SSBC Research and Learning Officer

Job description

Job responsibilities

The SSBC Programme is a 10-year Partnership Programme funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. Nottingham is one of five areas funded to deliver the national ‘A Better Start’ Programme.

At the heart of the SSBC way lies our vision ‘Growing our children with love and respect’ and our core principle for delivering it “Children at the heart and parents leading the way, supported and guided by experts”. These are underpinned by a set of values that have been developed with parents:

We all have EXPERTISE

We are all LEARNING

We recognise SHARED ACCOUNTABILITY

Respecting multiple perspectives and DIVERSITY

‘We evaluate and support the performance, quality and effectiveness and impact of the programme and projects. We share and synthesise the learning’

The Research and Learning Officer is a dynamic role which requires an enthusiastic, motivated individual who can engage and inspire a wide audience and use these connections to develop shared learning, research and evaluation that can shape and inform local and national policy. This is an 18-month fixed term contract post.

The research, evaluation and sharing of learning is an important element of the 10 year programme as it moves towards its final phase. The Programme is hoping to shift policy and decision making locally and Nationally in the area of pregnancy and early years as part of the SSBC and A Better Start legacy

The Research and Learning Officer will report directly to the Evaluation Manager but will work closely with the Marketing and Communications Manager and Workforce Lead to ensure any national and local learning and research can be shared with the children’s workforce and wider partnership including parents.

The Research and Learning Officer key responsibilities are:

· The Research and Learning officer will be responsible for writing policy briefings, responding to select committee calls for evidence and providing up to date summaries and synopsis of research and evidence in the 0-5 arena locally, nationally and internationally.

· They will undertake discrete research/audit and evaluation projects, including development, design, implementation, and dissemination of findings

· They will contribute to the implementation of research and evaluation findings into service and system development both internally and externally to SSBC

· They will participate in the education and training of professionals on the application of the research evidence on early childhood development

· They will support the Evaluation Manager in working with both national and local research, evaluation and learning partners as required.

The post holder will understand the issues and opportunities of pregnancy to 4yrs with an overriding passion and experience to support the programme to share its impact, learning and research. Alongside this passion you will need to be work to tight deadlines with confidence in uncertainty and have the ability to work as part of a team and in isolation. The role will require you to liaise with a wide vary of audience’s so engagement skills and ability to flex your approach is crucial. You will have experience of working with babies, children, families, and their parents and the current agendas which impact on them. You will have a good knowledge of both qualitative and quantitative research skills with experience of undertaking a range of research and learning tasks, including assessing and summarising evidence and research. You will have well developed written communication skills for a variety of audiences

Dimensions

Complex and diverse area of work cross-cutting locally and Nationally within the Small Steps Big Changes Programme and the wider A Better Start Programme

The post holder will have project budget responsibility; this will include the day to day administering and monitoring of the project budget and being an authorised signatory.

The post holder will need to provide written reports to a high standard and for a wide range of audiences, with internal and external partners and on a National level

This post has line management responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

· To keep abreast of relevant local and national policies and emerging research and evaluation and how they impact on SSBC and the partnership workforce. This will include preparing briefings as required for a range of stakeholders.

· To receive and disseminate complex communication and ensure that this is communicated clearly to target audiences,

· To analyse and interpret complex statistical/analytical/research outcomes/queries and use judgement regarding the range of issues to present the findings.

· Research and write briefings, reports and learning summaries for professionals and parents in partnership with the communications team.

· To ensure that parliamentary and select committees’ call to evidence are reviewed and responded to, monitoring, and keeping up to date with parliamentary activity and carrying out desk-based background research on policy developments

· To undertake a range of research and learning tasks, including assessing and summarising research evidence for literature reviews and collecting background information relevant to proposed or existing SSBC projects

· Use specialist skills to plan and analyse qualitative data collection to support the programmes evaluation using a range of qualitative research methods, including participating in interviews and focus groups and workshops with children, young people, and adults. This will include interview transcription and thematic analysis. This may involve some out of hours working and travel with notice.

· Lead in the development of and delivery of training to support dissemination of technical, research and consultation knowledge to the workforce and ensure any learning can be captured and evaluated

· Effectively use a range of IT applications to create reports, project plans, spreadsheets and other documents.

· Represent SSBC in a variety of local and national forums as appropriate and taking responsibility for ensuring that decisions, tasks and actions are cascaded / implemented as appropriate.

· To adhere to Safeguarding Children procedures, and recommendations, and access safeguarding training.

Other duties

• This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of activities but rather an outline of the main areas of responsibility.
• Behave at all times as an ambassador for the brand and the organization and exhibit the highest professional and personal standards.
• To speak positively and enthusiastically about SSBC to ensure that a positive brand image is provided at all times to stakeholders and colleagues.

Corporate Responsibility

• To not act in way that would bring the company into disrepute or damage its reputation.
• Observe and comply with company law, disclosing any conflicts of interests.
• Observe and comply with policies and procedures for health and safety ensuring the environment you and our staff work in is safe.
• Observe and continually promote equal opportunities in compliance with CityCare policies on Equality, Diversity and Dignity at work and the EDS.

General Responsibilities

· To take on any additional duties as required by the Evaluation Manager, SSBC Head of Programme and SSBC Director.

· To work corporately and collaboratively to promote the future success, sustainability, and prosperity of CityCare

· To represent SSBC and CityCare internally and externally as required

· The post holder is expected to work in a flexible manner in order to respond to changing agendas and unexpected requirements

· To participate and undertake regular performance appraisals

To undertake any training required to maintain and develop skills and competency, including mandatory training, e.g. Fire, Health & Safety

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of undertaking a range of research and learning tasks, including assessing and summarising research, evidence for literature reviews, collect background information relevant to proposed or existing SSBC projects.
• Experience of writing policy briefings to respond to select committee calls.
• Awareness of working with expectant parents and children 0-3 years.
• Ability to present research to clinicians and managers in health and local authority, community groups and other partners through strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Experience of, and ability to use, a range of IT packages.
• Proven experience of being able to work independently and being accountable for their own professional actions.
• Previous experience of translating National research into local SSBC context.

Desirable

• Experience of qualitative research analysis

Skills and Attributes

Essential

• A commitment to continuing professional development and evidence informed practice.
• Ability to communicate in a variety of ways with parents / carers and professionals, including verbal, written and presentation skills., adapting communication styles to suit.
• Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with parents / carers, clinicians, community groups and partner agencies.
• Knowledge and understanding of information governance and management of patient data.
• Ability to collate information, progress actions and undertake performance monitoring and reporting as required.
• Analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex data, information and research findings.
• Decision making and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organisational skills using systematic, thorough and logical approaches.
• Ability to manage multiple and competing demands, work autonomously, and deliver on agreed objectives and targets accurately within tight deadlines.
• Ability to write reports that are articulate and comply with copyright and GDPR requirements.
• Experience of being affiliated to research organisations and attending conferences to keep abreast of National policies.
• Ability to solve problems, take responsibility and think independently
• Competent in the use of MS Office suite, in particular Excel, Word and Powerpoint.

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree or equivalent level of training or experience in Research and Development or public health arena
• Professional/Clinical knowledge acquired through degree and supplemented by specialist training to post graduate diploma level and knowledge of research methodologies

Additional criteria

Essential

• Ability to be flexible over hours worked within contracted hours to meet the needs of the service.
• The ability to travel between locations.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Nottingham CityCare Partnership CIC

Address

The Atrium

Nottingham

NG1 5FW

Employer's website

https://www.nottinghamcitycare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)