Social Researcher
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 6th October 2024
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Policy
Social Research
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About the job
Job summary
Do you thrive in an environment where you can work methodically?
Can you review key research and create insights to be communicated to others?
Are you able to work independently to produce quality outcomes, in a timely manner?
If so, we'd love to hear from you!
The successful Social Researcher will manage a programme of work across a number of policy areas including driver policy, motorcycle policy and vocational vehicles.
This includes managing research and evaluation projects targeted on policy questions, but also work with policy colleagues and other analysts to quickly draw on or gather new evidence for decisions.
Job description
The role holder will be provided with an excellent opportunity to gain a deep understanding of the policy process, and experience of making an impact with evidence.
The role may include a combination of managing externally commissioned research or evaluation projects; advising policy colleagues who directly manage commissioned research; identifying evidence needs and designing solutions; and drawing on and disseminating research for it to be used in decisions.
DVSA is open to new approaches to doing things, and there are lots of opportunity to offer leadership and develop new ways of working.
This role will have close links with professional contacts within the Department for Transport (DfT) and the cross-government community. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to be an active participant of the Driver Policy senior leadership team.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to;
- Design, specify, commission, deliver and disseminate social research and evaluation projects to inform policy. Engage widely with various customers (policy, analysts, external) to identify evidence needs, shape work and deliver evidence or advice. This may vary across all of the specialist teams working within the Driver Policy teams for example motorcycle policy or Approved Driving Instructor policy areas.
- Collate insights from the evidence base to answer emerging policy questions.
- Provide technical advice to policy colleagues on evaluation and social research methods, including on the relative robustness of evidence sources, and the interpretation of findings, so that they can be used appropriately in policymaking.
- Take individual responsibility for providing timely, high-quality advice, research, analysis and briefing of both driver policy and legislation.
For more information about the role and responsibilities please see the attached Candidate Pack.
Person specification
To succeed in this role, you will need to have experience of designing, managing and / or implementing complex social research or evaluation projects, to ensure the delivery of robust results on time.
You will need to have experience of using your leadership, communication, and collaboration skills to achieve impact from search or evaluation.
You will need to have experience of analysing a range of information and evidence from diverse sources to form conclusions and make recommendations.
Additional Information
Please note that there is a requirement for frequent UK travel, including overnight stays as part of this role.
This role can be based in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham or Swansea, your presence at one of these locations will form part of the working arrangements agreed with you. We operate a hybrid working model giving you greater flexibility about where and when you work. Our expectation is that you will spend a minimum 60% of your time at your base location. Visits to other DVSA sites or work locations count towards this.
Please take note that DVSA does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
About Us
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) helps keep Britain moving, safely and sustainably.
We do this by helping people through a lifetime of safe and sustainable journeys, helping them keep their vehicles safe to drive, and protecting them from unsafe drivers and vehicles.
We’re working hard to:
- make roads safer
- improve services for our customers
- make road transport greener and healthier
- harness the potential of technology and data
- grow and level up the economy
To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace and making DVSA a great place to work visit our Careers website.
Qualifications
Qualification requirements are dependent on whether candidates are eligible for GSR professional membership under the qualification route or the experience route:
Qualification route:
• Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:1, or 2:2 with an additional postgraduate degree.
• The degree must include a substantial research methods component, comprising around 30% of the modules taken on the course.
Experience route:
• Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 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.
• In addition to the above qualification, applicants must also have at least 4 years’ experience of social research practice, which may consist of working in a research agency, market research agency or a specialist research team.
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.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Government Social Research Technical Framework - Knowledge of research methods, techniques and applications of these in more complex projects
- Government Social Research Technical Framework - Identifying research needs, designing and specifying research
- Government Social Research Technical Framework – Analysis and interpretation
- Government Social Research Technical Framework - Managing and commissioning social research.
Benefits
- An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance
- Generous Annual Leave - 25 days holiday, increasing by 1 each year of service, up to 30
- 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday
- Latest IT and Tech devices
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues
- Excellent learning and development tailored to your role including paid apprenticeships up to Masters level
- Wide range of discounts schemes on high street names
- Employee assistance program for health and wellbeing
- Cycle to work scheme and Gym membership offers
- For more information see visit our careers page
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and 750 word personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The sift is due to take place 07th - 08th October 2024.
Interviews are likely to be held 21st, 24th and 25th October 2024.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
This interview could be conducted via a video interview, details of which will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
We’ll try to meet the dates we’ve set out in the advert. But there may be occasions when these dates will change. We’ll give you plenty of notice of any important dates.
In your CV please provide evidence of qualifications and experience as mentioned in the Qualification/Professional Memberships section of the advert.
For your Personal Statement, please provide detailed evidence of the following:
- Experience of designing, managing and implementing complex social research and/ or evaluation projects to ensure the delivery of robust results on time.
- Experience of using your leadership and communication skills to identify what evidence is needed and delivering research/evaluation which impacts senior level decision making.
- Experience of analysing a range of information and evidence from diverse sources to form conclusions and make recommendations. .
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:
- An interview, including a presentation.
As part of the technical assessment for this role you will be assessed against:
The Government Social Research Technical Framework
Further details around this can be found in the 'Technical' section of the advert and in the attached Candidate Pack.
If you would like to find out more about what it’s like to work for DVSA and how to apply, we will be holding virtual sessions to find out more. Please click here to secure your place at one of our upcoming events.
You’re encouraged to become familiar with the candidate pack as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.
The Department for Transport recruits using Success Profiles. For each role, we consider what you need to demonstrate to be successful.
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
You can read more about Success Profiles here.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Document Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.
Further Information
For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.
Pre-employment Checking
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Lianne Parkinson
- Email : lianne.parkinson@dvsa.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here
