Senior Social Research Scientist (Band 3/SEO)

Health and Safety Executive; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A government regulatory body in the UK seeks a Social Researcher to contribute analysis for the Building Safety Programme. The ideal candidate should have strong social research qualifications and experience, aiding in impactful decision-making. This role offers competitive benefits, including flexible working options and generous holiday allowances.

Benefits

Learning and development tailored to your role

Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme

Family friendly policies

25 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days after 5 years

Qualifications

• Candidates should have social research modules within their qualifications.
• At least four years’ experience in social research practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide analysis to support the Building Safety Programme.
• Work with analysts and policy colleagues for evidence needs.
• Disseminate evidence to generate impact.

Skills

Sound social science based advice

Research design

Synthesis of data

Qualitative and quantitative data analysis

Critical evaluation of data

Education

Undergraduate degree 2:1 or 2:2 with a postgraduate degree

Degree with substantial research methods component

Job description

Overview

We are looking for an exceptional social researcher to provide high quality analysis to support the Building Safety Programme. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the independent regulator for work‑related health and safety.

Role Summary

The role is part of the Government’s plans to bring about the biggest change in building safety for a generation. A new, national Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has been established in HSE as part of the Building Safety Programme and will become an Executive Agency of the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Any successful candidates recruited to this vacancy will initially be onboarded to HSE, with a move to the new Executive Agency to be undertaken in due course.
Travel: This role can be based in any of the advertised locations; occasional travel to other HSE offices will be required for team meetings and collaborative work.

Responsibilities

• Providing sound social science based advice and analysis to support the BSP
• Working closely with other analysts, operational and policy colleagues and other stakeholders to understand and meet the evidence needs of the BSP
• Supporting the triangulation of secondary data sources such as programme monitoring data, existing baseline surveys and qualitative data
• Synthesising evaluation evidence and drawing out key messages
• Further analysing secondary data sources to answer specific policy questions
• Understanding implications of evidence and analysis for ongoing refinement of the theory of change
• Disseminating evidence and analysis to generate impact
• Taking a proactive role in relation to your own professional development such as through engagement with GSR activities and professional opportunities and working alongside the GSR head of profession to share learning and support professional development within the team

Qualifications

The expectation is that candidates will have the same qualifications as GSR (Government Social Research) members. Qualification requirements are dependent on whether candidates are eligible for GSR professional membership under the qualification route or the experience route.

Qualification Route

• Undergraduate degree 2:1 or 2:2 with an additional postgraduate degree
• Degree must include a substantial research methods component (around 30% of the modules taken on the course)

Experience Route

• Undergraduate degree 2:1 or 2:2 with an additional postgraduate degree, in any subject; OR a degree equivalent such as the MRS Advanced Certificate in Market and Social Research Practice
• At least four years’ experience of social research practice, which may consist of working in a research agency, market research agency or a specialist research team

Application Procedure

In your application, please remember to include details on:

• Any social research modules taken as part of your undergraduate or postgraduate degree
• Any relevant professional qualifications you hold, such as the MRS Advanced Certificate or equivalent

You will be asked to provide proof of qualifications should you be successful at sift. Candidates successful at sift who are required to undertake the Social Research Knowledge Test will be scheduled to be sent this test week commencing 1st December. If you are successful at the 1st stage interview, you will progress to the 2nd stage interview. Interview stage 2: Successful candidates not required to undertake the test will be progressed automatically to the second stage interview. The interviews will be held from 15th December. You will be assessed against the advertised behaviour and technical skills. You will also be asked to prepare a presentation of up to 10 minutes followed by questions by panel members.

Behaviours

• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical Skills

• Delivering challenging research projects
• Producing robust social science based advice and analysis to support decision making
• Synthesising data and information to understand the evidence base, highlight gaps and convey key messages
• Research design, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis
• Advocating for social research and presenting to others about social research
• Presenting complex analysis clearly with demonstrable impact to non‑specialists and/or senior managers
• Supporting senior leaders with effective partnership and collaborative working to deliver positive outcomes
• Critically evaluating data and information to make sound evidence based decisions
• A sound knowledge of the ethical issues and legal requirements surrounding research

Nationality Requirements

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• Competitive rates of pay
• Access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme to which HSE contribute 28.9% far more than in the private sector
• Family friendly policies and working hours to help balance your home life and career
• Carer friendly policies to help create a supportive working culture
• 25 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays and 1-day Civil Service privilege leave
• Parental leave benefits
• Access to a wide range of fantastic benefits such as the Cycle to Work Scheme, E‑Gift Cards and Vouchers via our partner EdenRed

Accessibility and Disability Confidence

HSE is proud to be a part of the Disability Confidence Scheme (DCS). As a Disability Confident employer, we positively welcome applications from disabled people. We are committed to making workplace adjustments to ensure anyone can participate in the recruitment and selection process. If, during the application or interview process, you require any assistance due to a disability or a medical condition, please contact us at [e-mail].