Policy Research Manager

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Job description

Policy Research Manager
Location: London (hybrid role working between home and office)
Contract type: 12-month fixed term contract - maternity cover
Hours per week: 35
Salary: Circa £45,000 per annum (inclusive of Inner London Weighting allowance)

Can you ensure that high quality policy research is commissioned and delivered that drives the organisation's crucial policy and influencing activity?

About this opportunity

As Policy Research Manager you will be responsible for leading all of our commissioned research to inform and support policy and practice recommendations in line with our advocacy priorities. You will work across the directorate to develop research briefs and plans for each of our cause areas, and to ensure that research projects are carried out successfully from commissioning to publication.

Reporting to the Director of Policy and Advocacy, you will work collaboratively to understand and anticipate research needs to support external influencing while advising on the best approach to meeting evidence needs and commissioning research as appropriate. A key part of this will include ensuring the experiences of the people we support are reflected throughout our policy, research and advocacy work.

You will manage the end-to-end process for commissioning research, from drafting research briefs through to the production of final reports, ensuring the Policy, Research and Advocacy team follows clear processes and plans to support the delivery of research within agreed timeframes and to a clear purpose.

You will have responsibility, oversight and quality control over all reports produced within the policy, research and advocacy department, and you will be required to ensure that this research is well promoted both in and beyond the wider organisation. You will encourage the embedding of the findings into practice, working with media, strategic communications, and others to ensure the effective dissemination and promotion of research findings internally and to external audiences, also engaging externally with universities, NGOs and other bodies as necessary.

This is also a fantastic opportunity to play a lead role in ensuring a responsive and strategic research function across the British Red Cross, overseeing your team's role in convening and supporting research staff in other directorates via the running of the British Red Cross Research Network.

Diversity is something we celebrate

At the British Red Cross, we are looking for the best people to help us provide support to millions of people affected by crisis in the UK. We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of; age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

This role might be for you if…

• You are an experienced quantitative / qualitative researcher, with significant experience in a variety of research methods
• You have an extensive understanding of the role of evidence in the development of organisational learning, policy and advocacy initiatives
• You have substantial experience of undertaking research programmes and successfully managing a number of different projects at any given time, completing them to a high level of quality
• You have substantial experience in a commissioning role, drafting research briefs, sourcing external agencies and managing those relationships
• You can identify, build and maintain both internal and external relationships with key stakeholders
• You have the ability to provide substantive expertise and support to commissioned research projects
• You have experience of line managing staff and the proven ability to work as part of a team and build collaborative relationships with other staff members, at all levels
• You have the ability to conduct literature searches and reviews and experience of consultation involving a broad range of stakeholders, strategy development and implementation
• You have knowledge of voluntary and statutory organisations and can demonstrate interest in policy and policy development
• You are highly organised and able to meet demanding deadlines with excellent written and verbal research communication skills, including translating sometimes complex findings into a persuasive format for a public or political audience

(Please read the full Role Profile/ Job Description for more information about this vacancy including responsibilities and full person specification)

Closing date for applications is (23:59), Wednesday 8th of December 2021 with interviews anticipated to be held on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th of December 2021

We offer a wide range of staff benefits, including:

• 36 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays)
• Option to buy an extra 5 days annual leave
• Up to 6% contributory pension
• Flexible working policy
• Genuine investment in your development

A little bit more about us...

The British Red Cross help anyone, anywhere in the UK, get the support they need if crisis strikes. From hiring a wheelchair or dealing with loneliness, to adjusting to life in a new country - we're there when you need us.

Our organisation was born out of a desire to bring help without discrimination. Impartiality and neutrality have been central values for the Red Cross since we started.

Diversity is something we celebrate and we want you to be able to bring your authentic self to the Red Cross. We want you to feel that you are in an inclusive environment, and a great position to help us spread the power of kindness.

In the British Red Cross we will not tolerate any form of misconduct, including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse. We have a code of conduct in place and are committed to creating a culture of integrity in the organisation where misconduct is not tolerated, situations of abuse are quickly investigated and perpetrators are dealt with effectively.

If you are appointed to a role within the British Red Cross you will be subject to the organisation's Code of Conduct, a copy of which you can find on our website.

The British Red Cross, incorporated by Royal Charter 1908, is a charity registered in England and Wales (220949) and Scotland (SC037738).

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Connecting human kindness with human crisis