JOB SUMMARY

Are you passionate about using research to make a real difference in education, children’s services, and social care? Ofsted is looking for two talented and motivated Research and Evaluation Leads to help shape the future of inspection and regulation through high-quality research.
As part of our dynamic Research and Evaluation team, you’ll deliver individual research projects that feed into our wider programme of work. You’ll ensure methodological rigour while working in a unique and fast-paced inspection environment. From designing research and analysing data to writing impactful reports, your work will inform practice, influence policy, and ultimately help raise standards for children and learners across England.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Please refer to the job specification for further information.

QUALIFICATIONS

Hold an undergraduate or a postgraduate 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.

EXPERIENCE ROUTE

Hold an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate degree in any subject with a minimum classification of 2:2 or hold a degree equivalent (for example advanced Certificate or Diploma from MRS).
Have at least four years’ experience of working in applied social research. This can include market research, government, applied academia or as a data analyst. This must include quantitative research methods and include at least three of three of the following:
 Systematic literature reviews
 Qualitative methods, including research design, data collection
 Interpretation of data and presentation
 Study design, hypothesis formation, testing and evaluation
 Application of ethnics to research

TECHNICAL SKILLS

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

• Thorough and detailed knowledge of the main quantitative, qualitative and evaluation research methods and experience of their use in more complex projects. (Essential)
• Experience of delivering appropriate and timely analysis to support policy making and policy implementation. (Essential)
• Experience managing research & evaluation projects of significant scale, working with analysts & ensuring relevant legal, ethical, procurement, & quality assurance practice followed, ensuring quality of results & methodological rigour. (Essential)
• Communicate analysis of complex information clearly, helping others make good use of social research evidence. (Essential)
• Work in a fast-paced environment to develop messages across multiple senior stakeholders. (Essential)
• In-depth knowledge of at least one of the remits Ofsted inspects, or knowledge of inspection methods more broadly. (Desirable)

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Thorough and detailed knowledge of the main quantitative, qualitative and evaluation research methods and experience of their use in more complex projects. (Essential)
• Experience of delivering appropriate and timely analysis to support policy making and policy implementation. (Essential)
• Experience managing research & evaluation projects of significant scale, working with analysts & ensuring relevant legal, ethical, procurement, & quality assurance practice followed, ensuring quality of results & methodological rigour. (Essential)
• Communicate analysis of complex information clearly, helping others make good use of social research evidence. (Essential)
• Work in a fast-paced environment to develop messages across multiple senior stakeholders. (Essential)

GOVERNMENT SOCIAL RESEARCH KNOWLEDGE TEST

Candidates who are not current members of the Government Social Research (GSR) service will be invited to complete the GSR knowledge test. This forms the first step in the GSR membership process, and passing the test is essential for your application to progress to the next stage of recruitment.
The test will be administered after shortlisting and only to candidates who have passed the sift. If a candidate fails the GSR knowledge test, their application will not proceed further.
Candidates who are already members of the GSR do not need to complete the test as part of their application.

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

Analytical
Social Research
Other