ALB of MoJ) - Research Officer

We are an independent inspectorate led by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons. We scrutinise the conditions and treatment of prisoners and other detainees and report on our findings. We help to make sure that detention is humane, safe, respectful and helps to prepare people for release ahead of their return to the community. We do that by carrying out independent inspections of prisons, young offender institutions, secure training centres and courts in England and Wales and places of immigration detention across the UK. Find out about our expectations for different types of detention. We publish reports to let people know about our findings and hold the government, and those running places of detention, to account. We also identify and share examples of good practice to support leaders in learning from other, comparable institutions. Our role is to shine a light on what needs to change, but we cannot enforce it. It is up to prison leaders to consider the best way to respond to our concerns and use their resources and expertise to find solutions. HM Prison and Probation Service or the Home Office should work with the establishment to support this progress. Find out more about our mandate. HMI Prisons has established a number of advisory and executive groups to ensure the organisation discharges its responsibilities effectively. About the role This post offers the opportunity for the successful candidate to utilise their existing research and analytical expertise and develop and put into practice their people and project management skills. Much of the day-to-day work of the 12-strong Research, Data & Thematics (RDT) team involves conducting surveys in places of detention and analysing the results for use by inspectors. Reporting to one of our Senior Research Officers, the post holder will also conduct fieldwork, provide analysis for thematic and other reports, help to maintain HMIP's databases, and act as an ambassador for the Inspectorate while on inspections. The job involves regular travel and time away from home carrying out surveys in places of detention (including transporting questionnaires) - on average one or two nights per fortnight. Responsibilities:

• Organising and attending visits to custodial establishments on a regular basis to conduct detainee surveys.
• Processing and analysing survey data, including for detainee and staff surveys, and checking survey findings for publication in inspection reports.
• Contributing research expertise to thematic reviews and other HMIP publications. This could involve conducting literature reviews, developing research methodology (including cognitive testing), carrying out fieldwork, interviews, data analysis and contributing to the drafting of published reports.
• Acting as research lead for a specific policy area. This includes keeping up to date with relevant research, statistics and policy developments and providing ad hoc support to inspection and policy colleagues.
• Managing and supporting research assistants.
• Supporting the work of the team in ensuring data and our research findings are utilised and presented in the most impactful and inclusive way.
• Updating and maintaining HMI Prisons' databases and providing analysis for governance meetings and annual report., The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.
Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) - See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location's respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended). Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made. MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer. All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet. Flexible working hours The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ's Flexible Working policy., The Government Social Research Technical Framework Level of security checks required DBS Enhanced Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)


• Ability to prioritise and deliver work on time.
• A member of the Government Social Research Group (GSR) profession, or meet the criteria for that profession (see below under professional requirements).
• You must meet the following GSR technical skills:
o Has good knowledge of research methodology, methods, and the latest techniques (i.e. demonstrated through qualifications and/or experience) and ability to apply these in small scale research projects. o Able to design small scale and less complex research projects, defining research questions and writing draft specifications. o Able to summarise and interpret information accurately, making use of different sources and to conduct basic analyses of key data sets utilising a working knowledge of relevant data analysis packages. o Has good working knowledge of departmental procurement procedures, quality assurance processes, legal and ethical issues and principles relating to social research. Uses ability to critically assess and evaluate information and evidence, to support team members in managing more complex external research projects (judging merits of research tenders, assessing research findings, evaluating new ideas or methodologies).,
• Experience in questionnaire and survey design
• Experience of using IBM SPSS or R or other statistical analysis package
• Experience in analysing performance data
• Experience of working as part of a team
• Experience of using MS Office applications, specifically Word, PowerBI, Excel, OneNote and Outlook
• Interest in the criminal justice system
• Commitment to the values of HM Inspectorate of Prisons.
Physical requirements of the role: The role of a Research Officer at HMI Prisons can be physically demanding. While undertaking detainee surveys researchers are required to spend a lot of time on their feet, which will include ascending and descending multiple sets of stairs, crouching down to post questionnaires under doors if required, and carrying upwards of 70 paper questionnaires. Research Officers also need to be able to respond quickly if necessary, for example exiting a wing if there is an emergency. Online assessment: Candidates successful at the application stage will be invited to complete an online assessment which will test analytical skills and knowledge of research methodologies relevant to the role. No special preparation is required., Delivering at Pace Communicating and Influencing Developing Self and Others

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. A Great Place to Work for Veterans The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces. For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Interview: Candidates who are successful at the online assessment stage will be invited to the interview stage in June, which will take place at 10 South Colonnade, E14 4PU. You will be tested against the GSR technical framework and the Success Profiles used across the Civil Service, including these behaviours:
• Delivering at pace
• Communicating and influencing
• Developing self and others.
Probation: If you are already an established civil servant who has satisfactorily completed a probationary period, you will not have any probation period. However, the normal probation period is six months and can be extended if required. Annual leave: There are generous allowances for paid holiday starting at 25 days per year (for a full-time role), which rise as your service increases. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. There is additional paid time off for public holidays and one privilege day. Training: We are committed to staff development and offer a range of training and development opportunities., The MoJ offers a range of benefits: Annual Leave Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis. Pension The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best. Training The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities. Networks The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees. Support
• A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
• To Transformative Business Services (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.