Research Advisor

Job summary

At Ofgem, understanding how consumers experience the energy system is critical to shaping decisions that are fair, effective and grounded in real life, and we’re seeking a Research Advisor to ensure those insights are at the heart of our work.

Ofgem is Great Britain’s independent energy regulator. We’re at the forefront of change across the sector, driving toward Net Zero whilst protecting consumers, especially vulnerable people.

We’re offering a permanent opportunity within our Consumer Insight & Behavioural Science function, part of the Analysis profession, where you’ll contribute to work that informs policy across the organisation.

Working across research, analysis and policy, you’ll ensure that consumer voices are reflected in decision-making. From large-scale tracking surveys to in-depth qualitative and deliberative research, you’ll play a key role in building a richer understanding of how people experience the energy system and how that should shape future policy.

You’ll have the chance to work across multiple projects, engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders and helping translate complex policy questions into clear research approaches that deliver insight that informs high-profile decisions.

With strong experience in both quantitative and qualitative research, you’ll bring experience of designing and delivering end-to-end research projects and working with methods such as surveys, in-depth interviews and deliberative approaches. Comfortable working with data and evidence, you’ll be able to interpret complex information, draw clear conclusions and communicate your findings in a way that resonates with non-specialist audiences. Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities will also be key.

In return, you’ll join a collaborative and supportive team working on issues that have a direct impact on consumers across Great Britain. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your expertise, work across a wide range of policy areas and contribute to shaping how consumer evidence informs the future of the energy system.

We have a critical purpose to ensure the energy system works in the interests of consumers, now and in the future. Join us and help ensure consumer insight remains at the centre of decision-making.

Read on and find out more.

Job description

Key Responsibilities:

• Working with policy teams and stakeholders to understand their requirements and translate these into high quality research proposals
• Scoping, designing and delivering quantitative, qualitative (including deliberative) and mixed methods research projects, helping to ensure the consumer voice is central to Ofgem’s policy decisions
• Conducting quantitative analysis of large datasets to draw out insights
• Lead on project management and procurement for commissioned research projects including preparing briefs, liaising with Procurement, reviewing tenders etc, managing research agencies
• Support with research activities delivered in-house including
• Review, assess and summarise research and evidence conducted by energy industry and other external stakeholders
• Promote the ‘voice of the customer’ across Ofgem and externally including through provision of advice, and effective and creative dissemination of research outputs
• Responding to ad-hoc requests for data and insight from internal and external teams including input to policy consultations, briefings, senior speeches and ensuring research is effectively interpreted and communicated in policy papers
• Design engaging PowerPoint presentations and deliver presentations to internal and external stakeholders
• Build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders e.g. peers in other regulators or government departments and research agencies

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Knowledge, expertise and experience of leading the end-to-end design and delivery of quantitative/qualitative research projects and analysis (LEAD)
• Ability to build strong and effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders and to translate policy needs into clear research plans (LEAD)
• Ability to draft high-quality, engaging research reports and presentations
• Ability to evaluate, interpret and synthesise evidence from a variety of sources, coming to logical conclusions and communicating this effectively to senior non-specialists.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and move flexibly between longer-term project delivery and reactive rapid advice and analysis
• Experience analysing large data sets using tools such as SPSS, R or Python.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• You will be asked to conduct a Technical assessment at your interview, details of which will be provided 1 hour prior to your scheduled interview

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,232, OFGEM contributes £10,206 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Ofgem can offer you a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes; 30 days annual leave after 2 years; Excellent training and development opportunities; The opportunity to join the generous Civil Service pension which also includes a valuable range of benefits; hybrid working (currently 1 day a week in the office but this is kept under review), flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Plus lots of other benefits including clean and bright offices based centrally, engaged networks and teams and an opportunity to contribute to our ambitious and important targets of establishing a Net Zero energy system by 2050. This exciting blend of professional challenge and personal reward identifies career opportunities at Ofgem as something to get excited about.

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, Experience and Technical skills.

When you press the ‘Apply now’ button, you will be asked to complete personal details (not seen by the sift panel) and upload a copy of your CV anonymising all details where necessary.

You will then be asked to provide a 1250 word ‘personal statement’ evidencing how you meet the essential skills and capabilities listed in the role profile. Please ensure you demonstrate clearly, within your supporting statement, how you meet each of the criteria listed in the role profile.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected, you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by [https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn].

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.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 : Lewis Buckley
• Email : recruitment@ofgem.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ofgem.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of these Recruitment Principles.

In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via recruitment@ofgem.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website.

Attachments

Role Profile_454124 Research Advisor Opens in new window (pdf, 203kB)Candidate Pack_454124 Research Advisor Opens in new window (pdf, 728kB)Terms and Conditions Apr25 Opens in new window (pdf, 335kB)