Senior Research and Evidence Manager

ZipRecruiter; Epsom; Hybrid; GBP 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Samaritans as a Senior Research and Evidence Manager, leading crucial projects that influence key decisions for suicide prevention. This role involves high-quality research oversight and team leadership, supporting organizational efforts to ground services and campaigns in sound evidence-based practices.

Benefits

Hybrid working environment

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in research involving vulnerable populations.
• Strong skills in both qualitative and quantitative research.
• Expertise with data analysis software.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team conducting high-quality research.
• Act as an authority on suicide data interpretation.
• Ensure ethical standards in research are maintained.

Skills

Qualitative research skills

Quantitative research skills

Communication skills

Data analysis

Education

Postgraduate degree in social science, health or policy research

Tools

NVivo

R

SPSS

Job description

Job Description

Are you passionate about driving meaningful change through research and evidence? Do you want to lead critical projects that inform key organisational decisions and make a tangible impact on suicide prevention? Join us at Samaritans as our Senior Research and Evidence Manager, covering maternity leave for 12 months.

You’ll lead and provide support to teams across Samaritans to conduct high quality research and evidence work, ensuring that our services, policy and campaigning work are based on sound evidence, in line with our Evidence-based Strategic Principle.

• £49,000 per annum
• 12 month fixed term contract, covering maternity leave
• Full time (35 hours per week) with flexible working
• Hybrid working: Linked to our Ewell (Surrey) office, with an option to work from a shared office space in London Bridge.
• In-person working: Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. As part of the Performance and Insights team, you will join three in-person retreats per quarter. Participation to other in-person meetings will depend on need.
• We are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences.

About the Role

In this pivotal role, you’ll lead a dynamic team and work across the organisation to ensure our services, policies, and campaigns are grounded in the best available evidence. Your expertise will help shape organisational strategy, influence key decisions, and ultimately, save lives.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Conduct and oversee evidence reviews to guide our work.
• Act as a trusted authority on interpreting suicide data and trends.
• Collaborate with internal teams to embed evidence-based practices.
• Ensure the quality and ethical standards of research across the organisation.
• Lead and support a talented team, fostering well-being and inclusivity.

What We’re Looking For

• A postgraduate degree or equivalent experience in social science, health, or policy research.
• Proven experience in research involving vulnerable populations.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills, including expertise in tools like NVivo, R, or SPSS.
• Exceptional communication skills to translate complex findings for diverse audiences.
• A commitment to amplifying the voices of those with lived experience.

FullJob Description is here

Why Join Us?

At Samaritans, we believe fewer lives should be lost to suicide. You'll be part of a supportive and inclusive workplace that values innovation, resilience, and collaboration. Enjoy a hybrid working environment, professional development opportunities, and the chance to make a real difference.

Working at Samaritans:

For further information about Samaritans, including our charity structure, values, employee benefits, and application process, please read ourrecruitment brochure.You can also access it on our careers page.

Being Inclusive:

We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to and and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from disabled, racialised minority and + candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans.

Application:

If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please upload your CV and a cover letter (no more than 500 words), outlining your motivations for applying and why you think you would be a great fit for the role. Applications closeat 9 am on the 22ndof July. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to complete a short test that they will present at the interview. Video interviews taking place from the 11thof August.

Whilst we appreciate that the use of generative AI functions like ChatGPT is quickly becoming part of working life for many people, through our recruitment process we want to see your own unique ideas and writing skills. We want your application to stand out from the rest and showcase your own strengths. Therefore, we kindly ask that you don’t rely on AI tools for your application answers, cover letter or to generate interview answers.