Principal Research Analyst

Position Overview

The purpose of this position is to spearhead the evaluation of the Affordable Housing Programme (AHP). AHP represents a significant investment initiative and is part of the Government Major Projects Portfolio. This program is integral to the government's strategy to resolve the housing crisis, combat homelessness, and assist aspiring homeowners in accessing the housing market. The successful applicant will also have the chance to contribute to additional evaluations and collaborate within the team.

This role is ideal for analysts with a background in applied monitoring and evaluation methodologies, coupled with a robust understanding of governmental evaluation frameworks, including Magenta Book guidance. Candidates may possess experience or interest in complexity/systems evaluation, theory-based evaluation, process evaluations, Randomised Control Trials, and/or quantitative counterfactual designs. The individual in this role will be expected to work in close partnership with contractors, analytical and policy teams, as well as various stakeholders to ensure effective evaluation delivery and provide the most reliable evidence to support program development.

This is a prominent position, engaging with a dynamic agenda that frequently garners media attention. It offers an exceptional platform for personal and professional growth. The role demands strong technical capabilities in evaluation and research methodologies, along with excellent leadership, communication, and influencing skills.

Key Responsibilities

The main duties will include:

• Leading the management and execution of contracted evaluations;
• Overseeing the production and dissemination (as necessary) of high-quality outputs from contracted evaluators;
• Maintaining and nurturing relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, including contracted evaluators, fellow analysts, policy colleagues, and arm's length bodies;
• Representing the Housing and Planning Evaluation Team at program boards and other relevant forums;
• Ensuring robust governance for evaluations, including risk management and advisory groups;
• Contributing to and assisting in the design of new evaluations or research initiatives;
• Identifying deficiencies in the current 'what works' evidence base and formulating proposals to address them;
• Advocating for the role and application of analysis, particularly in monitoring and evaluation activities and techniques among policy and analytical colleagues.

Candidate Profile

Essential Qualifications:

• Proven experience in applied analysis demonstrating strong analytical skills, particularly in evaluation methodologies;
• Exceptional writing and briefing capabilities, with the ability to convey complex analyses to non-technical audiences;
• In-depth technical knowledge and experience with various evaluation approaches;
• Strong research and project management skills encompassing all aspects of design, execution, and reporting;
• Experience in collaborating with and managing contractors;
• Awareness and understanding of the practical application of legal and ethical considerations in data collection and disclosure control;
• Ability to deliver under tight deadlines and manage multiple priorities effectively;
• Capability to establish robust working relationships with a diverse range of policy and analytical colleagues and relevant external organizations.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Knowledge and understanding of UK government housing policies and programs;
• Experience in housing research and evaluation.

Candidates who successfully pass the initial screening and eligibility questions will be asked to confirm their affiliation with one of the analytical professions they belong to or are applying to join. This information will be utilized to advance successful applications to the relevant professional checks component of the process.

Current civil servants who are members of one of these professions will retain their professional membership in this role. Applicants seeking promotion will be evaluated for advancement within their profession as part of the selection process. Please clarify any current affiliations in your application.

External candidates or civil servants without a current professional affiliation may be considered for accreditation to one of the professions as part of the recruitment process. If you are not currently a member of a government analytical profession, you will undergo the membership process for your chosen profession as part of this application. Successful completion of the membership process is essential for your application to be considered.

It is important to address the technical competencies for your profession in your application and during the interview.

Entry Qualifications

The entry qualifications are outlined below. Please provide complete details of your degree in your application form.

Government Social Research (GSR):

Hold an undergraduate degree, at a minimum of 2:1 or 2:2 with a postgraduate degree, in a social science subject. A qualifying social science subject is one that includes substantial training in social research methods (approximately one-third of the modules taken in the course). It should encompass quantitative methods and at least three of the five topics listed below.

Mandatory: Quantitative methods, including research design, data collection (questionnaire design, sampling, weighting), data analysis (statistical analysis).

Three of:

• Systematic/literature reviews;
• Qualitative methods, including research design, data collection (interviewing, focus groups, ethnography), data analysis (thematic analysis);
• Interpretation of data (qualitative and quantitative), presentation of results, provision of recommendations/conclusions;
• Study design, hypothesis formation, testing, and evaluation;
• Application of ethics to research.

Relevant degree subjects in the social sciences can vary. Potential members need to demonstrate substantial training in social research methods and not merely the social science degree subjects.

OR

Professional Experience Route: Hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:1, or 2:2 with a postgraduate degree, in any subject, or a degree equivalent (an advanced Certificate or Diploma from MRS), plus at least 4 years of social research practice experience. The degree requirement for Main Stream applicants is an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2 with no need for a postgraduate degree. In any case, social research practice experience consists of experience working in a research agency, market research agency, or specialist research team. To enter the GSR through this route, you must explicitly outline the breadth and depth of your research experience and skills, which must include quantitative research methods and three of the following: systematic/literature reviews; qualitative methods; interpretation of data and presentation of results; study design, hypothesis testing, and application of ethics to research.

Social Researcher Candidates (Entry Test):

Candidates who ARE NOT members of the Government Social Research service (GSR) will be invited to take the Government Social Research Knowledge test. This is the first part of the GSR membership process, and you must pass this test for your application to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.

We will arrange for you to take the GSR Knowledge Test as soon as possible. This test must be completed prior to the interview, and if candidates fail the knowledge test, their application will be terminated at that point. Candidates who are EXISTING members of the Government Social Research service (GSR) do not need to complete this test as part of their application.

Competencies

You will need to address the technical competencies for your profession in your application and at the interview. Professional technical competencies are listed below:

Social Research Competencies

Social research: technical skills;

Social research: using and promoting social research.

Benefits

Alongside your salary, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government contributes towards your membership in the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Additional benefits include:

• Learning and development tailored to your role;
• An environment with flexible working options;
• A culture that encourages inclusion and diversity;
• A pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 27%.