Senior Researcher Application Pack

Transcription

1 Senior Researcher Application Pack - 1 -

2 Who we are: The Institute is a unique, independent charity working at the highest levels to improve government effectiveness. Our vision is: To inspire the best in government Why is that important? Good government is one of the most important factors in driving social and economic success. But while Whitehall ranks among the world s best administrations, the sheer scale of today s political challenges demands ever more capable leadership from government. The Institute s role is to inform and support the process of improvement, working at the highest levels of politics and the civil service to improve capacity and provide evidence-based advice that draws on best practice from across the globe. What we do We focus equally on the needs of all political parties and senior decision makers from across Whitehall. We identify best practice, and provide new ideas and models for better government. How we do that: Our approach blends new insights, institutional memory, and practical approaches to implementing change: We undertake high quality research, primarily focused on the mechanics and processes of government, producing recommendations for change. We provide tailored development for senior decision makers and their teams to support best practice and the delivery of change. We offer consultancy and advice to departments and political parties on improving the performance and effectiveness of government. Our headquarters provide a meeting place where politicians and senior officials from across Whitehall can discuss the challenges of making government work and access practical insights from some of the world s most innovative public servants, leading academics and opinion formers. Our work is driven by four core values: Innovative we will push at the boundaries of current knowledge, exploring and experimenting with diverse approaches to find the best solution. Rigorous we will be thorough and precise in our method and aspire to produce the highest quality data and services. Impartial we will be needs led, neutral and politically non-aligned. Trusted we will earn the confidence of all those we work with, being open and challenging as well as a trusted guardian of knowledge

3 Opportunity: Senior Researcher As a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government, you will be a core member of the research and learning team. You will work with other Institute staff and external partners to deliver the Institute s research and learning programme, and will be expected to lead smaller projects and project modules, as appropriate. Projects will require taking a fresh, evidence-based look at a range of issues relating to public sector management, political leadership and development. Projects aim to produce: Practical recommendations for changes in government policy and practice that will deliver better public outcomes; and/or New insights that will enable the Institute to refine and improve the support it offers to senior decision makers, for example its development support for government ministers, the Opposition and Senior Civil Servants. Recent projects include an assessment of how coalition government has operated over its first year, what makes for effective ministers, recommendations on how to improve the civil service s core function of policymaking and an analysis of what lay behind some of the more successful policies of the last 30 years, and how mayors can help improve political accountability and economic performance in ngland s major cities and how to widen the field for the new police and crime commissioner posts. We have also just published an open letter to the new head of the civil service and Cabinet Secretary on civil service reform which brings together a number of key strands of the Institute work. Over the next five years, the Institute s will largely be organised around five key themes: a more effective Whitehall; new models of governance and public services; better policymaking; leadership for government and parliament and the political process. The output of your work will include written reports and discussion papers, multimedia presentations, seminars and other events, and learning and development activities. You will be expected to work closely with senior stakeholders and other Institute staff. You will be responsible for ensuring that our activities are responsive to the needs of senior people in government and Parliament, and that project outputs are delivered in a timely fashion and suitable format and style for specific targeted audiences. For this role, you will need to have to have exceptional problem solving skills, the ability to influence senior stakeholders and at least three years of relevant experience. Knowledge and experience of the workings of UK government is highly desirable, as is knowledge of organisational change and professional development practice. The ability to use a variety of research methods, including statistical tools, would also be a major plus

4 Outline Job escription Job Title: Reports to: Responsible for: Senior Researcher Programme irector elivery and leadership of Institute project work Major tasks: Lead quantitative and qualitative analysis and research to build an understanding of administrative and policy problems and their causal drivers. Methods of research will include interviewing, surveys, systems analysis, desk-based research and quantitative trend and causation analyses Support other Institute staff in the development of tailored support for senior policymakers, as required. Manage projects producing high quality written reports / presentations / stakeholder events to challenging deadlines Present project findings and recommendations through seminars, workshops and meetings. You will be expected to present your findings to senior stakeholders Build strong working relationships with government departments and agencies, and other organisations in the education, public and commercial sectors Work closely with other Institute staff to ensure that all research findings are reflected in the Institute s support offer for senior policymakers Manage and oversee the development of others, where required Key contacts: Management team Other Research and Learning staff Senior Fellows of the Institute Whitehall and Westminster world (MPs and Senior Civil Servants) Members of staff from relevant think tanks, academia and the private sector Other Institute staff - 4 -

5 Person Specification Job Title: Senior Researcher Reports to: Programme irector = SSNTIAL = SIRABL CRITRIA STANAR / xperience At least 3 year of relevant experience A degree of 2:1 or above from a UK university, or equivalent xperience of leading teams producing reports and/or presentations to a publishable standard xperience of managing in central or local government, strategy consulting, a think tank or similar Post-graduate research experience in a relevant discipline Knowledge Knowledge of government and/or public policy Knowledge of managing projects and teams Knowledge of management and/or public administration issues Knowledge of organisational change and/or learning and development techniques Skills Ability to produce accurate work to tight deadlines under pressure Ability to communicate clearly in writing and orally to staff members and stakeholders Strong analytical skills, including an exceptional ability to understand problems and causal drivers Ability to think creatively and to develop radical problem solutions Good skills in Microsoft Word, Power Point and xcel or Access Quantitative skills, including ability to conduct statistical analysis such as regression Attitude Comfort with working in a rapidly evolving working environment Commitment to the Institute s values, aims and objectives, including the highest possible levels of professional integrity A passion for public service improvement and personal and organisational development - 5 -

6 Information for all applicants mployer: Location: Who can apply: Institute for Government 2 Carlton Gardens, SW1Y 5AA Only applicants who meet the relevant skills and experience as set out in the job description and person specification. Applicants must be from within the uropean conomic Area (A) and have an entitlement to work in the UK or already hold the relevant work visa. Timetable The expected selection process timetable is: Closing date: 5pm on Wednesday 28 March Interviews will be held in April Start dates: Terms: Salary: The start date will be one month after offer of appointment, and ideally earlier. Some negotiation will be possible for exceptional candidates. Successful candidates will join on a 2 year renewable contract and will be subject to a 3 month probationary period. Starting salary will be negotiated depending on individual skills and experience and we expect most appointments to be at the lower end of the range. A higher starting salary may be negotiated for candidates with exceptional skills, knowledge and/or experience. 32,000-55,000 per annum. Salary will be negotiated depending on skills and experience. Benefits: The Institute has a pension scheme which you will be eligible to join once your probation period is complete. The contribution is set at 5% from the employee and a 10% contribution from the employer. Life assurance of 4 x salary is available. Working hours: Annual leave: You will normally work a 5-day week of 37.5 hours (9am 5.30pm with a one hour lunch break) but you will, as the occasion requires, work outside these hours. The Institute is willing to consider part-time working, but this must fit with the needs of the Institute. Your annual leave allowance will be 30 days in addition to 8 days of bank and public holiday. qual opportunities: All job applicants and employees will receive equal treatment regardless of sex, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, civil partnership, gender reassignment, age, disability, or religious beliefs

7 How to apply: Please submit an up-to-date CV together with a covering letter (of no more than 600 words) supporting your application to recruitment@instituteforgovernment.org.uk If you have any questions please recruitment@instituteforgovernment.org.uk and someone will call you back. Applications are be received by 5pm on Wednesday 28 March Please note that feedback cannot be given to any applicants unless they have been called to interview. Contacts If any of this information is unclear, or you want to discuss the opportunities in more detail please contact us on: recruitment@instituteforgovernment.org.uk and leave your contact details for someone to call you back Further information at: