Job Brief for the role of Research Officer (Temporary)
Please send CV, covering letter and Equality and Diversity Monitoring form attached to :
Sheena Pentin - [email protected]
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Power to Change Trust
Power to Change is an independent charitable trust endowed with £150 million from the Big
Lottery Fund to support community businesses across England over the next 7-10 years. Power
to Change acts as a community businesses champion through the provision of funding and
support on a local level. We also aim to play a broader national leadership and advocacy role to
enhance the market for community business and increase awareness of its social and economic
benefits.
Our organisation
Power to Change was established in response to a growing recognition of the challenges faced
by communities in maintaining vibrant local places with access to shops and services,
opportunities for employment and skills development, a strong community fabric and a sense of
a positive future. While industrial decline has made this a long-term challenge in a number of
communities, the scale and reach of the challenge sharpened in the wake of the financial crisis
as a result of the closure of high street retailers and local public services, and cuts to much of
the support available for the voluntary and community sector.
Our vision and mission
Our overall vision is to achieve ‘better places through community business’, a vision which we
will deliver through pursuing our mission which is to ‘back people to build successful local
businesses for the benefit of their communities’. Power to Change has been established as a
time-limited ten year Trust, with the aim of significantly accelerating the growth and impact of
community business in England, thereby creating a sustainable legacy of robust community
businesses will which endure well beyond the Trust’s ten year timeframe.
Our objectives
 To grow the community business sector such that there are a greater number of high
impact, sustainable community businesses at the end of 10 years
Power to Change, June 2016
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To demonstrate that community businesses can transform places through positive
economic, social and environment impact
To influence government, business, consumers and other funders that community
business is a powerful force for change such that they increase their investment in
community business.
Our Values
 we encourage and support community businesses to take power and responsibility to
achieve lasting change
 we collaborate to bring talented people and organisations from different backgrounds to
deliver the best outcomes for community businesses
 we are a catalyst for change, building on the best ideas, leveraging new resources and
championing new approaches –
 we focus our activities where they can have the greatest impact and bring greatest
benefit to communities who are most marginalised.
 we learn from strong research underpinned by a deep appreciation of what is important
to community businesses -we are transparent and open about our decision-making,
sharing what we learn
Our colleagues are expected to:
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Positively support equality and diversity both within Power to Change and externally
Help maintain a safe working environment and take responsibility for own and
colleagues' Health and Safety
Undertake such other duties to support the team as maybe requested
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all candidates
irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or
belief, or marital or civil partnership status.
Job Description
Role Title
Research Officer (0.4FTE, fixed term contract for an initial 3 month
period)
Location
Bristol
Reports to
Head of Research and Policy
Direct Report
None
Commissioned researchers delivering our research programme
Stakeholders
Academics such as members of our Research Panel
PTC colleagues
Role Purpose
Power to Change, June 2016
To support the Head of Research with the management of our research
programme and to carry out discrete research or analysis activities.
Key
Accountabilities
Project and portfolio management:
 Across our large research programme, support the Head of Research
with day-to-day contract and project management of commissioned
projects
 Support the Head of Research with overall portfolio management, such
as arranging publication schedules or planning communications activity
 Ensure project comply with PtC administrative procedures and carry
out administrative tasks such as updating contracts management
systems
Annual Grantee Survey:
 Project manage the delivery of our annual grantee survey, a short
survey to a group of c.300 organisations
 Analyse responses and deliver a descriptive analysis of the results
Person Specification
Essential skills
and experience
Desired skills
and experience
Remuneration
Package
(to be completed
only for roles that
are to be
advertised)
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Experience of research, evaluation or data analysis
3+ years postgraduate experience
BA qualification
Experience of Microsoft Excel
Flexible, “can do” attitude
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MA in social research desirable
An interest in the community or voluntary sector
Experience of statistical analysis tools
Experience of Salesforce (Customer Relationship Management
system)
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Salary circa £30k pro rata
Pension; Employee contribution 4% Company 5%
Holidays; 25 days plus 8 Statutory holidays (pro-rata)
Hours: 9-5pm or as required to fulfil the role
Season ticket loan
Childcare vouchers
6 days vocational training or volunteering in a community business
(pro-rata)
Author
Ailbhe McNabola
Date
24/05/17
Power to Change, June 2016
Power to Change, June 2016
Equality Monitoring Form
Power to Change is committed to valuing diversity and promoting equality. We encourage and welcome applications from
suitably qualified applicants regardless of their age, disability, ethnicity, gender or gender identity, race – this includes
ethnic or national origins, nationality, religion or belief – this includes non-belief and / or sexual orientation or if you do not
wish to complete this form. In order to achieve these aims, and to monitor the effectiveness of our advertising and
recruitment strategies, we kindly ask you to complete this Equality Monitoring Form.
The information you enter on this Equality monitoring form will not be used in assessing and or scoring your application or
at interview stage, nor will it be seen by any person involved in selection for the post you are applying for. We will not
publish or use the information in any way which allows any individual to be identified. This information is kept fully
confidential and accessibility is strictly limited in accordance with the Data Protection Act. Thank you for your cooperation.
Position state which position
you are applying for:
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appropriate box.
Power to Change, June 2016
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We would find it helpful if you could say where you heard about this job?
Power to Change Website
Other – Please specify below
Guardian
Power to Change, June 2016
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Power to Change, June 2016
Job Brief templateV4
July 2016
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