Research Officer

We are looking to fill four Research Officer posts in Defra. Two posts are based in the Food Chain Analysis Team (in the Agri-Food Chain directorate), and two posts are based in the Farming Evidence Team (in the Farming and Countryside Programme directorate).

As a Research Officer you will typically design, manage, and/or conduct research projects (which may be commissioned externally, or conducted ‘in-house’). Additionally, you may analyse and interpret existing data and provide guidance to policy colleagues on current research evidence. Other examples of projects include policy evaluations, literature reviews, public consultations, interviews and surveys.

Background to Defra

Defra is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food & farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people’s day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink. We are responsible for England’s environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide range of natural threats and hazards. Your role will be critically important to achieving our vision of ‘creating a great place for living.

The Social Research Group in Defra

Social researchers in the Defra group play an essential role in helping Defra understand the context in which policy is delivered and its likely impact. We help by framing and contextualizing the policy challenge, identifying “what works”, developing policy solutions, and measuring and understanding the impact of government action. We work in all the policy directorates in Defra and are involved in the challenges which are important to the Defra group. These include securing food supply sustainability, reducing air pollution, improving the environmental contribution of farming, and addressing marine pollution.

Social researchers are embedded in policy and evidence teams across the directorates or work in a central research team. Coming together as the Defra Social Research Group means we have strong working links to our profession. We are also full members of the Government Social Research profession.

As we work daily with policy, implementation and analytical colleagues, we value the support of our vibrant and active Social Research Group. The Group enables us to share our knowledge and skills, solve common challenges, and develop our careers.

The roles

Research Officer – Farming and Countryside Programme (2 x permanent posts)

We are looking to fill two Research Officer posts in Defra’s Farming Evidence team. You will support work across the Farming and Countryside Programme, principally providing social research advice in support of the Government’s approach to agricultural policy delivery. These are policy-focused posts within an interdisciplinary evidence team and will enable social science input to inform a range of policy and delivery activities to support key outcomes for net zero ambitions, biodiversity recovery, water quality and food production.

Working in a flexible analytical team and directly with policy means this role is ideal for anyone looking to develop their research skills and influence policy. You will have the opportunity to help shape key policy and scheme delivery decisions to deliver ambitious public benefit outcomes.

The postholders will be responsible for a mix of qualitative and quantitative work covering both an understanding of the current issues affecting farming and also evaluation of the impacts of policies, most notably the economic support schemes aimed at farm businesses in England. Some work is commissioned but most is undertaken in-house, using existing evidence as well as being responsible for new survey data and qualitative data from interviews and group discussions. There will be opportunities for primary research including designing and undertaking surveys and interviews. An interest in farming, the environment and evaluation welcomed but experience in these areas is not essential.

Research Officer – Agri-Food Chain (2 x permanent posts)

This role is based in the Food Chain Analysis team (FCAT). FCAT is a vibrant and friendly team multidisciplinary team of economists, statisticians and social researchers in Defra’s Agri-food Chain directorate. The team provides analytical support to all aspects of food policy in the post farm gate food chain – from manufacturing to wholesale to retail to catering. In recent times this has included analysing consumer behaviour, from pre-Brexit stockpiling to coronavirus panic buying, modelling the effects of economic shocks on retail prices, building up our market intelligence capacity and developing a deep understanding of the food supply chain (food is part of our Critical National Infrastructure).

Working in a flexible analytical team and directly with policy means this role is ideal for anyone looking to develop their research skills and influence policy. It is particularly suited to people with some experience of working on issues relating to the agri-food chain and/or can demonstrate an interest in agri-food issues.

Examples of the team’s work include:

• Managing Defra’s input into large scale and/or long-term surveys such as Food and You 2 and the Seasonal Workers’ survey.  
• Producing evidence notes or other evidence syntheses on food practices, consumer purchasing behaviours, consumer understanding or other topics e.g., online shopping behaviours, alternative proteins.
• Managing research on precision breeding / gene editing.
• Leading, or contributing to, research activity on food information, labelling and composition
• Working closely with more senior staff on large-scale evaluation activity
• Leading on the use of research tools such as working with consumers to develop theories of change for their policy areas or supporting them with consultations.

The successful candidate will have:

• Knowledge of research and analytical methodologies and ability to demonstrate practical application of both qualitative and quantitative approaches through project-based work (for example, a suitable level of experience would be that obtained from obtaining a 1st or 2:1 degree, or a postgraduate qualification in a social science discipline, that included a substantial element of social research methods and training)
• Ability to design research projects, defining research questions and writing draft specifications
• Knowledge of evaluation methods
• Ability to summarise and interpret information accurately, making use of different sources and to conduct basic analyses of key datasets utilising a working knowledge of relevant data analysis packages 
• Ability to build networks and relationships to deliver common objectives 
• Ability to communicate research insights and technical subjects to non-specialists in a clear and concise fashion

The Defra group is dedicated to having a diverse workforce which represents people in our communities and an inclusive culture where everyone feels they can be their authentic self at work, belong in the organisation and can speak up to challenge others when needed. We want everyone to be able to contribute to the success of our organisation, regardless of your background.

Essential Criteria

The following criteria are essential to these posts:

1)         Excellent analytical skills – with the ability to identify, champion, and use both qualitative and quantitative social research approaches to explore and answer research questions.

2)         The ability to collaborate effectively with others across boundaries, to deliver results and engaging multiple stakeholder groups with differing priorities and perspectives to agree consensus-based solutions.

3)         The ability to take personal responsibility for shaping, planning and driving forward work, delivering at pace and managing deadlines across a broad portfolio of work.

4)         An ability to keep in touch with new research findings and methods in your field and accessibly interpreting and sharing these with colleagues.

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

• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

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

• Government Social Research technical skills

• 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%
• 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 King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.
• Time off to volunteer
• Discounts and savings on shopping, fun days out and more
• Interest-free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket

Blended working

Defra operates a blended working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.

Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs.  There is flexibility to split the working week, spending minimum of 40-60% in the workplace, unless exceptional circumstances apply and/or you are a contractual home worker.

Job contact :

• Name : Justin Martin
• Email : justin.martin@defra.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk