Job summary
Research Assistant
Evaluation
£26,530 (Band 4)
The Strategy Unit is leading research, analysis and change from within the NHS.
The NHS and its partners face significant challenges, and our work is in high demand. We support healthcare providers, commissioners, universities, charities, and government organisations to solve complex problems by providing evidence-informed analysis and advice.
For more information about our work including recent and current projects, please visit our website: https://www.strategyunitwm.nhs.uk
The Strategy Unit is committed to being more representative of the people we serve. We would like to encourage applications from appropriately qualified individuals from underrepresented groups.
As aResearch Assistant you will be involved in a wide range of work in our mixed-method project teams and be supported to develop and grow your skills and interests.
We are looking for people with an interest in social research and evaluation, and a relevant undergraduate qualification - with some experience of applied qualitative research methods.
Main duties of the job
As part of the Evaluation Team you will be working on a wide range of evaluations from small, local interventions to large, national complex and high-profile programmes.
About us
The Strategy Unit has an office in central Birmingham, but our staff are based all over the UK. Most of the Evaluation Team work to a hybrid model of home and the office; some work at home.
The Evaluation Team has a voluntary compressed hours nine-day fortnight with a common non-working day. We know that everyone has a life outside work, and other flexible working options are available (as well as standard hours!).
We are committed to an inclusive hiring process, where every candidate has the chance to showcase their unique skills and experience in an accessible, and supported environment, to ensure that we can make the best appointment for each job on merit. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage those from underrepresented groups in this field to apply to us.
We have identified three diverse groups, In particular, we want to achieve a better balance across our organisation between men and women, increase representation of people from black and ethnic minority backgrounds and recruit more people with disabilities. As part of this commitment, we particularly welcome applications from these groups.
Apply to join our team and let's work towards building a diverse and inclusive workplace together.
ML is committed to our process of redeployment at risk members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Research Assistant, you will be responsible for developing your evaluation skills and supporting the delivery of projects. You will be expected to:
Deliver specific tasks within complex project assignments, working under the direction of the project manager/director. Demonstrating high quality interpersonal skills, alongside an analytical mindset
Manage multiple tasks across a range of projects, be calm under pressure and juggle competing priorities and tight deadlines
Take responsibility for ensuring your work is completed as directed by the project manager/director, ensuring that assignments are delivered within the available resources, on time and of the required quality
Understand project risks and interdependencies and the impact of your work on other aspects of project delivery
Take the initiative in developing your understanding of the broader health and care policy / institutional environment
Build and maintain good working relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Research Assistant, you will be responsible for developing your evaluation skills and supporting the delivery of projects. You will be expected to:
Deliver specific tasks within complex project assignments, working under the direction of the project manager/director. Demonstrating high quality interpersonal skills, alongside an analytical mindset
Manage multiple tasks across a range of projects, be calm under pressure and juggle competing priorities and tight deadlines
Take responsibility for ensuring your work is completed as directed by the project manager/director, ensuring that assignments are delivered within the available resources, on time and of the required quality
Understand project risks and interdependencies and the impact of your work on other aspects of project delivery
Take the initiative in developing your understanding of the broader health and care policy / institutional environment
Build and maintain good working relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Degree with element of applied qualitative research methods, or equivalent qualification/experience.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of undertaking qualitative research, with or without quantitative work, including document review
- Some experience of collecting and analysing data.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the NHS and/or wider health and social care services, and how the Strategy Unit supports these services.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to manage your own time effectively to meet project deadlines.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Degree with element of applied qualitative research methods, or equivalent qualification/experience.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of undertaking qualitative research, with or without quantitative work, including document review
- Some experience of collecting and analysing data.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the NHS and/or wider health and social care services, and how the Strategy Unit supports these services.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to manage your own time effectively to meet project deadlines.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
