About the job

Job summary

The Home Office is the lead HM Government Department for immigration and passports, crime, police, fire, and counter terrorism. These significant issues are at the heart of the agenda of HM Government, are intellectually stimulating and regularly at the top of the news. The challenges and opportunities the Department faces are significant and rapidly changing in the global environment in which we operate. Strong analytical advice is needed to navigate these challenges, and the Home Office has a reputation for making analysis at the centre of policy making and operational decisions. 

We are looking for 5 GSR Senior Research Officers to join a number of units within the Home Office Analysis and Insight (HOAI) Directorate.

The Drugs, Exploitation, and Abuse Analysis (DEAA) Unit strives to provide robust evidence to inform the development of new policies for high priority areas such as Drugs, Modern Slavery, and Violence Against Women and Girls. The unit’s work ranges from supporting complex evaluations of policy interventions, innovative research and analysis to fill key evidence gaps and providing research insights for policy making. Our analysts in this area routinely work with policy colleagues, Permanent Secretaries and Ministers to design and deliver evidence-led policies. 

The Borders Analysis (BA) Unit provides analysis to influence decisions about the security and prosperity of the UK border, transforming the way Border Force run complex operations. The UK border is more than a line on a map. It is a combination of policies, processes and systems delivered by both public and private organisations across more than 270 recognised crossing points across the UK. BA plays a central role in ensuring the effective management and transformation of the border, driving decision-making across Border Force, the Home Office and wider government. 

Applications are open to existing Government Social Researchers (GSR) who have been badged as government social researchers and individuals from outside of government who meet the eligibility requirements. See Annex A SRO Information Pack for more information.

Job description

Please refer to Annex A: SRO Information Pack for information on working at the Home Office as a social researcher and full eligibility criteria.

We have a number of exciting opportunities for 5 Senior Research Officers to support decision making in high-profile areas across HOAI (based in the locations stated): 

Post 1: Drugs Research – 1x SRO – Sheffield, Manchester

This role supports policy teams to evaluate and monitor key programmes including drug testing on arrest, out of court disposals for drug possession, and provide key insight into drug use to support policy development. The role will entail fast paced analysis in an exciting high priority area and will enable the successful candidate to develop an understanding of drug misuse. The Drugs Team is made up of around 20 analysts sitting under four Grade 7 areas. We matrix manage meaning there are always opportunities to work with new analysts and on new and exciting projects.

Post 2: Joint Combating Drugs Unit (JCDU) – 1x SRO – London, Croydon, Sheffield, Manchester

This role will involve management of a cross-cutting evaluation of the multi-agency delivery of the drugs strategy in local combating drugs partnerships. The successful candidate will develop an understanding of drug misuse, drug markets, enforcement activity and the whole government approach to delivering the drugs strategy.  

JCDU is made up of a small number of analysts working across two Grade 7 areas on co-ordinating the delivery of the drugs strategy across government.

Post 3: Modern slavery – 2x SRO – London, Croydon, Sheffield, Manchester (2 roles)

These two roles will involve working closely with other social researchers as well as analysts from other professions both within the immediate team and wider HOAI. We also work closely with policy and operational colleagues.

Modern slavery is a high-profile area with regular interest from the Home Secretary and Prime Minister, and a wide range of stakeholders. Within HOAI our current focus is on implementation of the Illegal Migration Act, work to support the multi-million pound Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract, and wider work to build our understanding and evidence base on modern slavery. There are opportunities to develop and lead new and exciting projects on a range of areas, using different methodological approaches and working with a wide range of stakeholders. 

Post 4: Borders Analysis – 1x SRO – London, Croydon, Sheffield, Manchester

This role sits between the Strategy & Evidence and Border Security Analysis teams, both of which provide cross-cutting research and analysis to support delivery of key strategic and operational priorities within Border Force. The role offers an exciting chance to work in a team which undertakes regular and responsive primary research in an operational setting, meaning you see the direct impacts of your work on the business. You will help design and deliver research in response to key evidence gaps and to inform the ambitious programme of transformation of the border. The wider Borders Analysis unit is a mix of Social Researchers, Economists and Operational Researchers, meaning you will have the opportunity to work closely with other professions to deliver the highest value insight to our customers.

These roles are available on a full time basis.  Applications for part-time working would be considered subject to business needs however, due to the nature of the roles, the minimum hours would be 0.8 fte. 

Depending on the post, these roles are located in our offices across the country in Central London, Croydon, Sheffield and Manchester as indicated above. 

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working.  This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estates capacity, by Spring 2024.  Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). 

A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months. Should further vacancies in HOAI become available, the reserve list may be used to make further appointment(s).

Person specification

As an experienced social researcher (with experience gained within government, from academia, or within other research organisations) you will be skilled in designing and delivering research and evaluation, carrying out primary data collection, undertaking secondary data analysis and commissioning external expertise to deliver insights to drive policy formation.  

You will be adept at deploying innovative methods, able to provide expert advice on research approaches and able to balance short term evidence requests whilst delivering your own long term research programme.

You will be a strong team player, willing to work flexibly across changing priorities while maintaining delivery of your core projects, experienced in delivering as part of a team and able to recognise when different analytical skill sets can be brought to bear on a problem. 
 
Your ability to understand and interpret stakeholder requirements and communicate results and implications of your analysis will support you in providing clear and comprehensible evidence to Ministers and senior operational and policy leads. 

Core responsibilities are likely to include: 

• Managing, leading and delivering on quantitative and qualitative research projects that enable the Department to make timely, evidence-based decisions.

• Designing evaluations and research projects; undertaking primary research and conducting secondary analysis of data.

• Analysing and synthesising a range of evidence to present compelling summaries and narratives of knowledge regarding various social policy areas.

• Managing relationships effectively with immediate policy and operational colleagues to ensure maximum buy-in and use of analytical work being delivered.

• Working collaboratively with analysts from other professions (e.g. economists, operational researchers) on both specific projects and wider analytical programmes.

• Managing wider stakeholder relationships, for example, with academia, to enable the Home Office to stay up-to-date with the most recent research and evidence.

• Communicating succinctly the results of analysis - to both analysts and non-analysts.

• Providing advice, with support of senior analysts, to Ministers and senior officials on the outcomes of research and analysis.

• Managing staff to continually improve their performance and analytical outputs by valuing achievement; providing feedback, coaching; building confidence and setting the direction.

Essential Criteria 

To be eligible to apply you must meet the Government Social Research Service (GSR) educational requirements. See below and Annex A for full details of qualifications you must hold.

•    Excellent analytical skills – with advanced knowledge of research and evaluation design, methodology, and techniques to answer policy questions. 
•    Applied experience of social research delivery. Including managing research projects of medium or more complex scale, working with other analysts, and ensuring relevant legal, ethical, procurement, and quality assurance practice is followed to ensure high quality results and methodological rigour.
•    Excellent communicating and influencing skills (written and oral), particularly the ability to communicate complex information and recommendations clearly and concisely to non-technical audiences, including senior leaders.
•    Ability to establish and build effective relationships with stakeholders.
•    Ability to manage multiple demands effectively in a fast-paced environment.
•    A proactive team member with good leadership skills, including the ability to set shared objectives, engage others, and maximise the value of analysis.

Desirable criteria

•    Applied experience in designing and managing the delivery of evaluation designs.
•    Experience of contract management of external research. 

Recruitment and retention allowance (RRA)

Successful candidates will be eligible for an annual RRA of £2,000. This allowance is subject to review and could be reduced or withdrawn at any time.

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

These roles are open to both those who are already badged GSR social researchers working in government, and those who are not already GSR badged researchers external to government.

Existing GSR badged applicants should email: HORCCampaignTeamCorporateEnablers@homeoffice.gov.uk on applying for the role with campaign reference, your name, noting that you are applying for the role of Senior Research Officer, and your current government department where you work as a Government Social Researcher.

For applicants who don’t hold GSR badging, you will be able to become GSR badged through successful completion of the GSR Knowledge Test. Further information is provided in Annex A: SRO Information pack.

All applicants will be assumed to be non-badged unless they have emailed the above email address with details of their existing GSR badging.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide: 

•  A CV detailing job history/qualifications/skills – please refer to Annex A of the SRO Information pack for more details 
•  A statement of suitability (personal statement) – 750 words max

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

The statement of suitability should be aligned to demonstrate your skills and experience for the role and how you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the job description. Please also state either Route 1 or Route 2 via which you are applying (refer to Annex A: SRO Information pack). 

Knowledge Test

If you are not a member of GSR, you will be required to undertake a Knowledge Test - see Annex A including familiarisation material. A link to the test will be provided after the advert closing date.

Please note: If you have previously passed the Knowledge Test within the last 12 months of 4th December 2023, you may choose not to sit the test again. Please contact HORCCampaignTeamCorporateEnablers@homeoffice.gov.uk and provide evidence of your result. At this stage your application will still be anonymised and you should therefore also provide a sentence that is in your application and can be used to identify your application and remove you from the invitations to take the Knowledge Test.

Sifting applications

Candidates who are already a GSR member or who pass the Knowledge test will move onto the sift stage. An initial review of the CV will be undertaken to check applicants meet the eligibility criteria with those who do progressing to the sift when the statement of suitability (personal statement) will be scored. The CV will not be scored.

Interview

Candidates who pass the sift will be invited to an online interview. The interview will include: 

• Short 5 minute presentation and follow up questions, details of which will be disclosed prior to interview.
• A scenario based question to explore your knowledge and application of analytical skills and techniques in line with the GSR technical framework. 
• Questions covering the listed Civil Service Behaviours 

Information on GSR technical skills can be found in the Government Social Research (GSR) Social Research Technical Skills Framework

Further details on the selection process are provided in the SRO information pack.

Sift and interview dates

The Knowledge Test is scheduled to take place from week commencing 8th January 2024.

Review of qualifications and sift is planned from week commencing 22nd January 2024.

Interviews are scheduled to take place from week commencing 19th February 2024.

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.

Interviews will be carried out via video. Candidates will be required to have access to:

• A laptop (personal or work) with a working webcam
• Good internet connection
• Microsoft Teams

PLEASE NOTE: Due to time constraints we may not be able to offer alternative interview date(s). It is therefore expected that candidates who are successful at sift stage will make themselves available during the above time frame given.

Further Information

For meaningful checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years if the role requires CTC clearance, 5 years for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.  A lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

When completing your application, you will have the opportunity to select your preferred location(s). Please ensure you select all locations you are interested in. Candidates who are successful at Interview will be placed in order of merit per location and provisional job offers will be made in strict merit order per location preference.

A location-based reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for 12 months. Should another role or similar role become available within that period you may be offered this position. 

Every day, Home Office civil servants do brilliant work to develop and deliver policies and services that affect the lives of people across the country and beyond. To do this effectively and fairly, the Home Office is committed to representing modern Britain in all its diversity, and creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.

We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We work to recruit and retain disabled staff and area Disability Confident Leader. We are proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse departments in the civil service. We are a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer.

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

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.

For further information please see the attached notes for candidates which must be read before making an application.

Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details.

Transfer Terms: Voluntary.

If you are invited to an interview you will be required to  bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks.

Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents.

Any move to the Home Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Reasonable Adjustments

If a person with disabilities is 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 HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). 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. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.