Academic Social Research Secondment in Glasgow

Job summary

This campaign is to recruit experienced early to mid-career academic analysts who have proven qualitative research skills into secondment roles in the Central Analysis function of the Department for Work and Pensions - delivering research for policy across the wide remit of the work of the Department.

The roles provide the opportunity to bring your qualitative analytical skills to the heart of government designing and creating social research projects to develop the evidence base to inform key decisions. The roles involve active participation in the end-to-end research process working with a wide range of stakeholders including the DWP analytical community, policy colleagues, Finance Group, senior civil servants and Ministers.

You will support work utilising a diverse range of qualitative research and evaluation techniques, including project design, involvement in fieldwork, some project management, and provide expert advice to colleagues delivering programmes of research to support policy decision-making. You will have the opportunity to share your expertise and bring innovative methodological practice to use with colleagues playing a critical role in supporting the professional development of the DWP Social Research community to help build future capability.

These job roles are for a secondment opportunity. Successful individual post holders will work within DWP at the same time as remaining salaried employees of their home employer, subject to their home employer terms, conditions and benefits. For avoidance of doubt, DWP will pay your employer at your current salary rate up to a maximum of £52,450 (National), £55,530 (SLPZ), £55,997 (Outer London) and £57,541 (Inner London) pa pro-rata (pay award pending). Pay rates are standardised across the department and there is no possibility of individual pay negotiation above the band maximum. Post holders will also need to adhere to the standards of the Civil Service behaviours, operate within the framework of the Civil Service Code and operate with a legally binding non-disclosure agreement.

Secondment Eligibility

We are looking for someone currently working in qualitative research within an academic setting. We are seeking early to mid-career academics for this secondment opportunity (full-time hours are preferred, job-share or part-time hours can be considered but would be a minimum of 3 days a week). Successful candidates will be classed as homeworkers with occasional visits to DWP hubs for fieldwork and Team and project meetings. The DWP hub sites available for these secondments are Sheffield, London, Manchester, Glasgow and Newcastle.

Candidates employed in research posts outside of an academic setting (e.g in a job role where the primary function is designing and delivering social research) may be considered if they have the essential qualifications, meet the key criteria and are actively engaged with social policy research.

This role will have a start date in January 2027.

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 the evidence base providing research and analysis to support key decisions underpinning Departmental policies and projects. These roles sit within the DWP In-House Research Unit (IHRU) which undertakes qualitative research projects to support policy and strategic decision making. We require analysts with proven qualitative analysis skills to take part in the DWP research programme and help to build the capabilities of DWP staff by conducting, analysing and presenting qualitative research.

The In-House Research Unit works across the Department with stakeholders in policy, finance, service delivery and the senior civil servants. IHRU reports to the DWP Chief Analyst/Chief Scientific Adviser and the DWP Senior Analytical Leadership Team, to identify evidence gaps and engage in qualitative research projects to meet known evidence needs. The In-House Research Unit engages with academic and professional experts via seminars, presentations and joint working to expand the knowledge and capability of staff.

IHRU sits in the DWP Central Analysis and Science Strategy unit, providing a unique opportunity to work within the central team developing research processes, supporting guidance and monitoring approvals across the entirety of DWP research. You will work closely with teams who ensure analytical resources are devoted to responding to the highest priority policy questions, shaping and influencing the evidence base. IHRU work closely with the DWP Library service, improving access to information and research literature across the Department.

On a day-to-day basis you will be part with a large team of Social Research colleagues designing and delivering in house research projects. You will meet regularly with project teams to advise on end-to-end research processes including shaping project aims and objectives, methods selection, sample selection, with a good understanding of project management techniques, meeting delivery timelines and recognising the need to understand risks and mitigations, utilising a range of traditional and cutting edge analysis techniques while being skilled in the delivery of research outputs and reporting techniques. You will support the professional development of qualitative research staff in projects with Social Research staff with a range of experience helping to build capability within the IHRU team and wider Department.

Some project management opportunities are anticipated, as well as the ability to work as part of a cohort of secondees to advise the Department’s analysts as well as conduct bespoke fieldwork for research to meet the needs of stakeholders. Research respondents include DWP customers, staff and citizens. Excellent presentation skills will be used to ensure research findings have impact with internal policy stakeholders and commissioners. Excellent consultation and quality assurance skills will be required to advise colleagues at each stage of research process, independently monitoring and reviewing project elements including fieldwork, analysis and reporting.

You will attend and contribute to regular Teams keep-in-touch meetings held to discuss the progress of projects and enable team members to be sighted on progress, resource allocation and emerging demands. Some travel to other locations for meetings and fieldwork is anticipated.

This role is highly collaborative. Research staff work together to achieve joint goals working on a variety of projects to develop evidence across 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. The role will include working on projects focused on DWP ministerial priorities. You will be immersed in the civil service working culture, providing the opportunity to learn how analysis is used in evidence-based policy development within a government department.

Person specification

Essential Qualifications

• Hold a postgraduate degree/qualification in a relevant social science subject, with a focus on qualitative research, plus:
• Have ideally 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*.
• You must have experience of teaching/coaching either groups or individuals in qualitative research methods.

You must already hold the qualifications listed, we cannot accept applications if you are still studying or awaiting the outcome of your post-graduate degree.

If any of the detail is not clear or provided in the qualifications or employment history section of the application form, your application will be deemed ineligible and will be rejected.

You must be already employed to be eligible to be considered for this secondment opportunity. You must have a contract with your employer for the length of the secondment. Applicants working in the Civil Service are not eligible for this opportunity.

* Qualitative methods– including research design, data collection, data analysis, data representation, quality assurance, dissemination

Essential Experience Criteria

• Proven experience of applying a range of qualitative research techniques within a policy-focused or public service delivery setting & experience of building the capability of less experienced analysts, in research methods/techniques. (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.
• Experience and knowledge in participatory methods and theory-based methods are desirable but not essential

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.

Offered 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: Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more
• Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities

Selection process details

• STAGE 1: Written Sift based on CV and Personal Statement provided in application.
• STAGE 2: Online interview including a short presentation.

The assessment process for this vacancy is split into two stages:

• 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.

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.

Disability Confident Scheme

• 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.

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.

Your current salary rate (please see advert)

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