Research Officer

ESTYN

Cardiff, UK

On-Site

Expires: Expiring in less than 2 weeks

Policy

Full time

£37,129 - £45,399 per year

Job summary

We are looking for someone who can play a central role in strengthening Estyn’s analytical and evaluative capability through high-quality research. Working closely with the Senior Research Officer, statisticians and data analyst, you will design, deliver and disseminate research that supports inspection, thematic studies and strategic decision-making. The role involves leading qualitative and mixed-methods research, producing clear and influential outputs, and helping ensure Estyn operates as a learning organisation that uses research to inform practice and policy.

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

You will be responsible for leading and supporting research activities across Estyn, delivering high-quality qualitative and quantitative analysis that informs inspection, thematic work and strategic decision-making.

Key tasks include, working with a Senior Research Officer to:

Design and deliver thematic, longitudinal or mixed-methods research studies aligned to Estyn’s strategic priorities.
Develop research questions, methodologies, tools and sampling approaches, drawing on best practice in educational and social research.
Lead qualitative research components including interviews, focus groups and case studies; integrate findings with quantitative evidence provided by statisticians and analysts.
Produce high-quality written outputs including thematic reports, evaluative summaries and strategic insights for senior leaders.
Ensure research findings are valid, reliable and ethical, adhering to relevant standards including the Government Social Research (GSR) Code.
Work with inspection teams to identify patterns or issues requiring deeper inquiry.
Provide research-informed advice and background evidence to thematic project leads, including briefings on relevant literature, frameworks and international practice.
Contribute to quality assurance of evidence used in thematic studies and the Annual Report.
Scan the internal and external landscape to keep Estyn informed of relevant research, policy developments and emerging evidence.
Produce regular internal updates that synthesise research and support inspector and organisational learning.
Promote research-informed practice across Estyn through presentations, workshops and guidance materials.
Collaborate with analysts to identify trends that warrant deeper investigation and to translate findings into accessible narratives.
Build positive relationships with Welsh Government, partner organisations, academic institutions and other inspectorates to support evidence sharing and joint research activity.
Contribute to Estyn’s long-term research strategy and annual research programme.

Person specification

It’s essential that you have:

A minimum of 2:2 in an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate degree
AND either, a relevant social science subject at undergraduate or postgraduate level. Which contains substantial social research methods training. (We would expect social research methods to represent around a third of modules taken) OR at least 4 years’ social research practice experience. (This would be experience designing, managing and conducting research in a research agency, market research agency or specialised research team. For this route you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your research experience and skills).
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret evidence and synthesise varied sources.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to present complex findings clearly to non-technical audiences.
The ability to build effective working relationships across teams and with external stakeholders.
Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

It is desirable that you have:

Experience using software for qualitative or quantitative analysis (e.g. Power BI).
Ability to operate through the medium of Welsh.

Qualifications

A minimum of 2:2 in an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate degree AND a relevant social science subject at undergraduate or postgraduate level. Which contains substantial social research methods training. (We would expect social research methods to represent around a third of modules taken) OR at least 4 years’ social research practice experience. (This would be experience designing, managing and conducting research in a research agency, market research agency or specialised research team. For this route you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your research experience and skills).

Behaviours

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

Seeing the Big Picture
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

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

Knowledge of research methods, techniques & application
Managing & commissioning social research

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,129, ESTYN contributes £10,756 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 31 days of annual leave, plus 10 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 wellbeing – We provide an hour of wellbeing 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, Experience and Technical skills.

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 18-20 February. Candidates will be assessed using the Government Social Research assessment approach. These include:

A knowledge test
An oral briefing exercise which will assess the technical skills and communicating and influencing within the person specification
A general interview following the oral briefing which will cover key behaviours within the person specification.

As we are looking to recruit for a Senior Research Officer and Research Officer, you will have the opportunity to apply for either or both roles. If you apply for both roles, you will be assessed at both levels throughout the interview.

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 : Rhidian Dafydd
Email : rhidian.dafydd@estyn.gov.wales
Telephone : 02920 446336

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Salary range

£37,129 - £45,399 per year