Research Assistant

About ICF

ICF (icf.com) is a global consultancy firm working in the UK, across Europe, the US and worldwide. At ICF, we combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge engagement capabilities to help governments, international institutions, public services and charities solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and improve the quality of life of people around the world.

We are a purpose driven company with a strong culture and underlying values that prize collaboration, diversity, mutual respect, innovation, open communication, and opportunity for growth. At ICF, we are not all the same. And that has always been our greatest strength. We apply our passion for meaningful work with intellectual rigour. We see strength in difference and pride ourselves in welcoming people from all backgrounds into our community.

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We are looking forResearch Assistantsto join our UK policy research and evaluation teams.

TheResearch Assistantrole is an entry-level role for social researchers who are new to the profession. The role will give you experience of working across a wide range of projects and topics, coupled with research training that will enable you to grow your career at ICF.

We welcome applications from people with a demonstrableinterest in working across varied topics relevant to our UK public and third sector clients. Our work includes research, evaluation and consultancy working with people and clients in policy areas including the environment and biodiversity, health, education, employment, social care, children and young people, food and agriculture, regulation, crime and justice, and housing.

We are also interested in recruiting people withexperience of one or more applied research methods, and the analysis of primary and secondary data, including: qualitative analysis; quantitative analysis; statistics; economic analysis; literature reviews; evaluation of programmes and projects; service design / user experience research; data science and data visualisation.

People who haveexperience of working in front line serviceswith an interest in pursuing a career in research are very much welcome to apply.

What you’ll get to do:

From day one, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a varied range of influential research projects across the UK. Our work is multidisciplinary, and by becoming part of a growing team, you will gain experience of different policy areas and research methods. You will be working across multiple projects and we will support you to develop your own career as you grow your skills, through excellent training and development opportunities.

ICF’s clients include government departments and agencies such as DEFRA, Natural England, the Department for Education, NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Food Standards Agency, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Environment Agency – as well as local government and leading charities. Many of our researchers also support wider ICF teams with a range of social and economic policy research projects for the European Commission.

Examples of some of our recent projects include the impact evaluation of the Transforming UK Food systems research programme for UKRI; the impact evaluation of the Food Roots 2 programme for the GLA; the evaluation of the Sustainable Farming Initiative; the evaluation of Local Nature Recovery Strategies; the evaluation of SEND and AP reforms for DfE; the process evaluation of Drug Recovery Wings in prisons for the Ministry of Justice; the evaluation of the Southwark School Meals Transformation Programme; and the evaluation of the Independent Prescribing programme for pharmacists for NHS England.

Your main responsibilities will be to:

Perform research and analysis on public policy issues and programmes for public and third sector clients, by:

Carrying out open source research, and analysing / summarising academic and policy literature. Conducting face to face, telephone and video interviews, writing up interviews and focus groups, and carrying out qualitative analysis using a variety of tools and software. Managing surveys, and analysing quantitative data using a variety of tools and software. Generating insightful findings, preparing descriptive and analytical texts and data visualisations. Providing research and administrative support to other team members.

Essential Requirements:

Excellent oral and written English. Excellent time management skills. Qualifications relevant to social or environmental policy or research methods (graduate or postgraduate, for example but not limited to social sciences, economics or health economics, applied statistics, geography, environmental policy or management, political science, service design, psychology or sociology, public policy research or public administration). Experience of using a variety of methods (qualitative and/or quantitative) in research projects (either own project and/or as part of a team). Strong interest in UK policy, the improvement of public services and use of evidence in policy making. Intermediate or advanced computer user skills related to carrying out research and data analysis.

Desirable:

Skills in editing or proofreading other people’s written work. Experience in undertaking evaluations of projects or programmes. Knowledge of the work of UK government departments.

Personal Qualities:

Ability to write skilfully and accurately summarise and synthesise information and evidence from a wide range of sources. Highly developed interpersonal / communication skills, and ability to work with a multidisciplinary team spread across the UK and Europe. Sound research and business ethics. Ability to manage own time and be flexible to handle multiple priorities, managing a varied workload to meet deadlines. High level of attention to detail and accuracy. Strong, demonstrable commitment to helping us build an inclusive team that values diversity.

Ready to apply?

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 21st October.

The base location for the role will be eitherLondonorLeeds.Please state your preference in your covering letter. We have ahybrid working modelthat supports our employees to work from a base office and from home.

Interested candidates are invited to follow the link and submit a one-page cover letter and a two-page CV.Applications without a cover letter will not be selected.Youmust upload your cover letter and CV as two separate files(Word or pdf). Applicants may have to complete a written test at home as part of the recruitment process, to be scheduled at a convenient time for the candidate. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments to take part in a written test or interview, following shortlisting. This is a full-time position, but we are very much welcoming of applications from candidates who would like to work part time. ICF is a privacy conscious organisation and your trust is paramount to us. how we use and protect your data.

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