GOVERNMENT SOCIAL RESEARCH: JOB DESCRIPTIONS - Sandwich Student Placements 2021-22 - Gov.uk
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GOVERNMENT SOCIAL RESEARCH:
Sandwich Student Placements 2021-22
JOB DESCRIPTIONSContents Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) College of Policing (CoP) Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Department for Education (DfE) Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Food Standards Agency (FSA) HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Home Office (HO) Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
LOCATION: London, 1 Victoria Street, SW1H 0ET
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS: 4
SALARY: £24,300
Job description
We are a department at the heart of the government’s agenda. At BEIS you can help shape the UK’s
future; making contributions that will benefit people for years to come. Our vision is an economy
that works for everyone and central to this is delivering the Industrial Strategy. From Clean Growth
to Artificial Intelligence, we aspire to be at the forefront of research and innovation, whilst ensuring
there are great places in the UK for people to work, and for businesses to invest, innovate and grow.
We are friendly, open and supportive. We encourage each other to be bold and innovative and are
passionate about what we do. We want to nurture a diverse and inclusive environment where we
value our people and the people we serve, whoever they are, wherever they are, and whatever they
do.
As a BEIS Sandwich Student you will join an expanding research community of over 70 Government
Social Research members working across BEIS. Successful applicants will gain experience of applying
the range of research methods studied in university to high profile areas such as the Industrial
Strategy, trade agreements, energy and consumer behaviour and product safety.
As part of the placement you will have an opportunity to develop skills in:
• applying quantitative and qualitative data collection methods in evaluation and primary
research
• research design, analysis, synthesis and reporting
• project management and contract management
• working closely with a policy colleagues and multidisciplinary analytical teams
Eligibility Requirements
Candidates will need to hold the right to work in the UK and meet Civil Service Nationality Rules.
You should normally have been a resident in the United Kingdom for at least three years preceding
your application due to the requirement to have a checkable history for security vetting purposes.College of Policing (CoP)
LOCATION: London / Harrogate
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS: 2
SALARY: London £21,138 / Harrogate £17,108
About us
We’re the professional body for the police service in England and Wales.
Working together with everyone in policing, we share the skills and knowledge officers and staff
need to prevent crime and keep people safe.
We set the standards in policing to build and preserve public trust and we help those in policing
develop the expertise needed to meet the demands of today and prepare for the challenges of the
future.
Job description
Context
The College’s Knowledge, Research and Practice Unit is a dynamic team of social researchers,
statisticians, analysts, information specialists and practice developers, who work directly with police
officers and staff to build and share the evidence base for policing. Due to its unique position in
government as a professional body, the College of Policing provides an exciting opportunity to not
only undertake new research but to also support the practical application of the findings to make a
real difference for the public. The team uses a range of research methods including experimental
and quasi-experimental evaluation design and are currently conducting research on, amongst other
topics, domestic abuse, entry routes into the profession, police officer wellbeing, and vulnerability
and violent crime.
The Knowledge, Research and Practice Unit is also responsible for the What Works Centre for Crime
Reduction, part of the world-leading UK network of Centres set up by the Cabinet Office to provide
robust and comprehensive evidence of what works to strategic and operational decision-makers.
The role
• Professional standards: Display a professional approach to research that complies with the
Government Social Research and Statistical Standards and Competencies.
• Research development: Conduct in-house research projects, applying appropriate research
methods for the research question, to inform policing practice. Examples include evaluating
the impact of national programmes; undertaking systematic reviews of the evidence to
identify what works, informing national decision making and action with robust analysis.
Support line managers to design, commission and manage external research to answer
customer’s information needs.
• Communications: Support team leaders in ensuring that College colleagues and external
stakeholders understand the evidence being provided and how to take an evidence-based
approach.• Outreach: Support managers and team leaders to run workshops and conferences to
improve understanding of and confidence in using evidence amongst non-specialist
colleagues in the College, our customers and stakeholders.
• Analysis: Provide briefing and analysis as required by customers and other colleagues. Can
use a range of analytical techniques to carry out quality, timely and relevant in-house
analysis and briefing work.
Eligibility Requirements
This post is open to UK nationals, Commonwealth citizens, EEA nationals of other member states
and certain non-EEA family members. There must be no employment restriction or time limit on
your permitted stay in the UK.
You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for at least three years preceding
your application due to the requirement to have a checkable history for security vetting purposes.Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) LOCATION: London, York, Bristol; Some of the posts can also be home based if mutually agreed NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS: 4.0 FTE SALARY: Inner London £24,369, National pay £21,048 per annum Job descriptions We are recruiting for 4.0 Sandwich Student Placements in Defra. One placement is in the Central Social Science Team within the Analysis and Insight Directorate, and three are embedded in the department working on Future Farming and Countryside (2 posts) and Air Quality (1 post). Defra is responsible for protecting and improving our environment, providing support to our food and farming industries and supporting our rural economy. Our vision is to create a great place for living for people in this country. Defra’s large and wide-ranging remit is made even more interesting by the added requirements of EU Exit. Social researchers in the Defra group play an essential role in helping Defra understand the context in which policy is delivered and its likely impact. We help by framing and contextualizing the policy challenge, identifying “what works”, developing policy solutions, and measuring and understanding the impact of government action. We work in all the policy directorates in Defra and are involved in the challenges which are important to the Defra group. These include reducing air pollution, planning the future of farming, and addressing marine pollution. This is a brilliant opportunity to join the social research community in Defra and our vibrant Social Research Group. We are a close professional cohort with a strong identity, who support each other and share our expertise to deliver high-quality, impactful research. As a department, Defra is committed to developing strong professional capabilities, providing rewarding professional roles, and supporting excellent career and personal development opportunities. Within the Future Farming and Countryside Insight and Evaluation Team the post holders (2 posts) will assist the team in producing and communicating evidence to policy makers; using behavioural insight to inform the design of new policies and the way they are delivered. Work will mainly be around delivering a new Programme of support and regulation for farming and the environment. There will be an opportunity to build skills in desk-based research (i.e. evidence reviews and evaluation) and also undertake some primary research (i.e. data analysis or use of qualitative methods). Within the Air Quality teams (1 post) the post holder will support the delivery a large-scale evaluation of the government’s plans to combat exceedances of nitrogen dioxide, ensuring that the outcomes of the measures being implemented are fully understood. This will provide both accountability and an improved evidence base to help other areas grappling with similar problems. In addition, the post holder will work to improve how air quality information is communicated to the public and undertake evidence reviews and other bespoke pieces of research to support the work of the air quality evidence team.
Finally, within the Central Social Science Team (1 post) you will work with Strategic Behavioural Insights Team and the Strategic Evaluation Team. These teams work across a range of high priority areas for the department, and undertake cross-cutting projects focused on understanding, influencing and, measuring behaviour; and building an understanding of the effectiveness of Defra’s policies. On a day to day basis, this will mean the post holder will have the opportunity to work on key strategic projects designing or undertaking behavioural projects and evaluations, and potentially leading on end-to-end smaller projects during the placement. Eligibility Requirements Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non-EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.
Department for Education (DfE)
LOCATION: London, Sheffield or Manchester
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS: 2
SALARY: £21,000 pro rata
ABOUT US
The Department for Education is responsible for education, children’s services, higher and further
education policy, apprenticeships and skills in England. We work to achieve a highly educated society
in which opportunity is equal for all, no matter what their background or family circumstances.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Our Social Researchers are involved at all stages of the policy making process, from contributing
evidence to inform policy design, to formative action research to understand how changes are being
implemented, and ultimately evaluating the impact of our interventions to understand what
difference they make and how we can improve. Examples of what DfE social researchers do include:
• Ensuring the views of pupils and teachers are known and understood, through the regular
Teacher and Pupil omnibus surveys.
• Large, fascinating cohort studies such as the Longitudinal Study of Young People in England 2
– one of the largest and most challenging studies of young people ever commissioned, which
tracks a sample of over 13,000 young people from the age of 13/14 annually through to the
age of 20.
• International research to benchmark our educational performance against other countries,
through the commissioning, management and analysis of studies such as the Programme for
International Student Assessment (PISA).
This placement will be based in the Research Commissioning and Engagement team in the Research
Knowledge and Insight Unit (RKIU). The role is likely to include: undertaking literature reviews and
primary research, analysing and presenting survey data, supporting the research commissioning
process from approval to publication and working on our knowledge management system, all within
a fully supportive and friendly team.
BENEFITS
• 25 days annual leave. In addition, all staff receive the Queen’s Birthday privilege holiday and
8 days’ bank and public holidays (pro rata)
• Flexible working arrangements
• Employee Discount scheme through our Employee Benefits Portal, offering access to over
2000 discounts;
• As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our
staff excellent professional development opportunities.
In the DfE we have a strong culture of inclusion and diversity and are committed to being an equal
opportunities employer. We aim to develop all our staff to enable them to make a full contributionto meeting the Department's objectives, and to fulfil their own potential. We promote and support the use of a range of flexible working patterns to help staff to balance home and work responsibilities and we treat people fairly, irrespective of their working arrangements. We support this culture though our 11 staff networks, including the BAME, LGBT+ networks to the Carers and EU/EEA Nationals networks. We are recognised by leading diversity organisations for promoting diversity in the workplace. We have achieved the status of becoming a Disability Leader employer and continued to be a member of the Business Disability Forum. We have also earned a spot in the 2018 Stonewall Top 100 employer Index and the Business in the Community’s Best employers for Race 2018 list. Eligibility Requirements Candidates will need to hold the right to work in the UK and meet Civil Service Nationality Rules. You should normally have been a resident in the United Kingdom for at least three years preceding your application due to the requirement to have a checkable history for security vetting purposes.
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
LOCATION: London and Leeds
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS: One
SALARY: National £18,692, London £22,439 per annum
Overview area of work and post
The role is based in the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), working with a team of
experienced government social researchers on issues relevant to developing and evaluating current
government policy.
Students will have the opportunity to gain experience, working alongside a professional team of
government social researchers, to understand how academic research is applied to policy making in
Central Government.
The role will involve working with other analysts, policy makers within DHSC and other parts of the
Health and Social Care system including NHS England and Improvement and the successor to Public
Health England, as well as academic researchers and other funders of health research.
DHSC funds the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) – the nation's largest funder of health
and care research. The NIHR provides the people, facilities, and technology that enables research to
thrive. The team is part of the Research Programmes section of the Science Research and Evidence
Directorate (SRE). SRE aims to improve the health and wealth of the nation through the research.
The Research Programmes section in SRE provides the evidence needed to underpin health policy
including public health and social care and it is responsible for delivering the NIHR Policy Research
Programme (PRP).
Students are fully supported in developing the knowledge and skills they require to contribute to
the work of the team, this includes support in translating policy requirements into researchable
questions, research commissioning and management and different ways of disseminating findings
to policy colleagues.
Previous placement students have joined the GSR as fast stream analysts following graduation or
through another route into the profession e.g. a departmental job specific advert. In this role the
placement student will have the opportunity to meet and work with other early career social
researchers to gain understanding and experience of the work they do.
Key objectives for this role
• Gain knowledge and skills of government social research and its relationship with other
analytical professions and specialisms in government.
• Experience of working in the Civil Service and how it interfaces with academics working in
applied research.
• Work alongside experienced government social researchers and other colleagues to support
the process of generating high impact, policy relevant research.
• Raise awareness of opportunities for pursuing a social research career in government,
including the GSR Fast Stream.Responsibilities and tasks
• Develop and maintain a close working relationship with policy and analytical teams across
the Department, NIHR, Other Government Departments and external partners.
• Help deliver shorter- and longer-term research outputs to inform and influence DHSC policy
and system partners.
• Support the team to secure high-quality research from universities and other science
providers, working with a wide range of research methodologies.
• Contribute to managing an aspect of the PRP and keep an oversight of relevant NIHR-funded
research on associated topics.
• Provide intelligence including written briefings on NIHR and PRP research in the area for
which they are responsible.
• Contribute to the identification and prioritisation of evidence gaps and support the delivery
of a programme of research to meet these challenges, ensuring value for money and
delivery of high-quality results that have maximum impact and meet the differing needs of
policy.
The post offers ample opportunity for contract management, programme and project oversight,
together with insight into the policy/research interface.
Competences
• working on your own initiative,
• organising and prioritising time;
• producing results/determination
Key interactions – who will the role work closely with?
All students will be a assigned a designated line manager to work with during their duration of the
placement who will be responsible for their professional development.
Eligibility Requirements
Candidates will need to hold the right to work in the UK and meet Civil Service Nationality Rules.
You should normally have been a resident in the United Kingdom for at least three years preceding
your application due to the requirement to have a checkable history for security vetting purposes.Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) LOCATION: London, Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle and Manchester NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS: 7 SALARY: London £25,111, Outside London £21,012 Please note that Newcastle and Manchester are currently smaller hubs for Social Researchers and so a smaller number of placements will be available there. JOB DESCRIPTION DWP has an excellent reputation for ensuring its work is underpinned by robust evidence and analysis. As a GSR placement student you will have the opportunity to apply your social research skills to the real world and experience what it’s like to work as a Government Social Researcher. At DWP you will have the chance to work on high priority areas and distinct projects. You will work as part of the largest analytical community in Government, amongst Social Researchers, Statisticians, Operational Researchers, Economists, and Data Scientist who all work together to provide support, challenge, and advice to colleagues and Ministers right across the Department, its delivery bodies, and beyond. There are also plenty of opportunities beyond the day job to undertake corporate activities, benefiting your own analytical profession or the analytical community as a whole. DWP has a variety of job roles across the organisation in areas such as Labour Markets, Pensions, Housing, Working Age Benefits, Disability, and Performance Analysis. About DWP Everything we do in the Department for Work and Pensions is about providing security, extending opportunity, and giving people the support, they need to transform their lives. We are helping the most vulnerable people in our society by addressing the root causes of disadvantage and supporting them to turn their lives around. We are ensuring that everyone who is able to work is given all the support they need to do so, while those who cannot are – quite rightly – protected. Social Researchers in DWP DWP Social Researchers carry out research and analysis that influences policy in one of the largest departments in government. The Department’s broad and challenging agenda is rarely out of the newspapers and is studied by academic analysts from across the globe. There is high profile scrutiny of policies that are underpinned by the work of social researchers in the Department. Social Researchers at DWP work closely with other analysts and policy colleagues. Social Researchers also work with operations colleagues, press officers and with ministerial offices and Ministers.
Social Researchers at DWP:
• Work with policy makers to provide research-based advice on issues at the cutting edge of
social policy;
• Procure, commission and manage research and evaluation projects;
• Undertake qualitative and quantitative research with DWP colleagues and customers;
• Analyse and interpret data;
• Review and synthesise the findings of existing national and international research studies;
• Play a critical role in gathering, analysing and interpreting information to inform evidence-
based policies;
• Work independently and with other analysts to provide timely, relevant and robust briefing
for policy colleagues and Ministers.
Eligibility Requirements
Candidates will need to hold the right to work in the UK and meet Civil Service Nationality Rules.
You should normally have been a resident in the United Kingdom for at least three years preceding
your application due to the requirement to have a checkable history for security vetting purposes.Food Standards Agency (FSA) LOCATION: London, York, Birmingham, Cardiff, multi-site or home based NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS: One SALARY: £22,611 London TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Occasional, with weekly travel to London FSA Directorate: Science Evidence and Research Directorate Main Purpose of the Post The Food Standards Agency https://www.food.gov.uk/ is an independent Government department set up by an Act of Parliament in 2000 to protect the public’s health and consumer interests in relation to food safety and standards. The Agency is led by a Board that has been appointed to act in the public interest. The Social Science team is one of four analytical disciplines that make up the Analytics Unit at the FSA (social science, economics, statistics and operational research). The Analytics Team provides analytical support across the Agency’s business. The social sciences have an important role to play in helping the Agency consider challenging and complex issues alongside research in the natural and physical sciences. In particular, understanding and effecting positive behaviour change is critical in achieving the FSA’s strategic aims, including reducing foodborne disease and improving business compliance. The team provides a Government Social Research (GSR) service to the Agency’s policy Divisions, delivering work within a robust governance framework and engaging with the external social science research community. We provide in-house research as well as research advice, design and management to inform the development, implementation, review and evaluation of government policy across the full range of FSA policies and on high profile projects. We collect primary data as well as use secondary data sources using the methods of social scientific enquiry – systematic reviews, surveys, controlled trials, case studies, observational research and analysis of administrative and statistical data – to measure, describe, explain and predict and evaluate social and economic phenomena to policy makers. We use multi-method approaches to triangulate data and provide robust evidence to the Board and to policymakers within the FSA and externally. We pride ourselves on openness and innovation. We work closely with colleagues in Analytics, across the agency, with other Government departments. We also work closely with an in-house hub of research fellows, with the FSA Advisory Committee for Social Science (ACSS) https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/scientific-advisory- committees, our Register of Experts and people in the science and academic community to ensure that the evidence base that we deliver is high quality, represents the latest thinking and is fit for its purpose. We operate a matrix management system and you will be required to work flexibly across a wide range of tasks providing exposure to a number of on the job learning and development opportunities.
Examples of recent social science work include:
• Food & You - the FSA’s flagship annual survey of the public’s reported behaviours, attitudes
and knowledge relating to food safety and food issues;
• a review of barriers and enablers to reporting food crime;
• a study on Generation Z attitudes towards food and the food system.
Key Responsibilities
The post holder will have the opportunity to contribute to the Agency’s key areas of research
https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/areas-of-research-interest, build the Team’s behaviour change
capability and support the Division’s engagement objective to maximise the impact of our evidence.
Duties include:
• Contribution to research projects to meet policy requirements in a timely manner
• Support to survey work, and secondary analysis of data as appropriate
• Providing cross-Agency analytical advice and support as required
• Helping to build the Agency’s behaviour change evidence base and methodological expertise
• Working closely with other analytical professions
• Working with external methodological and subject experts to strengthen the Agency’s access
to the social sciences
• Contribute to the timely and cost-effective delivery of high-quality social science research
insights and evidence across a range of policy and operational areas
• Contributing to the work of the GSR and carry out all duties in line with the GSR professional
code
• Act as an ambassador for the work of team internally and externally
• Contributing to the wider work of the Unit and Division
• Ad hoc support including briefings, analysis and advice
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant to be a UK NationalHM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) LOCATION: London NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS: One SALARY: London £26,411 DIRECTORATE: HMCTS Strategy and Change Directorate Overview Her Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales. We work with an independent judiciary to provide a fair, efficient and effective justice system. We have an outstanding heritage and history and we want to build on this by modernising to ensure we deliver a service that matches the expectation of the society we serve today and in the future. In recognition of this, HMCTS has been allocated funding of over £1billlion to reform the way that our courts and tribunals operate. This will enable HMCTS to create a system that is proportionate and accessible and that better meets the needs of the people it serves. We are focused on radically improving the user journey for all, to ensure that the service we design and deliver benefits the people who will use the system. For HMCTS, the changes we are making will reduce our own costs and remove service failure from our system allowing us to put resources where they matter most as well as strengthening access to justice. The Insight team in HMCTS is working with all parts of the organisation to drive a user-centric approach in new and existing services. This is a once in a generation opportunity to help transform how justice is delivered in England and Wales - by ensuring that the needs of the public are kept at the heart of reform, your work will have a real lasting social impact. Main purpose The Insight and User Research Division is a team which ensures that our understanding of user characteristics, behaviours and needs, is researched, analysed and shared in inspiring ways to inform decision making throughout HMCTS. As a GSR Placement Student Research Trainee, you will support the development and deployment of a multi-disciplinary research and insight approach to create a comprehensive and effective view of our users. The team lead the development of research and insight on users from all available sources (qualitative and quantitative) to inform what we know, supporting and analysing the development of new digital and operational solutions. This work offers a wide range of opportunities to develop your research experience and contribute across a range of research whilst making a real difference to services for millions of people. You will join a team dedicated to developing your skills within a multi-disciplinary environment. The team currently contains expertise and leadership experience across social and market research, behavioural science, operational research and economics.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a multidisciplinary team, to use social research to develop insight about our users and apply this to the services we deliver in courts and tribunals. Eligibility Requirements You must have the right to work in the UK and will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of your application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
LOCATION: Liverpool, Manchester, London (100 Parliament Street and
Stratford)
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS: 2
SALARY: £19,550 outside London and £23,420 within London
About HMRC
We are the UK’s tax, payments and customs authority, and we have a vital purpose: we collect the
money that pays for the UK’s public services and help families and individuals with targeted financial
support.
Our work is vital to funding the UK’s public services and supporting our economy. We’re living
through long-term changes to the way individuals live and work and the way businesses operate. To
respond to this changing world and help to build a modern, healthy and well-functioning tax system
that works for everyone.
As we move into the 2020s, we’ll be renewing our focus on our vision – to reduce the tax gap, make
it easy for customers to pay their taxes or claim their entitlements and ensure the tax system is
trusted and fair.
Social research in HMRC
HMRC has a large Government Social Research (GSR) community. We have over 80 social research
posts, from Research Officer to Senior Principal Research Officer and Senior Civil Service grades,
working in multi-disciplinary analytical teams across the department. We undertake a wide range of
research projects from large-scale quantitative surveys of UK individual and business taxpayers and
tax credit recipients, to detailed qualitative research, involving in-depth interviews and discussion
groups.
Social researchers carry out systematic reviews of evidence and evaluations of tax policies and
operations on everything from environment and property taxes to tax compliance issues. We have a
strong interest in behavioural and attitudinal research to inform tax policy and ensure taxes are paid.
We carry out in-house data analysis and research, as well as managing external research agencies.
Examples of recent projects undertaken by social researchers in HMRC include:
• Large scale, longitudinal research exploring awareness, usage and experience of businesses
and individuals using the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
• Qualitative research to inform HMRCs communication strategy, including advertising and
marketing campaigns, in areas such as the Coronavirus income support schemes, future
border and trading arrangements, and raising awareness of financial fraud and scams.
• Secondary data collection, analysis and quality assurance of various external data sources to
build HMRCs internationally acclaimed tax gap analysis which measures the difference
between HMRCs expected and achieved tax receipts.
As a social research 12-month Student Placement within HMRC, you will be involved in all aspects of
the research and evaluation process. You will also have the opportunity undertake training informed
by your current skills and interests which supports your development as a social researcher.You will be based within an analytical team within HMRC that focuses on a particular tax, customer or policy area. However, throughout your placement you will have the chance to work with teams from across the Organisation as well as with researchers from analytical teams in other departments. Compliance – Our work on tax compliance is split into two analytical teams: Compliance and Debt Operations, and Customer Compliance Strategy. These teams provide analysis across a wide range of compliance areas in HMRC: from analysis to recommend how and when HMRC intervenes with customers to understanding the overall impacts of those interventions on tax receipts and taxpayer behaviour. The team also provides analysis to influence and support HMRC’s strategy on offshore tax evasion and regularly publishes internationally acclaimed ‘tax gap’ analysis. Business Taxes – Produces analysis for Ministers, HM Treasury and HMRC colleagues covering Corporation Tax for large businesses, including the banking sector, small business taxation issues and research to inform preparation for exiting the EU. We also produce influential analysis on VAT, stamp duties, excise duties (e.g. tobacco & alcohol), and environmental and transport taxes (e.g. climate change levy, fuel duty). Benefits & Credits – Delivers analysis and research on how to improve the operational delivery of tax credits and child benefit, and on policy reforms including transition of tax credits to Universal Credit. Personal Taxes – Analyses the impacts of high-profile reforms to the tax system affecting millions of individuals in the UK, developing the evidence base for HM Treasury policy and producing advice for Ministers. Operations, Strategy and Transformation – This team delivers research and analysis for a wide range of HMRC areas including corporate functions, strategy and customer service delivery. We lead on cross-cutting HMRC operations and behavioural analysis and work flexibly to deliver priority projects. The four key priority analytical themes for the team are Customer and Strategy, Customer Service and Efficiency, People and Leadership and Making Tax Digital. Behaviour, Insight and Research - This team of analysts in the Customer Insight & Design Directorate works closely with insight and behavioural insight specialists. The team plays a vital role in developing HMRC’s understanding of its customers and using evidence to shape strategy and ensure the design and optimisation of HMRC’s systems is fully based on evidence. We work across a range of business priorities including, coronovirus job/ income support schemes, EU exit, the future tax system, customer experience, digitisation of the tax system and improving HMRC’s online systems and guidance. We deliver a programme of primary research, behavioral trials and RCTs, evidence synthesis and advanced data analytics. We also manage the Customer Lab, our internal function for delivering small-scale qualitative projects in-house by our trained research team. Eligibility Requirements Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non-EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here. Please note that successful candidates for London will need to pass the CTC security checks – this requires you to have been living continuously in the UK for the past 3 years.
Home Office (HO) LOCATION: 2 Marsham Street, London; Croydon; Sheffield NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS: 12 SALARY: London £21,774; National 17,641 JOB DESCRIPTION The Home Office is the lead government department for immigration and passports, crime, police, fire and counter-terrorism. The issues the department deals with are significant, intellectually stimulating, often controversial and regularly at the top of the news. Social researchers work across these areas, often alongside economists, statisticians and operational researchers, to support policy colleagues by ensuring a sound evidence base to inform the development and delivery of policy and front-line operations. We are looking for 12 GSR Sandwich students. The roles offer the opportunity to develop skills as a social researcher across a range of competencies and provide a wider understanding of how research and evidence are used within government to inform policy-making. As well as responding to ad-hoc requests, the successful applicants will lead on distinct strands of project work, and as part of this are likely to plan, carry out and report on a small-scale project over the year. A candidate with a broad range of skills including quantitative and qualitative skills would be preferable, with knowledge/experience of handling and interrogating large data sets an advantage. Good written and oral presentation skills are required, as the roles will include working with a range of stakeholders, including other analysts, policy colleagues, and practitioners. Typically, the jobs will involve undertaking secondary data analysis, synthesising research evidence and there may also be opportunities for primary research. Precise responsibilities vary across the different roles. Posts are available in the following areas. 3 posts in Serious and Organised Crime Research and Analysis (SOCRA). Serious and Organised Crime Research & Analysis (SOCRA) is a multi-disciplinary team of around 40 social researchers, economists, statisticians and operational researchers. Serious and Organised Crime includes drug supply and county lines, modern slavery and human trafficking, organised illegal immigration, child sexual exploitation, cybercrime, corruption, money laundering, fraud and other financial crimes. Research in the Serious and Organised Crime area is focused on how to reduce serious and organised crime affecting the UK. Our work covers large-scale research projects to provide evidence to inform strategic thinking, as well as responsive analysis and briefing for policy teams. 2 posts in Crime and Policing Analysis (CPA). Crime and Policing Analysis Unit (CPA) is responsible for providing statistics, research and analysis on all areas of crime and policing. The Unit consists largely of analysts (social researchers, statisticians, operational researchers and economists) as well as generalist staff. CPA consists of around 60 staff who provide analytical (statistics, social and operational research and economics) support to the
Home Office’s Crime, Policing and Fire Group. The unit covers a wide range of high profile subject areas including policing, crime patterns, domestic abuse, violence and all other types of crime. Current CPA research themes include building the evidence base on serious violence and improving our understanding of the demands on the police. 2 posts in Managed Migration Analysis (MMA). Managed Migration Analysis (MMA) is a multi-disciplinary team made up of around 45 social researchers, statisticians, economists, operational researchers and other experts. The unit covers a wide range of subject areas including: Managed migration policy analysis and social research covering the new single global migration system and its visa routes for students, postgraduate workers, skilled workers and high skilled migrants; Operational analysis of migration system demand to inform resource planning; Economic analysis of the impact of migration on the labour market; International research and evaluation; The impact of migrants on the labour market and wider society. 1 post in the Border Force Analysis team in Decision Support for Operations (DSO). Border Force is responsible for securing the UK border, controlling migration at ports, and boosting UK prosperity by facilitating the legal movement of people and goods. The Border Force Analysis team is a dynamic and multi-professional team that operates across the entire command, providing strategic advice on long term spending plans, economic advice on technology investment decisions, forecasting demand of people and freight, researching customer behaviour to inform policy implementation, simulation modelling to test tactical changes at ports, and statistical analysis to quantify border permeability. 1 post in the Fire, Licensing and Public Order Analysis Unit The Fire, Licensing and Public Order Analysis (FLPOA) is a unit of around 20, including statisticians, social researchers and generalists. The fire research team in FLPOA provides analytical support to fire policy customers. We seek to enhance understanding of fire and the work of fire and rescue services, through analysis of trends in fires and other recorded incidents, and by assisting policy makers in making strategic decisions. Current work includes: supporting the Building Safety Programme/Grenfell Inquiry; an in-depth investigation of fire-related fatalities; assessing the impact of fire false alarms; exploring how Fire and Rescue Services identify and develop their leaders and updating the economic and social costs of fire. 1 post in Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS). HMICFRS inspects police forces and Fire and Rescue Services (FRS). We assess how effective and efficient forces and services are as well as inspection into specialist areas such as child protection, custody and mental health. The Better Inspection Portfolio comprises three multi-disciplinary teams
of around 30 social researchers, statisticians, economists, operational researchers and other experts. Our Analytics and Research team provides insightful analysis that underpin our inspections, including conducting and commissioning research and evaluation for both FRS and police inspections. 1 post in the Migration Advisory Committee The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is an independent non-departmental public body, established to carry out independent reviews and provide evidence-based immigration policy advice to the Government. The MAC’s independent advice has been highly influential in shaping both immigration policy and the wider migration debate in the UK. Recent impacts of MAC work include: • Revision of the Skill Shortage Occupation List • a review of the impact of International students in the UK The Committee is made up of eminent labour market and migration academics. The MAC secretariat is a multi-disciplinary team of staff from a mix of analytical and policy backgrounds. It runs all of the affairs of the Committee including carrying out detailed analytical and policy work. We work across Government and beyond to ensure that policy and strategy in relation to migration and employment is based on the best possible evidence and analysis. The MAC secretariat is in normal circumstances located in the Home Office, the MAC’s sponsor department. 1 post in the Central Analysis and Insight Team The Central Analysis and Insight Team (CAIT) combines analytical, intelligence and policy expertise and works with experts from law enforcement, industry, the voluntary sector, think tanks and academia. We deliver a combination of short-term priority projects, across all areas of Home Office business, and department-wide analytical work. Current/recent projects include rapid weekly analysis on the impacts of Covid-19 on crime in the UK, horizon-scanning work on global trends that will impact the department in the medium term, and analysis to support the development of the Home Office diversity and inclusion strategy. Eligibility Requirements Candidates need to meet our nationality requirements and should normally have been resident in the UK for the last 5 years, in order to meet our security clearance requirements.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)
LOCATION: One of MHCLG’s 3 hubs in London, Birmingham and the
Northern economic hub (location tbc) as announced in the Budget in March 2020
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS: 2
SALARY: £26,344 London pro rata
JOB DESCRIPTION
MHCLG aims to help create great places to live and work across the country and to back
communities to come together and thrive. Our objectives are to:
▪ Deliver the homes the country needs
▪ Make the vision of a place you call home a reality
▪ Support local government to deliver high quality services with sustainable finances
▪ Create strong communities, socially, economically and a sense of place
▪ Secure effective support for those affected by the Grenfell Tower disaster, delivering the
change the tragedy demands and ensuring people are safe and feel safe in their homes
▪ Support a smooth exit from the European Union
▪ Make MHCLG an even better place to work
As an analytical sandwich student within MHCLG you will be part of a team of analysts that are
responsible for a variety of unique and interesting pieces of analytical work. You will have the
opportunity to build up and develop both quantitative and qualitative research skills.
The posts are based in MHCLG’s Analysis and Data Directorate. This is a multi-disciplinary team
comprising data scientists, economists, operational researchers, social researchers, statisticians, IT
specialists and data collection teams. The Directorate is a vibrant, fast-moving and high-profile place
to work and is at the heart of delivering critical evidence for the Department and other stakeholders.
Analysis and Data Directorate provides analysis on all MHCLG’s policies. Our priority areas include:
▪ Expert analysis and advice on the housing market; planning and key policies such as Right to
Buy
▪ Policy analysis on local public service reform and public sector efficiency including key policies
such as the Review of Relative Need and Resources of local government and business rates
retention
▪ Undertaking economic analysis in preparation for key fiscal events such as the 2020 Spending
Review
▪ Cities and local economic growth, and Enterprise Zones
▪ The annual Local Government Finance Settlement
▪ Homelessness and domestic abuse
▪ Robust National and Official Statistics including on house building, planning, affordable
housing and land use▪ the English Housing Survey (EHS) - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/english-
housing-survey
▪ Wellbeing and the Indices of Multiple Deprivation
▪ Open Data Communities - http://opendatacommunities.org/
As a sandwich student with MHCLG you can expect to work with experienced government analysts
on high priority projects. You will have the opportunity to use your technical skills on the job and
will be able to acquire new skills as part of the internship role. Working in MHCLG will give you the
chance to work on real projects that will make a difference alongside experienced analysts and
policy makers and give you a real insight into policy making today.
Opportunities
We will agree the precise nature of your work with us nearer the time depending on the skills and
interests of candidates, but opportunities include:
▪ Building up experience on large scale surveys and quantitative analysis
▪ Producing accessible and well-crafted reports of key findings
▪ Networking and discussing the wider implications of research findings with other analysts
and policy officials
▪ Presenting research findings to non-specialists and publishing key outputs on Gov.uk
▪ Systematic synthesis of existing evidence from a wide range of sources to inform new
programmes and policies.
▪ Carrying out some qualitative interviews, analysing the findings and producing accessible
reports
Person specification – these are not essential requirements
This post would suit individuals who:
▪ Have a good overview of both quantitative and qualitative methods
▪ Can carry out analysis of both qualitative and quantitative information accurately and clearly
▪ Have knowledge and experience of using MS Office –i.e. Powerpoint, Word, and Excel
▪ Enjoy working in a team and can build relationships and work collaboratively
▪ Have good communication skills
▪ Are interested and / or have experience in taking an evidenced based approach to help
inform and make recommended decisions
▪ Are self-starters and can work independently.
Location
If successful, you will provide a preference for which office you would like to be based from. We
usually give people their first preference, however our ability to offer posts in the new hub may be
dependent on the size of the analytical community there at the point of allocation.Eligibility Requirements Please note that successful candidates will need to pass the CTC security checks – this requires you to have been living continuously in the UK for the past 3 years.
Ministry of Justice (MoJ) LOCATION: London or Leeds – temporary home working NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS: One SALARY: MoJ Grade D - London £26,411, Leeds £21,170 The Ministry of Justice The Ministry of Justice is one of the largest government departments. Each year millions of people use our services across the UK - including courts, tribunals and prisons in England and Wales. The justice system is an important public service and our work spans criminal, civil and family justice, democracy and rights. We are all likely to come into contact with the justice system at some point in our lives, because we have been a witness or victim of crime, to protect and enforce our rights or to settle disputes. Data and Analytical Services Directorate (DASD) DASD is a core part of the Ministry of Justice. DASD comprises around 300 analysts (social researchers, economists, statisticians and operational researchers). Its role is to provide analytical advice and evidence to support key policy decisions in priority areas such as youth justice, victims and witnesses, reducing reoffending and family justice. Analysts play a key role in providing high quality evidence and analysis to support policy making. The role of social researchers Social researchers are within all the DASD units and cover the broad range of areas that MoJ is responsible for. The role of social researchers involves working closely with stakeholders and partners to define changing evidence needs, conducting internal research and analysis and commissioning and managing external contractors, and improving the research evidence base in key areas to ensure it is embedded in decision making. The role calls for highly effective communicators who can critically assess research methodologies and findings to form sound, evidence-based judgements, promote best practice and work on large, complex projects. Details of the post We are recruiting one GSR placement available for 12 months; the exact post will be dependent on the interests, skills and experiences of the successful candidate. GSR work in MoJ is varied and will provide opportunities to be involved in a range of GSR work. Eligibility Requirements You must have the right to work in the UK and will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of your application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.
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