Vacancy -- Senior Research Officer (SEO) - Inward Loan Opportunity (Civil Service lateral transfer only)

Working for the Civil Service

The Welsh Government's recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

Vacancy Details

Welsh Government
Welsh Government
SEO - £41,700 - £49,370
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
Loan
Up to 2 years
Pan Wales
'Pan Wales' means that the location in which the vacancy can be based is flexible, subject to the needs of the business. Please note it may not always be possible to accommodate a preference for a specific office location, but requests will be taken into consideration.
TBC

Purpose of Post:

Our aim is to help the First Minister and Welsh Ministers to build a fairer, greener and more equal Wales. We are keen to utilise the experience of staff from across the Civil Service to make a practical, positive impact during these unprecedented times.

We are looking for passionate and capable people from all walks of life. We are looking for people who can bring different lived experiences to our decision making. While being able to thrive in collaborative teams that will help change the way we think. We are looking for applications from diverse candidates who can bring fresh skills, lived experiences and perspectives to our work.

We are all driven by the values set out in the Civil Service Code: integrity, objectivity, honesty, and impartiality. In addition to the Code we have our own values and expectations which encapsulate our ‘Welsh way’ of working, reflecting the ambitions set out in the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act

This is an exciting opportunity to join a group of researchers working as part of the Government Social Research (GSR) profession. As a Senior Research Officer (SRO) at the Welsh Government, the post-holders would work closely with policy colleagues and other analysts. Post-holders will be responsible for the development and oversight of a research programme.

All posts will involve supporting emerging needs from the relevant policy areas as well as contributing to projects working across different teams in the Research Profession. Please contact us if you wish to request the most recent list of SRO vacancies within the social research profession.

Successful candidates will be matched into suitable roles based on informal discussions with the head of profession and relevant line manager. Whilst every effort will be made to match candidates to their preferred roles, placement in particular posts cannot be guaranteed. Please refer to the candidate guidance for more information on how matching takes place.

Key tasks:

The indicative key tasks outlined below may not all necessarily be required within a single post and other tasks may also be undertaken. There will be a greater emphasis on autonomy and leading projects for a Senior Research Officer role.

What your organisation will expect?

  • Contribute to the development of an evidence base for policy and influence budget decisions. By providing relevant, timely and reliable evidence.
  • Work with policy colleagues and other analysts to support the delivery of departmental evidence plans. By identifying and prioritising research requirements and evidence gaps. Also developing projects that meet departmental requirements.
  • Keep abreast of relevant evidence and methods and communicate findings to key policy colleagues.
  • Ensure projects and contracts are delivered within deadlines, resource constraints. Also ensuring compliance with appropriate professional standards, by using project management techniques.
  • Ensure that sound financial management procedures are followed.
  • Promote the effective use of social research in strategy, policy development and delivery. Both across the Welsh Government and externally.
  • Contribute to quality/improvement activities within own job, and through the wider GSR network.

 What your team will expect?

  • Lead and/or manage the development and delivery of research and evaluation projects.
  • Support and encourage policy colleagues to develop their understanding of social research. This includes appreciating how social research can support wider Welsh Government aims.
  • Advise and support internal colleagues on technical and professional social research issues.
  • Ensure any line managed staff are developed. Through the provision of direction, advice and support for training and professional development.
  • Deputise for Principal Research Officers as required.
  • Contribute to other areas of research and evaluation, as deemed appropriate by line manager.

What your stakeholders will expect?

  • Ensure that research findings are communicated effectively. Including findings feeding into policy and service development, delivery and evaluation.
  • Develop and maintain strategic links with the wider research community. Within Wales, the UK and internationally.
  • Work with other public sector organisations where common areas of interest are identified.

Development opportunities:

Welsh language skills are desirable for these posts. Although applications are welcomed from both non-Welsh speakers and Welsh speakers. Candidates will have opportunities to use and develop their Welsh language skills. All posts enable use of written and spoken Welsh. As well as the chance to use them for wider divisional work.

This is a great opportunity to make an impact by bringing your valuable knowledge, skills and experience to a different government department. You will also be able to develop your capability and skill sets by being involved in a wide range of critical work, including priorities such as the COVID-19 response and priority areas across the Welsh Government Programme for Government.  

Closing Date:

28/04/2023, 16:00

Disability Confident

Welsh Language Requirements

The Welsh Government is a bilingual organisation and Welsh language skills are considered an asset to the organisation. We encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills in the workplace. 

The following list of language requirements represents an objective assessment by the line manager on behalf of the Welsh Government of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this particular post.

Desirable
Can read some basic words and phrases with understanding
Can hold a basic conversation in Welsh
Can understand parts of a basic conversation
Can write basic messages on everyday topics

Social Partnership

In Welsh Government, the relationship between the employer and trade unions is based on social partnership. We believe our goals can best be achieved by management and trade unions working together.

Our 3 recognised trade unions are:
•         PCS
•         Prospect
•         FDA

This relationship is underpinned by a partnership agreement. This sets out how our unions work with Welsh Government on issues such as:
•         pay
•         terms and conditions
•         policies and procedures
•         organisational change.

Our Welsh Government trade union colleagues work together to give their members a real say in the workplace. They make sure that the interests of their members are promoted and protected. They also help reduce inequalities and improve terms and conditions.

The Welsh Government has an excellent track record of working in partnership with its trade unions. We encourage staff to get involved. We support you to join a recognised trade union, to ensure your voice is heard in the workplace. and to learn more about trade unions and partnership working.

Competencies / Job Specific Criteria

Competencies: 

Candidates are asked to provide evidence in the following format in their application;

  1. Personal Statement – provide a short overview of your skills and why you’re applying for a move (300 words). 
  2. Leadership skills and experience of managing a research project/s where you have managed performance, resources and relationships to ensure effective delivery (500 words). 

Job Specific Criteria: 

  • Must be a current member of the Government Social Research profession. If you are not a GSR member, you would need to pass the sift and undertake an online Knowledge Test to become a GSR member. 



Assessment Process

This is an ‘open’ advert which will run until the closing date listed above. This means that applications will be sifted, and candidates will move through the assessment process, as and when the applications are received. Once we are close to filling all our vacant posts we will contact all candidates who have started an application to notify you that the advert will be closing in two weeks from the email date.

For further information on the assessment process please see the candidate pack linked here.

Please see ‘How to Apply’ below for guidance on how to submit an application form for this opportunity.

Other Information

Postings and Terms and Conditions

  • The inward loan opportunities are only open to current Civil Servants (on a loan only basis). This opportunity is open to current civil service employees on a fixed term or permanent contract who were recruited to their current post via fair and open competition. Those on fixed term contracts can only be appointed for the remainder of their fixed term contract. Those on fixed term or permanent contracts who are not currently working in the civil service are not eligible to apply.
  • Roles are available for either short-term opportunities (6-12 months) or longer term opportunities (up to a maximum of 2 years).
  • You are not expected to gain a permanent transfer across to the Welsh Government.
  • All roles are available at substantive grade and lateral transfer only. This opportunity is not available on a temporary promotion basis.
  • Temporary promotion or permanent promotion opportunities are not available through this opportunity, however, many of the roles will offer the opportunity to gain valuable experience, broaden networks and learn new skills.
  • We will make every effort to match you to a role based on the evidence you provide in your application form.
  • We cannot guarantee you will be offered a post or a particular post.
  • If you are successfully matched to a role, you will move under formal Inward Loan arrangements, i.e. you will move onto the Welsh Government’s Terms and Conditions, if the loan is for a period of more than 6 months.
  • Your current substantive salary will be matched to the nearest pay point within the grade pay band, with no detriment https://gov.wales/welsh-government-civil-service-pay-and-benefits
  • Please ensure you have line management approval/authorisation that you can be released.
  • You must be available for immediate release, as once you are matched to a role you will be expected to take up post quickly.
  • Whilst Welsh language skills are not an essential requirement for the selection process for this campaign, we encourage applications from individuals who are able to work bilingually.
  • As this a loan opportunity, please keep in mind that if the post comes to an end, or the contract with your home organisation is due to terminate, you will be expected to return to your existing organisation.
ExternalRecruitment@gov.wales / RecriwtioAllanol@llyw.cymru

How to apply

All applications for this vacancy should be made online via the Welsh Government's online application system.  

To apply for an inward loan opportunity, you'll need to prepare a Lateral Moves application form template. If this is not completed and/or submitted, the application will not be considered.

In the Lateral Moves application form, you will be required to provide the following:

Personal Statement – provide a short overview of your skills and why you’re applying for a move (300 words)

Leadership skills and experience – tell us about a time you have managed research project(s), including how you managed performance, resources and relationships to ensure effective delivery. What was the impact and outcome? (500 words)

You will also be required to state your skills and experience, a brief career history as well as your preference for Group/Department and core priority work area.

Further information about the opportunities and the stages of the selection and matching process can be found in the attached candidate pack.

If you have an impairment which would prevent you from applying on-line, please e-mail externalrecruitment@gov.wales to request an application pack in an alternative format, or to request a reasonable adjustment related to an impairment in order to submit your application.

To apply, you'll need to have an account on our online application system.  Click the 'Apply' button below, and you'll be asked to 'Log in' if you already have an account, or 'Register' if you don't yet have an account.  Registration takes just a few minutes to complete.  You'll need an e-mail address to be able to register.  Once you've registered for an account and logged in, you'll be taken to the online application form, which you'll need to fully complete and submit before the deadline on the closing date.  

If you’d like to apply for this vacancy in Welsh, please use the ‘Newid Iaith / Change Language’ link at the top of this page, to take you to the Welsh version of this advert, from which you can apply in Welsh.

**Please note:  If you already have an Appoint account and would like to update your username and e-mail address to the new @gov.wales address, simply log in using your old details, click on your name in the menu bar, and select ‘Edit Personal Details’ in the dropdown list.  You can update any of your registered personal details on this page.**

This vacancy is closed to applications.