Apply Now
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Policy
Social Research
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
Are you a social researcher looking for an opportunity where you can use your skills and knowledge to help shape government policies and improve the transport system?
Can you lead a team in developing a strategic approach to social research for policy?
If so, we would love to hear from you!
Job description
Railways are central to the functioning of our economy and connecting communities across the country. This is reflected in the billions of pounds that are invested in the network each year by the government, and the ambitious agenda to reform and modernise the railways to put passengers first.
Social research and evaluation at the DfT are about applying established and innovative methods to high-profile, national policy challenges. As a Principal Research Officer, you will lead a team in developing a strategic approach to social research across your policy areas. We are looking for motivated individuals who are strong social researchers and collaborators to work on high-profile areas that will shape the future of the transport policy and investment.
The role advertised is based in the Rail Statistics, Research and Evaluation Team (RSRE), which is a team made up of 15 analysts. You will work collaboratively with other social researchers and statisticians, analysts and economists within your own team and the wider Rail Analysis division. Full details can be found on the role profile.
Responsibilities
You will:
- Provide overall leadership for the portfolio of research in your policy area.
- Ensure that research is targeted to policy needs and will be able to deliver evidence or advice to policy in a fast-paced environment; shape work with stakeholders to impact on policy-making.
- Take a strong approach to prioritisation, making recommendations for where research can have the most impact, and where alternative approaches (such as lighter-touch support and analysis) could be taken.
- Building trusted relationships and communicating effectively with stakeholders and colleagues, including analysts and non-analysts.
- Managing staff, with an emphasis on delivering results through others and supporting people with their development.
If you would like to find out more about what it’s like to work at DfT Rail, please click here.
Person specification
About you
- As a Principal Social Researcher, you will have excellent leadership skills and communication, with the ability to identify solutions to deliver evidence or advice in fast paced environment.
- You will be proactive and organised with excellent project management skills and high attention to detail.
- You will have excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- You will have experience of working as a professional social researcher or analyst, with skills in social research, evaluation and data analysis as per the requirements of the Government Social Research Technical Framework
Additional Information
This role is available to individuals who wish to be spending their office time in London, Leeds or Birmingham, and we would also expect the individual to be willing to travel to visit different locations relevant to the role. If based in Leeds or Birmingham, occasional travel to our London office will be required for key meetings and team events.
A minimum of 40% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace, although requirements to attend other locations for official business, or carry out detached duty in another DfT workplace, will also count towards this level of attendance.
Qualifications
Qualification requirements are dependent on whether candidates are eligible for GSR professional membership under the qualification route or the experience route:
Qualification route:
Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:1, or 2:2 with an additional postgraduate degree.
The degree must include a substantial research methods component, comprising around 30% of the modules taken on the course.
Experience route:
Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:1, or 2:2 with an additional postgraduate degree, in any subject; OR a degree equivalent such as the MRS Advanced Certificate in Market and Social Research Practice.
In addition to the above qualification, applicants must also have at least 4 years experience of social research practice, which may consist of working in a research agency, market research agency or a specialist research team.
On your application, please remember to include details on:
Any social research modules taken as part of your undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
Any relevant professional qualifications you hold, such as the MRS Advanced Certificate or equivalent.
Memberships
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Government Social Research Technical Framework – Principal Research Officer – Knowledge of research methods, techniques & application of these
- Government Social Research Technical Framework – Principal Research Officer – Managing & commissioning social research
Benefits
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.
Find out more about what it’s like working at the Department for Transport.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
How to apply
At the application stage you are required to provide a CV & Personal Statement (max 750 words).
Please tailor these to provide evidence of:
- A broad experience of social research methods and commissioning research projects.
- Working with policy or customers to identify what evidence is needed, and delivering research which impacts on decision-making and policy design.
- Managing competing, and sometimes conflicting, priorities to ensure that high quality work is delivered which meets the needs of the organisation.
When writing your personal statement it may be helpful to use the STAR approach to show examples of specific instances where you have met these criteria. That is:
- Situation – Describe the situation you found yourself in?
- Task – What was the task that you had to complete and why?
- Action – What did you personally do?
- Result What was the result of your actions?
When writing your CV, please provide detail of your work history, including your previous roles and the dates you held these roles.
Please ensure you include your qualification details in the qualification section of the application form.
You will need to meet the qualification requirements for GSR professional membership, as outlined in the Government Social Research Membership and Eligibility Guidance – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Qualification requirements are dependent on whether candidates are eligible for GSR professional membership under the qualification route OR the experience route.
On your application, please remember to include details on:
Any social research modules taken as part of your undergraduate or postgraduate degree
Any relevant professional qualifications you hold, such as the MRS Advanced Certificate or equivalent
The sift is due to take place from 20th September 2023.
Interviews are likely to be held from week commencing 4th October 2023.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
If you are invited to interview and are not currently a member of the Government Social Research profession you will also be invited to sit a Knowledge Test. The Knowledge Test will take place on the day of the interview. The Knowledge Test is used to test the Social Research Professional Competency and assesses the basic knowledge and application of statistical, analytical and research skills and techniques. An example knowledge test can be found here: example knowledge test.
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment could include:
- An interview
- Knowledge test (knowledge test will only be required if you are not currently part of the Government Social Research Profession)
- A Presentation
Youre encouraged to become familiar with the role profile and the Government Social Researchers Professional Framework, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.
The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Document Accessibility
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 job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.
Further Information
For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.
Pre-employment Checking
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 applicants 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.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Rail Resourcing
- Email : RailResourcing@dft.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here
