Researcher
Evaluation, Research and Engagement
September 2014
OPM
252B Gray’s Inn Road,
London WC1X 8XG
tel: 0845 055 3900
fax: 0845 055 1700
email: [email protected]
web: www.opm.co.uk
Researcher
Job Description: Researcher
OPM works to develop the effectiveness of organisations that are committed to improving social
outcomes. Our current activities include organisation and management development, strategy
formation, stakeholder engagement, community development, communication, executive
coaching, research and evaluation and integrated design. We work with clients from across the
public, private, and third sectors. We aim to help managers and professionals in those
organisations maintain strong financial performance while achieving primary social goals like
equity, access, community accountability, environmental responsibility and equal opportunity.
OPM is a not-for-profit public interest consultancy and is 100% employee-owned.
The post of Researcher at OPM is a permanent position.
This is an ‘applied’ research role in a fast-moving policy and practice context, and in a
commercial consultancy environment. Researchers will be based in the Evaluation, Research
and Engagement (ERE) teams of OPM. The team manages a very broad profile of activities
covering mixed methods evaluations, social research, customer insight research, and community
and stakeholder engagement. We carry out projects for clients covering government and
regulators, local and regional public services including NHS, local government and children’s
services, national and local charities, and public utilities and infrastructure organisations. Much of
our work focuses on social exclusion and vulnerable communities. Experience and awareness of
diversity issues therefore is important in much of our work.
The post holder will be expected to work on qualitative and quantitative research, evaluation and
engagement projects, utilising a range of research methodologies, including depth interviews,
focus groups, deliberative workshops, literature reviews and other desk-based research, multimethods evaluation techniques, economic evaluation and quantitative methods. A further
important requirement for the role is the ability to write high quality reports and other written
outputs based on the research findings suitable for a variety of audiences. In this recruitment
round, we are particularly interested in individuals with strong applied quantitative skills (e.g.
managing large datasets; performing multivariate analyses; etc).
Researchers will be expected to fulfil a range of research tasks. There will be opportunities to
meet clients and become involved in overall project planning and delivery. The role will be
supported by a range of developmental opportunities and informal training and support.
All members of OPM are expected to subscribe to OPM’s Charter and to our commitment to
clients (see section below). The Charter has been written and adopted, and is regularly reviewed
and re-adopted, by OPM members to promote equity within the workplace and to ensure that
each member contributes to a progressive and productive working life.
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Researcher
Responsibilities

To work with members of the ERE Teams and others on OPM client projects and projects
undertaken by our sister company Dialogue by Design. This work includes designing
research methods and materials, sampling, recruitment, conducting literature searches,
conducting interviews, facilitating focus groups, managing surveys, interpreting and analysing
qualitative and quantitative data in an insightful and robust way, and writing high quality
reports on complex issues.

To be self-motivated and good at managing time and workload in a fast-paced commercial
consultancy environment.

To agree with the project / research manager or director the appropriate tasks and processes
for carrying out projects and disseminating information.

To effectively communicate project related information to clients, partners and subcontractors

To actively contribute to professional skills development personally and at the team level.

To have and/or develop specific methods expertise in one of our key areas of activity

To participate in groups within OPM working on particular social research topics, to contribute
to related discussions and take forward agreed actions.

To support the process of proposal writing (e.g. through conducting background research into
policy and other drivers relevant to the focus of the specification in question).

To utilise appropriate IT packages in relevant aspects of project work, including specialist
research software

To meet personal targets, project deadlines and expected quality standards.

To undertake any other appropriate duties as requested.
Other responsibilities

To attend and contribute to ERE divisional and team meetings.

To participate in social responsibility projects.

To understand and actively support our policies on Equality and Diversity

Ensure the consistent application of corporate policies to OPM work and practices, in
particular, compliance with ISO 9001, 14001 and 27001 standards

To actively promote charter behaviour internally and externally with clients.

To ensure all communication (internal & external) is appropriate and represents ERE and the
OPM group in a positive manner.
Key relationships

Line and project managers
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Researcher

Project teams

Other members of the ERE teams

Colleagues in other teams

Clients, partners and other key stakeholders.
The post holder will be line managed by a dedicated manager, and will meet him or her regularly
to review performance and personal development.
Internal relationships
The post holder will come into contact with all Members of staff, and is expected to attend Office
days - such as Members Days, held once a month, and the Office Retreat, held once a year.
The post holder will be responsible for their own administrative support, but will be provided with
the relevant IT to allow them to manage their own workload.
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Researcher
Person Specification: Researcher
Experience
Necessary
Advantageous
Appropriate education and/or
training in a relevant discipline
such sociology, psychology,
geography, economics, public
health
Work with/in the public services
Experience in a professional
research or consultancy
environment
Experience in applying research,
evaluation or engagement
methodologies in an applied
setting such as a research agency
or research department
Experience in complex analysis
and report writing in an applied
setting such as a research agency
or research department
Experience of managing multiple
tasks effectively
Education/
Qualifications
Technical Skills
Bachelors degree of 2.1
classification or above in a social
science, or a methods master if
first degree is in a different subject
Graduate level experience in social
research theories, concepts and
methods including:
SPSS

NVivo
design of topic guides,
questionnaires and other
research tools

sample design for qualitative
and quantitative approaches

expertise in depth interviews,
ethnographic interviews and
similar approaches

strong applied quantitative
skills (e.g. managing large
datasets; performing
multivariate analyses; etc).

facilitation skills incl. focus
groups
SNAP
Other software or technologybased processes supporting
research and engagement
activities
Specific experience of handling
and analysing large datasets such
as those relevant to healthcare
(e.g. Hospital Episode Statistics)
and large-scale population surveys
(e.g. Annual Population Survey).
Advanced quantitative analysis
skills (e.g. multivariate analysis,
statistical process control, financial
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Researcher

citizen and community
engagement incl. deliberative
approaches

strong analytical thinking and
an ability to triangulate different
evidence strands/methods

succinct report writing and
effective communications
modelling, etc)
Good at managing your time and
projects
IT literate
Proficiency in MS Word, Excel and
PowerPoint
Internet search skills
Knowledge of social media and
their role in research and
engagement
Excellent verbal and written
communication skills
Personal Skills
Excellent interpersonal and team
working skills
Experience of working with others
on jointly delivered projects
Self -motivated
Experience of direct work with
diverse communities
Ability to work with diverse client
and community groups
Good planning and timemanagement skills
Effective communication skills
Engaging telephone manner
General
Proven ability to work successfully
in a dynamic project-based
professional consultancy
environment
Involvement in projects or activities
focusing on improving or changing
service delivery or outcomes for
people
Demonstrable interest in key social
issues such as inequality,
improving public services, and
citizen and community
empowerment.
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Researcher
Equality and Diversity
We regard the promotion of equality and diversity as central to our core mission to improve social
results for service users and communities and we take our commitments in this area seriously.
We also recognise the strong business case for embracing diversity. Within the workforce, it has
been demonstrated that promoting diversity encourages creativity amongst staff, assists in the
retention of human capital, and helps to attract talented employees. It is clear that a positive and
pro-active approach to equality and diversity also helps to equip us to better meet the needs of
our diverse client base.
Provisions for fair treatment and anti-discrimination are set out in a rapidly evolving legislative
framework. OPM recognises its duties as an employer under this legislation, and although we are
not a public body, we strive to meet the standards set out in the legislation for public service
organisations.
Terms and Conditions
A full copy of the terms and conditions of employment at OPM is distributed upon appointment.
Following the completion of satisfactory service, OPM members will be invited to join a companynominated personal pension scheme. OPM will make a contribution of 4% of the member’s
annual salary.
Members are entitled to 30 days leave per year plus statutory bank holidays.
Selection Process
You will need to complete an application form and return it to [email protected] by 12pm
(midday) on 5/10/2014.
If your application is taken forward, you will be invited to attend a panel interview and complete a
written task.
If you are successful in your application, we will conduct verbal and/or written reference checks
with your approval. We will need to see your original birth certificate and/or passport as well as
your educational certificates. We will also request your completion of an occupational health
questionnaire. When the enquiries are completed satisfactorily, OPM will make a formal offer of
appointment
Skills testing of disabled applicants
Applicants who satisfy the minimum standards of the role may be asked to take a number of
ability tests before being progressed to the next stage of the recruitment process. These include
online numerical and verbal reasoning assessments supplied by a psychometric test provider. If
an ability test has a feature that, in the opinion of the applicant, places a disabled person at a
substantial disadvantage to other candidates, OPM agrees to take such steps as is reasonable to
mitigate the disadvantage.
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Researcher
Should an applicant be able to demonstrate their ability for the role as laid out in the job
description (able to meet the minimum standards of the role as outlined in the necessary column
in the person specification), by any alternative method, this will be given due consideration by
OPM.
OPM agrees that should disabled applicants meet the minimum requirements of the job and are
able to demonstrate their competency through ability tests or any other comparable method; they
will be given an automatic right to interview.
About OPM
OPM is an employee-owned public interest company dedicated to improving social results. We
help organisations make a greater social impact and respond positively to change.
The OPM Group includes Dialogue by Design – specialists in public engagement and online
consultation.
Our clients
We work with organisations in health, social care, local and central government, children’s
services, education, the police and community safety, the voluntary sector, research, regulation
and utilities. All the people we work with share a common commitment: a determination to
improve the well-being of the communities they serve.
Our skills
We have a wide experience in partnerships, innovation, improvement and efficiency, leadership
and management development, research and evaluation, setting up employee-owned mutuals,
commissioning, public service futures, coaching, deliberation and dialogue.
Our knowledge of social policy and public services is unrivalled. We are leading thinkers about
the future of public services and we speak with authority about challenging issues.
Our strengths
We are experts in dealing with complexity and in working across organisational boundaries.
When clients tell us about their needs, we listen intently, identify the most efficient approach, then
build teams with the best fit of skills and experience. It is important to us to equip people with the
tools and skills they need to perform with confidence and excellence. Strong project
management, user engagement methods and the use of evidence underpin all our work.
Quality
We are consistent in our application of corporate policies and guidelines to OPM work and
practices to ensure the highest quality of our work, in particular, operate the ISO 9001 and 27001
standards.
Our values
OPM is made up of enthusiastic members who care about people and public services and work
within a strong ethical framework.
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We invest in public interest activities, research and seminars, to improve social outcomes. We
are also involved in our local community: volunteering to help a local community association.
Founded in 1989, we became fully employee-owned in 2006. We belong to the Employee
Ownership Association, ‘the voice of co-owned business in the UK'.
Environmental commitment
We operate to the ISO 14001 environmental system. OPM is accredited by Carbon Smart. This
means that we are ‘implementing practical actions to actively reduce our environmental impact
and carbon footprint’. In 2011, we earned the Carbon Smart Gold Award for the fourth year
running.
Equality and diversity
OPM has made a commitment to promoting equality and diversity in all our work. We have a full
programme of activities to support continuous improvement, including regular briefings for all
members, training for managers and practice exchange sessions.
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The OPM Charter
Working with you to improve social results.
OPM is committed to improving the quality of life for all communities by working with clients and
the public to help them achieve the social results they desire.
As a member of OPM:

I am committed to delivering high quality work and to helping to achieve social results.

I am committed to my own development to sustain and increase my contribution to OPM, and
expect others to provide appropriate support and opportunities.

I will behave with integrity, honesty and courtesy at all times, and expect the same from
others.

I will contribute to providing a productive and supportive working environment, and will ask for
and offer support when it is needed, and expect others to do the same.

I will be fair and open in my expectations of others, and expect the same from them.

I will take responsibility for reflecting and demonstrating the values of OPM outside the
organisation.
All members of OPM are expected to uphold the charter in the organisation, and be active in
ensuring its principles and values underpin all our behaviours, work and the continued success of
the organisation.
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