Community Researcher

Action Together; Stockport; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Real Living Wage employer

Flexible working

25 holidays per year pro rata

Healthcare: Simplyhealth

Staff discounts

Job summary

Sector 3 is seeking a Community Researcher to gather insights from Stockport residents and funded projects. You will work across live projects, interview communities, observe activities, and help reflect the impact of funding on local lives.

You’ll co-create stories and case studies, build evidence of value for the VCFSE sector, and travel around Stockport to connect with residents and groups while collaborating with the Sector 3 team.

Qualifications

• Outgoing with excellent communication skills and the ability to engage diverse communities.
• Organised, with initiative and the ability to adapt in the field.
• Enjoy meeting new people and traveling around Stockport.
• Able to work in a team and contribute to community development.
• Comfortable using CRM and Microsoft programmes in daily tasks.

Responsibilities

• Support interviews and/or focus groups with stakeholders or participants.
• Co-create and share stories of Live Well funded projects (soundbites, storytelling).
• Capture case studies on impact of Sector 3’s support in Stockport’s VCFSE sector.
• Work with communities to ensure their voice informs funding priorities.
• Help build evidence base for value of voluntary and community sector services.

Skills

Communication skills

Organised

Team player

Curious

Empathetic

People skills

Flexible working

Travel around Stockport

Tech literacy (CRM, Microsoft)

Tools

CRM

Microsoft Office

Job description

A Community Researcher is a local resident who gathers data and insights to help improve the lives of local people.

In this role, you will primarily, but not exclusively, work alongside Live Well in Stockport funded organisations, residents and communities to gather insight, experiences and stories that help reflect the value, learning and impact of the Live Well in Stockport Fund. Community Researchers play an important role in giving a voice to underrepresented groups, supporting evidence-based decision making, and helping organisations develop services, policies, and initiatives that better meet the needs of the communities they serve.

Your role is to support understanding of what is working well, understand challenges, identify community needs, co-develop solutions and evidence the difference community-led activity is making to people’s lives in ways that reflect the experiences of local communities.

You will be out and about in Stockport meeting community groups and residents, observing and participating in community activities and obtaining information on the effectiveness and impact of funded activities on residents' lives.

This is an excellent opportunity to make a difference on the ground for Stockport residents and in the process build confidence in vital career skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support interviews and/or focus groups with stakeholders or participants
• Co-create and share the story of Live Well funded projects work (e.g. soundbites, storytelling, creative formats like art)
• Capture case studies on the impact of Sector 3’s support on the VCFSE sector
• Work with communities and residents to ensure their voice is heard within the development of funding priorities
• Support with building an evidence base of the value of Voluntary & Community sector services across Stockport

Work collaboratively with the Sector 3 team, especially the Impact Lead, Content & Storytelling Co-ordinator and Community Development Lead as well as partners at neighbourhood level to action change

Person Specification

• Outgoing with excellent communication skills
• Organised with strong initiative and able to think on your feet
• Happy to work in a team
• Curious and willing to learn
• Enjoy meeting new people
• Open-minded and empathetic to people’s differences
• Happy to travel around Stockport
• Solutions orientated
• Comfortable with using different IT software and systems (CRM, microsoft programmes)
• Experience volunteering or participating in community projects, groups, or events
• Interest in social issues and community development
• Experience working as part of a team
• Experience communicating with a wide range of people
• Stockport resident

Key information

• Employer: Sector 3
• Locations: Hybrid, Stockport
• Role Type: Fixed term
• Salary: Full time salary equivalent £28,860
• Working Hours: Part-Time

More about this role

• Closing Time: Midnight
• Anticipated Interview Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026 - 13:00
• Contact Name: Laura Bowers
• Contact Information: [e-mail]
• Employee Benefits: Sector 3 are a Real Living Wage employer, we believe our staff should earn a wage that meets their everyday needs.In addition to this we offer our staff:Flexible workingHolidays: 25 per year pro rata for this role + 1 volunteer day per yearHealthcare: Access to SimplyhealthDiscounts: Access to Charity Worker Discounts
• Working Pattern Details: Mostly out and about in Stockport with some office-based work
• Would You Consider A Job Share For The Role?: Yes