SocialGSR Research Officer Scheme

What would I do?do as a Research Officer? 

Government social researchers play a critical role in gatheringgathering, analysinganalysing, and interpreting the information that forms the foundation for decision-making affecting every UK resident. resident.  

As a Research Officer working forin athe civilCivil serviceService, organisation you canwould contribute tothrough theanalysis reporting of social trends, the development of government policypolicy, and evaluationevaluating of how policies make a difference to public services. services.    

Your work might involve developing surveys, analysing data, producing statistics, reviewing existing research evidenceevidence, and working with other analysts in government to provide timely,timely relevant and robustrelevant briefingbriefings for policy colleagues and Ministers.ministers.  

What

As qualificationsa doResearch IOfficer, need?

GSRyou memberswould comejoin from a rangevibrant community of socialover science2,500 relatedsocial backgrounds.research Aprofessionals qualifyingworking degreeacross ismore onethan which30 containsgovernment substantialdepartments socialand researchagencies. 

Where methodswould trainingI (comprisingwork? 

This aroundyear, onewe thirdhave ofopportunities modulesavailable taken in the course)following includinglocations: quantitativeBirmingham, researchBristol, methodsCardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Salford, Sheffield, Treforest (Pontypridd) and atWolverhampton.  

How leastmuch threewould ofI get paid? 

Salaries vary according to department and location so please check the following:job systematic/literaturedescriptions reviews;for qualitativedetails. methods;This interpretationis ofthe dataminimum andyou presentationwould ofbe results;paid: studyLondon: design£34,410 and/ hypothesisNationwide: testing;£31,120

What andqualifications applicationdo I need?

Government Social Research (GSR) members come from a range of ethicssocial toscience research.related backgrounds.

There are two entry routes –into the QualificationGSR RouteResearch andOfficer Scheme:

• the Qualification Route

OR

• the Experience Route.

Qualification Route Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible to apply for this route if you meet the following criteria:

• you need,have, or shouldexpect expect, to achieveachieve, a minimum2:2 ofor aabove 2:2 in your undergraduate degree in a relevant subject;social orresearch subject (criteria for relevant subjects are outlined below); or
  a 2:2 in any subject with a postgraduate degree in a relevant social research subject

• the qualifying social research degree must contain asubstantial minimumsocial ofresearch 30%methods intraining social(comprising researcharound methodsone coveringthird allof modules taken on the criteriacourse) outlinedincluding belowquantitative (itresearch ismethods notand sufficientat toleast holdthree of the majorityfollowing:

• systematic/literature inreviews;
• qualitative onemethods;
• interpretation areaof –data coverageand acrosspresentation allof areasresults;
• study isdesign, required)hypothesis testing;
• ifapplication of ethics to research.
• you satisfy both the Civil Service Nationality and Right to work:work Immigrationin the UK requirements as we do not offer sponsorship.

It isyour the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate these criteria clearly on application. Please ensure you indicate the number of credits associated with the relevant modules covering your social research methods training as well as your degree’s total number of credits. We receive a high volume of applications for the scheme, so please ensure you are clear and concise in outlining the relevant modules for consideration.

Experience Route Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible to apply for this route if you meet the following criteria:

• you hold an undergraduate degree, at a minimum of 2:2 in any subject; Andand at have at least 4 years social research practice experience
• your social research practice experience consists of experience working in a research agency, market research agency or specialist research team
• to apply via this route, you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your research experience and skills, which must include the social research method degree content criteria noted in the qualification route section. You need to provide evidence of quantitative research methods and three of the following: systematic/literature reviews; qualitative methods; interpretation of data and presentation of results; study designdesign, and hypothesis testing;testing and application of ethics to researchresearch.
• you satisfy both the Civil Service Nationality and Right to work in the UK requirements as we do not offer sponsorship.

It is theyour responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate these criteria clearly on theiryour application form.

Why Pleasejoin ensurethe youGSR indicateResearch theOfficer numberScheme?

There ofare creditsmany associatedbenefits withto working in the relevantCivil modulesService. coveringHere yourare socialjust researcha methodsfew: 

• Meaningful training.work Wethat receivethat makes a highdifference volumeto society
• Wide range of applicationsgovernment fordepartments
• Opportunities across the scheme,UK
• Flexible soworking
• 25 pleasedays ensureannual youleave are(+8 clearpublic andholidays)
• Competitive concisepension inscheme
• Inclusive outliningworking environment

What happens after the relevantfirst modulesstage forof consideration.

the application process?  

Social

• Stage Research2: MethodFill Degreeout Contentthe Criteria

Toshort qualifyapplication asform.

Stage a3: relevantSit subject,two aonline degreetests must(the includeCivil quantitativeService researchVerbal methodsTest includingand researchthe design,Civil dataService collectionNumerical (i.e.Test).

Stage questionnaire4: design,If sampling,you weighting)meet andthe dataminimum analysisstandard (e.g.for statisticalboth analysis).

Itonline musttests, alsoyou includewill atbe leastinvited threeto offill out the following:

full application form. The form will ask you for information including details about your degree.
• qualitativeStage methods,5: includingBased researchon design,the dataperformance collectionof (i.e.all interviewing,applicants, focusa groups,final ethnographic),pass datamark analysiswill (e.g.be thematicset analysis)
• studyfor design,the hypothesisonline formation,tests. testingThis andmay evaluation
• systematic/literaturebe reviewshigher than the minimum standard for both tests. [This is a process carried out by admin staff.]
• interpretationStage of6: dataIf (qualitativeyou andpass quantitative),both presentationonline oftests, results,you provisionwill be invited to sit the GSR knowledge test (offline). Full details of recommendations/this conclusionstest will be provided if you reach this stage.
• Stage 7: If you pass the GSR knowledge test your application ofwill ethicsbe sent on to researchsifters, who will consider whether you have demonstrated that your degree contains sufficient economics content. [This is a process carried out by staff.]

Knowledge

Stage test

You7: If you pass the sift, you will be invited to attenda virtual interview. The behaviours that you will be assessed against are:

Managing a GSRquality Knowledgeservice

Communicating Testand afterinfluence

Working thetogether

Further closinginformation date.on Fullwhat detailsto ofexpect thisat testthe interviews will be providedsent to candidates whoinvited reachto this stage.

attend.

The

What format will the interview

take?

This will consist of a blended interview, which should take approximately an hourhour. includingIt awill 5include minutea 5-minute presentation with follow up questions to assess your technical professional skills as a Socialsocial Researcher,researcher, in line with the whole GSR Technical Technical Framework at at Research ROOfficer level. level. At interview you will also be asked questions based on the following Civil Service Behaviours: Working Together, Managing a Quality Service, Communicating and Influencing.

The The Civil Service Behaviours framework can be found here and and further guidance on on Success Profiles can be found on Civil Service Jobs here.

An example of a Behavioural question would be: Tell me about a time when you’ve had to deal with a difficult customer. It may help to use one or more examples of a piece of work you have completed or a situation you have been in, and use the WHO or STAR   model to explain: What was   theSituation task,- Howthe situation you approachedhad theto work/situationdeal andwith; whatTask - the Outcomestask were,you whatwere didgiven youto achieve?do; OrAction What- was the Situation?action Thatyou weretook; theand Tasks?Result What- Actionwhat didhappened youas take?a Whatresult wereof theyour Resultsaction ofand yourwhat actions?you learned from the experience?

Nationality requirements

The Civil Service Nationality Rules are written into law, they are exempt from the Equality Act 2010 and must be followed. They outline who can and cannot work in the Civil Service.

In summary from 1st January 2021 broadly the following groups will be able to work in the non-reserved posts within the Civil Service:

• UK nationals
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• EEA nationals nationals with (or eligible for) status under the the EUSS
• Relevant Relevant EEA or or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• Relevant Relevant EEA or or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• Certain family members of the relevant EU & Turkish nationals

A reserved post can be filled only by UK Nationals. A non-reserved post is open to nationals from the countries and associations of countries outlined above. These posts are non-reserved posts.

If you fail to follow these rules the appointment will be deemed illegal. YourYour  appointee’s employment will be terminated with immediate effect.

GRSThe checkGovernment Recruitment Service (GRS) checks candidates against the nationality rules as part of the pre-employment.pre-employment checks.

Right to work: Immigration requirements

You must have the right to work in the United Kingdom and meet the Immigration and Visa requirements for the scheme.

Further details can be found on the the Gov.uk Visas and Immigration page

Before the appointment of the successful candidate can be confirmed, the Departmentemploying department will undertake background security checks. As part of this, we will need to confirm your identity, course details over the past three years (or employment details if you were in employment), nationality and immigration status, and criminal record (unspent convictions only).

All employees must meet the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). This is a series of basic security checks to confirm identity, right to work in the UK, employment history & where relevant, details of any criminal record. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed.

Additionally, some roles within the Government will require you to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC), or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment.

To meet meet CTC, , SC or  or DV requirements requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3, 5 or 10 years prior to the date of application (the level of checks that are required are stated in the advert; advert; more information on the levels can be found here ). ). If you do not satisfy the residency criteria, an application may be submitted and a decision will be made on a case by case basis; consideration will be given to where you lived, how long you were out of the UK and why you were abroad.

If you are applying for a role requiring security clearance, please be aware that foreign or dual nationality is not an automatic bar. However certain posts may have restrictions which could affect those who do not have sole British nationality or who have personal connections with certain countries outside the UK.

All offers of employment are conditional on successful completion of of BPSS and and National Security Vetting. Candidates should not resign from their current job until these checks have been successfully completed.

Allocation to a a GSR department department

You will be assigned into a department for your first posting within the the GSR, with an expectation of staying in this department for two years.

We will take into consideration candidates’ preferences on department/locationlocation but may not be able to fulfil these on all occasions. It is worth noting that any role in the Civil Service will be a rewarding opportunity.

How much would I earn?

Salaries vary between departments. The average starting salary in London is about £29,000.

The Civil Service is committed to becoming the most inclusive employer in the UK.

We are committed to understanding, respecting and representing as broad a range of views and backgrounds as we have in UK society. We know that diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to an effective, modern Civil Service. Our vision is to ensure the Civil Service represents modern Britain and is a truly inclusive employer - an example to other employers. We will create an organisation where diversity is not only respected and valued - but celebrated.

What is in it for me?

We want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us - regardless of background. If you are interested in developing your career with us – starting with this interesting and challenging role – or doing things differently and inspiring colleagues, then the Civil Service is the place for you. Our passion for diversity and equality means creating a work environment for all employees that is welcoming, respectful, engaging, and enriched with opportunities for personal and professional development.

What is next?

You’ve taken the first step and looked through this page to understand the skills and experience needed to perform this role. Now join us in achieving our ambitions and let us help you achieve yours. A Brilliant yours. Civil Service:Service becomingDiversity theand UK’sInclusion mostStrategy: inclusive2022 employerto 2025.

Under the terms of the Equality Act 2010, we will always consider making reasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled people are not disadvantaged in the recruitment and selection process. We are therefore committed to meeting, wherever possible, any needs you specify in your application. We will also consider any reasonable adjustments under the terms of the Act to enable any applicant with a disability (as defined under the Act) to meet the requirements of the post.

How to Apply

TheApply 2024for the GSR Research Officer Graduate Scheme.

Resources willfor openapplicants

• For formore applicationsinformation inabout Februarythe 2024.recruitment Pleaseprocess, registersee yourthe interest- to Candidate receiveGuide email- updatesGSR Research Officer 2024 (MS PowerPoint Presentation, 305 KB)
• For more information about thisthe scheme.kinds role you could be working in as an economics, see the - Job Descriptions - GSR Research Officer 2024
  (ODT, 177 KB)

Social media

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Complaints procedure

Complaints must be submitted in writing or email and addressed to:

gesrrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk

Please provide the fullest account possible of the circumstances surrounding your complaint.

If you do not submit your complaint within a year after the campaign took place, we will not be obliged to consider it.

Our commitment to you

• we will aim to acknowledge your complaint within three working days of its receipt
• we will take your complaint seriously, give it high priority and investigate it fully and impartially
• we will aim to send you a full written response to your complaint within 20 working days of its receipt. If this is not possible, we will let you know, and explain why
• if your complaint is upheld, we shall take action to ensure that the event complained does not recur
• if your complaint is not upheld, we will advise you of options for pursuing it further, should you wish to do so

Working for the Civil Service

The The Civil service code sets 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 Commission’s recruitment principles. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.

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