Senior Research Officer

Job summary

Government Skills, formally Government Skills and Curriculum unit, was created in 2020 to improve the coherence and quality of learning and development in government through better training, knowledge and networks. It is the backbone behind The Campus, a term used to unite all the locations, on and offline, where over 450,000 Civil Servants across Government develop the skills, knowledge and networks they need.

The aim was to accelerate the development of the skills, knowledge and networks of all civil servants, reaching across the wider public sector and delivering better public services for citizens across the country.

As we move into a new era under a new Government the aim is to reduce the cost of learning and improve the quality of outputs by moving to a new operating model. This is an exciting time of growth for Government Skills with new positions being created to support the future operating model.

Evidence and Impact

The Evidence and Impact team within Government Skills is responsible for ensuring that hundreds of millions of pounds of annual spend on developing the skills, knowledge and relationships of the Government workforce is evidence-based and impact-led. We use a combination of analytical methods covering monitoring/data analytics, social research, evaluation, statistics, behavioural and user research, and economic analysis to provide robust, purposeful insights to inform business decisions. Our evidence supports the creation of effective policy and strategy on the future skills needs of the government and wider public sector workforce, and supports effective design, commissioning and delivery of the interventions required to achieve this. The Evidence and Impact team is moving towards being a Centre of Skills Evidence, with this representing another step forward in our rapid growth to date. This will involve us continuing to support Government Skills and the wider skills sector with their evidence needs.

You can find more information about Government Skills on our GOV.UK page: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-skills-and-curriculum-unit including about our team: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/evidence-based-learning-and-development

Job description

As Senior Research Officer you will lead and manage research and evaluation projects which contribute programmatically to the evidence base on ‘what works’, for who, in what conditions, and why, when building the capability and skills of the civil service and public sector workforce. As part of a diverse, and expanding, analytical team you will work in partnership with other analysts, and with policy and delivery colleagues, to build capacity across the system to develop and mobilise high quality evidence to develop the government and public sector workforce we need to deliver the Government’s Missions and other key priorities.

You will apply your social research knowledge, skills and relationships to develop robust and purposeful monitoring and evaluation approaches for specific programmes, supporting innovation through ‘test and learn’ by striking the right balance between speed of evidence and rigour. You will lead evidence reviews and mapping exercises to ensure we are making best use of existing evidence, and make recommendations for new research and evaluation projects based on this. You will design and

deliver research projects which help us to understand the capability, learning and development landscape across Government, and help us design interventions that really shift the dial on skills, and work in the varied contexts of the civil service and public sector. You will work proactively across the whole Civil Service to support policy, delivery and investment teams working on civil service and public sector workforce capability, ensuring they have the evidence and tools they need to make decisions.

You will report to a G7, and will work on a range of projects across our varied business areas. These are likely to include Fast Stream and emerging talent programmes; leadership and management development; core and priority workforce skills like policy or digital, data and innovation; National Security capability; and priority projects, including digital and data transformation projects. This could also include work on Government Major Projects, and projects involving evaluation, research, or planning relating to the development of Government Skills or the Evidence & Impact team. We will support you to develop your core and technical skills and gain broad experience while in post.

Responsibilities will include:

• Lead specific research and evaluation projects, ongoing monitoring activity, and thematic strands of our research programme to strengthen the existing evidence base on government and public sector skills, working across the full cycle of intervention design and delivery. This will include designing medium sized or more complex projects for either in-house or commissioned delivery.
• Working across impact, process and economic evaluation of interventions; systematised evidence reviews; and research projects.
• Develop and implement appropriate monitoring processes and reporting tools, supporting the Government Skills directorate to make full use of data to facilitate appropriate interpretation and decision-making.
• Oversee project management (and undertake if required), including ownership of project plans and ensuring projects run on time and to budget
• Alongside the Evidence and Impact Team leads, work closely with internal stakeholders to identify, prioritise and thematically connect longer term and immediate evidence needs (including understanding user needs and implementation contexts for Government Skills’ work).
• Promote innovation in social research methods through applying your existing knowledge and skills, and proactively upskilling yourself, for example, on ethical and robust use of AI within social research, or participatory research methods.
• Specifies, commissions and manage internal research and evaluation projects
• Contribute towards our (externally commissioned or internal) evaluation or research projects being robust, purposeful, efficient and aligned with the Government Campus Evaluation Strategy and other relevant social research and evaluation standards, including the Magenta Book.
• Work with others to ensure training delivery and civil servant skills policy is evidence based
• Contributing to the effective development of the Evidence and Impact Team as we move towards becoming a Centre, by leading on at least one cross-cutting work area, for example, developing shared resources to support high quality research and evaluation methods and processes across the team, and supporting team development.
• Provide advice and support to one or more researchers as required, ensuring they contribute effectively to research and evaluation projects.

Person specification

Candidates must be badged into the Government Social Research (GSR) profession at SRO level, as detailed later. Candidates who are not badged are still eligible to apply but would be required to complete the GSR knowledge test.

Essential:

• Thorough and detailed knowledge of the main quantitative, qualitative and evaluation research methods and experience of their use in more complex projects; this could include process, experimental, quasi-experimental and theory based evaluation designs, as well as other quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation methods.
• An up-to-date knowledge of methodological developments including the role of innovative methodologies; and the ability to apply these methods when and where appropriate
• Experience of communicating the findings of research and evaluation projects effectively to technical and non-technical audiences, and achieving impact through the findings.
• Experience of identifying the need for social research to address or improve a business issue or policy decision, working with stakeholders to co-construct an effective research brief, and of stimulating interest in social research and its applications
• Experience of working in a team to successfully design, implement, manage, deliver and communicate research and/or evaluation projects, including working with people in other professions that are not social research.
• Experience of delivering a diverse portfolio of social research work successfully and managing work flexibly to adapt as priorities change
• The ability to take responsibility and action with regards to legal, ethical, and GDPR requirements, and to ensure relevant outputs are Quality Assured.
• The ability to explore different and creative ways to respond to a request for social research, and to plan accordingly. To include the technical ability to recommend solutions to fill strategic gaps in the existing evidence base.
• Ensure that research projects are project managed properly, for example [but not limited to] drafting documents and slides; producing Gantt charts or risk registers; arranging meetings), working with other people to manage work flexibly to adapt as priorities change.
• Has experience of managing research projects working with other analysts and ensuring relevant legal, ethical, procurement, and quality assurance practice followed, ensuring quality of results and methodological rigour

Desirable:

• Knowledge or experience of the evidence base and research and evaluation methods and measures used in research into skills, professional learning, organisational change, educational evaluation or psychology/learning sciences.
• Able to specify, commission and manage research projects; works within agreed budgets, including experience of having direct responsibility for management of commissioned research or for undertaking social or other relevant research projects of a significant scale
• Holds a track record of managing projects of significant scale, or more complex projects

Additional information:

Cabinet Office policy is that a minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. For some roles, due to their nature and the business need, this may be up to 100%. Requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Memberships

Are you currently a badged member of GSR?
If you are currently badged select 'Yes’ and if you are not currently badged select ‘No’.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £43,760, Cabinet Office contributes £12,677 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

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.

Application process

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

• A CV - Please demonstrate your experience of working in applied social research including clearly stating your social research roles and the dates of your experience.
• A 500 word statement of suitability, including setting out how you meet the essential criteria in the person specification.
• 250 words on how you meet the desirable criteria, if applicable.

Please note: If we receive a large number of applications for this role, we may carry out an initial sift on the CV only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Knowledge Test

If you are successful at the sifting stage of the process and are not currently badged you will be invited to complete the GSR online multiple choice knowledge test.

This is a timed test and must be completed and submitted by the stated date to be considered for the next stage of the process.

Please ensure you inform us ahead of the test if you require any reasonable adjustments.

Candidates who successfully pass the online knowledge test who also meet the minimum benchmark at application will be selected for interview.

GSR Eligibility

We require any successful applicant to be a badged Government Social Researcher at the grade at which this job is being advertised. The recruitment process is designed so that relevant stages incorporate the required badging element.

Being part of an analytical profession supports you to build your professional networks, develop your career and stay in touch with best practice. Please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-government-social-research-profession-membership/government-social-research-membership-and-eligibility-guidance#introduction to check the eligibility requirements for GSR professional membership and https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-government-social-research-competency-framework to ensure you meet the requirements for an SRO role within the GSR technical framework.

Interview Process

If you are invited to an interview you will be asked to give a 5 minute presentation on a project you have led.

The interview will also include a scenario-based exercise on a technical topic and questions that assess the Civil Service Behaviours.

Further details will be provided to candidates successful at sift.

Expected timeline
Expected sift date – tbc

Assessment - 29 June -5 July
Expected interview date/s – wc 6 July

Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

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 cabinetofficerecruitment.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.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

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 and Barring Service/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

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

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

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).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 : Nicola Moat
• Email : nicola.moat@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

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

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service by email at : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at info@csc.gov.uk. For further information on the Recruitment Principles and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/.

Attachments

Cabinet Office Employee Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 302kB)Cabinet Office Terms and Conditions Opens in new window (docx, 94kB)