Researcher - Working for Essex

About the role

Researcher

Permanent, Full Time

£36,169 to £42,551 per annum

*Location: Chelmsford

Closing Date: 3rd June 2025

*Please note this is a hybrid-working role, with a requirement to work in the Chelmsford office 2-3 days per month on average, depending on business need.

The Researcher will help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Council by delivering primary and secondary research services, providing technical advice and championing an “evidence first” culture. The role will use appropriate analytical techniques and work with clients to help use analytical insights to generate better policymaking or service management. This will require the gathering and analysis of a wide range of data and the development of an evidence-based approach to measuring service delivery.

Educated to degree level, the role will require appropriate and effective communication with a range of stakeholders. The role requires experience of designing, commissioning, delivering/evaluating social/market research and of researching and presenting information. Applying technical capabilities across the Council, the role will require skills and experience in matrix working to ensure better integration with services to align and deliver priorities efficiently.

Responsibilities

In this role you will be responsible for:

· Understanding and applying best practice to support the delivery of high quality ethical research services to the organisation.

· Working collaboratively to build strong relationships with business functions, seeking to understand and define their requirements and develop research and projects that provide powerful strategic intelligence and citizen insight aligned to priorities and activities within business plans.

· Using specialist skill, knowledge and experience to provide expert advice and guidance as required ensuring research and analysis activities, including specifications for external procurements, meet professional and ethical standards.

· The design and delivery of primary and secondary research that adheres to agreed outcomes and service levels ensuring compliance with all external and internal regulation.

· Using intellectual curiosity to proactively explore the potential to offer new insight and discovery to the organisation.

· Gathering, analysing, evaluating and interpreting a range of data sources relating to need, demand and supply across geographies and support cost/benefit analysis in reaching evidence based recommendations.

· Working collaboratively to develop and maintain effective relationships with citizens and service users, making sure that their views and experiences are embedded in business intelligence products and evidence.

· Proactively designing research that enables the organisation to understand ‘whole systems’ and be focused on producing better experiences for the citizens of Essex.

· Continuously developing new and relevant research approaches and supporting the embedding of an ‘evidence first’ culture in the organisation.

· Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

· Educated to degree level in a relevant subject area, or equivalent by experience.

· Evidence of continuing professional development and knowledge in relevant professional area.

· Experience of having worked within local government or public sector environment would be preferred.

· Practical experience and knowledge of successfully delivering primary and/or secondary research that has led to the improvement of outcomes and/or services.

· Ability to work effectively and communicate clearly and appropriately with a range of internal and external stakeholders and partners. This includes excellent report writing, data visualisation and presentation skills.

· Knowledge and experience of using a variety of methods, tools and technology to understand views and experiences, and to appropriately and safely share information (e.g. survey, observation, interview, focus group, ethnography, social media).

· Knowledge of governance requirements around quantitative and qualitative research methodology, the Data Protection Act, etc.

· Excellent collaboration and communication skills and experience of working as part of multi-disciplinary teams and in a matrix environment.

To read more about us please visit: People, Policy, Economy and Public Health - Working for Essex

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex . With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025 , Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR ) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles , including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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