At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop impactful research and policy outputs to tackle educational inequality.
- Company: Join the Sutton Trust, a leader in education policy and advocacy.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, competitive salary, and a commitment to diversity.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace culture with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education and social mobility for young people.
- Qualifications: Experience in research, strong analytical skills, and a relevant degree.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Trust is recruiting a creative and committed Research and Policy Officer to join our team. Reporting to one of the team’s Research and Policy Managers, the successful candidate will play a significant role in developing and preparing the Trust’s research and policy outputs, working across the core areas of the Sutton Trust’s work (early years, schools, apprenticeships, higher education and access to the workplace). This will include helping to produce original, data rich and policy relevant research reports, along with contributing to other Trust research projects.
They will also support the policy and advocacy work of the Trust, including performing background research on topics relevant to educational inequality and social mobility as required.
- To contribute, with colleagues, to several data-rich research reports accessible to practitioners and policy makers, over the course of the year, as agreed with the Research, Communications and Policy leadership team.
- To support the Sutton Trust's programme of research and policy work, including:
- Providing staff with background research, analysis and data on relevant topics.
- Supporting research funding bids.
- Working with Communications colleagues to develop messaging and content for disseminating and publicising reports.
- Supporting advocacy work, as required, with MPs' staff, civil servants, special advisers and other policy makers.
Excellent analytical skills and understanding of research methods, primarily quantitative research, as well as literature/evidence reviews. This should include significant experience of using data analysis software such as SPSS/Stata/R/Python or equivalent.
A qualification in a social science or other numerate discipline, including statistics, mathematics, economics, computer science, data science or similar discipline in the social or natural sciences at undergraduate level, or comparable experience.
Two years' experience working in research in a professional or academic environment (e.g., PhD, post-doc).
High degree of initiative and the ability to take responsibility for projects.
Personable, flexible and discreet; able to fit into a busy, small team in a fast-paced policy environment.
Experience of conducting research using administrative datasets (e.g., National Pupil Database) or longitudinal datasets.
Knowledge of one or more of our priority policy areas (early years, schools, apprenticeships, higher education and access to the workplace), and the wider education policy environment in England.
Strong understanding of government and the public policy environment.
Experience in education (for example, as a teacher or in another front-line educational role), education policy or a closely related field.
A postgraduate qualification in a numerate discipline (see above).
Contract: Full-time, permanent.
Minimum of 2 office days per week.
Office location: Our home working policy gives staff the option to work from home for up to 60% of the time, with approval from their line manager.
Hours: The standard working hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and may also be required to attend events/meetings outside of their normal working hours during weekday evenings and occasionally at weekends.
A DBS check may be required.
The Sutton Trust believes that a child, young person or vulnerable adult should never experience abuse of any kind. We all have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. Therefore all posts undergo a safer recruitment process, including but not limited to, disclosure of criminal records where necessary and eligibility to work in the UK.
As such we particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities, Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ and from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds. We are committed to being an inclusive and welcoming place to work and know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the young people we support.
Our application process gives you the option to include information about your background, such as whether you were eligible for free school meals, whether your parents went to university, or whether you attended a state school. For more examples and information on contextual recruitment, please see our website.
Policy Officer - Research in City of London employer: SUTTON TRUST
The Sutton Trust is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture in the heart of London. With a strong commitment to employee development, we offer numerous growth opportunities through training and mentorship, ensuring that our team members can thrive while making a meaningful impact on education policy. Join us to be part of a mission-driven organisation that values creativity and dedication in shaping the future of education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Policy Officer - Research in City of London
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by SUTTON TRUST.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like SUTTON TRUST.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at SUTTON TRUST.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at SUTTON TRUST. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Policy Officer - Research in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of SUTTON TRUST. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Policy Officer - Research, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at SUTTON TRUST
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of SUTTON TRUST. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
