In addition to this further information you should have the following:-
- Application pack including Diversity Monitoring form and a Referee Information Form.
Please ensure that you complete all sections of the application pack and that you return by the date shown on the advert. We will be unable to consider your application if all sections are not fully completed.
Nationality
You must be a UK or other European Economic Area national, a Commonwealth citizen, a British Protected Person or a citizen of British Dependent Territories.
Background
We currently have a number of vacancies for Research Officers (B2) and Senior Research Officers (B3) in Edinburgh. The posts are located in Office of Chief Researcher and Analytical Service Directorates (ASDs) across the Scottish Government. These are pensionable and permanent appointments. Applications are welcome from those wishing to work on a part-time or a job-share basis. Other vacancies may occur in the near future and the Board will consider any reserve candidates for these as they arise. The vacancies are in Edinburgh, but posts in Lifelong Learning Analytical Services Unit are based in Glasgow. There are no vacancies there at present, but they may arise in the future. Where you are assigned will depend on your skills and experience, and the needs of the Government. Continuous professional development is a high priority of the Social Research Group and there are promotion opportunities as your skills develop - along with wider career opportunities within the Scottish Government as a whole.
High quality social science research evidence plays an important role in shaping the policies of the Scottish Government. Working in all of the Government's Directorates, Social Researchers work in the areas of criminal and civil justice, education, equalities, health and wellbeing, planning, regeneration, housing, environment and rural affairs, local government, transport, and lifelong learning. In addition, Social Researchers in the Government undertake corporate research on, for example, public attitudes, behavioural change, and science and society. As a Social Researcher, you will be a member of Government Social Research (GSR). Further information is available at: http://www.gsr.gov.uk/
Key Duties & Responsibilities of Research Officers (ROs) and Senior Research Officers (SROs)
Research Officers and Senior Research Officers aim to provide high quality research-based evidence and advice for Ministers and officials to inform policy development, implementation and evaluation. As a Research Officer or Senior Research Officer you will be involved in
- working closely with other analysts (statisticians and economists) to add value to government decision making
- providing evidence-based advice and expertise to policy teams and Ministers
- building relationships with the research community and policy/ practice community
- · commissioning and managing social science research
Essential Minimum Criteria
As a Research Officer (B2) you will need to satisfy the following professional eligibility criteria;
- an honours degree (minimum 2:1) in a social science discipline [1] or a post graduate degree in a
social science discipline;
In addition to the above eligibility criteria, B3 Senior Research Officers require:
- experience in applying a broad range of research methods
- substantive and broad experience in all stages of the research process; including research design,
delivery, write up and dissemination
- a good understanding of the role of research in policy making
- the ability to work autonomously at all stages of the research process
[1]Relevant social science disciplines include sociology, economics, social policy, politics, psychology, geography, anthropology, social studies.
Recruitment, performance and development for Social Researchers in the Scottish Government is measured and assessed against the Government Social Research competency framework, which consists of a mixture of generalist and specialist competencies (see Appendix 1). The competencies applicable to staff in the Social Research Group are:
- Policy and Delivery Focus
- Delivering Results
- Learning and Improving
- Critical Analysis and Decision Making
- Constructive Thinking
- Professional Expertise
- Developing Constructive Relationships
- Communicating with Impact
- Leading and Directing
The achievement record in the application form asks you to document evidence of your abilities under some of these competencies. The Assessment Centre (see later) is also based around these competencies.
Please note: you must indicate on the application form whether you are applying for a B2 or B3 post. If you wish to be considered for both Grades, please tick both boxes.
Further information
Further information about the posts is available from Margaret Glennie 0131 244 2112.
Personnel Security Standard
As of 1 January 2008 the Scottish Government introduced a new baseline personnel security standard which provides a more consistent and rigorous pre-employment screening process for prospective Scottish Government staff and non-Government staff who require access to Scottish Government premises for work purposes.
If you are successful in obtaining a job with the Scottish Government you will be subject to these additional security checks. In accordance with this you will be required to provide:
- your original birth certificate
- Photographic ID
- A bill or financial statement for you current address, preferably a utility bill. Please note that mobile phone bills are not acceptable
- Basic Disclosure certificate
If you do not have photo ID, you should provide a passport sized photograph of yourself endorsed on the back with the signature of a person of some standing in the individual's community (e.g. a JP, medical practitioner, officer of the armed forces, teacher, lecturer, lawyer, bank manager, civil servant etc) and accompanied by a signed statement, completed by the same person, stating their name in full, the period of time that you have been known to them (minimum 3 years) and their contact details. The signatory will be contacted to confirm that he or she did, in fact, complete the statement.
If you have any question about these additional pre-employment checks please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Basic Disclosure certificate
The Scottish Government requires security checks on all successful candidates and due to Part V, Police Act 1997, and a new system of disclosing criminal history information has been introduced. Successful candidates will be required to produce a Basic Disclosure certificate less than 12 months old, prior to taking up employment. Basic Disclosure certificates are available from Disclosure Scotland, Disclosure Scotland, PO Box 250, Glasgow, G51 1YU, telephone: 0870 609 6006, Fax: 0870 609 6996, E-mail: info@disclosurescotland.co.uk and will cost you £20.00 Further information on Disclosure certificates can be found at the Disclosure Bureau's website www.disclosurescotland.co.uk
Referees
You are required to include details of two referees to cover a 3 year period, if appropriate, on a separate sheet which forms part of the application form. One should be your current or most recent employer; the second is likely to be a previous employer. If you have not been in previous employment (or cannot provide a second employment reference) and have undertaken relevant further education, you can give the name of the academic member of staff best acquainted with your work and conduct. You can give more than one name if this is necessary in order to cover the period of such education. Please note we will request factual information from your employment referees such as dates employed, last position held, reason for leaving and details of work performance ratings, sick absence records and disciplinary records (if any). Academic referees will be asked to provide details of your course work, result achieved or expected, and the referee's impression of your ability in relation to your course work and future career potential.
Please do not send testimonials.
If your application is successful, we will write to your referees, provided you have given permission to approach them. If you have not given permission, we will contact you before any referee is approached. By signing your application you are giving consent for us to obtain the information as outlined above.
Salary (pro rata for part-time)
The salary range is £21,292 to £28,520 for B2 level and £26,650 to £37,854 for B3. Starting salary will normally be at the minimum of the range, although a higher level may be offered for exceptional candidates whose skills, knowledge and/or experience are considered to be particularly relevant and are evident in the selection recess. Future pay progression will be dependent upon performance.
Salary is paid on the last day of the month by credit transfer.
Pension
Unless you choose otherwise we offer you the opportunity to join the Civil Service pension arrangements, which include a valuable range of benefits. We will make substantial employer contributions towards your Civil Service pension.
Retirement
The Scottish Government has a "no retirement age" policy for staff in Bands A-C. This means that you are free to continue in employment for as long as you wish. Continued employment will remain subject to the normal rules concerning performance, conduct and attendance.
Working Pattern
The normal working week is a 5 day week of 42 hours, including lunch intervals. You may have the scope to participate in the Scottish Government's flexible working hour's scheme. Consideration will be given to candidates interested in part-time or other non-standard working patterns and in-line with best practice, the Scottish Government has extended to all staff the right to request a flexible working pattern. All requests will be seriously considered.
Annual Leave (pro rata for part-time)
You will have an annual leave allowance of 25 days, rising to 30 days after 10 years. In addition, all staff receive 11½ days public and privilege holidays taken at fixed times of the year
Probation
You will be required to serve a probationary period of 9 months and confirmation of your appointment is dependent on the satisfactory completion of this probation period.
Travelling and Subsistence
Subsistence allowances and travelling expenses on official duty are paid. The cost of normal daily travel between home and office is not reimbursable.
Health Standard
You will be asked to complete a health declaration and, if necessary, to attend a medical examination.
Sick Absence
You may be allowed up to 6 months sick absence on full pay, less any National Insurance benefit received, in any period of 12 months. After that, a further period may be granted at reduced pay, subject to a maximum of 12 months sick absence in any period of 4 years or less.
Outside Activities
As a civil servant, you may not take part in any activity which would in any way impair your usefulness to the Service, or engage in any occupation which may conflict with the interests of the Scottish Government or be inconsistent with your official position. Subject to these conditions, work of a minor or short-term nature (for example, vacation work or work after hours) is normally allowed, provided you seek prior permission.
You will also be subject to certain restrictions, depending on your grade and the nature of your work, on national and local political activities. These include standing as a candidate in parliamentary or local authority elections, or canvassing on behalf of candidates; and expressing views on matters of political controversy in public speeches or publications.
The Civil Service Commissioners
The Department's recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Code which can be found at www.civilservicecommissioners.org If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Code and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact (name and address) in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commissioners.
Application
Your completed application form including diversity monitoring form must be returned to:- hazel.currington@scotland.gsi.gov.uk - alternatively paper copies can be sent to the Scottish Government, Central Resourcing Unit, S1 Spur (ED5590EXT), Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh, EH11 3XD, to arrive no later than the date on the application form. Without these documents we will not be able to consider your application.
We encourage applicants to submit their application form on line.
All online application forms will be acknowledged via email. If you return your application form by post and require confirmation of receipt, please enclose a self addressed, stamped envelope. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within 3 days please contact Hazel Currington on 0131-244-3815.
Information given on the diversity monitoring form will be treated in strictest confidence and will be retained by HR for monitoring purposes. It will be kept separately from your application form and will not be made available to those involved in the selection decision. Guidance on the Diversity Monitoring Form and why we ask you to complete it is available on our website http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Recruitment/DiversityGuidance
Selection
Candidates who, from the information they provide in their application forms, appear best suited to this appointment will be invited to assessment centre. It is thus essential for your application form to give full but concise descriptions of the nature, extent and level of the responsibilities you have held.
The assessment centres will be held in Saughton House, Edinburgh and will be held over two weeks: week beginning 16th June 2008; and week beginning 23 June 2008. Those applicants who demonstrate they have the necessary skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience will be invited. As part of the interview, candidates will be asked to give a short presentation on a specific subject. The Panel will recommend the candidate considered most suitable for appointment. If successful, you will be expected to take up post as soon as possible.
If you are successful, and are not currently a serving member of the Civil Service, we will carry out enquiries into your nationality, health and other matters, to ensure that you are qualified for appointment. To enable these enquiries to be completed, we may need to see your original birth certificate and/or passport, as well as your educational certificates. When the enquiries are completed satisfactorily, we will then make you a formal offer of appointment. You will be expected to take up appointment as soon as possible
Disability
We are participants in the Employment Services "Positive about Disability" scheme. Under the terms of the scheme we shall interview applicants with a disability who satisfy the basic criteria for appointment. A guaranteed interview will only be given where an applicant has declared a disability on the diversity monitoring form.
To find out more about Disability in the Civil Service, you can access our Disability Fact Sheet at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Recruitment/DisabilityFactsheet
Text phone
If you have textphone equipment, please ring our dedicated line: 0131-244 1829. Please do not use this number for voice calls as your call will not connect.
Interview Expenses
Travel and subsistence expenses incurred during the selection process are the responsibility of the applicant.
Please note that this memorandum is provided for information only and does not form part of the conditions of employment
The Scottish Government's Aim Vision and Values
AIM
To work with Scottish Ministers to improve the well being of Scotland and its people.
VISION
To be at the centre of Scottish civic life, widely trusted, by earning a reputation for openness, helpfulness, expertise and effectiveness.
VALUES
As Civil Servants our values are:
Integrity and honesty
Objectivity
political impartiality
fairness
Scottish Government Equal Opportunities Policy
The Scottish Government policy on equal opportunities is that all staff should be treated equally irrespective of their sex, marital status, age, race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief, working pattern, employment status, gender identity (transgender), caring responsibility, or trade union membership.
Sc ottish Government Diversity Policy
The Scottish Government is committed to increasing the diversity of staff within the organisation. We will develop all our staff, ignoring all irrelevant differences in their management and development. Furthermore we will positively value the different perspectives and skills of all staff and make full use of these in our work.
An Investor in People
Competencies for Government Social Researchers
The GSR Competency Framework sets out a comprehensive set of competencies relevant to research work and grades in the Government Social Research (GSR) service. It is designed for use in recruiting, promoting, appraising and developing all GSR members and is accredited by Professional Skills for Government (PSG).Policy and delivery focus
- Understands and directs effort to meet customer needs.
- Works in partnership with other analysts, policy colleagues and wider customers to provide relevant and high quality contribution that adds value to government policy design making.
Delivering results
- Plans work activities, reviewing and prioritising as necessary, to achieve high standards and meet deadlines.
- Is proactive and uses initiative when problems arise or progress is slow.
- Shows resilience under pressure and does not let setbacks affect performance.
Learning and improving
- Acknowledges own development needs and seeks new skills, knowledge and opportunities for learning.
- Learns from others.
- Adapts quickly and effectively to new people, situations and task demands.
- Operates effectively in a range of roles and contexts including times and situations of uncertainty.
Critical analysis and decision making
- Critically evaluates data and information with accuracy and perception, and is able to synthesise and use data drawn from a variety of different methods appropriately.
- Makes sound, evidence based decisions (and/or helps others do so).
- Assesses risk and defends decisions and action.
- Responds effectively to unforeseen situations.Constructive thinking
- Thinks imaginatively whilst keeping the goal in mind.
- Understands the bigger picture and can make the link between issues.
- Shows an open mind with the intellectual rigour to generate original ideas and develop practical solutions from them.
- Able to facilitate, encourage and build upon the ideas of others.
Professional expertise
- Demonstrates the detailed knowledge and experience necessary for the job of a government social researcher, expressing the core technical capability, knowledge and awareness in terms of behaviours .
Developing constructive relationships
- Uses interpersonal and other communication skills to build rapport with others.
- Shows awareness of the effects of own behaviour on others and understands their situations and concerns.
- Values diversity and shows flexibility of style.
Communicating with impact
- Communicates written and oral information clearly, concisely and persuasively.
- Communicates own viewpoint succinctly and defends it appropriately.
- Facilitates discussions effectively to achieve clear outcomes.
Leading and directing
- Takes an active and prominent role in providing direction to staff and contractors.
- Champions high standards.
- Gains the trust, commitment and co-operation of others.
For more detailed information, including user guidance and detailed indicators for each competency, visit
www.gsr.gov.uk