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Job summary

We are recruiting a Senior Research Officer to support the scrutiny of justice policy within Senedd Research.

You will provide independent, impartial parliamentary research to all Members of the Senedd in their scrutiny, legislative and representative work. This roles involves researching complex policy and legislative issues, evaluating evidence and communicating findings clearly and accessibility to support informed debate and decision-making.

The role requires an understanding of the Welsh political and legislative landscape and the ability to assess how policy, legislative and constitutional developments may affect Wales. You will work closely with colleagues across Senedd Research, recognising that many policy issues cut across traditional subject boundaries and require interdisciplinary analysis.

Senedd Research has a strong culture of collaboration and mutual support. You will contribute to the service’s one-team approach, supporting colleagues during periods of high demand and participating in cross-service groups, editorial activities and wider service improvement initiatives. As organisational priorities evolve, you may be expected to develop expertise in new areas of work or move between teams.

The role provides opportunities for external engagement and collaborative working with other legislatures, institutions and stakeholders both in the UK and internationally.

Job description

The role of Senior Research Officer is varied, intellectually demanding and highly rewarding. You will work at the heart of Welsh democracy, supporting Members of the Senedd and committees by providing timely, high-quality, impartial research and analysis on issues of public importance.

The work frequently involves complex and high-profile policy and legislative issues. Members rely on clear, impartial and accessible advice to support effective scrutiny and decision-making.

You will support committee work across a range of policy areas within the justice field, often dealing with issues that cut across traditional policy boundaries and require and understanding of the Welsh, UK and wider policy landscape.

You will be expected to analyse evidence, identify key issues and communicate complex information clearly to a variety of audiences.

The role offer opportunities to development expertise across a broad range of public policy issues and to contribute to research on emerging and strategically important topics.

You will need to be comfortable working in a fast-moving environment, responding flexibly to changing priorities and rapidly acquiring knowledge in unfamiliar subject areas.

You will have opportunities for external engagement with stakeholders from across the public, private and third sectors, including academics, professional bodies, think tanks and counterparts in other legislatures. You will also develop and apply digital research skills including data analysis, visualisation and the production of accessible digital content.

Key tasks:

• Taking individual responsibility for providing timely, high-quality, impartial research advice and analysis on complex public policy issues, supporting effective scrutiny by Members of the Senedd.
• Supporting Senedd committees, through the provision of evidence-based analysis and briefing across a range of policy areas, including matters relating to justice and areas where reserved and devolved responsibilities interact.
• Analysing and advising on UK level legislation and policy developments and their implications for Wales.
• Providing clear, professional and responsive research support to committee Chairs and Members on issues of public policy, legislation and scrutiny.
• Building strong working relationships with Members, of the Senedd, their staff, academics, practitioners and stakeholders to support high-quality evidence gathering and analysis.
• Producing proactive content, including briefings, blog articles, data visualisation and research papers on justice issues to support open and well informed public debate.
• Contributing to Senedd Research’s “one team” ethos and supporting wider service development.

Similar to all posts in Senedd Research, you are likely to have to cover subject areas outside your immediate field of expertise in response to the information priorities of our customers and to work flexibly as necessary.

Person specification

This section states which skills and experience are deemed to be essential for this role, and also which are considered desirable. You should refer to these in your application form.

Please note, in the event that we receive a high number of applications, the panel will sift against the lead job specific criteria (typically Job specific criteria 1 and 2).

Only those who meet the job specific criteria at this stage will proceed to a full assessment of their application. If a candidate does not meet the minimum requirements during the initial sift, the remainder of their application will not be reviewed.

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

Job Specific criteria:

1. Communication skills: You will communicate complex issues clearly, impartially and accessibly for political and public audiences, both in writing and in person.
2. Research and analytical skills: You will have excellent research and analytical skills, with the ability to work at pace and manage competing priorities. You will be able to critically evaluate legislation, policy, statistical data, evaluations and academic literature, synthesising evidence from a wide range of sources to produce robust and impartial analysis.
3. Sound judgment You will demonstrate sound judgement when advising on politically sensitive or contentious issues , including those involving UK–Welsh government interfaces, intergovernmental disputes, or reserved/ devolved overlap.
4. Independence and initiative: You will have experience of researching and analysing complex public-policy issues in a fast moving environment, demonstrating the ability to work independently, take initiative, rapidly acquire new knowledge and deliver high-quality outputs to demanding deadlines.

Desirable criteria:

The following qualities are not essential for this particular post but have been deemed as desirable. These will only be taken into account in the event of two (or more) candidates acquiring the same score at either application or interview stage.

1. An understanding of justice policy issues and the constitutional context of justice in Wales would be advantageous.
2. Digital skills: Experience with justice-related datasets, social media content development, digital storytelling, or data visualisation.

Welsh language criteria:

The language skills for this post have been assessed Courtesy Level Welsh.

Candidates should have the ability to:

• pronounce Welsh names, answer the phone and respond to simple greetings;
• understand very simple phrases and greetings;
• read very short and simple phrases, or able to interpret content using the technology available; and
• write very simple phrases and greetings

If the successful candidate does not possess these skills, they will be expected to commit to learn them during an agreed period. For further information on the Welsh language levels, please visit our website.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £49,026, Welsh Parliament contributes £14,202 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

Candidates are required to complete an application form through our recruitment portal addressing the job specific and desirable criteria.

Your application must be submitted before midnight on the closing date.

You will be updated on your progress via the email address you first register with. Please check your Junk Mail and Spam folders to make sure you don’t miss any future correspondence.

Interviews will then be held in-person only in Tŷ Hywel, Cardiff Bay.

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 counter-terrorist 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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

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 : Sarah Hatherley
• Email : sarah.hatherley@senedd.wales
• Telephone : 03002006318

Recruitment team

• Email : jobs@senedd.wales

Further information

https://senedd.wales/commission/work-for-the-senedd-commission/

Attachments

Canllaw cyflym ar Wneud Cais Opens in new window (pdf, 47kB)Quick_Application_Guidance Opens in new window (pdf, 47kB)SC-022-26_DisgrifiadSwydd_CY Opens in new window (pdf, 861kB)SC-022-26_JobDescription_EN Opens in new window (pdf, 891kB)