Research and Policy Officer

Deadline

Applications should be submitted in one go. Deadline is 5pm, Friday 24th July.

Main duties

• To contribute, together with colleagues, to several data-rich research reports 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.
• Producing literature reviews.
• Supporting research funding bids.
• Providing administrative support.
• 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.
• Other duties as necessary from time to time.

Person Specification

Essential

• Excellent analytical skills and understanding of research methods, primarily quantitative research, as well as literature or 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., Ph D, post‑doc).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• 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.
• Sympathetic to the aims of the Trust and its mission to address educational disadvantage.
• Eligible to work in the UK.

Desirable

• Experience of conducting research using administrative datasets (e. g., National Pupil Database) or longitudinal datasets (e. g., Longitudinal Education Outcomes dataset, Understanding Society, Next Steps).
• 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 working within or an understanding of the not‑for‑profit sector.
• 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.
• Terms of Appointment
• Contract: Full-time, permanent.
• Working location: Minimum of 2 office days per week.

The office location is The Sutton Trust, 9th Floor, Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London, SW1P 4QP.

Home working is optional for up to 60% of the time, subject to manager approval.

• Hours: Standard working hours 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Attendance at events or meetings outside normal working hours, including weekday evenings and occasional weekends, may be required.

• ADBS check may be required.
• Interviews

First round interviews will be held over Zoom on Monday 10th August. Second round interviews will be held at our London offices on Monday 17th August.

Safeguarding statement

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.

We have procedures in place to promote safeguarding and a safe culture at the Trust.

Contextual recruitment

The Trust is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity and that all applicants receive equal consideration for employment.

We strongly encourage individuals from all backgrounds, including those underrepresented at present at the Trust, to apply for this role.

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 an inclusive and welcoming place to work and know that greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the young people we support.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for disabled candidates throughout our recruitment process and during employment.

We also operate contextual recruitment at the Sutton Trust.

Our application process gives 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.

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