Principal Research Officer – HQ Strategy and Policy – STRAT2598

CPS Strategy and Policy is delighted to advertise the role of Principal Research Officer.

Please note that as part of this role you will be expected to undertake direct line management responsibilities. There are four direct reports, overall leading a team of 8 permanent members of staff.

GSR Badging

It is a requirement of the role to be GSR badged, if you are not currently badged you will be required to undertake the GSR Knowledge Test, you will need to successfully pass this test to progress onto the next part of the selection process. If you are currently badged, you will be required to provide evidence of your badging once received you will be eligible to proceed to the next part of the selection process.

Knowledge Tests

If you are not already a badged member of the GSR profession, you will be required to undertake a knowledge test, which is expected to take place on 04 December 2023.

Please note that you must be able to meet the essential technical skills detailed below to be eligible to apply for this role:

All applicants must have a degree or degree equivalent to join the profession.

• To be eligible for the qualification route into Government Social Research Profession a qualifying degree, with a minimum of 2.1 or 2:2 with a postgraduate degree, must contain substantial social research methods training, comprising around a third of the modules in the course. It should cover quantitative methods and at least three of the five topics listed in below. 
  • Quantitative methods, including research design, data collection (i.e. questionnaire design, sampling, weighting), data analysis (e.g. statistical analysis) – MANDATORY
  • Qualitative methods, including research design, data collection (i.e. interviewing, focus groups, ethnography), data analysis (e.g. thematic analysis) – optional
  • Study design, hypothesis formation, testing and evaluation – optional
  • Systematic/literature reviews – optional
  • Interpretation of data (qual & quan), presentation of results, provision of recommendations/ conclusions – optional
  • Application of ethics to research – optional

• To be eligible for the professional experience route, all applications must hold an undergraduate degree, at a minimum of 2:1, or 2:2 with a relevant postgraduate degree, in any subject, or hold a degree equivalent (for example, an advanced Certificate or Diploma from MRS) and have at least 4 years’ social research practice experience. Social research practice experience consists of experience working in a research agency, market research agency or specialised research team. To enter the GSR through this route you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your research experience and skills, which must include quantitative research methods and three of the following: systematic/literature reviews; qualitative methods; interpretation of data and presentation of results; study design and hypothesis testing; and application of ethics to research. 

• Government Social Research (GSR) Membership or completion of the knowledge test as part of the process 
• Professional Competency (1) Knowledge & Skills: Please provide a written example demonstrating your knowledge and application of GSR Technical Skills (at G7/PRO level) 
• Professional Competency (2) Influence & Impact: Please provide a written example demonstrating using and promoting social research (at G7/PRO level) 

Please note that applicants must be aged 16 prior to starting in the role, start dates would be expected to be 8-12 weeks after the closing date of this advert.

For further information on how to apply, please see the Candidate Pack at the bottom of this page.

The postholder will be responsible for leading high-quality research and analysis to support the development of strategy and policy-making in the CPS in line with the strategic aims of CPS 2025, and our future work under CPS 2030. They will also be responsible for overseeing some of our most important work, such as our research into the disproportionality of our decision making, and research into case progression.  

They will lead a high performing team of social and operational researchers, creating a positive atmosphere in which the team can thrive, working in collaboration with other professions within the Strategy and Policy Directorate, and across the CPS. 

They will apply understanding of customer needs and ability to see the bigger picture to identify research needs and evidence gaps across the Criminal Justice System, whilst evaluating and integrating research information from a variety of sources, coming to logical conclusions and communicating them effectively to senior non-specialists. 

They will have strong research commissioning experience and ability, responsible for developing and leading a programme of research for CPS Strategy and Policy, bringing together contributions from other professions to ensure timely and high quality delivery.  

They will use their insights and expertise in social research strategic engagement to enable better policymaking and build confidence with our stakeholder community. The post holder will be responsible for innovative and effective stakeholder engagement across the CPS. They will develop a strong network of stakeholders to help the CPS to understand the wider context of our work and the impact of what we are doing, encouraging support and challenge.  

They will also advocate social research within the CPS supporting the development of wider capability across the organisation.

• The Principal Research Officer (PRO) will contribute to the development of organisational strategies, ensuring reporting mechanisms are in place and that work undertaken across the CPS delivers our aims and objectives. This will be informed by a rigorous understanding of the wider political and social environment.
• They will lead by example and role model excellent leadership behaviours for their team and those with whom they work. They will be an excellent leader who prioritises developing positive and collaborative environments in which their team can excel.
• They will use collaborative and direct approaches to engage with stakeholders, including colleagues across government, from the earliest opportunity throughout the development and implementation of policy and practice. This will include regular discussions with colleagues in the Attorney General’s Office on a range of issues, including risks to the CPS’ reputation.
• The PRO will develop a network of contacts across Government, the CJS and other relevant organisations, in the private and third sector, with whom to discuss and negotiate strategy and policy development. They will also build key links in academia to shape and influence research priorities and can remain on top of emerging priorities elsewhere in the criminal justice system. They will use this network to secure insight into the CPS’s reputation and value, ensuring the organisation’s interests and expertise are understood and represented in the development of government policy and in CJS decision-making.
• They will role-model continuous self-learning and development and identify areas individuals and teams need to develop in order to achieve objectives, ensuring technical and analytical skills are kept up-to-date. They will support colleagues and take responsibility for own training and development.

To be eligible for the qualification route into Government Social Research Profession a qualifying degree, with a minimum of 2.1 or 2:2 with a postgraduate degree, must contain substantial social research methods training, comprising around a third of the modules in the course. It should cover quantitative methods and at least three of the five topics listed in below.  

-Quantitative methods, including research design, data collection (i.e. questionnaire design, sampling, weighting), data analysis (e.g. statistical analysis) – MANDATORY

-Qualitative methods, including research design, data collection (i.e. interviewing, focus groups, ethnography), data analysis (e.g. thematic analysis) – optional

-Study design, hypothesis formation, testing and evaluation – optional

-Systematic/literature reviews – optional

-Interpretation of data (qual & quan), presentation of results, provision of recommendations/ conclusions – optional

-Application of ethics to research – optional

To be eligible for the professional experience route, all applications must hold an undergraduate degree, at a minimum of 2:1, or 2:2 with a relevant postgraduate degree, in any subject, or hold a degree equivalent (for example, an advanced Certificate or Diploma from MRS) and have at least 4 years’ social research practice experience. Social research practice experience consists of experience working in a research agency, market research agency or specialised research team. To enter the GSR through this route you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your research experience and skills, which must include quantitative research methods and three of the following: systematic/literature reviews; qualitative methods; interpretation of data and presentation of results; study design and hypothesis testing; and application of ethics to research.

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

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Communicating and Influencing

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Professional Competency (1) Knowledge & Skills: Please provide a written example demonstrating your knowledge and application of GSR Technical Skills (at G7/PRO level)
• Professional Competency (2) Influence & Impact: Please provide a written example demonstrating using and promoting social research (at G7/PRO level)

Join the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and have a future that matters: Find Your Purpose

CPS is passionate about ensuring that we are a top performing organisation and a great place to work. We are committed to be an equal opportunities employer and creating a culture where everyone can bring their whole self to work and individuality is truly appreciated.

We want to ensure all our employees can thrive at work and home and offer a range of support to achieve a balance. This includes where possible, flexibility of working hours, flexibility to support caring responsibilities and a flexible approach to deployment, which means that where you work (i.e. a court, an office, or a remote setting such as your home) will be based on the kind of work you are undertaking.

This culture of inclusion is underpinned by our staff networks covering Disability, Faith and Belief, LGBTQI+, Race, Social Mobility alongside our Mental Health First Aiders Programme and Wellbeing Sessions.

CPS commits to offer its employees the following experience

• Impactful, purposeful work – making a difference to your local communities
• The ability to learn and grow, with access to the right opportunities and resources
• To care about your wellbeing
• To feel valued, trusted and included

We also offer the following range of benefits:

• Civil Service Pension
• Access to employee savings
• Cycle2Work scheme
• 25 days leave, rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service.
• 1 extra privilege day entitlement to mark the King’s Birthday.
• Competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave
• Flexible working and a family friendly approach to work.
• Childcare vouchers unless already registered with the Government Tax Free Childcare Scheme

The CPS has also designed a range of Management Development Programme to support all Aspiring, New and Experienced Managers in developing the skills, behaviour and knowledge to build their confidence and capability. We strongly recommend that all new managers undertake the Manager Induction. 

Job contact :

• Name : Sammi Dong
• Email : Sammi.Dong@cps.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : strategic.resourcing@cps.gov.uk