Job Description:

Job information Senior Social Researcher from the Company Department for Business and Trade, this latest Senior Social Researcher job vacancy is located in the city London located in the country United Kingdom . This latest job opening is open to job seekers who have the latest education / graduate Bachelor Degree . Job Vacancies in this Leadership field have been opened and published up to the specified time.

Job Responsibility:

Details

Reference number

395200

Salary

£41,156 - £48,817 National: £41,156 - £45,112 London: £44,942 - £48,817 (Plus an additional Specialist Analytical Allowance: £4,245; £6,000 if you have a relevant master's degree.) A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% GBP

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

DBT - TPIN - EU, Services and Trade

Type of role

Analytical International Trade Social Research

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Location

Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London, Salford

About the job

Job summary

This is an exciting time to join the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). We are the UK government department for economic growth. We support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country. The roles are located in the EU, Services and Trade Analysis Team (ESTA) embedded in DBT's EU Hub.

The unit provides analytical support to the department's EU Hub for the development of our trade and investment relationship with European partner countries and the EU. Our work has significantly increased in priority following the government's ‘reset' with the EU and agreement with the European Commission to, ‘strengthen cooperation at pace' including on the economy and to hold regular leader-level Summits. The unit enhances our capability to understand and investigate the evolution and drivers of trade and investment dynamics with our European partners to provide ministers and senior officials with expert analytical advice to inform strategic decision-making including important roles in the new Industrial and Trade Strategies.

We also provide analysis to support important new domestic policies such as the UK Internal Market Act and Responsible Business Conduct The multi-disciplinary unit is hiring a Senior Social Researcher with strong technical and/or policy analysis skills and a passion for designing and delivering high quality, creative and highly impactful analysis.

Team description - TCA Impacts, Implementation and Insights Team, Europe, Services and Trade Analysis- EU, Services & Trade directorate

The unit has over 30 analysts working on EU and some domestic policies with a strong focus on sharing skills and expertise, for example coding. We hold regular social events in the office and outside.

Working alongside the colleagues, the Senior Social Researcher will provide analysis to support the TCA implementation and DBT's strategic thinking for the UK/EU economic relationship, particularly important given the government's reset of the UK/EU relationship and commitment to, ‘strengthen cooperation at pace'.

These roles support the EU Hub policy teams and European analysis teams in DBT, working closely with different professions across DBT as well as high profile work with other Government Departments including DESNZ, HMT, FCDO and CO.

Job description

The role explores the experiences of businesses trading with the EU through bespoke surveys and qualitative interviews providing the opportunity to design and deliver research projects exploring the wider business environment and sector specific deep dives.

Key functions of this role are:

Leading on the management and delivery of contracted research projects including international surveys and in-depth interviews.

Overseeing the delivery and publication (where required) of high-quality outputs from contractors.

Feeding into and supporting the design of new research projects.

Horizon scanning and the maintenance of a comprehensive review of evidence on the experiences of businesses from internal and external sources and engagement with the wider research community.

Identifying gaps in the current evidence base and developing proposals to fill them.

Person specification

The below is a list of characteristics which may be helpful in this role. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but are laid out to help candidates understand more about the role.

Essential Criteria

The below criteria are essential and will be assessed at application stage.

This role would generally suit someone who has:

Experience in designing and delivering research and managing external research contracts in an applied environment - with an excellent knowledge and understanding of different qualitative and quantitative methods including survey design and analysis.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with different audiences.

Experience of working with multiple stakeholders, often with competing priorities, to gain agreement.

Eligibility for the Government Social Research Profession.

This role is an excellent opportunity to develop and evidence stretching competencies.

Desirable Criteria

The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates.

Interest or awareness of International Trade policy

Person Specification

We're looking for dynamic and energised applicants who are comfortable delivering at pace to a high quality. This role will suit someone who is highly motivated by research and trade, naturally collaborative and analytically curious.

DBT's Analysis Group welcomes applications from people with a diversity of backgrounds.

Memberships

• You will become a full member of the Government Social Research Service (GSR) upon successful application.
• If currently a member, your membership department will change over.

Qualifications

Eligibility for GSR requires the candidate to hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2. The degree must contain substantial social research methods training (comprising around one third of modules taken on the course) including quantitative research methods and at least three of the following: systematic/literature reviews; qualitative methods; interpretation of data and presentation of results; study design, hypothesis testing and application of ethics to research. OR hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2, in any subject, or a degree equivalent (e.g. an advanced Certificate or Diploma from MRS), plus have at least 4 years' social research practice experience. Social research practice experience consists of experience working in a research agency, market research agency or specialist research team. To enter the GSR through this route you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your research experience and skills, which must include quantitative research methods and three of the following: systematic/literature reviews; qualitative methods; interpretation of data and presentation of results; study design, hypothesis testing and application of ethics to research.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Knowledge of research methods, techniques & application of these in more complex projects
• Identifying research needs, designing & specifying research
• Analysis & interpretation
• Managing & commissioning social research
• Leading, communicating and championing social research

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £41,156, Department for Business and Trade contributes £11,922 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 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 employer contribution of 28.97%

We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.

Please refer to the attached candidate pack for further information on our benefits.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.

Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.
• A Personal Statement of up to 750 words, explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria

Your application will be sifted against the Experience criteria of the Civil Service Success Profiles.

We aim to sift both the CV and the Personal Statement but, in the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift may be conducted on the Personal Statement only. Candidates who pass the initial sift of the Personal Statement will either progressed to a full sift where the CV is then assessed, or progressed straight to further assessment/interview.

Candidates who pass the sift will be invited to interview, where we will assess you on the Success Profiles elements of Behaviours Technical skills and Experience.

It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date, though this is subject to change.

• Demonstration of skills, knowledge and experience to succeed as a Government Social Researcher at the grade applied for or be an existing member of the Government Social Research Service.

  In advance of the interview, if you are not an existing member of the Government Social Research (GSR) profession, you will be required to undertake a 45 minute online written “knowledge test”. This test will be supervised and conducted online over MS Teams and involve you responding to a range of exam questions to test your technical knowledge of social research and statistical methods.

  In the interview, we will also assess your technical social research skills by asking you to present on a pre-prepared research topic which will be given to you in advance, for up to 10 minutes. An additional technical question will also be asked as part of the interview.

  All technical questions will be based on the grade specific skills and knowledge required for the GSR profession set out in the GSR framework - a copy which can be obtained from the link below:

  Government Social Research (GSR) Technical Expertise Framework: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-government-social-research-competency-framework

Reasonable Adjustments

We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:

Complete the ‘Assistance required' section on the ‘Additional requirements' page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.

Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

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

Candidate Support

You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.

Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.

Further Information:

• A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.
• Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
• The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
• 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. Any applicant who has details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
• A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
• Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
• Please note - the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
• This role may be considered as a secondment opportunity. Please reach out to the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert to discuss.
• Candidates that do not quite meet the standard for this role may be offered a position at a lower grade.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk

Vetting

SC - The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5-years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check . See our vetting charter . 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)
• 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

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 . 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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Geraldine Brown
• Email : geraldine.brown@businessandtrade.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DBT by email: Resourcing@businessandtrade.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Keywords : London jobs
Closed Date : 2025-11-19