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Social Research
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About the job
Job summary
This campaign is to recruit experienced analysts who have proven qualitative analytical skills into secondment roles within the heart of the Department for Work and Pension’s critical work.
The roles provide the opportunity to share your qualitative analytical skills and knowledge and inform decisions on end-to-end research processes with a wide range of stakeholders including the analytical community, policy and finance group and senior civil servants and ministers.
You’ll support work carrying out a diverse range of qualitative research techniques and evaluation to support policy decision-making and play a critical role in supporting professional development for Social Researchers within DWP, helping to build future capability.
These job roles are for a secondment opportunity. Individuals post holders will work within DWP but will remain employees of their home employer and subject to their home employer’s terms, conditions and benefits. However, post holders will also need to adhere to the standards of Civil Service behaviours, operate within the framework of the Civil Service code and a legally binding non-disclosure agreement.
Secondment Eligibility
We are looking for someone currently working in qualitative research within an academic setting.
We may also consider candidates working outside of an academic setting if they have the essential qualifications and key criteria and are actively engaged with the academic community – please contact the job contact by email where this is the case.
Job description
DWP has an excellent reputation for ensuring its work is underpinned by robust evidence and analysis. Analysts work flexibly, in multi-disciplinary, multi-site teams across the organisation, embedded within policy, operational and wider analytical teams, to develop DWPs evidence base and provide analysis that supports key decisions underpinning Departmental policies and projects. These roles sit within the In-House Research Unit which undertakes qualitative research to support policy and strategic decision making. We need analysts with proven qualitative analysis skills to help build capability in conducting, analysing and presenting qualitative data.
The In-House Research Unit was established to deliver a world class analytical service, supporting effective policy and strategic decision making at the highest level of DWP. To do this, we deliver high quality applied research findings at pace, while bringing innovation to our projects.
The In-House Research unit works with stakeholders across internal teams including policy, finance, service delivery and senior civil servants, reporting to the chief analyst and senior analytical leadership team, to identify evidence gaps and engage in qualitative research projects to meet these needs. Alongside this, the In-House Research Unit engage with academic and professional experts to expand knowledge and capability, sharing a range of learning resources to support upskilling.
The In-House Research unit is embedded into the Central Analysis and Science Strategy unit, which provides a unique opportunity to work within the central team developing research processes, supporting guidance and monitoring approvals across DWP research. In addition, you will work closely with the teams who ensure analytical resources are devoted to responding to the highest priority policy questions, shaping and influencing what we take forward as a department. The In-House Research Unit also regularly engage with the DWP library services, improving access to literature across the Department.
On a day-to-day basis youll be engaging with a large team of social researchers on upcoming and ongoing projects. Youll meet regularly with project teams to advise on end-to-end project processes including sample selection, appropriate methods, understanding timelines and risk, analysis techniques and reporting. Youll support development of qualitative research projects with social researchers with a range of experience, also helping to build capability within the team.
This role is highly collaborative, so will involve meeting new people and working on a variety of projects from a range of different policy areas, including labour market programmes, disability, work and health, Universal Credit and pensions. We cannot guarantee which policy areas will have projects for the In-House Research Unit.
Youll work with project teams to conduct fieldwork with a range of stakeholders, including DWP customers, staff and citizens, both virtually and face-to-face using a range of qualitative research methods. Youll also support the presentation of findings to a range of stakeholders, both verbally and in written reports. Alongside this, youll work to support quality assurance at each stage of research processes, independently monitoring and reviewing project elements including fieldwork, analysis and reporting and discussing this within project teams to negotiate deliverable outcomes that are robust and responding appropriately to research questions.
Person specification
Essential Qualifications
In order to be eligible to apply for these posts, you must:
Hold a relevant undergraduate degree at a minimum level of 2:1 (or a 2:2 with a relevant postgraduate degree), where:
- At least one third of the degree content contains social research methods training and including at least three of the following: (1) systematic/literature reviews; (2) qualitative methods; (3) interpretation of data and presentation of results; (4) study design, hypothesis testing and application of ethics to research.
- You must provide details of the percentage degree content of each module and social research methods criteria in the qualifications or employment history section of the application form. If this is not clear your application will be rejected.
AND
Hold a postgraduate degree/qualification in a relevant social science subject, with a focus on qualitative research, plus:
- Have at least four years social research practice experience working in a university, research agency, market research agency or specialist research team.
- You must make explicit the breadth and depth of your research experience and skills, which must include qualitative research methods* and at least two of the following: (1) systematic/literature reviews; (2) interpretation of data and presentation of results; (3) study design, and application of ethics to research.
- You must have experience of teaching/coaching either groups or individuals in qualitative research methods.
- You must provide full details against all of the social research methods criteria in the qualifications or employment history section of the application form. If this is not clear your application will be rejected.
You must already hold the qualifications listed, we cannot accept applications if you are still studying or awaiting the outcome of your degree.
If any of the detail is not clear or provided, your application will be deemed ineligible
* Qualitative methods including research design, data collection, data analysis, data representation, quality assurance, dissemination
Essential Experience Criteria
We are looking for applicants who are able to demonstrate experience against the following criteria:
- Proven experience of applying a range of qualitative research techniques and ensuring appropriate quality assurance of analysis. (Lead Experience Criterion).
- Proven experience of maximising opportunities to actively promote, use and communicate analysis with impact to influence decisions.
- Proven experience of leading analytical projects with a wide range of stakeholders; prioritising and driving improvements across competing demands
- At least three of the following:
- Proven experience of teaching, coaching and upskilling individuals in qualitative method, both at a group and individual level – including research design, data collection (i.e. interviewing, focus groups, ethnography), data analysis (e.g. thematic analysis), however, this role is intended to build capability so we specifically seek those who also have deep knowledge of other qualitative techniques that could be applied to the DWP context.
- A proven track record of delivering and publishing qualitative research.
- Interpretation of data (qualitative), presentation of results, provision of recommendations/conclusions
- Study design and application of ethics to research.
If there are a high number of applications, the lead Experience Criterion may be used to conduct an initial sift and applications that do not meet the minimum requirement for this criterion will not progress to a full sift.
In the event of a large number of candidates meeting the pass standard at sift, we may take the option of only the strongest candidates proceeding to interview. The remaining candidates will be longlisted and their applications only proceeded if roles remain unfilled.
For jobs located in Wales, the ability to speak Welsh is desirable.
Qualifications
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:
- Social Research Technical Framework
Benefits
- Family friendly flexible working arrangements, such as hybrid working, job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours
- Learning and development tailored to your role this could include industry recognised qualifications, coaching and mentoring
- An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join staff networks including: Womens Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more
- Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The assessment process for this vacancy is split into two stages:
- STAGE 1: Written Sift based on CV and Personal Statement provided in application.
- STAGE 2: Online interview including technical assessment.
Stage 1 Sift based on CV and personal statement
The written sift will be conducted using evidence from your CV and Personal Statement and will be assessed in 2 parts:
- Pre-sift of your CV against the essential qualifications and secondment eligibility
- Sift of your personal statement against the key criteria
If you do not meet the essential qualifications and secondment eligibility (the first stage of the sift), then your personal statement will not be sifted and your application will be withdrawn.
CV
The CV is an on-line tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobsite and there is no requirement to upload your personal CV. Our CV element is short, and allows an initial check of eligibility against the secondment eligibility and essential qualifications, so please put the main content of your key criteria evidence and skills in your Personal Statement.
Your CV will be used to check eligibility on qualifications and to outline your employment history. You will not be given a separate score for your CV. Please focus on your qualitative research experience. Please make sure that you fully complete the qualifications and employment history section in the application form. Applications submitted without key details like: degree studied, grades and credits or without sufficient detail of relevant modules will be discounted. Failure to provide this information clearly will result in your application being withdrawn.
Personal statement
When completing your personal statement, please read and understand the Key Criteria thoroughly as this is what your 1,250-word personal statement will be assessed against. Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc. You may choose to address each criteria separately, however, one narrative example may cover and evidence several key criteria. You may not be able to meet all the key criteria, but please ensure you evidence: the key personal requirements and what have you done that relates to the requirements. You dont have to explain the whole process, just what you have done and the skills and experience you have used. Share with us what makes you suited to this role and why, what you can do and the skills you have that are transferable to the key requirements, and the life experience or passion you have that are linked to this role.
Please do not use excessive forward slash (/), backslash (\) or dashes (-) in your personal statement. By excessive, we mean hyphenating words that are not normally hyphenated, using slashes between many words or formatting slashes in white font so they cant immediately be seen. Any applications that do this will not be sifted or the form will be amended to remove the excess slashes and then anything after the 1,250 word count will be ignored.
Stage 2 – Online Interview
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview. This will be a video interview. The interview panel will be a minimum of two people. The interview will assess: Behaviours and Technical skills. The interview aims to be more of a conversation exploring the candidates capability for the role.
At interview all candidates will be asked to do a 5 minute presentation. This will involve presenting a piece of analysis and providing details of the qualitative skills used. The specific presentation question will be shared 5 days in advance of the interview. After the normal introductions, the interview will start with your presentation. You may then be asked follow ups and other questions to assess your technical professional skills. In this part of the interview you will be assessed across Government Social Research Technical Framework at Principle Research officer (Grade 7 level) (see below for framework link), but we would like the presentation to bring out your qualitative skills in particular.
Although this role will be assessed against the Social Research Technical Framework, this role is not a badged analyst profession post.
Government Social Research Technical Framework
While the technical section of the interview could cover any part of the relevant professional framework, we are assessing against the broad framework and recognise it is not possible within the timescale for every sub-category of the relevant framework to be covered. The framework is a good guide for the areas you could be asked questions about and the level to present your evidence at.
To help you prepare and settle into the interview you will be sent the behaviour questions in advance of the interview, 5 days prior to your interview. These questions should be treated as confidential. The interview panel may ask you other questions which will not be shared in advance, including follow-up questions, and those about your experience and technical abilities. Candidates will be asked further probing questions to determine suitability for the role.
Civil Service Behaviours
At interview candidates will be asked to present evidence of the following three Civil Service Behaviours:
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
The main interview behaviour questions will be provided in advance with your interview invite.
It may help to use one or more examples of a piece of work you have completed or a situation you have been in, and use the WHO or STAR model to explain: What was the task/ work, How you approached the task/work/situation and what the Outcomes were, what did you achieve? Or: What was the Situation? What were the Tasks? What Action did you take? What were the Results of your actions?
An example of a Behavioural style question would be; Tell me about a time when youve had to deal with a difficult customer
You can read more about Civil Service Behaviours in the link below where you can also find definitions and examples of the three Civil Service Behaviours above, that we will be assessing at interview: Success Profiles – Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Sift and Interview dates to be confirmed.
Selection and Feedback
We will notify all candidates as soon as possible. Feedback will only be provided following an interview.
A reserve list will be held for up to 12 months, which we may also use to fill future similar vacancies.
Further Information
Find out more about Working for DWP
Any move to DWP 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. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
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/Access NI 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 the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk
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.
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.
Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP’s terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.
Reasonable Adjustments
At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, especially those that are underrepresented in our workforce.
We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the Reasonable Adjustments 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.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
Disability Confident Scheme
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. DWP is recognised as a Disability Confident Leader, demonstrating the departmental commitment to attracting, recruiting and retaining disabled people and supporting them in achieving their full potential. We run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the advertised role. To be considered for an interview, you must have:
- a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term (over 12 months) adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day to day activities; or a long-term health condition; and
- demonstrated that you meet all the minimum qualifying criteria set out in the advertisement for the post at the application and testing stages.
A full definition and examples of conditions can be found on this webpage. You will be asked at the initial application stage if you wish to apply via the scheme
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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : ihru.secondee@dwp.gov.uk
- Email : ihru.secondee@dwp.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dwprecruitment.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. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.
