Social Research Officer Edinburgh, Scotland
Scottish Government
Full Time
Edinburgh, Scotland
32734 - 48762 GBP ANNUAL Today
Job description
Overview:
You will be greatly supported throughout your career. There are a plethora of learning and development opportunities within Scottish Government that you will be offered, to help you develop a broad range of skills and fulfil your potential. We can also offer promotion opportunities to more senior roles (subject to posts being available).
These are permanent and pensionable appointments and new entrants will start on the minimum of the pay range.
A candidate information session for this role will be held online on 4th September 2023, Please register your interest to attend using this link
Further information about Social Research profession can be found at:
As a Research Officer you will:
Competencies
Professional Research Skills/Analysis and Use of Evidence
People Management
Self-Awareness
Communications and Engagement
Improving Performance
Essential Criteria & Qualifications:
Within GSR Route
You are an existing member of the Government Social Research (GSR) professional body. If you are an existing GSR member the onus is on you to provide evidence to confirm this, once this is confirmed you will not be required to undertake the GSR online test.
OR
Qualifications Route
You are eligible to apply for this route if you
meet the following criteria:
have a minimum 2:2 Honours degree in a relevant social science subject with a substantial social research component* OR, a 2:2 in any subject. The qualifying degree must contain a postgraduate degree in a relevant
subject the qualifying degree must contain
a minimum of 30% social research methods covering at least 4 out of the 6 criteria outlined below (it is not sufficient to hold the majority in one area – coverage across all 4 areas is required).
It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate these criteria clearly on the application. If you meet this qualifying criteria you will also need to pass the GSR online test before progressing to the sift.
OR
Experience Route
Essential Criteria
1. Knowledge and experience of applying a range of social research methods to address research questions.
2. The ability to critically evaluate data and other research evidence with accuracy and perception to meet the needs of research users.
3. The ability to communicate effectively (both orally and in writing) on complex issues.
4. Experience of planning, reviewing and prioritising work to deliver results.
Provisional Interview Dates
To be confirmed
We ask that all applicants provide dates when they are unable to attend for assessments between 13th-27th November.
Location
Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee
Minimum Time in Post
You will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of three years unless successful at gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.
In the event that further posts are required, a reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for up to 12 months.
How to apply
When you apply for a role on the Work for Scotland system, you will be asked to upload a CV. Although analytical vacancies do not use the CV, other Scottish Government vacancies sometimes do. We don’t expect applicants to upload a fully up to date CV for this vacancy, however you must upload something to get to the main part of the application.
If you choose to upload a blank word document or such like, this is acceptable for the analytical vacancy. However, if you apply for other Scottish Government roles, you should update this to an up to date CV if required.
For this analytical vacancy, if you choose to upload a CV, we suggest that you do not refer to it in the application answers as sifters will not have access to it. For fairness, only the answers given to the Essential Criteria questions will be assessed.
What we can offer you
Please access the link for the further benefits we offer - https://work-for-scotland.org/our-reward-benefits
Further Information
Please see below candidate pack and application guide for further information of this role
Social Research Candidate Pack - Social Research Officer - CP
Additional Information
If you are interested in this post and would like to discuss further please contact Wendy Kirk at [email protected].
The Scottish Government is a diverse and inclusive workplace and we want to help you demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. If you require any adjustments to our recruitment process, please let us know via [email protected]
Are you looking for a varied role that will help make a difference to the lives of the people of Scotland? Having the right people producing and communicating powerful research is vital to helping us achieve this.
Our social researcher positions are for you if you're bright, motivated and creative, and want to use your talents to help make a difference to the lives of the people of Scotland.
Our social researcher positions are for you if you're bright, motivated and creative, and want to use your talents to help make a difference to the lives of the people of Scotland.
In return, we'll offer you an incredible opportunity to work across the Scottish Government in policy areas like Health, Education, Equality and Social Justice, Environment, Justice and the Economy, informing important decisions with robust research evidence right from the start.
The policy area you work in initially will depend on your skills and experience, and the needs of the Government. As your career develops, you will be supported and encouraged to work right across the range of policy areas affecting people's lives.
You will be greatly supported throughout your career. There are a plethora of learning and development opportunities within Scottish Government that you will be offered, to help you develop a broad range of skills and fulfil your potential. We can also offer promotion opportunities to more senior roles (subject to posts being available).
These are permanent and pensionable appointments and new entrants will start on the minimum of the pay range.
A candidate information session for this role will be held online on 4th September 2023, Please register your interest to attend using this link
Further information about Social Research profession can be found at:
https://www.gov.scot/statistics-and-research
Responsibilities:
Social Researchers provide high quality research-based evidence and advice for Ministers and officials to inform policy development, implementation and delivery.
As a Research Officer you will:
- Work closely with other analysts (statisticians, operational research analysts and economists) and policy makers to inform government policy making.
- Provide research-based advice and expertise to policy teams and Ministers.
- Undertake research activities such as secondary data analysis and reviews of the existing evidence base.
- Build relationships with the policy/practice community and external research community.
- Commission and manage internal and external research projects.
- Make a significant contribution to the aims and objectives of the Social Research Group and the corporate commitment to evidence-informed policy making.
Competencies
Professional Research Skills/Analysis and Use of Evidence
People Management
Self-Awareness
Communications and Engagement
Improving Performance
Essential Criteria & Qualifications:
Qualifications
There are three entry routes to this grade:
There are three entry routes to this grade:
Within Government Social Research (GSR)
Route; Qualification Route; Experience Route.
Route; Qualification Route; Experience Route.
Within GSR Route
You are an existing member of the Government Social Research (GSR) professional body. If you are an existing GSR member the onus is on you to provide evidence to confirm this, once this is confirmed you will not be required to undertake the GSR online test.
OR
Qualifications Route
You are eligible to apply for this route if you
meet the following criteria:
have a minimum 2:2 Honours degree in a relevant social science subject with a substantial social research component* OR, a 2:2 in any subject. The qualifying degree must contain a postgraduate degree in a relevant
subject the qualifying degree must contain
a minimum of 30% social research methods covering at least 4 out of the 6 criteria outlined below (it is not sufficient to hold the majority in one area – coverage across all 4 areas is required).
Qualitative methods, including research design, data collection (i.e. interviewing, focus groups, ethnographic), data analysis (e.g. thematic analysis)- Systematic literature reviews
- Quantitative methods, including research design, data collection (i.e. questionnaire design, sampling, weighting), data analysis (e.g. statistical analysis)
- Interpretation of data (qual & quant), presentation of results, provision of recommendations/ conclusions
- Study design, hypothesis formation, testing and evaluation
- Application of ethics to research
It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate these criteria clearly on the application. If you meet this qualifying criteria you will also need to pass the GSR online test before progressing to the sift.
OR
Experience Route
Alternatively, you may be eligible to apply if you can provide evidence that you have an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2 in any subject; and have substantial work experience in social research. To qualify via this route you must: • Have at least 4 years work experience in a relevant social research practice position • Your social research practice experience must include experience working in a research agency, market research agency or specialist research team
Essential Criteria
1. Knowledge and experience of applying a range of social research methods to address research questions.
2. The ability to critically evaluate data and other research evidence with accuracy and perception to meet the needs of research users.
3. The ability to communicate effectively (both orally and in writing) on complex issues.
4. Experience of planning, reviewing and prioritising work to deliver results.
Provisional Interview Dates
To be confirmed
We ask that all applicants provide dates when they are unable to attend for assessments between 13th-27th November.
Location
Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee
Minimum Time in Post
You will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of three years unless successful at gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.
In the event that further posts are required, a reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for up to 12 months.
How to apply
When you apply for a role on the Work for Scotland system, you will be asked to upload a CV. Although analytical vacancies do not use the CV, other Scottish Government vacancies sometimes do. We don’t expect applicants to upload a fully up to date CV for this vacancy, however you must upload something to get to the main part of the application.
If you choose to upload a blank word document or such like, this is acceptable for the analytical vacancy. However, if you apply for other Scottish Government roles, you should update this to an up to date CV if required.
For this analytical vacancy, if you choose to upload a CV, we suggest that you do not refer to it in the application answers as sifters will not have access to it. For fairness, only the answers given to the Essential Criteria questions will be assessed.
What we can offer you
A meaningful and rewarding career, a collaborative culture and support for your career goals, while promoting a healthy work-life balance. We offer a valuable range of benefits to attract, develop and retain the best talent. Details of the full benefits package can be found by following the link below:
Generous pension scheme- Flexible working arrangements
- 25 days annual leave (increasing in line with service) plus 11.5 days Public & Privilege holidays
- Workplace adjustments for everyone that needs them
- Membership of the Government Social Research Profession
- Access to a wide range of training offered by Scottish Government and the GSR
Please access the link for the further benefits we offer - https://work-for-scotland.org/our-reward-benefits
Further Information
Please see below candidate pack and application guide for further information of this role
Social Research Candidate Pack - Social Research Officer - CP
Additional Information
If you are interested in this post and would like to discuss further please contact Wendy Kirk at [email protected].
The Scottish Government is a diverse and inclusive workplace and we want to help you demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. If you require any adjustments to our recruitment process, please let us know via [email protected]
Scottish Government
www.gov.scot
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Nicola Sturgeon
$25 to $50 million (USD)
1001 to 5000 Employees
Government
National Services & Agencies
1885
