GSR Research Officer Scheme 2024 - Application Guide for Candidates
The Government Social Research (GSR) Research Officer Scheme 2024 offers career opportunities in social research for individuals interested in contributing to government decision-making. With over 2,500 accredited members across various departments, GSR plays a vital role in informing policies. The scheme recruits HEO Research Officers to gather, analyze data, and provide critical insights. Eligibility requires GSR membership through either the Qualification Route or Experience Route. Qualification Route applicants must hold an undergraduate degree with specific research methods training. For detailed application guidelines, visit the provided link.
- Government Social Research
- GSR Research Officer Scheme
- Social Research
- Government Recruitment
- Eligibility Criteria
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GSR Research Officer Scheme 2024 Application Guide for Candidates Applications open: 19/02/2024 Applications close: 18/03/2024 (23:55 PM) GESRrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Government Social Research (GSR) is the analytical profession within Government for Civil Servants that produce social and behavioural research and advice. What is Government Social Research? GSR members enable government to understand issues relating to society, groups and individuals, supporting policy debate and decision-making through a variety of approaches, advice and evidence. GSR has over 2,500 professionally-accredited members across 35+ government departments and organisations.
The GSR Research Officer Scheme is a recruitment scheme for people interested in starting a career in social research. We are recruiting over 75 HEO Research Officers to play a critical role in gathering, analysing and interpreting the information forming the foundation of government decision-making. As a Research Officer, you will be assigned to a government department for your first position within the GSR. Your work might involve developing surveys, analysing data, producing statistics, reviewing existing research evidence and working with other analysts in Government to provide timely, relevant and robust briefings to policy colleagues and ministers. What is the GSR Research Officer Scheme?
Qualification Requirements To be eligible to apply for a Research Officer role you must be eligible for GSR membership. This can be through one of two routes: 1. The Qualification Route 2. The Experience Route
Eligibility Qualification Route To be eligible for GSR Membership through the qualification route, applicants MUST: Hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of a 2:2 The degree must contain substantial social research methods training (comprising around one third of modules taken on the course), including quantitative research methods and at least three of the following: Systematic/literature reviews Qualitative methods Interpretation of data and presentation of results Study design Hypothesis testing The application of ethics to research You must provide full details of your degree in the additional question 1 on the application form
Eligibility Experience Route To be eligible for GSR Membership through the experience route, applicants MUST: Hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2, in any subject, or a degree equivalent (e.g. an Advanced Certificate or Diploma from MRS), plus have at least 4 years of social research practice experience. Social research practice consists of experience working in a research agency, market research agency or specialist research team. In your application you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your research experience and skills, which must include quantitative research methods and at least three of the following: Systematic/literature reviews Qualitative methods Interpretation of data and presentation of results Study design Hypothesis testing The application of ethics to research You must provide full details of your experience in the additional question 1 in the application form.
Filling out the Additional Question 1 As part of your application, you will need to answer additional questions. The question will ask you to list your degree modules and/or experience in social research. Name each module, indicating where the module includes social research elements and what these elements are. Remember to include the number of points each module is worth, and include the total number in your degree. For those applying via the experience route, please outline your experience and the length of time you have been employed in this area. This information allows sifters to clearly see if a degree contains a third of social research methods or if your work experience meets the necessary criteria. Remember that while they are social researchers, they won't know what your degree modules were unless you provide as much information as possible.
The Application Process - Application All applicants must fill out the application form on Civil Service Jobs. Complete the Civil Service online numerical and verbal reasoning test Application Stage After applications close, you will be invited to take the GSR Knowledge Test. The test is online, multiple choice and timed. We can make reasonable adjustments. GSR Knowledge Test Candidates who pass the GSR Knowledge Test will then have their application reviewed to see if their qualifications meet the criteria. Sift
The Application Process - Interview You will be invited to book an interview slot via Civil Service Jobs The interviews will be held virtually on Microsoft Teams Interviews are expected to take place between 29/04/2024 and 24/05/2024 Booking Interview The first part of the interview will be a 5 minute presentation Follow up questions will be asked to assess technical professional skills as a Social Researcher These questions will be in line with the whole GSR Technical Framework at RO Level (The Government Social Research Technical Framework - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)) Presentation The second part of the interview will be questions asked based on the Civil Service Behaviours Behaviours | Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk) Questions
The Application Process - Onboarding If successful at the interview stage, you will be offered a role and allocated to a government department Roles are allocated based on your location preferences where possible. It is not possible to express a preference for a Government department, as GSR will meet the needs of all departments equally Allocation to department Your employing department will commission security checks, and allocate you your new role. They will be able to advise you regarding office location, start date and salary Generally, you will be able to start your new role in September/October, once your security checks are clear Onboarding
2024 Timeline subject to change Recruitment Stage Timeline Applications Open 19th February 18th March 2024 w/c 1stApril 2024 GSR Knowledge Test Sift 8th April 19th April 2024 29thApril - 24thMay Interviews Allocation to department June 2024 Onboarding and security checks [Can take up to three months] Start Role Expected September/October 2024
Nationality Requirements You are eligible to apply if you are a: British citizen European Economic Area (EEA) national Commonwealth citizen Swiss national Turkish national, in some circumstances Individuals will need to demonstrate that they meet the relevant immigration requirements and demonstrate their eligibility under the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs), guidance on which can be found on gov.uk. Individuals must have the right to work in the UK, we do not offer visa sponsorship for these vacancies.
Security Clearance All employees must meet the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). This is a series of basic security checks to confirm identity, right to work in the UK, employment history & where relevant, details of any criminal record. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. Additionally, some roles within the Department will require you to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC), or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC, SC or DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3, 5 or 10 years prior to the date of application (the level of checks that are required are stated in the advert; more information can be found here). If you do not satisfy the residency criteria, an application may be submitted and a decision will be made on a case by case basis; consideration will be given to where you lived, how long you were out of the UK and why you were abroad. If you are applying for a role requiring security clearance, please be aware that foreign or dual nationality is not an automatic bar. However, certain posts may have restrictions which could affect those who do not have sole British nationality or who have personal connections with certain countries outside the UK. All offers of employment are conditional on successful completion of BPSS and National Security Vetting. Candidates should not resign from their current job until these checks have been successfully completed.
Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to becoming the most inclusive employer in the UK. We are committed to understanding, respecting and representing as broad a range of views and backgrounds as we have in UK society. We know that diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to an effective, modern Civil Service. Our vision is to ensure the Civil Service represents modern Britain and is a truly inclusive employer - an example to other employers. We will create an organisation where diversity is not only respected and valued - but celebrated. What s in it for me? We want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us - regardless of background. If you re interested in developing your career with us starting with this interesting and challenging role or doing things differently and inspiring colleagues, then the Civil Service is the place for you. Our passion for diversity and equality means creating a work environment for all employees that is welcoming, respectful, engaging, and enriched with opportunities for personal and professional development.
Reasonable Adjustments Under the terms of the Equality Act 2010, we will always consider making reasonable adjustments to ensure that disabled people are not disadvantaged in the recruitment and selection process. We are therefore committed to meeting, wherever possible, any needs you specify in your application. We will also consider any reasonable adjustments under the terms of the Act to enable any applicant with a disability (as defined under the Act) to meet the requirements of the post. You will be asked in your application form whether you will be applying under the Disability Confidence Scheme. At all application stages, you are welcome to let us know if you need reasonable adjustments by emailing GESRrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk
Civil Service Benefits Flexible working patterns available, allowing you to wary the length of your working day while working your hours 25 days annual leave, in addition to 8 public holidays and an extra paid day off work for the King s birthday Interest-free loans to spread the cost of an annual season travel ticket or a new bicycle Opportunities to use on-site facilities, including fitness centres and staff canteens (where applicable) Generous paid maternity and paternity leave Occupational sick pay Competitive contributary pension scheme
Some Useful Resources Click on the links below to learn more about the HEO (RO) criteria used to assess candidates at interview: Information on the Civil Service Behaviours | Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk) Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk) (Please see the HEO level criteria, which is used at interview.) For more information on the technical skills being assessed at interview, see here: The Government Social Research Technical Framework - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (Please see Research Officer criteria.) For structuring your answers at an interview, consider using: The STAR method | National Careers Service
Whats Next? Follow our social media channels for updates on the campaign: Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/civil-service-government-social-research-profession Facebook: @GovernmentSocialResearch Twitter: @GSR_UK LinkedIn: @governmentsocialresearch Got a question? Email us at GESRrecruitment@hmtreasury.gov.uk You ve taken the first step and looked through this job pack to understand the skills and experience needed to perform this role. Now join us in achieving our ambitions and let us help you achieve yours.
