Research and Engagement Officer (Healthwatch Croydon)

Public Voice CIC; Croydon; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-oriented organization in Croydon is seeking a Research and Engagement Officer to lead research projects and engage with local communities on health and social care issues. The successful candidate will have a strong background in research methods, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion. The role offers a salary of £29,000 to £31,000 annually plus benefits.

Benefits

3% Pension

Qualifications

• Proven research experience interpreting and analysing data.
• Ability to write clear, concise policy reviews.
• Experience in community engagement and outreach activities.

Responsibilities

• Deliver research projects including planning logistics and analyzing data.
• Lead Croydon-based outreach and engagement programs.
• Work collaboratively within the Healthwatch Croydon team.

Skills

Effective programme and project management

Excellent communication skills

Excellent organisational and time management skills

IT skills - Microsoft Office

Database skills managing information

Education

Degree in social research or equivalent

Qualification in health and/or social care-related subject

Tools

Microsoft Office

Survey Monkey

Google Forms

Job description

Research and Engagement Officer (Healthwatch Croydon)

We are seeking a candidate with proven research experience, including the ability to interpret and analyse data and present solutions. You will have a keen interest in health and social care and the ability to write clear, concise policy reviews. You will also have a flair for programme and project management, and be skilled in organising tasks, logistics and administrative systems.

The successful applicant will value equality, diversity and inclusion, and will be enthusiastic about promoting these principles in their work. They will have warmth, empathy and respect for others, alongside the ability to effectively engage seldom-heard communities.

Main duties of the job

Deliver research projects including planning logistics, designing methodology and analysing quantitative and qualitative data.

Report findings through presentations and written reports throughout the year.

Lead on organising projects, ensuring that actions are followed up, prioritising effectively and providing relevant outputs.

Deliver a regular programme of Croydon-based outreach and events.

Onboard, support and manage volunteers, working with our team of volunteers to deliver research and associated activities.

Undertake policy reviews and provide advice on research and evaluation methodology to the Research Director, Healthwatch Croydon Manager and other members of the Public Voice team.

Work with Public Voice teams to capture issues relating to the delivery of services or gaps in policies. Use this information to identify common themes which relate to service design and health and social care policy.

Engage effectively with seldom-heard communities.

About us

Public Voice is a Community Interest Company (CIC) with a mission to improve neighbourhoods, the lives of the people who live in them and the public services they use.

Through our work, we ensure people in the community are heard bringing together diverse voices and including those who find themselves marginalised or are rarely reached by service providers. We take a user-centred, co-productive approach to understanding individuals and communities needs, and translate that into meaningful insights for service providers in government, public health, and housing. The results are better outcomes for residents and people using services, more effective and efficient services for providers, and stronger and healthier neighbourhoods.

As key part of Public Voices Research function is the delivery of four local Healthwatch services across London. Healthwatch is the independent watchdog for local health and social care services. The Research and Engagement Officer will primarily sit within the Healthwatch Croydon team, supporting residents to share their views and gathering research and insights to effect positive change.

Job responsibilities

Plan, undertake, deliver and report on research projects for Public Voice in the fields of health and social care, primarily related to Croydon.

Develop and maintain workflow systems, keeping track of and effectively prioritising a variety of tasks and projects, and providing relevant outputs.

Use a variety of research techniques, including interviews (face to face, phone and online), focus groups, surveys, case studies and literature reviews.

Lead a regular programme of Croydon-based outreach and events, engaging communities in the borough, gathering feedback on any healthcare challenges residents may face and identify emerging patterns and trends.

Employ quantitative and qualitative methods to analyse research data.

Present and report on findings and recommendations, both through verbal presentations and written reports. Ensure that outputs are clear, accurate and evidence-based.

Work with Public Voice teams to identify themes relating to gaps in policies and services.

Build excellent working relationships with statutory partners and other key agencies, including by representing Public Voice and Healthwatch Croydon effectively at meetings.

Write monitoring and evaluation reports for funders, and contribute to bids for new work.

Undertake any other reasonable duties as required.

Values and behaviours

Warmth, empathy and respect for others

Adaptability, flexibility and an agile working style

Ability to think and work independently

Promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion

Person Specification

Skills

• *Effective programme and project management.
• *Able to work independently and as a team member, including with volunteers.
• *Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), including speaking/presenting in public and writing reports for a variety of audiences.
• *Excellent organisational and time management skills
• * IT skills - Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and Zoom.
• * Database skills managing information and recording outputs and outcomes.

Qualifications

• Degree in a subject which involves social research, or demonstrable equivalent skills and experience.
• Qualification in a health and/or social care-related subject.

Knowledge

• *Understanding of qualitative research methods.
• *Understanding of quantitative research methods / statistics.
• *Knowledge of health and social care policies and issues
• *Participation and engagement techniques, research ethics.
• *Ability to analyse data, identify findings and present solutions.
• *Ability to understand the significance of cultural differences in research.
• *Understanding of Data Protection/GDPR.
• *Understanding of health inequalities.

Experience

• *Delivery of social research projects.
• *Organising workflows, logistics and administrative systems; co-ordinating tasks and providing outputs within defined timescales.
• *Running events and outreach activities.
• *Working in a diverse urban environment.
• *Participatory practice and community engagement.
• *Producing monitoring and evaluation reports for funders.
• *Working in a diverse urban environment.
• *Participatory practice and community engagement.
• *Consumer, resident or patient representation.

Other

• *Ongoing learning and development, ability to adapt to new projects and environments.
• *Able / willing to work some evenings and occasional weekends
• Able to effectively and creatively present data.
• *Understanding of and commitment to the aims and values of Public Voice.
• *A current enhanced DBS check required.
• *Working knowledge of another language.
• *Experience of engaging with seldom-heard communities in an urban environment.
• *Use of Survey Monkey, Google Forms etc.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£29,000 to £31,000 a yearPlus 3% Pension