undertake assignments for Welsh Government ministers and public service leaders and be mentored by the Centre’s senior staff. You will have opportunities to undertake two work shadowing placements with relevant governmental/policy organisations such as the Welsh Government and to contribute to academic papers.

The Centre offers a stimulating and supportive working environment within a highly motivated and collegiate team. You will have access to the wealth of training opportunities provided by Cardiff University. The post is full-time. We support hybrid working and other flexible working arrangements but expect staff to work from our offices in the new purpose-built Social Science Research Park (SPARK) located on Cardiff University’s £300 million Innovation Campus at least two days per week.

Applicants are asked to answer the following question at the start of their supporting statement. Your answer should be as concise as possible and must not exceed 250 words per question.
The Wales Centre for Public Policy provides evidence to enable Welsh Government, local authorities, health boards and other public bodies in Wales make policy decisions and improve public services. Imagine that we’ve been asked by the First Minister to provide evidence on what factors the Welsh Government would need to take into account in order to assess whether it is possible to achieve Net-Zero in Wales by 2035. He needs a report in three months’ time. What steps would you take to provide evidence on this question?

For further information, please see this blog and piece which takes stock of the Apprenticeship Scheme. If you have any questions about the role or for an informal discussion about it, please contact the our current Research Apprentice at [email protected]

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), advertised on a 12 month fixed term basis from 01 July 2023.

Salary: £29,762 - £34,314 per annum (Grade 5).

Date advert posted: Thursday, 4 May 2023

Closing date: Thursday, 1 June 2023

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Main function

You will work alongside experienced researchers in the Centre on projects that directly address the evidence needs of Welsh Government ministers, local authorities, and the health service as well as academic research on evidence use in the policy process.

The post offers a unique opportunity for an outstanding graduate to obtain first-hand experience of policy relevant research, working closely with leading academics, senior policymakers, and public service leaders. It provides an excellent foundation for progression to future academic research or a career in a think tank, national or local government, or the voluntary sector.

In addition to benefitted from mentoring by senior staff in the Centre you will have opportunities to participate in work placements inside government, research organisations and/or think tanks – in Wales and other parts of the UK.

Main duties

• To undertake research to address the evidence needs of government ministers’ and public service leaders by conducting literature reviews, planning projects, identifying, and commissioning experts, and drafting/editing reports.
• To contribute to the Centre’s research on evidence use with opportunities to write journal articles/conference papers.
• To analyse and communicate complex ideas and concepts using appropriate methods.
• To communicate the Centre’s research via policy reports, seminars, newsletters, blogs, and social media.
• To support the organisation of events including seminars, workshops and briefings for ministers and public service leaders.
• To proactively engage in a range of personal and professional development activities that will enhance performance in the role, including those within the Cardiff Researcher Programme.
• To keep a ‘learning log’ to facilitate critical reflection on the experience of working in the Centre and produce a blog capturing these reflections.
• To participate in Centre administration and activities to promote our work to the wider University and the outside world.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1. A 2.1 or above in a relevant discipline.
(Note – this post is not designed for those who are undertaking or have already completed a PhD).

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2. Knowledge of appropriate research methods and techniques.
3. Proven ability to analyse complex information and data and to summarise appropriately.
4. Strong organisational skills and the ability to ensure that projects are delivered on time.

Communication and Team Working
5. Demonstrable ability to communicate effectively in ways that will be applicable to policymakers, practitioners and/or academic audiences.
6. Demonstrable ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Other
7. Excellent inter-personal skills.
8. Interest in and knowledge of current public policy challenges in Wales and beyond.

Desirable Criteria

9. Experience of managing, conducting and/or using research in the public sector, research organisations, think tanks or similar settings.
10. Proven ability to work without close supervision and prioritise tasks appropriately.

Cardiff Business School
Cardiff Business School is a leading business and management school in the UK, holding AACSB and AMBA accreditations and ranked 1st for its Research Environment and 2nd on Research Power (REF2021). The School has a Public Value purpose and focuses on the co-creation of high quality, interdisciplinary education and knowledge that delivers economic, social and environmental value. The School’s activities are oriented towards five Grand Challenges: Decent work, fair and sustainable economies, future organisations, good governance, and responsible innovation.

IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES
It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criterion as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (e.g.16584BR ) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application.

29,762

34,314

Academic - Research

Grade 5