Senior Policy Research Officer
Location: Hybrid role with regular visits to the London office (Flexible to be agreed on offer)
Salary Range: £38,203 - £40,927 (plus London weighting, £3,344, if applicable) per annum
Hours: 35 per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Are you a skilled researcher with experience both of qualitative and quantitative methods? Could you work with commissioned partners to deliver research of the highest quality?
Can you lead policy research projects through their lifecycle from inception to publication? With the aim of bringing about policy and practice change and improving lives across the UK?
A day in the life of our Senior Policy Research Officer
- Advising on the best approach to meeting evidence needs and commission / undertake research as appropriate.
- Undertaking qualitative research, including primary research and reviews of literature and other external evidence. You'll ensure the experiences of the people we help are reflected throughout our policy, research and advocacy work.
- Managing the ‘end to end’ cycle of policy research projects, whether delivered in-house or commissioned externally, in line with our advocacy priorities.
- Project managing multiple research projects.
- Providing technical, expert advice to colleagues on research methods. Establishing credibility with non-research staff across directorates.
- Monitoring the external environment for ongoing and upcoming research that is likely to inform and/or impact on the work of the British Red Cross. Reporting back to colleagues as necessary.
- Establishing processes to ensure timely access to our services and service users for research needs.
- Working as one team with the other research functions across the BRC. This will involve supporting a responsive and strategic research function across the organisation.
- Working in partnership with the evaluation team in the insight and innovation directorate and other research staff. Ensuring policy and advocacy across the UK is well evidenced and reflective of insight from our own services.
What will a Senior Policy Research Officer need to be successful?
- Extensive knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
- Good knowledge of BRC policy areas, in particular emergency response and refugees and asylum.
- Experience in the commissioning process (either as the commissioning or the commissioned party), drafting or responding to research briefs, selecting partners, and managing research partnerships.
- Experience of designing and conducting policy research, with experience of undertaking high-quality research in a multi-disciplinary setting.
- Substantial experience of successfully managing several different projects at any given time, completing to a high level of quality.
- Experience of consultation involving a broad range of stakeholders.
- Experience including service users / patients / beneficiaries in research through participatory methods.
Interested? Closing date for completed applications is 23:59hrs on Sunday 18th May 2025 with interviews to follow. Please apply early, as we’ll be reviewing candidates throughout. We reserve the right to close the advert in advance of the published date.
Candidates will be assessed based on their alignment with the essential criteria outlined in the job description. In the event of a high volume of high-quality applications, we may also consider the desirable criteria to ensure the most suitable candidates are selected.
In return for your commitment and expertise, you’ll get:
- Holidays: 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) + option to buy 5 extra days.
- Pension scheme: Up to 6% contributory pension.
- Flexible working: We do our best to accommodate your preferred work style.
- Learning & Development: Wide range of career opportunities + comprehensive learning.
- Discounts: Access to Blue Light Discount Card and employee benefits platform.
- Wellbeing Support: Access to mental health and wellbeing assistance.
- Team Working: Support our mission in a collaborative team.
- Cycle2Work: Lease a bicycle through the scheme.
- Season ticket loan: Interest-free loan for commuting expenses.
At The British Red Cross, we pride ourselves on our diverse workforce, and ensuring we have an inclusive environment for all our staff and volunteers. We remain committed to ensuring our teams can bring their true selves to work without risk or fear of discrimination. We do this through regular data reporting, and the support of our internal Race and Equality Network (REEN), LGBT+ Network. Plus our Disability and Wellness Network (DAWN), Gender Network, Carers Network and Young Staff Network.
Together, we are the world's emergency responders