Higher Research Officer

Job summary

Government Skills, formally Government Skills and Curriculum unit, was created in 2020 to improve the coherence and quality of learning and development in government through better training, knowledge and networks. It is the backbone behind The Campus, a term used to unite all the locations, on and offline, where over 450,000 Civil Servants across Government develop the skills, knowledge and networks they need.

The aim was to accelerate the development of the skills, knowledge and networks of all civil servants, reaching across the wider public sector and delivering better public services for citizens across the country.

As we move into a new era under a new Government the aim is to reduce the cost of learning and improve the quality of outputs by moving to a new operating model. This is an exciting time of growth for Government Skills with new positions being created to support the future operating model.

Evidence and Impact

The Evidence and Impact team within Government Skills is responsible for ensuring that hundreds of millions of pounds of annual spend on developing the skills, knowledge and relationships of the Government workforce is evidence-based and impact-led. We use a combination of analytical methods covering monitoring/data analytics, social research, evaluation, statistics, behavioural and user research, and economic analysis to provide robust, purposeful insights to inform business decisions. Our evidence supports the creation of effective policy and strategy on the future skills needs of the government and wider public sector workforce, and supports effective design, commissioning and delivery of the interventions required to achieve this. The Evidence and Impact team is moving towards being a Centre of Skills Evidence, with this representing another step forward in our rapid growth to date. This will involve us continuing to support Government Skills and the wider skills sector with their evidence needs.

You can find more information about Government Skills on our GOV.UK page: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-skills-and-curriculum-unit including about our team: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/evidence-based-learning-and-development

Job description

As Evidence and Impact Research Officer you will contribute to the design and delivery of monitoring, research and evaluation projects which contribute programmatically to the evidence base on ‘what works’, for who, in what conditions, and why, when building the capability and skills of the civil service and public sector workforce. As part of a diverse, and expanding, analytical team you will work in partnership with other analysts, and with policy and delivery colleagues, to build capacity across the system to develop and mobilise high quality evidence to develop the government and public sector workforce we need to deliver the Government’s Missions and other key priorities.

You will apply your social research knowledge, skills and relationships to support robust and purposeful monitoring and evaluation approaches for specific programmes. You will support innovation through ‘test, learn and grow’ approaches by supporting the team to find the right balance between speed of evidence and rigour. You will contribute to evidence reviews and mapping exercises to ensure we are making best use of existing evidence, and contribute to recommendations for new research and evaluation projects based on this. You will work with colleagues to design and deliver research projects which help us to understand the capability, learning and development landscape across Government, and help us design interventions that really improve the skills that matter, and work in the varied contexts of the civil service and public sector. You will work proactively across the whole Civil Service to support policy, delivery and investment teams working on civil service and public sector workforce capability, ensuring they have the evidence and tools they need to make
decisions.

You will report to a Grade 7 Evidence and Impact Lead, and alongside a varied team of social researchers, economists and statisticians across all grades. You will work on a range of projects across our varied business areas. These could include monitoring, research and evaluation to support Fast Stream and emerging talent programmes; leadership and management development; core and priority workforce skills like policy or digital, data and innovation; National Security capability; and priority projects, including digital and data transformation projects. This could also include work on Government Major Projects, and projects involving evaluation, research, or planning relating to the development of Government Skills or the Evidence & Impact team. We will support you to develop your core and technical skills and gain broad experience while in post.

Responsibilities will include:

• Undertake and support specific research and evaluation projects, ongoing monitoring activity, and thematic strands of our research
  programme to strengthen the existing evidence base on government and public sector skills, working across the full cycle of intervention design and delivery. This will include designing small scale and less complex research projects for either in-house or commissioned projects, and supporting larger projects
• Working across impact, process and economic evaluation of interventions; systematised evidence reviews; and research projects.
• Taking on specific research responsibilities within larger projects, across the whole research process from design, ethics, data collection, analysis, quality assurance and presentation of findings. It will also include supporting the commissioning of research, for example by contributing to drafting key documents, and supporting contract management and the review of ongoing outputs.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of appropriate monitoring processes and reporting tools, supporting the Government Skills directorate to make full use of data to facilitate appropriate interpretation and decision-making.
• Provide high quality project management support to research projects of varying scale and complexity, for example, by producing project plans and monitoring progress against them; arranging meetings and presentations; and maintaining high quality project documentation.
• Develop a strong understanding of the context for the research projects by reading key documents, attending and contributing to team meetings and events, and building strong relationships with a defined group of stakeholders.
• Apply your existing knowledge and skills of social research methods and proactively upskill yourself on unfamiliar or new approaches, for example, the ethical and robust use of AI within social research, or participatory research methods.
• Work with others to ensure training delivery and civil servant skills policy is evidence based
• Contributing to the effective development of the Evidence and Impact Team as we move towards becoming a Centre, by leading on at least one cross-cutting work area, for example, developing shared resources to support high quality research and evaluation methods and processes across the team, and supporting team development.

Person specification

Candidates must be badged into the Government Social Research (GSR) profession at SRO level, as detailed later. Candidates who are not badged are still eligible to apply but would be required to complete the GSR knowledge test.

Essential:
● Knowledge of research and analytical methodologies and ability to demonstrate practical application of both qualitative and quantitative approaches through project-based work.
● Experience of undertaking analysis, using different sources of data and accurately interpreting results, demonstrating attention to
detail.
● Knowledge of ethical issues in social research, GSR guidance, quality and Quality Assurance approaches in social research.
● Ability to work in a team to successfully support the design, implementation, and delivery of research and/or evaluation projects in line with customer needs, including proactively managing tasks, and working with and communicating results to people in other professions that are not social research.

Desirable:

● Knowledge of evaluation methods, including, for example, of implementation and process evaluations, impact evaluations, and/or Value for Investment evaluations.
● Experience in project management, or in supporting the delivery of complex research projects.

Additional information:

Cabinet Office policy is that a minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. For some roles, due to their nature and the business need, this may be up to 100%. Requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Memberships

Are you currently a badged member of GSR?
If you are currently badged select 'Yes’ and if you are not currently badged select ‘No’.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,922, Cabinet Office contributes £10,986 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Application process

As part of the application form you will be asked to complete:

• A CV - clearly stating your experience of working in applied social research with dates for each example.
• A GSR eligibility form - Please add your Application ID# to this form and upload it.
• A 500 word Personal Statement/Statement of Suitability, including setting out how you meet the essential criteria in the person specification.
  250 words on how you meet the desirable criteria.
• The GSR knowledge test for those not already badged.

Please note: If we receive a large number of applications for this role, we may carry out an initial sift on the CV only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours. The behaviours (which will be assessed at interview stage and not at application stage) are:

● Making Effective Decisions;
● Delivering at Pace;
● Working Together.

GSR

We require any successful applicant to be a badged Government Social Researcher at the grade at which this job is being advertised. The recruitment process is designed so that relevant stages incorporate the required badging element.

Being part of an analytical profession supports you to build your professional networks, develop your career and stay in touch with best practice. Please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-government-social-research-profession-membership/government-social-research-membership-and-eligibility-guidance#introduction to check the eligibility requirements for GSR professional membership and https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-government-social-research-competency-framework to ensure you meet the requirements for an SRO role within the GSR technical framework.

CV

Please state clearly at the start of your CV whether you are or are not a badged Government Social Researcher and, if badged, the current grade of your badging (you should be prepared to provide proof if requested).

Knowledge Test

If you are successful at the sifting stage of the process and you are not currently badged at the HEO grade, you will be invited to complete the GSR online multiple choice knowledge test.

This is a timed test and must be completed and submitted by the stated date to be considered for the next stage of the process.

Please ensure you inform us ahead of the test if you require any reasonable adjustments to be considered

Interview

Candidates who successfully pass the online knowledge test will be ranked according to their initial sift scores, and the highest-scoring candidates will be selected for interview.

The interview will assess:

• The behaviours listed in the job description, and
• Your technical skills in line with the GSR technical framework and job description.

The interview will also include a scenario-based exercise on a technical topic and questions that assess the GSR technical framework. Further details will be provided to those candidates who are invited to interview.

Interview date: Interviews are currently planned to take place in the weeks commencing 15th July 2026, although there may be some flexibility.

Interview location: Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview

Contact point for applications: Rushda Khandker, Senior Research Officer, Evidence and Impact Team, Government Skills, rushda.khandker@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Reasonable adjustments

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.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via menurecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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.

Further information
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

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/Disclosure Scotland 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 Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

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 offences. 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.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Rushda Khandker
• Email : rushda.khandker@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : menurecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service by email at : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at info@csc.gov.uk. For further information on the Recruitment Principles and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/.

Attachments

Cabinet Office Employee Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 302kB)Cabinet Office Terms and Conditions Opens in new window (docx, 94kB)E&I Eligibility Form Opens in new window (docx, 2525kB)