Application pack for the post of Ethnographer

The application pack consists of the following:

  1. Background to the rolepage 2
  2. Job Descriptionpage 6
  3. Person Specification page 9
  4. Guidance on applicationpage 12
  5. Personal Application Form (see separate pdf)

Two documents should be consulted in conjunction with this application pack before making an application. These are Barnwood Trust’s Strategic Framework 2011-2021 and Unlocking Opportunities – a radical plan, a description of our ten year Investment Plan. These are available either as downloads from the website, or through inclusion in this pack if you have applied for a pack by post.

Barnwood Trust: background

Barnwood Trust’s vision is to create the best possible environment in Gloucestershire for people with disabilities and mental health challenges to make the most of their lives. Its ten year investment plan, Unlocking Opportunities, outlines how the organisation intends to act as a catalyst for change across the county in order to achieve this vision.

The origins of Barnwood Trust go back to 1794, with the first public subscription for the building of an asylum in Gloucester. The subscribers, who were the predecessors of Barnwood’s Trustees, raised the funds and in 1815 until 1856 partnered with the County and City in the building and operating of a mental hospital in Gloucester.

In 1858 the subscribers bought what came to be known as Barnwood House Hospital. From the very start, the hospital had a philanthropic dimension, with wealthier patients subsidising those of more moderate means. The hospital was a centre of excellence and innovation and thrived through the latter years of the nineteenth century and after World War Two, it became a centre for research into the biochemistry of the brain.

However, as the 1950s and 60s marked a fertile era for scientific exploration, rising research costs coincided with a downturn in patient numbers – and income – as more people took advantage of improved care provided free by the State after the introduction of the NHS in 1946. As a result, the main hospital closed in 1967 and the majority of the estate, which comprised over 200 acres, was sold during the 1970s. The Trustees were very astute in the selling of much of the land, with the result that the Trust now has the benefit of a substantial endowment fund; this has enabled the Barnwood Trust to evolve and to pursue its charitable objects in new ways.

From around 1980 the Trust’s operations were focussed on the provision of day care, sheltered housing and grant giving. Then in 2011, the Trustees agreed a new strategic direction for the Trust, marking the end of its role as a direct provider of services. Its new strategy - Unlocking Opportunities – outlines how Barnwood Trust will work over the next ten years to enable people living with disabilities and mental health challenges, across Gloucestershire, to take charge of their own lives and support other people.

The development of Unlocking Opportunities was informed by an extensive consultation exercise, during which people with disabilities and mental health challenges across the county shared their views, experiences and aspirations. We heard how many people would feel so much better if they had something interesting to do, people to share things with and a place to live that feels good, free from stigma and discrimination. It is in this context that Barnwood Trust identified its key strategic goals for the coming decade.

Over this ten year investment period, Barnwood Trust will work alongside other organisations and individuals in the county in support of its three goals: developing people; developing voices; and developing community spaces. It is envisaged that this approach will deliver greater opportunities for meaningful activities and social engagement; better connected, appropriate services; the development of more appropriate accommodation across the county; and a greater number of accessible public spaces, where people can come together to pursue common interests in a truly inclusive and hospitable environment. Through its engagement and influencing work, the Trust also expects to see more businesses and community groups being welcoming to people with disabilities and mental health challenges, in a manner which is genuine and meaningful.

Barnwood Trust recognises the importance of community development in bringing about durable change for people with disabilities and mental health challenges. The Trust has therefore embarked on a major community-building initiative in Gloucestershire, with the aim of fostering more inclusive, vibrant communities across Gloucestershire; communities in which everyone can feel a part, join in, and take care of each other. Our work is expected to encourage people to recognise their own abilities to make a difference in the places where they live and work, and build positive relationships in their community. We believe that it is in doing things together that confidence is built and opportunities emerge; and that in doing things together, barriers are broken down and unhelpful stereotypes are challenged.

The Trust is currently working with 8 communities – ‘learning sites’ - across Gloucestershire, each with a unique identity and character. Each area is being supported to use strengths based approaches to community development. These include asset based community development, community animation, time banking and storytelling. These approaches encourage local people to recognise their own abilities and strengths to make a difference in the places where they live and work, and make positive connections with their neighbours.

Barnwood Trust is supporting these communities by providing advice, practical support and small amounts of money so that people can come together to do what they enjoy, work on what they care about, share their skills and strengths, and build connections in their communities. We also offer specialist support to build the confidence of community members who might otherwise be isolated, and bring organisations together to consider how they too can support people to do these things.

It is envisaged that these combined approaches will contribute positively to individual and community wellbeing, so the places where we live and work are more resilient and equipped to welcome those who are living on the margins of their communities.

Barnwood Trust is committed to designing and implementing a research and evaluation programme that will enable it to evaluate its progress in delivering change in Gloucestershire. Specifically, the research and evaluation programme will enable the Trust to assess its impact on individuals, communities, and organisations across the county, and its overall presence and influence in Gloucestershire.

For Barnwood Trust, it is imperative that its research and evaluation work is conducted in a manner consistent with its organisational values and ethics:

  1. Ensure the genuine and meaningful participation of citizens, especially people with disabilities and mental health challenges;
  2. Provide a learning/empowerment legacy to Gloucestershire;
  3. Focus on the assets and achievements as well as the challenges faced by the county; and
  4. Ensure high standards of methodological rigour underpin all its evaluation activities.

The Ethnographer role will be critical to the Trust’s efforts to document its community development initiative. Working alongside the Unlocking Opportunities team, you will be responsible for designing and carrying out in-depth research to explore the process of change in three of its community development sites. For example:

  • the dynamics in each of the communities, types of stakeholder engaged/contextual analysis etc.
  • the processes underway in each of the communities
  • associated outcomes
  • overall impact on individual participants, communities, organisations/agencies
  • the learning of the participants about what the strengths and weaknesses of that process are

Given the nature of this work, you will be required to engage with a broad range of individuals and organisations. This will likely include:

  • Community members, including people with disabilities and mental health challenges, and their families and carers
  • Community group representatives and other informal community leaders
  • Organisations and agencies from the voluntary, statutory and private sector
  • Elected representatives

You will be part of a small – but expanding - Research Unit, based at the Trust’s offices in Ullenwood. As part of your employment, you will be mentored by an experienced ethnographer /qualitative researcher, who will support you through each stage of the research process.

You will be based in based in Barnwood Trust’s offices in Cheltenham, but will be required to spend a significant amount of time in each of the community development sites. This will include some evening and weekend working, as required.

Ethnographer: Job Description
KEY PURPOSE:
To enable the key contributors to Unlocking Opportunities to track the process of delivering the outcomes, and overall impact, of the Unlocking Opportunities plan in three specific learning sites in Gloucestershire.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Responsible to the Research Coordinator.
Responsible for liaising with everyone contributing to the delivery of Unlocking Opportunities; employees of Barnwood Trust; delivery partners in the public, voluntary and private sector; and community members in Gloucestershire.
KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
(a) Ethnographic study: research planning and design
  • In collaboration with the Research Coordinator and other relevant team members, develop a plan for the ethnographic study, with the aim of exploring the processes, outcomes and impact across the three learning sites; the evolving interactions, events, relationships, and sequence of events etc.
  • Using your knowledge of ethnographic research, advise on appropriate research methods for the study, and also methods of analysis (including any relevant software)
  • In collaboration with the Research Coordinator and other relevant team members, identify the key issues around which to develop this plan, updating this from time to time as new issues emerge, and the plan evolves
  • Within the plan, identify key milestones for organisation, data collection and reporting
  • Implement the plan in collaboration with internal and external partners

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
(b) Research ethics
  • Assist in the development of research ethics protocols for the ethnographic data collection
  • Work with the Research Coordinator to ensure these protocols are consistent with the ethics and overall values of Barnwood Trust
  • Design the project information sheets and consent forms

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
(c) Data collection & analysis
  • Build strong relationships in each of the learning sites to enable the study to commence
  • Make practical arrangements for the collection of data (scheduling, travel to/from sites etc.)
  • Collect ethnographic data in each of the three learning sites
  • Work with the Research Coordinator to ensure that ethnographic data is coordinated with other data collection activities, in support of the overall evaluation of Unlocking Opportunities
  • Maintain up to date, confidential records of ethnographic data
  • Prepare and organise data for analysis
  • Lead on the analysis and interpretation of ethnographic data
  • Assist the Research Coordinator to write progress reports to the Unlocking Opportunities Steering Group and other key stakeholders

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
(d) Knowledge management
  • Contribute to writing up and presenting the findings of the ethnographic research for a range of relevant audiences
  • Assist the Research Coordinator to design and deliver a dissemination strategy for the research findings resulting from the ethnographic study (including , for example, the use of web-based and print methods as well as workshops and conferences)

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
(e) Other
  • Actively demonstrate the Trust’s values, mission and vision and promote the aim of the Investment Plan
  • Work cooperatively with colleagues and carry out any other reasonable tasks as may be required
  • Maintain confidentiality at all times and ensure adherence to the Trust’s confidentiality and data protection policies
  • Take responsibility for undertaking training and development activities identified through the appraisal process and for applying learning in the workplace
  • Contribute to activities organised to support the development of Barnwood Trust and its workforce
  • Take responsibility for working in accordance with the Trust’s policies, taking reasonable care for you own health and safety, and that of other people, and to comply with all health and safety legislation.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
  • Full time, 3 year contract
  • Salary of 25-30k, depending on experience
  • 37.5 hour week (including some evening and weekend working, as required)

Ethnographer: Person Specification
Education / Essential /Desirable / Form of assessment
MA/MSc/PhD degree in social sciences or other relevant discipline
Training and/or experience of conducting ethnographic research
/ E
E / Application
Application
Knowledge and Experience
At least 2 years relevant experience in ethnographic research / E / Application
Proven track record of designing, delivering and completing ethnographic research projects / E / Application/
presentation
Proven track record of analysing and writing up ethnographic research findings / E / Application
Proven track record of working with vulnerable groups / E / Application/interview
Knowledge and/or experience of strengths-based approaches to community development / D / Application/interview
Skills
Competence in applying ethnographic research methods / E / Interview
Strong analytical skills, with demonstrable experience of analysing both qualitative and quantitative data / E / Application/
presentation/interview
Strong IT skills (demonstrable proficiency in using MS Word and Excel and PowerPoint, and qualitative data analysis software) / E / Application
Creativity, flexibility and adaptability / E / Application/interview
Full driving licence / E / Application
Communication
Excellent writing skills, with demonstrable experience of writing research papers and reports for a range of audiences, and a range of a media / E / Application
Confident verbal communication skills, and an ability to work with a wide range of people, using tact, diplomacy and sensitivity as required / E / Interview/task
Work ethic and approach
A positive attitude, and an ability to generate goodwill and build relationships with collaborators and colleagues / E / Application/interview
Ability to manage parallel tasks, prioritise work, and manage time effectively to meet internal and external deadlines / E / Application/interview
Displays the utmost integrity, and an ability to hold and respect confidential and sensitive information / E / Application/interview
Dependable and resilient / E / Application/interview
Commitment to working as part of a team / E / Application/interview
Self-motivated, resourceful, and proactive in taking initiative / E / Application/interview
Concern for, and commitment to, delivering high quality work / E / Application/interview
Commitment to people with disabilities and people with mental health problems
Passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of people with disabilities and people with mental health problems / E / Interview
Keen interest in disability, social and public policy related research / E / Interview
Commitment to Barnwood Trust
Commitment to contributing to the achievement of the vision, mission and values of Barnwood Trust / E / Interview/presentation

Guidance on applications

Applicants are requested to submit the following documentation as part of their application:

  1. Completed personal application form (see separate pdf).
  1. Letter of application, which should include a personal statement setting out why you wish to apply for this post and what makes you suited to it. You should also indicate if you are available for interview on Tuesday 19th March, 2013, and, if offered the post, when you would be available to start.
  1. Curriculum vitae relevant to this post.

All of this material needs to be submitted before an application can be considered.

Please submit your application by 5pm, Friday 1st March, 2013, either by email or post, to:

Clare Fletcher

Research Coordinator

Barnwood Trust

Ullenwood Manor Farm

Ullenwood Manor Lane

Ullenwood

Cheltenham

Glos

GL53 9QT

If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be asked to present a piece of your own ethnographic research to the panel. You will also be asked to talk about how your experience of carrying out this research, and the skills you drew upon, are relevant to the post at Barnwood Trust.

If you have any queries please call Clare Fletcher on 01452 634014.