Senior Research Officer

Job summary

Acas is at an exciting time as we change our structure, ways of working, and culture to be fit for the future. Our mission is to make working life better for everyone in Britain, and our research function covers programmes to understand how we can prevent, manage and resolve workplace disputes and evaluate the effectiveness of our services. We have a unique position as an independent and impartial Arm’s Length Body of the Department for Business and Trade.

As a member of the Research Analysis and Insight team (within the Research, Policy and Guidance unit), the postholder will lead the delivery of research projects using primary and secondary data sources to evaluate Acas’ AI transformation programme.

The role would suit someone who has excellent research skills, strong skills in working with customers for analysis and who has an interest in using research both for improving service delivery and influencing policy. Acas takes learning and development seriously and the successful applicant will be self-aware and engage in continuous development.

The Strategy and External Affairs directorate comprises colleagues from strategy, knowledge management, policy, analysis, and communication functions and so gives a great opportunity to work as part of a highly multi-disciplinary team. You will aid the team leader in conveying a sense of purpose for team colleagues and model Acas values. You will be consultative and an effective collaborator while providing constructive challenge.

Acas' Research Analysis and Insights team (RAI) undertakes and commissions a range of in-depth evaluations and research projects, findings from which are captured on our website: https://www.acas.org.uk/evaluations, https://www.acas.org.uk/research-and-commentary

Role purpose

The purpose of the role is to support the Head of Research in delivering evaluation of the Acas AI transformation projects by:

• Leading evaluation strands on selected workstreams prioritised by the Board that inform identification of use cases for wider roll out
• Collaborating with the Acas economics function to generate evidence to feed into Acas' business case for programme extension
• Strengthening Acas’ capability as an evaluation-led organisation for complex service transformation projects

Job description

The successful applicant will be responsible for:

• AI transformation evaluation strands – undertaking and completing complex and high-profile evaluation strands in line with government analysis function standards, using rigorous and innovative methods
• Evaluation design and delivery – supporting on the design, collection and analysis of data using internal data collection and management of externally commissioned evaluation if required.
• Evaluation support – responding to ad hoc evaluation questions, demands for information and evidence from policy and operational teams, providing a user-friendly and authoritative internal consultancy service.
• Evaluation reporting and communicating – working collaboratively to ensure evaluation findings are communicated effectively and with impact on policy and practice to internal and external audiences, including Acas' funders
• Stakeholder Relationships – establishing strong working relationships with key internal teams.

You will be consultative and able to work collaboratively while providing constructive challenge.

More broadly, as a member of the Strategy and External Affairs Directorate you will:

• Promote diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity, respecting difference and external experience
• Be self-aware and role-model continuous self-learning and development
• Collaborate with others to achieve the goals of Acas together
• Effectively manage resources and budget where required
• Work flexibly and collaboratively with those across the Directorate and wider Acas
• Live the Acas values

Who we are

Acas exists to make working life better for everyone in Britain. We are the experts in workplace matters, we’re impartial, so we’re not on anyone’s side. That means we’re working for everyone to help prevent, manage and resolve workplace issues.

Acas helps employers and employees by providing information, advice, training, conciliation and other services that prevent, manage or resolve workplace problems.

Acas: Britain’s Workplace Experts

Acas has been recognised for its Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace from the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion awards – Disability Confident Highly Commended; Pay Gap award winner and Overall winner for public sector organisations. Acas is committed to providing services and developing policies which embrace diversity, promote equality of opportunity and eliminate unlawful discrimination.

Person specification

The successful applicant will have the following:

Essential Technical criteria

• A thorough knowledge of research and evaluation design, methods, and latest techniques, including main quantitative and qualitative methods (at e.g., post graduate level) with around two years applied experience (Lead)
• Experience designing and delivering medium‑scale or complex evaluations, applying best practice and translating policy needs into clear, robust specifications
• Strong analytical skills, able to assess competing data sources, identify key trends, and draw sound, evidence‑based conclusions
• Proven ability to manage significant evaluation projects, working with other analysts and ensuring legal, ethical, procurement and quality‑assurance standards are met
• Skilled in communicating complex analysis clearly and helping others make effective use of social research evidence
• Able to promote and support evaluation, understanding policy and operational context and advising or educating others on research and evaluation approaches

Essential Experience criteria

• Strong understanding of evaluation design, research methods, and both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, with experience applying them in practice
• Proven ability to lead and manage evaluation projects, including stakeholder engagement and advising others on evaluation design and delivery
• Experience analysing quantitative and qualitative data using relevant statistical, data management and analytics tools (e.g., Excel, SPSS, R, Python)
• Skilled in producing clear, influential oral and written communication for non‑technical audiences in engaging and credible ways
• Experience working collaboratively with internal stakeholders to champion the value of evaluation and support evidence‑informed decision‑making

Desirable criteria – the following will be assessed in the event of a tie-breaker scenario, at the Sift stage only:

• Experience of or interest in application of evaluation methods to AI in operational delivery contexts
• An understanding of and interest in employment relations and labour market issues and policy

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,750, Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service contributes £13,543 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We’re big believers in rewarding people for the amazing work they do. Take a look at some of the fantastic benefits we offer:

• Learning and Development
• Health and wellbeing
• Pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Volunteering opportunities

Could you ask for anymore?

You’ll have access to a Lifestyle website, where you’ll be able to grab savings on a wide range of products, from holidays to your weekly shop.

To find out more, please check out Working for Acas

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

How to apply

Please click on the 'Apply now' button.

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

• Personal Statement and CV: An evidence-based Personal Statement and CV reflecting the Technical and Experience requirements as listed in the Person Specification section of the advert. Your Personal Statement should be no longer than 1,000 words. It should avoid generalised assertions, instead including specific examples of achievements, explaining the degree of challenge, what you did and the outcomes.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the:

• Lead Essential Technical criterion: A thorough knowledge of research and evaluation design, methods, and latest techniques, including main quantitative and qualitative methods (at e.g., post graduate level) with around two years applied experience

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift of all the above requirements or progressed straight to interview.

If a large number of applications meet the minimum standard an interview wait list may be created for this position. This means that if you have met the minimum requirements at sift you may be placed at a ‘Hold’ status for up to 12 months and if we are able to invite you to an interview we will be in touch.

Qualifications details

You must provide evidence that you meet the qualification or professional experience requirements. Please refer to 'Qualifications/Memberships' section in the Job Description attached at the bottom of this advert for further information.

If you successfully pass the sift stage, you will be required to undertake the online Government Social Research (GSR) Knowledge Test; you will be emailed during standard working hours inviting you to complete this. It is a timed test and must be successfully completed to be considered for an Interview.

You will find a practice tests attachment at the end of this advert; it is suggested that you use it to practice before sitting the test.

Please note that if you are already a Badged member of the Government Social Research profession, you are exempt from sitting the online GSR Knowledge Test. Please submit a screenshot of your page on the membership website to HRrecruitment@acas.org.uk before 23 March 2026.

Interview Details

If you have successfully passed the sift, and after you have successfully completed the online assessment (if applicable), you will be invited to an interview via Microsoft Teams, which is likely to take place from week commencing 13 April 2026.

It will be an Experience based interview and it will also include a Presentation that will be used to assess your Essential professional technical skills. The presentation question and instructions will be sent to candidates who are invited to interview.

A reserve list will be created for this position; this means that if you have passed the interview, but we could not offer you this position, you will be placed on a reserve list for 12 months and may be considered for similar positions during that time.

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader, Acas is committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process. If you have a disability and feel that any part of the recruitment process puts you at a disadvantage, we will work with you to make Reasonable Adjustments that support your needs. If you require any changes to help you apply:

• Please contact the Acas Recruitment Team via HRRecruitment@acas.org.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
• Please complete the “Assistance Required” section on the “Additional Requirements” page of your application form to let us know about any adjustments or support you may need during the recruitment process. For example, this might include accessibility arrangements for entering a building or interview room, communication support, modifications to assessment methods, etc.
• You can find out more about the Disability Confident Scheme and Reasonable Adjustments by clicking these links.

Want to learn more about Civil Service recruitment? You can find out more on Civil Service Careers, including information on Success Profiles, writing a Personal Statement, acceptable use of Artificial Intelligence, and what to expect at Interview.

For applicants requiring a visa to work in the UK

Please be advised that Acas does not hold a UKVI Sponsorship Licence, so we cannot consider sponsoring a visa applicant or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship.

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

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 : HR Recruitment Team
• Email : HRRecruitment@acas.org.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : HRRecruitment@acas.org.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Code and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact us on HRRecruitment@acas.org.uk in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from us, you can contact the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

Job Description - G8 Senior Research Officer - AI Transformation Opens in new window (docx, 57kB)Practice Tests - Government Social Research Profession Opens in new window (pdf, 541kB)