At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage social research projects to inform key driver policies and evaluate their impact.
- Company: Join the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, a leader in public service.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in policy-making with your research skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in social research and strong communication skills are essential.
Location: Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Swansea, Uxbridge (This role is suitable for hybrid working)
Salary: £44,241 - A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Contract Type: Permanent – Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Available Positions: 1
The successful Social Researcher will manage a programme of work across a number of policy areas including driver policy, motorcycle policy and vocational vehicles. This includes managing research and evaluation projects targeted on policy questions but also work with policy colleagues and other analysts to quickly draw on or gather new evidence for decisions.
The role holder will be provided with an excellent opportunity to gain a deep understanding of the policy process, and experience of making an impact with evidence. The role may include a combination of managing externally commissioned research or evaluation projects; advising policy colleagues who directly manage commissioned research; identifying evidence needs and designing solutions; and drawing on and disseminating research for it to be used in decisions.
Top Responsibilities
- Design, specify, commission, deliver and disseminate social research and evaluation projects to inform policy. Engage widely with various customers (policy, analysts, external) to identify evidence needs, shape work and deliver evidence or advice. This may vary across all of the specialist teams working within the Driver Policy teams for example motorcycle policy or Approved Driving Instructor policy areas.
- Collate insights from the evidence base to answer emerging policy questions.
- Provide technical advice to policy colleagues on evaluation and social research methods, including on the relative robustness of evidence sources, and the interpretation of findings, so that they can be used appropriately in policymaking.
- Take individual responsibility for providing timely, high-quality advice, research, analysis and briefing of both driver policy and legislation.
Benefits
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
- 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
- Access to the staff discount portal.
- Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
- Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
About You
To succeed in this role, you will need to have experience of designing, managing and / or implementing complex social research or evaluation projects, to ensure the delivery of robust results on time. You will need to have experience of using your leadership, communication, and collaboration skills to achieve impact from search or evaluation. You will need to have experience of analysing a range of information and evidence from diverse sources to form conclusions and make recommendations.
How to Apply
Read the full description and apply at CS Jobs using the link provided. This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Sunday 9th August 2026.
Social Researcher in Manchester employer: Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With flexible working options, generous annual leave, and a substantial pension contribution, DVSA empowers its staff to thrive while contributing to the safety and sustainability of Britain's transport system. Join a diverse team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in frontline training delivery across various locations, including Leeds and Newcastle upon Tyne.
Contact Details:
Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency Recruitment Team
