Principal Research and Insight Specialist

at  London Borough of Islington

Principal Research and Insight Specialist: Islington HDRC Service area: Public Health Evidence Islington (Islington Health Determinants Research Collaboration) Grade: PO6 Reports to: Anne Buffardi, Head of Research Your team: Evidence Islington (Islington HDRC) Fixed term: four years Manages/Supervises: TBC, could include Public Health Researcher & Insight Analyst and Embedded Researchers Our mission We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive. To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything that we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out CARE, which is what we think public service is all about. Watch our video to hear more about our mission and how you can help us achieve it from the Leader of the Council, Cllr Kaya Comer-Schwartz.
The Islington Health Determinants Research Collaboration is a new element of research infrastructure funding from the NIHRs Public Health Programme, based in local government. The purpose is to enable local authorities to become more research-active, undertake new research and use existing evidence to inform our decision making, and undertake evaluation activities. There is a central focus on health inequalities and actions to tackle issues faced by disadvantaged groups and areas. Key responsibilities 1.
To be responsible for leading on applied research and evaluation, working closely with the HDRC Head of Research and colleagues in other council departments. 2. To lead HDRC advisory support to other council departments (e.g. housing, environment, Adult Social Care, democratic services), providing specialist advice and support to colleagues and collaborators who are thinking about undertaking research and evaluation.
3. To work with other leads across the council to co-ordinate planning and action on cross-cutting work. 4. Manage projects where the gathering of insights from local residents in relation to their health and wellbeing is a key element.
5. Undertake surveys, evaluation or research to support the development of local health and wellbeing services. 6. Identify gaps in the evidence base of information on health and wellbeing in Islington.
7. Where gaps have been identified, to lead on the design, planning, and conduct of studies to obtain resident, and organisational (e.g. voluntary sector) views to inform policies which aim to reduce inequalities and improve health and wellbeing. 8.
Develop and maintain systems for collating and compiling primary and secondary quantitative and qualitative data from routine and ad-hoc sources, from national, regional and local levels, which describe the health and wellbeing needs of Islingtons population. 9. Develop and implement innovative methodologies to carry out, analyse and interpret evidence and to advise colleagues in the use of a variety of methodologies. 10.
Work closely with other colleagues to ensure that service design, commissioning and evaluation are informed by the available evidence-base in relation to the needs of the population. 11. Present data in a manner which assists diverse audiences to understand key messages and formulate recommendations on the basis of their analysis. 12.
Lead and contribute to writing major grant applications for submission to external funders Leadership To drive positive cultural change, embodying and promoting the values and behaviours of the council and empowering colleagues to reach their full potential. Ensure that research and evaluation conducted through HDRC provides relevant information for council decision-making and practice. Resources and Financial Management Ensure effective Financial Management, cost controls and income maximisation in an ever-changing environment, fluctuating demands and priorities. Ensure resources are well managed and effectively deployed to the best possible effects assuring value for money in all activities.
Compliance Ensure legal, regulatory and policy compliance under GDPR, Health and Safety and in area of your specialism identifying opportunities and risks and escalating where appropriate. Work style Predominantly Office-Base

Please refer the Job description for details