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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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Social Research
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About the job
Job summary
The Central Research, Monitoring & Evaluation Team is a critical part of the Department for Business and Trades ability to demonstrate the impact and value of what it does. This role is located in the Central Analysis team in Analysis Group. The team works closely with the Director of Analysis and Senior Analysts in the Department to set a strategic direction for the Departments monitoring and evaluation function and Analysis Groups evidence and analysis programme.
The team has three main functions:
- Strategic and Cross Cutting Research The team is responsible for identifying and filling strategic research evidence gaps. The team commissions and delivers key strategic and cross cutting research projects that are of value across the department. The team is also responsible for showcasing the value and impact of social research across the analytical community in the Department.
- Embedding monitoring and evaluation across DBT The team leads on implementing the Departments M&E Strategy, governance, and tracking delivery. The team also provides expert advice to teams and programme or project leads on the design and delivery of evaluations across the full spectrum of the Departments activities. They also lead in building capability on M&E across the department.
- Commissioned Analysis Programme The team is responsible for building and delivering a more strategic top-down process for commissioning analysis aligned with departmental priorities. They also deliver a high quality analysis programme through an efficient governance process, as well as building capability in communicating analysis to increase its impact on decision-making.
Job description
You will be leading a team of 10 highly-motivated Government Social Researchers at the heart of the Analysis Group. The role is varied and exciting because it mixes strategy, hands on analysis delivery and analysis governance and capability building and provides opportunity to shape the focus and direction of research and analysis across the whole Department.
Key responsibilities of the role include:
- Leading a large team of analysts and working in an integrated way, with a broad range of stakeholders to develop and take forward an ambitious analytical strategy.
- Leading the team in delivering a major DBT evaluation and strategic pan-Department support to scope and deliver evaluations.
- Support teams to embed sound M&E plans within business cases and ensure quality of PIRs.
- Leading the team in delivering three major strategic research projects and scoping needs for an ongoing programme of work.
- Leading the team in building analysis commissioning and M&E capability among policy, analysts and operational delivery teams.
- Setting the direction for research and analysis to further develop our understanding of how business and trade policy and services can contribute to UK economic. growth through developing a department-wide evidence strategy.
Support in applying for our vacancies is available by joining a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.
Person specification
Demonstration of skills, knowledge and experience to succeed as a Government Social Researcher at Grade 6 level or be an existing member of the Government Social Research Profession (GSR); To be eligible to apply you will need to hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:1, or 2:2 with a postgraduate degree.
The degree must contain substantial social research methods training (comprising around one third of modules taken on the course) including quantitative research methods and at least three of the following: systematic/literature reviews; qualitative methods; interpretation of data and presentation of results; study design, hypothesis testing and application of ethics to research. OR hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:1, or 2:2 with a postgraduate degree, in any subject, or a degree equivalent (e.g. an advanced Certificate or Diploma from MRS), plus 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 specialist 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, hypothesis testing and application of ethics to research.
In advance of the interview, if you are not an existing member of the Government Social Research (GSR) profession, you will be required to undertake a 45 minute online written knowledge test. This test will be supervised and conducted online over MS Teams and involve you responding to a range of exam questions to test your technical knowledge of social research and statistical methods.
In the interview, we will also assess your technical social research skills by asking you to present on a pre-prepared research topic which will be given to you in advance, for up to 10 minutes, . An additional technical question will also be asked as part of the interview.
All technical questions will be based on the grade specific skills and knowledge required for the GSR profession set out in the GSR framework a copy which can be obtained from the link below:
Government Social Research (GSR) Technical Expertise Framework: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-government-social-research-competency-framework
Desirable Criteria
Experience of building and managing large research and monitoring and evaluation programmes.
Personal Attributes & Skills
This role is ideal for a candidate who is keen to develop their analytical leadership in a fast paced environment, balancing the need to be responsive to the needs of stakeholder and customers, while maintaining momentum on medium to longer-term transformative analytical projects.
They must be able to manage, conduct and communicate analysis with confidence, and be able to proactively develop a programme of analytical work. They should be able to build productive relationships with colleagues, across analytical teams, and with a wide range of stakeholders. They will demonstrate evidence of first-rate analytical skills and a wide range of relevant experience.
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:
- GSR Technical Skills
Benefits
£16,889 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- 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 average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.
Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.
Sift will take place week commencing 11/09/2023
Interviews will take place week commencing 25/09/2023
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.
Please align your CV with previous skills and experience. Maximum of 2 A4 pages.
In your personal statement, please explain your motivation for applying for this role and the extent to which you satisfy the essential of the role. Maximum word count of 500.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
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 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.
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.
Please note the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
The Department for Business & Trade embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation.
Please note harmonised terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to the Department for Business & Trade 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
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 Government Recruitment Service via dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as 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.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
Vetting Requirements – SC
All security clearances require you to provide evidence of your UK footprint where you have been physically present in the UK. The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.
If you require SC clearance you will need to provide evidence of the below requirements.
Checks will be made against:
- Departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)
- UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records
- Your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
- Security Services records
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
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Kylie Lovell
- Email : Kylie.Lovell@trade.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DBT by email: Resourcing@trade.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.
For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints.
