Research Assistant (NHS AfC: Band 4) - Consultancy - NHS Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning [...]

Employer: NHS Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit

Employer type: NHS

Site: 23 Stephenson Street

Town: Birmingham

Salary: £26,530 - £29,114 pa

Salary period: Yearly

Closing: 12/01/2025 23:59

Interview date: 21/01/2025

Research Assistant

NHS AfC: Band 4

Job overview

Research Assistant

The Strategy Unit is leading research, analysis and change from within the NHS. We support healthcare providers, commissioners, universities, charities, and government organisations to solve complex problems by providing evidence-informed analysis and advice.

The Strategy Unit is committed to being more representative of the people we serve. We encourage applications from appropriately qualified individuals from underrepresented groups.

As a Research Assistant, you will be involved in a wide range of work in our mixed-method project teams and be supported to develop and grow your skills and interests.

We are looking for people with an interest in social research and evaluation, and a relevant undergraduate qualification – with some experience of applied qualitative research methods.

Main duties of the job

As part of the Evaluation Team, you will be working on a wide range of evaluations from small, local interventions to large, national complex and high-profile programmes.

Working for our organisation

The Strategy Unit has an office in central Birmingham, but our staff are based all over the UK. Most of the Evaluation Team work to a hybrid model of home and the office; some work at home.

The Evaluation Team has a voluntary compressed hours nine-day fortnight with a common non-working day. We know that everyone has a life outside work, and other flexible working options are available (as well as standard hours!).

We are committed to an inclusive hiring process, where every candidate has the chance to showcase their unique skills and experience in an accessible, and supported environment. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage those from underrepresented groups in this field to apply to us.

Apply to join our team and let's work towards building a diverse and inclusive workplace together.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

As a Research Assistant, you will be responsible for developing your evaluation skills and supporting the delivery of projects. You will be expected to:

1. Deliver specific tasks within complex project assignments, working under the direction of the project manager/director, demonstrating high quality interpersonal skills alongside an analytical mindset.
2. Manage multiple tasks across a range of projects, be calm under pressure and juggle competing priorities and tight deadlines.
3. Take responsibility for ensuring your work is completed as directed by the project manager/director, ensuring that assignments are delivered within the available resources, on time and of the required quality.
4. Understand project risks and interdependencies and the impact of your work on other aspects of project delivery.
5. Take the initiative in developing your understanding of the broader health and care policy/institutional environment.
6. Build and maintain good working relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.

Person specification

Education

• Degree with element of applied qualitative research methods, or equivalent qualification/experience.

Experience

• Experience of undertaking qualitative research, with or without quantitative work, including document review.
• Some experience of collecting and analysing data.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the NHS and/or wider health and social care services, and how the Strategy Unit supports these services.

Skills

• Ability to manage your own time effectively to meet project deadlines.