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Research Officer - Citizens Advice Scotland

Job Details

Job title
Research Officer
Closing date
Sunday 23 May 2021
Interviews
17 June 2021
Location
Edinburgh*
Hours per week
35
Type of contract
Fixed term
Salary
£24,720 - £28,000 per annum, commensurate with experience + benefits

More about the job

About the job

The Citizens Advice network in Scotland is the largest independent advice service in the country. Citizens Advice Scotland is a charity within this network – we act as a national organisation supporting and representing the service as a whole and the interests of citizens. At the heart of the network there are 59 individual citizens advice bureau organisations across Scotland, all operating as independent charities in their own right, and generally focusing on providing support directly to clients. Each of these organisations is a member of Citizens Advice Scotland. Also providing significant added value are the national elements of the service run out of Citizens Advice Scotland, such as the Extra Help Unit. We believe that every citizen should have access to free, impartial and confidential advice that helps them make informed decisions, whenever they need it and however they choose to access it.

Play a key role in supporting and co-ordinating research in areas identified as priorities for the citizens advice service, our clients and the people of Scotland. 

The Research Officer is part of the Impact Team at Citizens Advice Scotland. The Impact Team seeks to achieve positive change through two main routes:

  • informing and empowering individuals to take action through information, education and campaigning; and
  • changing policy, practice and law.

In this role, you will use a wide range of statistics, data, and evidence in order to highlight areas for action, develop and promote solutions. Working across a broad spectrum of issues, from social security to drinking water quality, you will also support Policy colleagues to develop research solutions that will deliver a sound evidence base to influence legislation and positive outcomes for bureaux clients and consumers.

Additionally, you will gain experience of commissioning and project managing research projects carried out by external parties on behalf of Citizens Advice Scotland. You will work closely with the Senior Research Officer to deliver a wide range of research projects and assist Policy Officers and other Citizens Advice Scotland colleagues to design and undertake research in different policy areas.

For more information, please refer to the Job Pack which can be downloaded using the links below.

Citizens Advice Scotland is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and flexible working arrangements to support all our staff. We are also committed to equality of opportunity for all and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

*This role is normally based our Edinburgh office.  As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, all Citizens Advice Scotland staff are currently working from home and we would therefore expect the successful candidate would be required to work from home initially.  Re-opening our offices will be carefully planned and managed in accordance with the latest Scottish Government guidance and public health advice. Candidates should be prepared to work from home initially, but be aware that attendance, not necessarily full time, at the normal office base will be required in future. We are currently reviewing our home working policy in response to the COVID-19 crisis and ongoing opportunities to work from home can be discussed with the successful candidate at offer stage.

Employee benefits 

Citizens Advice Scotland offers excellent terms and conditions, including a total of 40 days leave (including public holidays) and a pension scheme with an 8% employer contribution. We have a flexitime scheme which enables our employees to work flexibly in line with organisational requirements, and as an inclusive employer we are happy to consider other flexible working arrangements where appropriate. For more details of some of the other benefits on offer to our employees, please see the section on employee benefits in the Job Pack.

How to apply

To apply for this role, please send completed copies of the Personal Details Form, along with your current CV to: recruitment@cas.org.uk

 

In addition, we ask you to provide a short written statement (maximum of two pages) with examples which demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the post, as set out in the job description and person specification.

 

Equality & diversity monitoring

To help Citizens Advice Scotland monitor equality and diversity statistics please return the Equality & Diversity Monitoring Form separate from your other application documents by emailing it to: equalitymonitoring@cas.org.uk

About the employer

The Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux – Citizens Advice Scotland. Scottish charity (SC016637) and company limited by guarantee (89892)

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