Local Authority Research Practitioner (LARP) in Hereford

We are seeking a motivated and skilled Local Authority Research Practitioner (LARP) to join our Public Health team at Herefordshire Council. In this new and specialist role, you will lead and support the development of a sustainable research culture across the Council. You will act as the main driver of research capability building across the organisation, strengthening research governance, embedding consistent processes, and improving the quality and use of evidence to inform decision making. The post is primarily focused on building research capability rather than acting as a sole researcher, although there will be opportunities to contribute to and support research activity.

This role is offered on a fixed-term basis for two years, linked to National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funding. Due to the funding conditions, the successful candidate must be in post no later than 30 June 2026. Prospective candidates should only consider an application if they are able to start in post no later than 30 June 2026.

As the Local Authority Research Practitioner, you will coordinate and support research activity across the Council, helping to build organisational capacity and capability. This will include improving the consistency and quality of research processes such as needs assessments, evaluations, public surveys and other forms of research activity and engagement. This will also include supporting collaborative research projects and funding applications; and strengthening research governance and dissemination routes. You will work closely with public health, corporate intelligence and wider council services, as well as external partners, to ensure that evidence and lived experience meaningfully inform policy, service design and decision making. You will have access to a large and dynamic network of other Local Authority Research Practitioner roles (70+) across the country and other NIHR support.

As a Local Authority Research Practitioner, you will bring:

• Experience of working collaboratively across organisations such as local authorities, the NHS, universities or the VCSE sector
• Strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information to a wide range of audiences.
• Enthusiasm and experience to convene others, build networks, and identify and share innovation.
• Ability to understand, interpret and communicate research evidence to inform decision-making.
• Knowledge of research governance, ethics, and information governance requirements or aptitude to learn quickly.

You will be proactive, well-organised and committed to developing research capability and evidence-informed practice within a local government setting.

We offer a competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:

• Salary range of £36,363 - £38,220
• Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum during the request period.
• Flexible working: including the potential for job-sharing, part-time hours and agile working.
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
• Payment of professional membership fees (based on role requirements)
• Pick your perks – our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.

Herefordshire offers a unique blend of vibrant communities, rich culture and beautiful countryside. But it is our people and our communities that make working here distinctive. Our Talk Community approach brings together residents, partners and services to support people to help themselves and their communities. Research, evidence and lived experience are central to our ambitions to improve health and wellbeing, reduce inequalities and build stronger communities. This role sits at the heart of that ambition and offers the opportunity to shape how research activity is done, used and valued across the Council.

Herefordshire Council is committed to strengthening a diverse and inclusive work environment which reflects the communities of Herefordshire. If you are looking at the next stage of your career and have a broad base of fieldwork experience, we can provide supportive and welcoming opportunities to help you develop your professional, management & supervisory skills.

Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team by email.

We encourage our employees to feel empowered and to use their voices to help embrace diversity, promote inclusivity and shape our organisation. We have eight employee network groups, collectives of colleagues who often share identities, life experiences or cultures and offer support and community. They also play an important role in strengthening the voices of employees at Herefordshire Council.

We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

To apply for a position, please upload an up-to-date CV and complete the application form demonstrating your experience, skills and abilities for the role. For more information or to arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact Philippa Ellis, Talk Community Health and Wellbeing Manager.