Revolving Doors Agency
Room 2A31, South Bank
Technopark, 90 London Road,
London SE1 6LN
14 March 2017
Dear applicant,
Recruitment – Research Manager (part time)
Thank you for your interest in applying for the post of Research Manager at Revolving Doors.
We are looking for an experienced social researcher to lead our research and evaluation function,
supervising the work of the full-time Research and Evaluation Officer, plus research associates. You
will have a strong track record of designing and managing research with vulnerable people, and will
have expertise in criminal justice, mental health and/or another social policy area related to our
work. We are open to exploring the possibility of an academic connection for the post holder.
You will be able to design and shape proposals, manage and co-ordinate evaluation and other
research projects, and liaise confidently with clients, ensuring that projects are delivered to budget
and deadline. You will be skilled at building effective relationships with partners, including academics.
You will be intellectually curious, highly motivated, extremely organised and an excellent
communicator, equally at home with researchers and non-research audiences.
This is an important and exciting new post in Revolving Doors. Through our evaluations – a core
part of our work supporting service improvement and system redesign – you will be able to make a
difference to the lives of people facing multiple exclusions. And through our wider research on
multiple and complex needs you will be part of a team that influences policy and practice at national
and local levels.
Alongside this letter you will find:
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The job description and person specifications for the post
Diversity and equal opportunities monitoring form.
To apply for the role please send in your CV and a short covering later of no more than 2 sides of
A4 setting out what you will bring to the role and how you will meet the requirements of the job
description and person specification. Your CV should include the details of two referees.
Applications should be attached and sent by email to me at: [email protected].
The deadline for receipt of applications is 9am on Monday 3 April 2017. If you are shortlisted
you will be invited to interview the week commencing 10 April.
Please note that we welcome applications from people with prior convictions, in
accordance with our policies.
Thank you again for your interest and I look forward to hearing from you.
Christina Marriott
Chief Executive
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Research Manager
Accountable to:
Director of Policy and Research
Direct reports:
Research and Evaluation Officer
Salary:
£30,000-£35,000 pro rata (£15,000-£17,500 actual)
Hours:
Part-time 17.5 per week (2.5 days)
JOB OBJECTIVES
The key objectives of this post are:
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To provide oversight for the work of the Research and Evaluation Officer and
Revolving Doors’ research associates
To design and manage service evaluations ensuring all projects are completed to
time, on budget and to a high standard
To develop innovative research and analysis; translating findings to support ‘real
world’ policy and practice improvement
To contribute towards the development of Revolving Doors social enterprise.
MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. To provide oversight for the work of the Research and Evaluation Officer and
Revolving Doors’ research associates
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Undertake risk assessments prior to data collection for new research and evaluation
projects
Ensure that the Research and Evaluation Officer and any research associate engaged
on a project is trained on ethics, confidentiality and risk protocols
Supervise and quality assure data collection, analysis and write-up delivered by the
Research and Evaluation Officer and research associates.
2. To design and manage evaluations of services that support people facing
multiple and complex needs
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Design frameworks and methods for service evaluations
Effectively and proactively project manage the delivery of evaluations and other
research projects, ensuring project quality, resource and timings
Design and facilitate focus groups with a range of stakeholders, including frontline
staff and service users
Identify and package key findings for a variety of audiences, including non-research
audiences
Liaise confidently with clients, including in the presentation of evaluation findings and
recommendations.
3. Develop research and analysis that supports ‘real world’ policy and practice
improvement
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Develop and maintain knowledge of the latest research and thinking on multiple and
complex needs and severe and multiple disadvantage
Design and coordinate the development of new research proposals and the
preparation of grant applications
Supervise innovative research into the drivers, experiences and routes out of
multiple disadvantage.
4. To contribute to the development of Revolving Doors social enterprise
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Identify opportunities for research and evaluation consultancy projects
Develop methodologies for proposals and tenders.
5. General responsibilities
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Prepare for and participate in supervision sessions and appraisals
Represent Revolving Doors Agency at meetings as required
Undertake any other duties compatible with the level and nature of the post as
reasonably required by the Chief Executive
Follow Revolving Doors' policy, procedures, and performance expectations
Implement Revolving Doors' Equality & Diversity Policy in all functions of the post
Implement Revolving Doors’ Safeguarding policy in all functions of the post
Carry out own administrative functions including filing and production of own
correspondence and reports
Ensure that files and recording systems are accurate and kept up-to-date.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
POST
We want the post holder to able to demonstrate the following competences to a high level and
want to use these to the full in their work.
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Visible leadership and accountability
Planning and organising projects,
finances and other resources
Delivering value for money
Building effective relationships with
others and team working
Communicating and influencing with
impact
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Strategic vision and big picture
thinking
Analytical thinking and making
effective decisions
Managing own performance and
development
Delivering at pace
Managing a quality service
Innovation and creativity, driving
continuous improvement
1 EXPERIENCE
The post holder will be able to demonstrate successful experience in the following
areas:

Significant experience of undertaking quantitative and qualitative research projects,
with vulnerable groups, using multiple methods, including undertaking in-depth
interviews with vulnerable groups
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Experience of facilitating groups as part of the research process.
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Experience of successfully developing and managing a number of concurrent research
projects on time and to budget.
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Experience of supervising research activities undertaken by others.
2.
SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND ROLE REQUIREMENTS
The post holder will able to demonstrate:
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Postgraduate qualification with a strong research component, or equivalent
experience
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Strong knowledge and experience of a range of both qualitative and quantitative
research methods
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Experience of designing research frameworks, methodologies and methods
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Experience of implementing an ethical framework and the ability to lead its
development
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Ability to critically appraise research literature, including experience of undertaking
literature reviews
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Knowledge of current government policy and/or service delivery in the area of
criminal justice, mental health, or other social policy related to our work
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Ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including clients,
frontline staff, service managers and people multiple and complex needs
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Excellent attention to detail
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Excellent oral, written and presentational communication skills
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Experience of packaging research findings in a variety of formats for a range of
audiences, including non-academic audiences
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Computer literacy in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
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Ability to prioritise, plan and organise work while in a busy environment
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An understanding and commitment to diversity and equality of opportunity as it
applies to the research process and in the workplace
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Ability to work independently and constructively as part of a small team.
The post holder may also be able to demonstrate the following:
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A PhD, or be working towards completion of a PhD
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Knowledge/experience of action research methods and/or theory of change
development
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Experience of using research software packages, such as SPSS, NVivo, MAXQDA
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Knowledge of the commissioning process for public services.
3.
ADDITIONAL JOB REQUIREMENTS

Willingness and ability to work outside of normal office hours on occasion.
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Willingness to work flexibly in response to changing organisational requirements.
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Willingness and ability to travel within England on a regular basis, with occasional
overnight stays.
Guidance for applicants
1.
The application process is designed to ensure the recruitment panel has the appropriate
information to assess each candidate fully and fairly.
2.
We will email you within 7 days of the advertised closing date to inform you if you have been
short-listed for interview. Response to advertisements for vacant posts has become extremely
high so we regret, therefore, that it is not possible to acknowledge receipt of application forms
or to feedback to all applicants. Feedback is available to anyone interviewed who requests it.
3.
Decisions are made on the basis of the person specification for the post. In your covering
letter you should attempt to give clear, concise information, which demonstrates your
experience and skills in each area detailed in the person specification.
4.
Your cooperation in completing the Equal Opportunities form would be appreciated, as the
feedback we receive will assist us in monitoring and implementing our Equal Opportunities
Policy. All information will be strictly confidential. The form will be detached from your
application to ensure anonymity and will not be seen by the selection panel. Your application
will not be affected if you choose not to complete part or all of this form.
5.
We will take up references only of candidates interviewed. Please tell us if you wish us to
check with you before we contact your referees. Both references should be work-related and
include your current or most recent employer (or equivalent).
6.
We will treat this application in the strictest confidence. Only members of the recruitment
panel will see it. It will be kept securely and destroyed after the recruitment process has been
completed unless we confirm with you a continuing interest in Revolving Doors and your wish
for your details to be kept on file.
7.
We welcome applications from people with prior convictions in accordance with our policy
(available on request).
8.
If you have difficulties in completing this application please contact us.
9.
Candidates who consider that they have not been fairly treated should write to:
Chief Executive, Revolving Doors Agency at [email protected] within
14 days of the closing date or 7 days after interview.
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STATEMENT OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
The Revolving Doors Agency recognises that people who are suffering from mental health problems, homelessness, or who
are in trouble with the law may face prejudice and unfair discrimination. Like other people, they may also face discrimination on
the basis of their age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, religion
or belief, pregnancy or maternity or other characteristics.
We believe that it is an important part of our responsibilities to do all we can to identify and eliminate prejudice and unfair
discrimination against people who we seek to serve.
The Revolving Doors Agency resolves that it will:
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Seek to understand and make explicit the ways in which prejudice affects its client group and its operations
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Adopt and monitor working and recruitment practices that challenge and seek to eliminate such prejudice and conscious
and unconscious bias.
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Seek to persuade others with whom we work to act likewise.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES MONITORING INFORMATION
The feedback we receive from this form will assist us in monitoring and implementing our Equal Opportunities Policy. All
information will be strictly confidential. The form will be detached from your application to ensure anonymity and will not be
seen by the selection panel. Your application will not be affected if you choose not to complete part or all of this form.
How did you hear about this post?
Revolving Doors website
Revolving Doors Twitter
Other Twitter
Female
Other
Charity Job website
Other (please specify)
Please indicate your gender:
Male
In which year were you born?
What is your marital status?
Married/Civil Partnered
Do you have any caring responsibilities?
Yes
Not married/civil partnered
No
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Do you have a disability?
Yes
No
Have you gone through any part of a process (including thoughts or actions) to bring your physical sex
appearance and/or your gender role more in line with your gender identity? (This could include changing your
name, your appearance and the way you dress, taking hormones or having gender-confirming surgery.)
Yes
No
Prefer not to say
Which of the following options best describes how you think of yourself?
Heterosexual/straight
Gay or Lesbian
Bisexual
Other
What is your religion?
No religion
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Any other religion (please describe) ………………………………………………………………………………….
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White
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