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Head of Social Research and Evaluation - Flexible Working Available

Employer
Department for Transport
Location
London (Central), London (Greater)
Salary
£53,044
Closing date
24 Apr 2020

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Sector
Public Sector, Research
Hours
Full Time
Flexibility
Flexible working available
Contract Type
Permanent

Job Details

Location

London

About the job

Are you passionate about social research and evaluation?

Do you want to use your research and analysis skills to help make the transport system better for everyone?

Want to influence the biggest rail infrastructure projects in the UK for a generation?

If the answer to any of these questions is 'yes', don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity at the Department for Transport (DfT)! Job description

This is an exciting time to join DfT. We have an ambitious and challenging agenda to deliver. And our Ministers want to make DfT the champion for the consumer.

The opportunity is available is in the High Speed and Major Rail Projects Analysis team - a multi-disciplinary team of around 25 analysts which include economists, statisticians, social researchers and modellers. Working collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will help shape major rail projects, helping transform UK transport policy for generations to come. As well as helping to deliver capacity on the rail network, these new schemes will better connect communities, support the levelling up and net zero carbon agenda.
 

Responsibilities

Joining our team will mean that some of your responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

- Developing and delivering compelling, people-centred analysis to inform decision making for a range of high profile new rail projects including East West Rail, HS2, Crossrail and Northern Powerhouse Rail;

- Developing and delivering research to understand the wider benefits of rail investments (including the environment, the economy, and housing), at a regional and national level to inform decision making;

- Planning and designing programmes to evaluate new rail schemes, building on the lessons learnt from other major rail projects both domestically and internationally.

About you

You will be an expert social researcher or senior analyst with equivalent capability, excellent analytical skills, a strong delivery record and experience working with policy colleagues and other analytical teams spanning organisational boundaries. You are passionate about identifying issues, whilst providing the answers we need to keep moving. You will work in a disciplined way and can apply your expertise to set the direction and confidently influence decisions.

You'll have outstanding interpersonal skills, with a natural ability to build rapport with others. You'll be clear when communicating complex information to others, being able to explain detail in simple terms. Becoming a highly influential figure in the business is key, as you will hold many meaningful conversations to support the successful delivery of guidance and robust recommendations to others, even when the evidence is incomplete or ambiguous. You will also be comfortable challenging others where appropriate, regardless of seniority.

Previous experience in this field will allow you to manage your time and multiple work streams, aligning project / research work with business priorities.

About us

Our mission at the Department for Transport is ‘connecting people and places’. Everything we do to achieve this is reinforced by our values:

- Confidence: to challenge, to take action, to innovate

- Excellence: in our professionalism, in our delivery, in our learning

- Teamwork: we are inclusive, we collaborate, we support each other

These values define the kind of organisation we want to be – delivering for today whilst being ambitious for tomorrow.

We embrace diversity and celebrate our differences. Everyone is involved in making DfT an inclusive and great place to work. We actively promote a flexible approach to working whilst giving our staff opportunities to maximise their skills and achieve their full potential.

We are different people, one team.

Find out more about what it's like working at the Department for Transport.

Qualifications

Candidates should hold at least one of the following:

o First or second-class Honours degree with a 30% social research methods component
o Postgraduate qualification in social research
o Other professional qualifications (e.g. a Market Research Society qualification)
o Other professional social research experience.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Working Together
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

  • Government Social Research Technical Framework
  • Government Social Research Technical Framework

Benefits 

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.

Things you need to know Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

We are closely monitoring the situation regarding the coronavirus, and will be following central Government advice as it is issued. There is therefore a risk that recruitment to this post may be subject to change at short notice. Please continue to follow the application process as normal and ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

Selection Process

When preparing your CV & Personal Statement, please ensure to evidence your experience of the following:

• Holding an established track record in designing, carrying out or managing social research, translating policy requirements into robust specifications that meet customer needs and provides research based advice and briefings

• Reporting on complex and often conflicting research information to senior non-specialists/customers; assisting them to isolate key facts, discern trends and draw out implications

Key dates

The sift is due to take place 27/04/20

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held 06/05/20

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment could include:
• an interview
• an interview with one or more exercises (for example presentation, written exercise, role play or other)

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order 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. For further information on Success Profiles please click here

Your interview may consist of a range of question types. These may include questions about:
• what energises and motivates you
• how you would manage situations relevant to the role
• your previous experience
• your professional skills and knowledge

You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.

Further Information

We have adopted anonymised recruitment. This means that your name, date of birth and other personal details will not be seen by the sift panel.

We may hold a merit list for up to twelve months. During this time, if a similar role is identified and you have been placed on the merit list you may be considered for the post. Within the merit list period, your application form and selection information may be shared across the department and its agencies.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.

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.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Reasonable adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Any move to the Department For Transport will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name :   Preetum Domah Email :   [email protected]   Recruitment team : Email :   [email protected] Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: [email protected] If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here (https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/) to visit Civil Service Commission

Company

Transport matters – what we do matters.

Transport touches the lives of everyone in the country. Across road, rail, air, sea and space, our transport networks affect homes, businesses, schools, hospitals and more. It’s how we deliver goods to our shops, get people to work and reunite with our loved ones. Our staff know how important their work is and how they fit in.

 

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