Senior Research Officer

Applications for this role are restricted to existing employees of the College of Policing, the Civil Service and officers or staff of a UK police force or UK policing organisation.

About us:

Our mission is: Leadership, Standards, Performance. This guides our work with individuals, forces, and policing partners towards our vision. We exist to support police officers, police staff and volunteers to deliver the best service to the public. Only through high-quality leadership, consistent standards and continual performance improvement can everyone in policing reach their full potential. Our mission guides our work with individual, forces and partners towards our vision.

Although we are a relatively small organisation, our work has a big reach. We are uniquely placed to work both with national policing organisations and local forces to support frontline officers, staff and volunteers in their day-to-day roles.

We offer a supportive and inclusive environment for people to thrive. Our extensive flexible-working policy, employee wellbeing support, family friendly policies, employers network for equality and inclusion membership (ENEI silver award winners), and status as a disability confident leader means everyone can bring their whole self to work.

Additional Information:

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

Due to our status as Public Servants, we are not eligible to participate in the Civil Service transfer process. Therefore, while successful candidates can transfer in on their existing terms and conditions, any subsequent transfer out of the College to the Civil Service cannot be guaranteed on existing terms and conditions, and new starter/modernised terms may apply.

The College embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we comply with the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and apply the minimum selection criteria at sift stage of the recruitment process.

Our vetting

If you are successful at interview, you will be required to undertake pre-employment security checks. You will be sent a security questionnaire which must be accessed within 24 hours.

Please note, these checks can take up to 10 weeks. You will only be offered a start date after the checks have been completed. If the outcome of these checks is not satisfactory, your recommendation for employment will be withdrawn.

We are recruiting 2 Senior Research Officers 1 permanent and 1 secondment to March 28 (may be subject to extension). This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in the design and delivery of social research to drive evidence-based police improvement and crime reduction.

Please see the attached job description which contains full details of the role.

You will be expected to:

• Lead research projects delivered by internal staff and/or external suppliers in line with agreed timescales and budgets, and Government Social Research and College standards. You will ensure project outputs are accessible to and meet the needs of internal and external stakeholders (including police, academic and public audiences) to enable them to make informed decisions.

• Encourage internal and external stakeholders to take an evidence-based approach in their work, by helping them to develop, understand, critically appraise, and apply research evidence

• Work with key partners across the College, policing and government to ensure policing policy and practice (such as national guidance and continuing professional development) is informed by the best available evidence.

To be successful in this role youll need:

• Membership of the GSR profession (badging available as part of the recruitment process for candidates who meet the eligibility criteria (see GSR Membership and Eligibility Guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-government-social-research-profession-membership/government-social-research-membership-and-eligibility-guidance )

• Proven track record in designing and delivering research and analysis to a high standard within expected timescales. Excellent planning and resource management skills and strong customer focus

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to adapt style to suit a variety of audiences, and ability to effectively challenge and influence others, including more senior colleagues and stakeholders, to ensure the right outcome is achieved