Research Coordinator

Job summary

We are looking for someone who can support and strengthen Estyn’s research and evaluation work through high-quality, evidence-informed practice. Working closely with the Research Officer, statisticians and analysts, you will contribute to the design, delivery and reporting of research that underpins inspection and thematic studies. You will support qualitative and quantitative research, help analyse and summarise evidence, and contribute to clear, accessible outputs and guidance.

If you’re motivated by public service and keen to strengthen how research informs inspection, thematic work and strategic decision-making, we’d be pleased to hear from you.

Job description

To support the delivery of Estyn’s research and evaluation programme by contributing to the design, implementation and reporting of research activity. The postholder will support both qualitative and quantitative research and contribute to research outputs.

Key tasks include:

• Support the planning and organisation of thematic and evaluative research projects
• Assist in drafting research tools such as interview schedules, survey questions and data collection templates under guidance from the Research Officer
• Support sampling processes and coordination of research activity

• Work with statisticians to integrate quantitative findings into draft research outputs
• Summarise patterns emerging from inspection evidence, survey data and stakeholder engagement
• Assist in contributing to drafting sections of thematic reports, internal briefings and evaluative summaries

• Draft accessible research summaries and internal updates
• Support the development of research-informed guidance and materials
• Maintain awareness of relevant education research and policy developments in Wales

• Support compliance with ethical standards and relevant Government Social Research principles
• Maintain accurate records and documentation of research processes
• Support quality assurance of evidence used in reports and publications
• Provide administrative support for consultations responded to
• Manage the political monitoring system, including weekly round-ups

Person specification

It is essential that you have:

• Experience of contributing to research or evaluation projects
• Ability to gather, organise and summarise qualitative and quantitative evidence
• Strong written skills with the ability to draft clear summaries and reports
• Good organisational skills and ability to manage competing tasks
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team
• Familiarity with basic data analysis tools (e.g. Excel)
• The ability to work accurately and with attention to detail
• Able to work independently and use your initiative, while also working collaboratively and flexibly with others

It is desirable that you have:

• Degree in a relevant subject (e.g. social sciences, education or related discipline)
• Ability to work through the medium of Welsh

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,769, ESTYN contributes £8,913 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Competitive salary and incremental points meaning that you will normally reach the maximum of the pay scale within two/three years of joining us.
• Generous holiday entitlement – 41 days away from work each year (made up of 32 days of annual leave, plus 9 public/privilege holidays (pro-rated for those who work part-time).
• Flexible working - We operate a flexi-time system, giving you the freedom to shape your working day in a way that suits you and meets business needs.
• Support for your well-being – We provide an hour of well-being time per week (pro-rated) for staff. We also provide an employee assistance programme, free annual health checks, seasonal flu jabs, a free eye care scheme and access to Health Insurance Plans through Civil Service Healthcare.
• Support for your family life – generous family friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption leave.
• Tax-free savings – Access to a cycle to work scheme.
• Special offers and discounts – Access to a range of discounts and exclusive offers through the Civil Service Social Club – Sports and Leisure, the Civil Service Motoring Association, the Civil Service Insurance Society and the Charity for Civil Servants.

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, Ability and Experience.

The selection process includes:

A sift of applications: The panel will consider all complete applications. The information you give us in your application is important in deciding whether we will invite you to the next selection stage. Candidates will be assessed at sift on all essential criteria as per the person specification. Desirable criteria will be assessed at sift where there is a strong field of candidates as a second stage after essential criteria have been considered.

Assessment and Interview: Candidates who are successful at the sifting stage will be invited to assessment and interview at our office in Cardiff on 8 June 2026. Candidates will be asked to complete an assessment requiring you to review a small set of qualitative and quantitative evidence and producing a brief written summary of key findings, themes and suggested next steps.

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.

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.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 : Vicky Price
• Email : vicky.price@estyn.gov.uk
• Telephone : 02920 446336

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@estyn.gov.wales

Further information

https://www.estyn.gov.wales/working-us/current-vacancies