Research Manager (B3)

Job summary

Consumer Scotland was established by the Consumer Scotland Act 2020 and formally took on its statutory functions and powers on 1 April 2022. As a Non-Ministerial Organisation Consumer Scotland is independent and accountable to the Scottish Parliament. The staff of Consumer Scotland are civil servants.

As the statutory body for consumers we work with business, the public sector and consumer champions to put consumer rights, needs and interests at the heart of markets, services and policy. We are committed to working in a way which is fair, transparent, collaborative and evidence-driven and we use data, research and analysis to inform our work.

Consumer Scotland provides consumer advocacy and advice with a view to -

• Reducing harm to consumers in Scotland
• Increasing confidence among consumers in Scotland in dealing with businesses that supply goods and services to consumers
• Increasing the extent to which consumer matters are taken into account by public authorities in Scotland
• Promoting –
  • sustainable consumption of natural resources, and
  • other environmentally sustainable practices, in relation to the acquisition, use and disposal of goods by consumers in Scotland
• Otherwise advancing inclusion, fairness, prosperity and other aspects of wellbeing in Scotland.

Consumer Scotland works across the economy, looking at issues across the public, private and third sectors. We are the levy-funded advocacy body for the electricity, gas, heat network, post and water sectors in Scotland. Our Work Programme sets out our plans for 2026-2027 in these particular markets, as well as within the wider economy.

The Research Manager role sits within Consumer Scotland’s Analysis, Research and Investigations Directorate and will be line managed by the Head of Research. Research Managers work closely with colleagues across Consumer Scotland, particularly our Policy and Advocacy Directorate. Research Managers also work collaboratively with external stakeholders, including government, regulators, consumer groups, service providers and other public and third sector bodies.

Consumer Scotland is committed to ensuring that its policy advocacy is based on robust evidence. Consumer Scotland’s Research, Analysis and Investigations Directorate is central to this ethos, producing rigorous, high quality and policy relevant research and analysis that has impact.

Job description

Role and Key Responsibilities

The post-holder will work as part of the Research Team within Consumer Scotland’s Research, Analysis and Investigations Directorate.

This team primarily provides research leadership and support to the policy teams in Energy, Heat Networks, Water, Post and Consumer Markets. This includes leading the procurement of research projects and project managing commissioned research as well as undertaking literature and evidence reviews. To date the research projects have used a range of methodologies and the research team lead a range of projects, particularly those using qualitative research methods.

The Research Manager will also lead the production of high-quality presentations, policy briefings and reports based on the research findings including supporting the development of actionable recommendations leading to impact.

As part of a relatively small team, the post-holder will work on a wide range of consumer related issues. You will be supported by the Head of Research to work with colleagues across the directorate and wider organisation to deliver high quality research. Projects the research team led during 2025/2026 included:

• Deliberative research project exploring consumer views on Scottish Water’s proposals for future charging and investment
• Qualitative research with heat network operators and suppliers to understand their approach to metering and billing
• Qualitative research to identify solutions that can improve the provision of postal services for Island communities
• Qualitative research on the lived experience of consumers experiencing water debt

In previous years the team have also provided support to projects exploring consumer attitudes, behaviours and experiences in relation to the transition to Net Zero, understanding the experiences of disabled consumers living in Rural Scotland and on the challenges facing private sector tenants when they seek to resolve an issue with their landlord.

The post-holder will therefore be required to have a good knowledge of research design and of the relative merits and weaknesses of a range of different research methodologies particularly in relation to qualitative research. As a member of the research team, they will also manage the commissioning and delivery of external research projects.

While it is unlikely that a candidate will have expertise in all of the subject areas that fall within the remit of Consumer Scotland, subject expertise of relevant experience in at least one of the key areas will be an advantage. This could include energy markets, water, consumer protection, sustainability and net zero, consumer behaviour or another relevant field.

Supported and directed by the Head of Research and the Director of Analysis, Research and Investigations the post-holder will:

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Consumer Scotland by leading and managing research projects that that supports Consumer Scotland’s strategic and statutory objectives
• Provide insight on topical consumer issues through undertaking literature searches and reviews
• Provide methodological and analytical advice and guidance to colleagues across Consumer Scotland’s functions.
• Lead the design of robust, effective and impactful research projects to develop Consumer Scotland’s evidence base by supporting colleagues to design high quality, policy relevant, research
• Commission and manage externally commissioned research projects including ensuring that the research is delivered to a high standard and contributes to Consumer Scotland’s evidence base

Critically review, synthesise and write up evidence using clear and accessible language findings, including from literature reviews and research reports supporting the production of high-quality, impactful policy reports, presentations and blogs which including specific actionable recommendations.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

1. Lead Criteria: Demonstrable track record of designing research projects including developing aims, objectives and research questions and deciding between qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies.
2. Ability to lead the procurement of commissioned projects
3. Significant experience of managing the delivery of impactful research projects using qualitative research methodologies for a policy purpose
4. Knowledge of consumer issues in at least one of the policy areas covered by Consumer Scotland and a willingness to work across other areas falling under our remit.
5. Excellent planning and organisational skills including the ability to prioritise and plan activity to achieve deadlines when working on a number of different projects simultaneously and use initiative and judgement
6. Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, able to critically evaluate, interpret, quality assure and summarise a broad range of evidence for a policy audience in a clear and accessible style. Able to cut through complexity to bring clear, relevant and intelligible findings and recommendations to a range of audiences and stakeholders.

Desirable criteria

1. Previous experience of working within the consumer landscape
2. Experience of undertaking research and analysis to inform policy development
3. Experience of designing and delivering qualitative research projectsusing either deliberative or participatory or behavioural science methods.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £49,401, Consumer Scotland contributes £14,311 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please use your personal statement (in no more than 500 words) to demonstrate how you meet the lead criteria.

In the event of a large number of applicants, applications will be sifted on the personal statement and CV.

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Interview – The interviews, which will be held in-person at Thistle House & will be a competency-based interview focussing on the candidate’s experience and the Civil Service behaviours outlined in the job advert, expected to last around 30-45 minutes long.

Sift and interview dates

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Further Information

Reasonable Adjustment

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 consumerscot.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.

A reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for a maximum of 12 months. Should another role become available within that period you may be offered this position.

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 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

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

The post is a fixed-term role until 31 March 2027. The role is full-time (35 hours per week) but applicants with different working patterns are invited to apply, and we will assess proposed working patterns against the business requirements for this post.

We would also welcome applications from those who would be interested in the role on a secondment basis.

Feedback

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.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 : Jane Williams
• Email : Jane.Williams@consumer.scot

Recruitment team

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

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles and wish to make a complaint you should in the first instance contact consumerscot.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If not satisfied with the response you receive from Consumer Scotland, you may bring your complaint to the Civil Service Commission who will consider complaints where the principle appointment on merit through fair and open competition, and recruitment princes have not been met. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints