Researcher

Researcher

Closing Date: Friday 8 March 2024 at 5pm
Work Type: Full & Part Time – Temporary/Permanent
Salary: £28,302 - £31,755 per annum / pro rata
Department: Analytics & Insight Team /2025 Improvement and Innovation Team
Location: OCC, Wymondham / PHQ, Martlesham - Hybrid (Rota)

Please quote Ref: L3347 on application form

Activities and Responsibilities of the Post

Principle Purpose of the role

Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies put research and analysis at the heart of their decision making. Our researchers deliver research support across a wide variety of policing functions, from supporting complex and fast-moving criminal investigations through to understanding the impact of policing activity in our counties and helping identify the highest risk strategic threats to our communities.

Our researchers come from a wide range of backgrounds, have varied experience and a wealth of different skills and abilities. So, if you want to do something a little bit different and extremely worthwhile, read on.

Who we are looking for

Do you have an inquisitive mind, great problem-solving skills, and an aptitude for researching information from a diverse range of sources? We are looking for people who can research both qualitative and quantitative information and have excellent communication skills to join our highly regarded team. If this sounds like you, we’d like to hear from you!

The position

We are looking to recruit researchers for roles within the Analytics and Insight department which provide analysis and research support to the operational, strategic and performance functions in both constabularies. In addition to this, we also have an opportunity in the Suffolk Improvement and Innovation Team’s Performance Improvement Unit, which is responsible for addressing specific operational performance areas within Suffolk Constabulary, as well as delivering change projects across the force.

A researcher working within the Operational Analysis and Research Team will produce clear, concise and insightful research products that are used by both analysts within the team and policing teams such as those involved in major investigations, organised crime, safeguarding and neighbourhood policing. You will undertake both regular products and a variety of intelligence taskings.

A Researcher in the Performance Team will research information in relation to problems, patterns, and trends in performance to support performance analysis and monitoring capabilities. They will look for opportunities to introduce new methods or information sources. They may work alone to provide accurate, comprehensive, and balanced research or to support analysts on more complex pieces of work.

A Researcher working within the Strategic Team will research crime and community safety data to inform the understanding of both long-term and newly emerging crime issues. Strategic products are essential to identify policing priorities, formulate strategic planning for decision making and aid in directing the future strategy of policing.

A Researcher within the Suffolk 2025Improvement & Innovation Team’s Performance Improvement Unit will support Suffolk Constabulary by contributing to operational performance improvement initiatives. They will research, gather and evaluate quantitative and qualitative information from a variety of sources and produce research reports in a suitable format to support colleagues to help understand performance challenges and in identifying solutions aimed at improving them.

The posts that are available could be offered on a range of contract types (permanent, temporary, secondment, full time and part time) and applicants who are successful but are not offered a post immediately will be held on a select list.

It is desired that you have experience of collating, assessing and evaluating information and writing research based reports This experience may be from working in a variety of industries, either in private, public or third sectors. Whilst experience of working in policing may be beneficial, it is not a pre-requisite for applications.

When completing your application please make it clear which of the 4 teams (Operational, Performance, Strategic or 2025) you would like to be considered for as this will help determine the nature of the task and questions posed at interview. Please note that this does not preclude you from being offered a post within a different team should one become available.

What we can offer

• Competitive salaries with a generous annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and the ability to work from home
• An excellent local government pension scheme and access to the Blue Light card discount scheme
• Exciting and varied work streams with a clear career pathway for staff development
• A diverse, equal and inclusive workforce in an organisation that values its’ people
• Fantastic wellbeing support function and staff support networks for all staff members and access to the sports and social club
• And finally, but perhaps most importantly, the opportunity to make a difference to the communities of Norfolk and Suffolk

Location

Our researchers are currently home-based for most of the time, but there will be a requirement for occasional office-based working, however there is flexibility should office-based working be preferred. The office locations are the Norfolk Police Headquarters in Wymondham or the Suffolk Police Headquarters in Martlesham.

Interested?

Main Activities of the Role

• Collect, collate and evaluate information from a wide range of open and closed information sources at a strategic, tactical or operational level, and for intelligence or performance purposes
• Produce and deliver accurate and easy to use intelligence and/or performance reports and products and support analysis across the department (operational and strategic)
• Research intelligence and/or performance information in relation to problems, patterns, trends and series to support operational and/or strategic intelligence analysis or performance monitoring capabilities
• Liaise with and work in partnership with other organisations, to gather and research information to ensure that intelligence and/or performance products are comprehensive and balanced and to promote collaborative working
• Coordinate and respond in a timely manner to nationally required data, for instance from HMICFRS, the Home Office, NPCC and partner agencies
• Produce intelligence and/or performance products to inform decision making and direct departmental, organisational and partnership activity
• Maintain knowledge of the current intelligence and performance products and requirements, both within the department, across the organisation and externally
• Prepare and present intelligence and performance data using a variety of techniques, such as charts, maps etc. to support investigations and performance reporting mechanisms as required
• Demonstrate appropriate research techniques such as environmental scanning models, collection plans, triangulation of information
• Engage with the Data Insight Officer to ensure that SBOS’ performance and statutory data requirements are reflected within the data insight strategy and that accurate and robust data is available to extract
• Contribute to, and maintain a catalogue of data requests/submissions to enable easy access to data and replication of methodologies and to assist with responding to queries about submissions
• Any other duties that are commensurate with the role and grade as may be requested by management

Person Specification

It is essential that applicants meet the following criteria:

• Experience of collating, assessing and evaluating information from a range of sources and systems and compiling into research-based reports
• Experience of researching qualitative and quantitative information
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to produce accurate and timely reports, being articulate and able to debate issues
• Proven problem-solving skills
• Demonstrate an understanding of performance and intelligence reporting requirements, for example, by understanding and applying business rules and standard operating processes to data/information extraction, collation and interpretation
• Ability to use own initiative and work under pressure
• Good computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite

It is desirable that applicants meet the following criteria:

• Previous experience of, or trained in the use of Microsoft Excel or analytical and data mining tools such as i2, Microsoft Reporting or equivalent
• Demonstrate an understanding of key legislation including the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Data Protection Act 2018

Hours of work various

This post is offered on a Permanent/Temporary basis

Special conditions / Points to note

• The purpose of this job description is to indicate the general level of the duties and responsibility of the role, the duties may from time to time vary without changing the general character of the role or the levels of responsibilities
• Whilst the role is normally based at the aforementioned location, you may be required to work at other establishments across both Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies as may be reasonably required. Police Staff Conditions of Service will be adhered to in such instances
• All duties must be carried out in accordance with relevant Health and Safety legislation and good practice. A ‘No Smoking in the Work Place’ policy applies.
• All duties must be carried out in a manner that supports the Constabulary’s commitment to equality and inclusion

Norfolk and Suffolk constabularies are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

The recruitment criteria for all posts are subject to reasonable adjustment in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £28,302.00-£31,755.00 per year

Benefits:

• Work from home

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: L3347