Head of Research and Data

Head of Research and Data

Salary: £66,940 per annum + excellent benefits

Full time or 0.8 FTE, permanent

Hybrid, 2 office days per week in London (Farringdon)

Organisation:

Highly respected research organisation focused on the family justice system. Over the past five years, our client has become established as a highly respected and influential organisation in its field, using data and research evidence to hold up a mirror to children’s and families’ experiences of family court and their circumstances pre- and post- court proceedings. Acknowledged as a trusted source of information about the family justice system, they have worked closely with judges, lawyers, social workers, families and policy makers to improve practice for children and families, communicating research evidence and data in accessible ways.

In the first five years they have:

• Helped to shape the family justice system response to the pandemic, by providing clear insight into how hearings conducted over video or telephone during lockdown were being experienced.
• Pioneered changes in the way communication between adopted children and their birth families is managed and supported using digital tools.
• Raised awareness of a hidden practice to deprive children with complex needs of their liberty because of the shortage of suitable provision and inspired policy makers to review steps towards tackling this problem.
• Inspired changes in the way parents who are at risk of having their newborn babies taken into care are treated.
• Shed light on the lack of children’s participation in family court proceedings and inspired new ways for children to be at the centre of decision-making about their lives.

The focus of their work is set out in an ambitious strategy and its progress is recorded in their 5 year impact report. They are now embarking on the next phase of development, with a focus on creating systematic change across the sector.

They are seeking to recruit a Head of Research and Data to strengthen their capacity to deliver change for children and families.

Role:

This is a new role to develop and lead a research and data programme that aligns with the organisation’s goals and supports improvements in the family justice system.

In this role you will:

• Prioritise research projects / data analysis for the organisation to undertake or commission, in discussion with the team.
• Ensure the organisation maintains its position as an authority on data about the family justice system, e.g. via the data tracker, Infographic and other innovations in the way that the organisation shares insights from data and research.
• Maintain oversight of research commissioned by the host Foundation relevant to the team, support the host Foundation in the assessment of relevant grant applications and provide input on the Foundation’s funding strategy and decision-making as appropriate.
• Manage research projects both undertaken in-house and externally commissioned from academics or consultants. This might include (but not limited to) literature reviews/syntheses, case-file analysis, qualitative research, evaluations, quantitative data analysis and data linkage studies.
• Explain complex research findings into clear, accessible reports, publications, and presentations for our key audiences (who typically do not have a research background). Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, promoting the value of data improvement, data linkage, research findings, communicating research to front-line practice. Develop relationships and networks with relevant organisations and individuals, including academics, policymakers, data owners and legal and children’s services professionals.
• Line manage and develop the research team, provide coaching and guidance in relation to prioritisation of work, research methodology and the presentation of data and research findings.

Candidate:

You will be able to demonstrate:

• Extensive experience of undertaking research and data analysis related to children and families to have an impact on policy or practice. Broad understanding of existing research relating to vulnerable children and families.
• Experience of directing the work of others (ideally line managing staff) together with strong people management skills, including ability to support the professional and personal development of direct reports, colleagues and consultants.
• Quantitative research skills including knowledge of population-level data sets, how to structure, clean and code data sets, data linkage and data analysis methodologies. Knowledge of how to undertake data analysis (using R, Stata, Markdown, Python or similar).
• Excellent written (including drafting and editing) and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, internally and externally, with a wide variety of people.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with a professional and confident manner, and the ability to build relationships with diverse people.
• A collaborative approach to research and thinking, and a good team player.
• Tenacious commitment to achieving improvements in the lives of children and families who encounter the child welfare and family justice systems, with the ability to secure the support of others.

Apply:

To apply, please send of a copy of your CV and a supporting statement (not more than two sides of A4) to tim@whitonmaynard.com

Candidates with relevant skills and experience will be contacted and a full Job Description will be shared. We will then invite you to write a supporting statement to accompany your CV.

Closing date: 12pm, Friday 22nd November

First interviews will be held in-person at the London office on Monday 9 December.

As specialist recruiters we are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community.