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Job summary
We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates
At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels.
Equality and Diversity – Department for Education
We are looking for a qualified and experienced senior researcher or analyst to join the better policymaking team within the Policy Profession Unit (PPU). PPU is a central unit funded by UK government departments and agencies to support them to continuously improve how public policy is developed and delivered. The unit is part of a collection of cross-government teams focused on transformation and policy capability, which are housed within the Department of Education including Policy Lab and the Open Innovation Team. We work closely with these teams as well as other experts in design, innovation and reform across government.
Job description
You will be responsible for supporting high quality analysis, research and evaluation across the teams workstreams, including:
- The Shared Policy Capability Project (SPCP), which is working with government departments to assess the extent to which their systems, processes, relationships, and organisational cultures are conducive to good policymaking and to identify opportunities for improvement in order to deliver better outcomes for citizens and other users; and
- Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) which supports the policy profession in developing inclusive policy making as a core skillset and ensuring the policy workforce truly represents the society it serves.
You will be central to the team by conducting research activities essential to the delivery of these projects, and other projects that may be scoped during your time in the team. These activities may include but are not limited to collating and monitoring central government data on EDI; moderating qualitative research sessions and workshops as part of the SPCP; and synthesising, analysing, and presenting findings for both projects. The role will give you an opportunity to work closely with policy colleagues, whether synthesising data or conducting research yourself as part of a multidisciplinary project team.
Beyond this, you will lead work to build our evaluation approach for both these areas of work, thinking about what success looks like and how we will know if we are making progress towards our ambitions. You will help us evaluate whether our programmes are working effectively and help us assess whether we are making a positive impact on policy making and the civil service policy profession.
The role will be wide ranging and you will need to be confident in using data, developing theories of change, establishing metrics, conducting rapid evidence and literature reviews, utilising qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and quality assuring data and other outputs.
You will utilise your knowledge of government guidance and experience to work with a range of colleagues and stakeholders being a source of advice and guidance to others, and undertaking key analysis, research and evaluation activity yourself.
This is a new role, and the core responsibilities may change over times as the work progresses, but will likely include:
- Collecting, collating, and analysing qualitative and quantitative data and information from SPCP reviews and EDI projects and activity.
- Ensuring there is accurate and comprehensive data collection and analysis to underpin our work.
- Advising on, and improving SPCP and EDI methodologies for collecting, analysing and communicating insight.
- Working with senior staff to design and implement a robust monitoring and evaluation framework for the teams work.
- Designing and/or delivering rigorous evaluation projects that are mindful of the environment in which government policy operates.
- Creating well-structured reports and publications which translate data and evidence in a meaningful way for different audiences.
- Being a subject matter expert for the team, supporting others across the team to build capability and confidence to manage research and evaluation contracts, and to undertake research within the teams.
- Supporting senior leaders by providing insight, evaluation and other specialist support in order to support them in making decisions and PPUs priorities.
Person specification
Essential criteria
This post is open to all those who are badged members of the government social research profession and can demonstrate capability at senior research officer level of the: Government_Social_Research_Technical_Framework_v4.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk),.
You should be able to demonstrate experience of the following criteria:
- Up to date technical knowledge and experience of research and evaluation methods, and associated areas including research ethics and data protection.
- Experience designing and applying research to deliver robust evaluations and meet organisational needs.
- Experience delivering complex evaluations and making sure they are delivered according to best practice guidance (including meeting legal and ethical requirements).
- Experience of quality assuring data and evidence for use by a team or organisation.
- Strong analytical skills, and the ability to scrutinise different data sources to identify key findings and draw defensible inferences.
- An ability to plan and manage multiple projects and balance competing demands.
- The ability to work effectively with a wide range of people, building relationships based on trust.
- The ability to use and communicate findings in a clear, accessible, and impactful way, through presentations and reports.
Desirable criteria
- Strong knowledge of government guidance on evaluation (Magenta book), in particular quality in qualitative evaluation, experimental and quasi-experimental methods for impact evaluation and methods for value-for-money evaluation.
- Experience of cross government working.
Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.
Benefits
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Departments transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK, with an average employer contribution of 27%.
You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years service. In addition, all staff receive the Kings Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application
To apply for this role, you will initially be asked to supply a CV and personal statement (maximum 1000 words) detailing how you meet the essential criteria.
Well assess how your experience demonstrates your suitability against the essential criteria detailed in the Person Specification section.
In the event of a high number of applicants, we will sift against:
- Up to date technical knowledge and experience of research and evaluation methods, and associated areas including research ethics and data protection.
- Strong analytical skills, and the ability to scrutinise different data sources to identify key findings and draw defensible inferences.
- The ability to use and communicate findings in a clear, accessible, and impactful way, through presentations and reports.
Interview
Those who are successfully sifted through the application stage will be invited to interview.
At interview we will assess the candidate’s experience in line with selected essential criteria.
Sifted applicants will be required to prepare and deliver a presentation as part of the interview. This will test the following criterion:
- Experience designing and applying research to deliver robust evaluations and meet organisational needs.
Prior preparation will not be required.
Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.
Other Information
We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.
The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.
DfE cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DfE holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFE@education.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.
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 applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs
Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.
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 Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operations@education.gov.uk 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 youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Jennifer Allen
- Email : Jennifer.Allen@policyprofession.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : AdvertsRecruitment.DFE@education.gov.uk
Further information
