Social Science Advisor - London, United Kingdom - Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

Verified Company

London, United Kingdom

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

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Description

Details:

Reference number:

Salary:

- £37,470 - £45,565

National: £37,470 £41,925; London: £41,055 £45,565
A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Job grade:
Senior Executive Officer
Contract type:
Permanent
Business area:
GO-Science
Type of role:
Policy
Science
Social Research
Working pattern:
Flexible working, Fulltime, Job share, Parttime
Number of jobs available:
2Contents

Location

About the job

Benefits:

Things you need to know

Location

London, ManchesterAbout the job

Job summary:

DSIT

The Government Office for Science works at the heart of Government, ensuring policies and decisions are informed by the best scientific evidence and strategic long-term thinking.

It's an exciting time to join the organisation; we have outstanding and high-profile positions providing you an opportunity to inform and influence policy-making and the systems for use of science and engineering across government.

If you are highly motivated and looking for your next career challenge we want to hear from you.

Our mission is:

Science

advice mechanisms that are efficient, effective, speak truth to power and are embedded irreversibly in Government systems.

Visible impact through both proactive and demandled science advice that is relevant, excellent, and delivered fit for purpose.

Our values are:
Collaboration - We draw on the experience, skills and knowledge of individuals and partners to reach goals.

Kindness - We are always inclusive, respectful, and compassionate. We look out for one another on work related and non-work-related matters where appropriate.

Openness - We are curious and always openminded to new ideas, ways of working and points of view, irrelevant of how unconventional they might seem or who suggests them.

Integrity - We commit to upholding the civil service value of integrity by remaining moral, honest, and transparent. We always strive to do the right thing.

Further information can be found here.

We maintain an internal surge capability of staff who may be called at short notice to support an activation of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).

Training and support will be provided. This is an excellent opportunity to develop crisis management skills.

Job description:

The postholders will champion the importance of social science in government, and be a strong advocate for evidencebased policy and interdisciplinary analysis. The role requires strong social science research skills and expertise as well as the ability to communicate effectively and understand policy process and requirements, especially in a rapidpaced environment.

Person specification:

Key responsibilities for the role include:
Lead on discrete projects or workstreams with a specific social or behavioural science element
Represent GO-Science in internal and external meetings with key stakeholders across Government, academic experts, funding agencies and learned societies
Support social science outreach, resources and capability building across GOS, including assisting with ad hoc requests across the organisation and with other government departments
Provide ad hoc social and behavioural science input, including support on methodology, for key CSI projects and for other GO-Science priority projects on a per needed basis
Provide secretariat for Crossgovernment Steering group
Contributing to evidence syntheses (including rapid evidence reviews) and policy/summary briefings.

Skills and experience

Essential

Demonstrable specialist knowledge of social science research at practitioner level with at least a postgraduate degree or equivalent experience. Proven track record of designing, delivering and analysing robust research (quantitative and/or qualitative; using primary or secondary sources)
Ability to communicate complex analysis/research in a clear and coherent way
Ability to establish strong working relationships with a range of policy and analytical colleagues and relevant external agencies and experts
Effective written and oral communication skills and the ability to engage with a wide variety of people
Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and work flexibly
Quality assuring the use and interpretation of data, analysis and research
Intellectual curiosity and a passion for championing the use of social science as a core part of interdisciplinary research and evidencebased policy.

Desirable

Knowledge of relevant research themes (e.g. social science approaches to environment/climate change, emergency preparedness or technology and society)
A good awareness of the policy making environment, and experience working with multiple stakeholders to develop policy proposals and/or provide advice
Experience working in science or science policy roles
Experience of delivering secretariat functions.

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